John Deere announces new combine harvesters with enhanced features

John Deere is expanding its innovative range of cutting-edge combine harvesters. In addition to the new compact machines W330 and W440, the W and T Series benefit from enhanced features and all-new tracks, available in various options and offering numerous advantages.
The footprint is on average 30% wider than that of existing systems on the market.

Thanks to a significantly longer track belt, the 609 mm (24 in.) option on the S700 model and the T Series has a footprint equal to that of the 762 mm (30 in.) version, while the transport width remains below 3,5 m and is only 3,29 m on the five-walker T Series model.

Top speed reaches 40 km/h (in authorized countries) on all models, and the five-point suspension chassis improves ride comfort. Measurements taken at the axles and the cab floor have confirmed a 20% improvement in ride comfort compared with models from a major competitor.

The increased availability is due to the use of five-ply rubber for the new tracks, instead of four-ply rubber. The track profile has also been improved, with deeper lugs that are now angled at 45 degrees.

Track durability was also tested on the road, with an eight-row corn header mounted on the front.

This test showed a 50% increase in service life compared with the previous design, for use at a speed of 40 km/h, seven hours a day, for 20 days.

The tracks also feature a triangular positive-drive design: in difficult conditions, they lift at the front and pull out of the ground rather than sinking deeper into it. Maintenance is also very simple, with no grease points and a transmission oil change interval of 500 hours.

MyOperations app for the S700 Series
The new ICA2 (Interactive Combine Adjustment) system ensures consistently maximum performance for S700 Series combine harvesters. Once the machine settings have been optimized (grain quality and losses, or sample cleanliness), it maintains the preset levels even when harvesting conditions change.

To make the initial optimization of the combine harvester even easier, John Deere has launched an all-new app, MyOperations, which allows farmers and contractors to view and change their machine settings remotely from their mobile phone, tablet or PC. They then simply confirm the changes on the in-cab display.

This new app will soon be available free of charge to all owners of S700 Series models on the App Store. After downloading the app, the customer will need to register at www.MyJohnDeere.com to activate the link to their combine harvester.

Increased performance for the W and T Series
John Deere W and T Series walker combine harvesters are renowned for their performance.

Thanks to the new easy-to-replace sections at the front of the concave, the operator can now adapt to changing harvesting conditions and achieve better overall results.

It takes only 15 minutes to remove the mixed concave for damp conditions and replace it with the small-grain concave for dry conditions, or the round-bar concave for large grains such as corn. It is thus possible to increase yield by 12%, for example by switching to a small-grain concave in difficult conditions to achieve more vigorous threshing.

All T Series models are now fitted with a new separation grate. The cast-iron rear rods have been replaced by new patented steel separation segments to increase yield.

The distance between the rear beater drum and the grate below it has also been reduced for more efficient separation. Independent institutes have measured a productivity increase of up to 10% with the new separation grate.

The operator also benefits from new optional 360-degree LED lighting, which improves visibility at night and in reduced-visibility conditions. Maintenance of the W and T Series combine harvesters has also been optimized thanks to a centralized oil drain manifold, which reduces spillage and pollution during draining operations.

Second generation of W330 and W440 combine harvesters
Designed for small and medium-sized farms, the second-generation W330 and W440 combine harvesters are now available. The overall cab volume has been increased by 15% (to 3,3 m3) to improve operator comfort and offer a working environment similar to that of the largest John Deere models.

The new intuitive 8:3 touchscreen display is unique in this market segment. The ACA (Automatic Combine Adjustment) system also allows the operator to select the next crop to be harvested, so that the combine harvester automatically adjusts the threshing and cleaning systems accordingly by changing the speed of the drum and fans, the concave clearance, and more.

To speed up emptying of the grain tank, the unloading speed has been increased from 55 to 75 l/s. The W330 PTC (with pre-threshing) model is also equipped with an optional lateral tilt of the feeder house, which allows the header to follow ground contours in all directions.

Draper header suited to all crops
To meet increased demand from European customers for draper headers, John Deere, the world's leading manufacturer in this sector, now offers the 700FD Flex Draper. The new seals reduce rapeseed losses by 45%, while the corrugated edges on both sides of the belt improve reliability by improving belt alignment and guidance.

The diameter of the optional auger above the belt has been increased to 45 cm and the central feed drum can now be placed in a high position to improve flow in rapeseed.

To make work easier on uneven ground, the flexible header moves 19 cm vertically across its entire width. This innovation allows a cutting height of just 38 mm from the ground, which greatly improves the harvesting of soybeans, peas and lodged crops.

Up to four header height sensors help follow the terrain.

Draper headers increase the performance of rotary-separation combine harvesters by 10% compared with machines fitted with standard rigid auger headers, owing to a more even feed of crops into the combine harvester with the ears first. They are also lighter, which reduces overall ground pressure.