John Deere Unveils New Engines at ConExpo Las Vegas
The recent ConExpo construction show held in Las Vegas, said to be the largest exhibition of its type in the world, saw John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) preview two new mid-range industrial engines.
John Deere production and precision ag marketing manager, Royce Bell, says the changes can influence success at harvest time, including getting crops off as quickly as possible.
Harvest Settings Automation offers faster starts by automatically setting concave clearance, fan speed, rotor speed, sieve clearance, and chaffer clearance, based on the combine model, crop type and geolocation. After the operator sets limits for grain loss, MOG and broken grains, the system automatically adjusts the aforementioned settings to stay within the selected limits.
Currently available for wheat, barley, canola, corn, soybeans and rice, for MY 2027, the system has been expanded to deal with oats, lentils, peas, rye, triticale, and sunflower crops.
First offered for MY 2025, Predictive Ground Speed Automation (PGSA) controls the combine’s ground speed based on crop height and biomass measurements taken pre-harvest from satellite scans and on-the-go measurements made by cab-mounted cameras.
In operation, cab-mounted cameras add real-time detection of conditions such as downed crops or dense weed patches, ensuring speed regulation through these areas for optimal performance. For MY 2027, PGSA features Green Crop Detection, using enhanced data processing power and a specific algorithm, to accurately detect green crops within an otherwise-mature stand.
Other MY27 features include Tru-Thresh concaves with remote concave and separator grate adjustment, alongside new half-length concaves allowing modular installation and improved durability, for new MY 2027 X9 combines, which will also feature factory pre-cut openings in the clean grain elevator, allowing easier retro fitment of the HarvestLab systems.
All MY 2027 X9 and S7 combines will be available with a new power folding ladder option, while a new 35ft (10.7m) unloading auger on the X9 creates an additional 1.22m (4ft) of clearance between the header and unloading auger, allowing the use of wider headers or controlled traffic farming unloading-on-the-go on a 12 metre system. The new 550-bushel grain tank on the X9 allows for longer time between unloads and more capacity when opening larger paddocks, while also including heavy-duty final drives.
In addition to MY 2027 combine updates, there are changes to front-end equipment, including a new 27-row folding corn head (CF27) on 50.8cm (20in.) spacing. Corn head automation will be an optional feature on 2027 heads which will automatically control deck plate spacing and back-shaft speed, resulting results in more productivity, efficiency, and grain loss reduction.
John Deere is also launching Precision Upgrade Combine Automation Packages, allowing customers with a MY25 or newer S7 or X9 customers that have the Select Technology Package from the factory, to upgrade to Premium or Ultimate Technology Packages.
