Tractor heritage, news and features

New JDs at Scotgrass

7950i self-propelled forage harvester

Increased power and capacity is offered by the new 812hp 7950 self-propelled forage harvester, a true contractor’s machine that features an intelligent engine/speed management system on the ‘i’ specification model. This technology helps operators to maximise their performance both in the field and on the road.

A new condition monitoring system (CMS) is optionally available for the 7950i, which also won a DLG silver medal at Agritechnica. This system continuously monitors the bearing vibrations of key components such as the compaction rollers, drum, kernel processor and accelerator fan. Should the component bearings begin to change their vibration frequency due to a malfunction, the driver or fleet owner is alerted via a signal in the forager cab or remotely via JDLink.

The 7950i forager can be equipped with a choice of three different headers for increased versatility. These include a newly designed heavy-duty 600C pick-up for grass harvesting; a new 12-row Kemper Champion 390 Plus header with a working width of 9m, which can harvest both maize and wholecrop; and a CRL coppice header for harvesting short-rotation coppice for biofuels.

Round balers for 2010

Designed for farmers and contractors looking for higher density bales and increased versatility, John Deere’s round baler range has been completely updated and renumbered for the 2010 season. There are now eight basic variable and fixed chamber models altogether, with a range of pick-up and feeding systems, extra options and new features, including an improved knife design for increased quality of cut and productivity.

Depending on model and specification, there is a choice of three pick-up types for different baling conditions. The HiFlow pick-up is available in widths of 2 and 2.2m, for high baling capacity especially in dry crops. The 2 or 2.2m RotoFlow pick-up features a large diameter, high rpm rotor for increased performance and a new drop-floor unplugging system, which prevents blockages caused by the build-up of crop material; and the 2 or 2.2m MaxiCut pick-up offers either 14 or 25 precutter knives for greater flexibility.

Machines being demonstrated at ScotGrass include the 623 and 644 Premium fixed chamber balers, the 864 Premium variable chamber baler and the 744 Premium wrapping baler, which is based on the 644 fixed chamber model.

The Scotgrass event takes place at the SAC Dairy Research Unit in Dumfries, Scotland on Tuesday 11 May.