Friday, 09 December 2022 10:25

New tractors narrow field

Written by  Mark Daniel
John Deere has introduced a new 100-plus horsepower range of cab tractors with its 5ML Series. John Deere has introduced a new 100-plus horsepower range of cab tractors with its 5ML Series.

John Deere has extended its offering to the New Zealand orchard, tree nut and vineyard industries with the introduction of the new 100- plus horsepower John Deere 5ML Series of cab tractors.

The tractors come with engine outputs of 105, 120, and 130hp, in two configurations. With the 5ML and the 5ML-Narrow offering front-axle working widths as narrow as 71 inches on the former and down to 61 inches on the latter.

Transmission choices are the easy to use PowrQuad PLUS. This offers 16F/16R speeds from 1.9 to 34km/h or thePowr8 with Creeper, delivering 32F/16R speeds with a max speed of 40 km/h or with the creep set engaged – as slow as 350 m/h.

“The 5ML will bring unprecedented power to John Deere’s orchard tractor offering, with a machine offering premium features at a size suited to exacting applications,” says John Deere Australia and New Zealand production system manager Stephanie Gersekowski. “While also delivering superior operator comfort as well as levels of precision agriculture technology not before seen in this class.”

Equipped with a lowprofile cabin, the 5ML features PFC Hydraulics. This is a load sensing system that initiates flow on-demand, but when it is no longer needed, the pump returns to low pressure and to standby mode. This helps to improve fuel efficiency by up to 30%.

Both configurations are equipped with programmable LED lighting and can be optioned with front hitch and – if required – a front PTO for added versatility. There is also choice of an easyto- use PowrQuad TM PLUS or Powr8TM transmission. The John Deerebuilt cab offers the ideal dimensions to fit down tight orchard rows. Meanwhile, at the tractor’s heart is a reconfigurable in-dash, three-screen LCD display that allows operators to customise their view. This makes it easy to set up guidance lines and on-the-go adjustments with shift track, as well as establish headlands with the encoder dial.

“The cab has a flat floor, spacious headroom and ergonomic controls to make for ease of use across a variety of operator experience, while also delivering extra comfort during long working days,” Gersekowski adds.

The Category IV Filtration System provides additional cabin filtration and pressurisation. This prevents external chemical and particulate hazards from entering the operator enclosure and eliminating the need for personal protective wear.

For practical operation, a new Limb Lifter kit can be added to gently move low hanging branches, thus reducing any potential for damage to the tree or the tractor.

As would be expected, the 5ML series makes precision farming capabilities available to grow efficiency. This includes JDLinkTM – an industry exclusive in this class to track machine data remotely.

“This is ideal for customers with fleets of tractors, as it allows them to manage equipment locations and proactively monitor machine health and productivity,” Gereskowski explains. “As well as deliver their team with the information and direction needed to finish jobs accurately and on time.”

5ML is Greenstar/ ISOBUS Ready for implement connectivity. This helps to accurately apply liquids and dry products in environments where a GPS signal is not available and document those applications.

Similarly, the Auto- TRACTM option offers customers the ability to eliminate implement overlap and optimise machine efficiency when completing jobs such as spraying, planting, and mowing.

The 5ML and 5ML Narrow are available for immediate order.

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