New green machines, new features: John Deere's 2004 product launch introduces new features and new machines.

At this time of year, one of the most frequent questions I hear is "What dial you do over the summer?" I can usually answer that I've been to a few field days, a couple of county fairs of equipment shows and several ag manufacturers' product launches. This year I include in my response that I was among several US and Canadian journalists who got a first-hand look and on-board feel of some new John Deere machines.

In the hay fields of Living History Farms * in Urbandale, Iowa, we had the opportunity to compare the farming techniques of yesteryear with the technology advances presented by a team of John Deere professionals from several divisions: Ag Management Solutions, Ag Marketing Center, Commercial and Consumer Equipment, Des Moines Works, Harvester Works, Ottumwa Works, Seeding Group and Waterloo Works. Additionally, Dr. Michael Boehlje, Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, used statistics and forecasts to give us a picture of the "Farm of the Future."

But, all in all, the best part of the day were the opportunities to "ride and drive"--and I mean ride and drive in the most literal sense. New guidance technology makes it easy for even a novice to get a tractor, sprayer or combine from one end of the field to the other in a straight line. I&T readers will see more of this technology in coming issues and see evidence of its payback. Meanwhile, let me introduce you to a few of the John Deere products and new features I saw.

Self-Propelled Sprayers

The new 4720 self-propelled sprayer has added features and improvements that enhance sprayer efficiency and operator comfort. More horsepower comes in the form of a 6.8-liter John Deere PowerTech Tier II engine, which provides 225 hp instead of the 200 hp used on older models. The wheel motors have been enlarged to provide increased low-end torque for what John Deere calls "hole shot" conditions. This enables operators to power through tough field conditions.

Operator comfort has also been improved with the CommandView Cab's quiet work environment and great visibility. Adjustable ComfortCommand air-suspension seats provide a comfortable ride for long hours in the field. Speed range and throttle controls have been relocated to the hydro handle and CommandArm, within easy reach for the operator. Additionally, the automatic adjustment for the sprayer suspension means the operator no longer needs to fill each spring individually.

The Index Boom Section (IBS) allows operators to control the five individual spray sections of the 80- or 90-foot boom. By pressing the control on the hydro handle, the operator can shut off individual boom sections as needed to match the field's conditions, such as the angle of a waterway, point rows, obstacles or headlands. The boom can be set to automatically return to the same preset spray height.

AutoTrac is now a factory-installed option on 4720 sprayers. This fully integrated satellite system reduces spray overlap and operator fatigue, and it enables operators to spray accurately in dusty or dark conditions.

Deere representatives say field speeds of 20 mph for spraying and transport speeds of 30 mph are possible with the 4720.

Deere's larger sprayer, the high-capacity 4920, features the industry's first factory-installed 120-foot boom. This sprayer base can be equipped with an optional 7-ton drybox (pictured) for true 3-season capability.

Tractors & Cabs

The new 9620 and 9620T tractors--rated at 500 engine horsepower--are the largest tractors ever built by John Deere. They are powered by 12.5 liter John Deere PowerTech Tier II engines, which produce a seven percent power bulge at 1900 rpm and a 38 percent torque rise at 1600 rpm. This means quick response in tough conditions, according to Greg Laudick, division manager, marketing, Waterloo works.

The 9620 models feature such standard equipment as an 18-speed PowerShift transmission with Automatic PowerShift that automatically shifts up of down according to the tractor load. The transmission offers clutch-free powershifts between gears at the touch of the shift lever. Inboard interplanetary final drives with large diameter bar axles provide a wide range of tread settings and performance in tough conditions. The 9620T track tractors have a rear axle with inboard steering planetaries and five-pinion outboard final drive planetaries for strength and reliability. The rear axle is pressure-lubricated and cooled with the transmission hydraulic system.

Laudick says finger-tip controls make handling the largest Deere tractor as nimble as some smaller machines, with easy shifts without clutching, tight articulated turns, operator comfort seat options and unobstructed row-crop visibility.

The 9620 and 9620T are GreenStar system ready and are pre-wired for all GreenStar Components, and AutoTrac assisted steering is an option.

For the 6003 Series tractors, with 85 and 95 PTO horsepower, a new cab option is available. The cab was designed to meet a variety of needs for both field work and utility/loader work. The fully integrated cabs, which feature heat, air conditioning, adjustable cloth seats and tilt steering, offer both comfort and control at a value price, according to Seth Crawford, division marketing manager for 6000 Series Tractors.

Crawford says the tractor cabs offer operators of 6003 tractors excellent visibility for such field work as baling, mowing or tillage, and that utility chores and loader work are easier with the optional integrated joystick, expanded front visibility and ideal power-to-weight ratio.

"A user-friendly cab reduces operator fatigue and the well-placed controls allow operators to become proficient and fully productive in a short period of time," Crawford said.

Planters

The exclusive Central Commodity System (CCS) bulk-fill capabilities can now be ordered on three John Deere DB planter models: DB44, DB58 and DB80. The CCS is a two-tank, central-fill system with a combined capacity of 100 bushels. The tanks are made of rotomolded polyethylene, which offers maximum durability and translucency. The operator still has good visibility to the rear of the planter and can observe the amount of seed in the tanks, according to Mike Pitzer, product manager, John Deere seeding group.

All DB planters are produced through an agreement with Bauer Built Manufacturing, of Paton, Iowa, which builds the bar portion of the planter. John Deere and Bauer Built Manufacturing aligned in 2002 to produce large-frame planters for the producer looking for high-scale production.

A new size front-fold planter, the 1770NT 12Row30 Front-Fold Planter, spaced for 30-inch rows, has also been added to John Deere's planting line of equipment. It has the same frame design used on the larger 1770NT 16Row30 Front-Fold Planters.

Product manager Bill Barr of John Deere's seeding division, says the flexible, strong frame, the new hydraulic system, the narrow transport design, the optional Central Commodity System and the new XP row units will enable operators to cover more acres in less time than previous models. The planters have a three-section, front-folding frame with a telescoping hitch that allows the wings to flex 21 degrees up and down.

The planters fold to 12 feet transport width, with four row units on the center section and four on each wing. For easier transport in and out of fields, the underframe ground clearance is 22 inches.

Compared to the current 1770 12Row30 planters, the new NT models are almost three feet shorter in field position and eight inches shorter in transport. Barr says the new configuration allows for easier maneuverability in the field of in road transport.

The wings fold and unfold hydraulically, using an in-cab frame control box and one selective control valve (SCV). The hydraulic system is totally new from the main valve block to the wheel modules. A base planter requires three tractor SCVs, one for independent markers; another for frame fold, raise and lower and CCS fan; and the third for vacuum blower motor. Barr says this system provides dependable rephrasing each time the planter is lowered.

For more information on any of these John Deere products, visit www.johndeere.com.

* Living History Farms, located in the Des Moines metro area, features 300 years of history through the recreated 1700 Ioway Indian Farm, the 1850 Pioneer Farmstead, the 1900 Horse-Powered Farm and the 1875 town of Walnut Hill. In addition, the Exhibit Center features "America's Agricultural Legacy" in an interactive educational format. Contact Living History Farms, 2600 111th St., Urbandale, Iowa, 50322; tel [phone]; http://www.lhf.org/.