John Deere acquires GUSS Automation
John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy, headquartered in Kingsburg, California.
Snippets during the last few months about the new John Deere 9000 series SP harvesters no doubt originate in the ‘mothership’ and are disseminated by social media.
Now the wraps are off, with official photographs and confirmed specifications; twin, chromed exhaust stacks and a J.Lo back end hint at where they’re headed.
The new 9000 series will have four models -- the 9600, 9700, 9800 and flagship 9900. The smallest unit has Deere’s own 13.5L, 6-cylinder PowerTech engine, while the three larger units are equipped with a 24L, V12 engine supplied by Liebherr.
Maximum power outputs are 625, 770, 870 and 970hp, respectively, in machines the manufacturer describes as ‘wide-bodied’ with fuel capacities of 1100 to 1500L.
Rural News understands that several existing 8000 series machines will remain in the product offering. It is expected the 8600 will become the flagship of that series, with the same 13.5L/625hp engine as the entry level 9600 machine.
John Deere says the new series will provide “10% more productivity while consuming 10% less fuel” than existing top-of-the-range machines. It also gives a similar number of 10% higher kernel processing scores for machines equipped with corn crackers.
The range has undergone several changes, including an 850mm crop channel that feeds a 670mm diameter drum that carries 40, 48, 56 or 64 chopping knives. Add to this an improved mainframe to deal with higher loadings, a reinforced driveline in the same vein and optimised component speeds: all are said to increase efficiency and form the basis of JD’s new HarvestMotion concept.
The kernel processor/corn cracker for the range merits attention; it has the optional XStream KP unit developed with US specialist Scherer.
It has a roller diameter of 250mm and a roller speed differential of 50% to create a ‘scrubbing’ effect; it is said to achieve the higher kernel processing score authenticated by independent test institutes.
Processor rollers are fitted in a saw-tooth profile on the Premium KP unit, with either saw-tooth or a new X-cut design in the XStream unit; this has a spiral-cut groove across the roll surfaces. Interestingly, the XStream KP is fitted with in-built temperature sensors to keep the operator informed of bearing temperatures.
The 9000 series is available with JD’s AMS precision farming systems that include the HarvestLab 3000NIRsensor to measure crop yields, moisture and other constituents; AutoTrac steering; RowSense guidance and ActiveFill Control to fill trucks or trailers.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
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