Tillage-Live will provide the first UK opportunity to see the latest high-horsepower tractors from John Deere working together, with the 8R 540, 8RX 540 and 9RX 830 forming the centrepiece of the manufacturer’s display.
The 8R 540 and 8RX 540 are the newest additions to the 8 Series, using a 13.6-litre six-cylinder JD14 engine capable of producing up to 634hp with power management. The tractors are fitted with an eAutoPowr continuously variable transmission, combining electric and mechanical power transmission.
The 8R 540 is the wheeled version, while the 8RX uses four tracks to increase traction and spread the machine’s weight over a larger contact area.
For cultivation work, the distinction between the two configurations is likely to be of particular interest. The tracked version is intended to make better use of the available engine power where traction is limiting, while the wheeled tractor offers the familiar road and field characteristics of a conventional high-horsepower machine.
The transmission can also operate with fully electric drive at speeds below 5kph, providing high torque and precise speed control for operations where maintaining a consistent forward speed is important.
The operator environment has also been revised, with the latest CommandView 4 cab incorporating an electrically adjustable CommandARM, revised seat and a Convenience Display for individual operator settings.
Four tracks for the biggest machine
The 9RX 830 takes the concept considerably further. Its JDX18 engine develops up to 4,234Nm of torque and is supported by three hydraulic pumps providing up to 636 litres/min of hydraulic flow.
An e21 powershift transmission drives four rubber tracks, while the machine can operate at up to 38.1t when ballasted.
The headline ground-pressure figure is as low as 0.58kg/cm², illustrating the benefit of distributing a high machine weight across four tracks. In practice, however, soil loading will depend on factors including ballast, track width, soil moisture, tyre or track configuration and the number of passes.
That will make the cultivated-ground demonstrations at Tillage-Live particularly relevant. Rather than simply comparing horsepower figures, the event should allow operators to consider how much of the available power can be converted into useful draft performance without creating unnecessary soil loading.
The 9RX 830 also has a 1,952-litre fuel tank, with an optional fast-fill system capable of filling the tank in around four minutes.
All three high-horsepower machines will be demonstrated during the event, giving visitors an opportunity to compare wheeled, two-track and four-track approaches to high-output field work.
Related news:
