Not only has combine capacity in terms of volume hit new highs recently, but manufacturers are also introducing technology to machines that promises to predict the process. CPM delves into some of the latest developments likely to be traversing fields soon.
“We’re seeing a 20% increase in productivity using this technology.”
By Melanie Jenkins
Those who attended the Cereals Event in June will likely have taken a stroll around the sea of green and yellow combines nestled on John Deere’s stand. While CPM was given a breakdown at the show, it was also invited to see the combines in action near Frankfurt, Germany, in early August.
A key point to note with John Deere’s new S and T combines (the firm’s dropping the ‘series’) is their uniformity, both with one another, and with the X9 – standardisation is the theme of the moment. “From a visual aspect, the S7 and the T5 and T6 have taken a lot from the X9,” says John Deere’s Jonathan Edwards. “Even those that purchase the entry level combine can get the same harvesting experience as with the X9.”
So why has John Deere done away with ‘series’ in its combine naming? Jonathan points out that the new name and number system provides an explanation. “The first letter identifies the separator technology – ‘T’ represents a multi-drum walker, ‘S’ a single rotor and ‘X’ a dual rotor. The first number indicates the family while the second number identifies the performance group. Any subsequent numbers will represent the series or generation of machine.”
It’s not just the combines that have a new naming system, the front end equipment is also now identified differently, he adds. “The 622R has become the RA 22 (ridged auger), the 730X is now the XA 30 (extendible bed on the ridged auger), and the 635F has been renamed the FA 25 (flexible auger), with the numbers after each letter indicating the width in feet.”
John Deere’s standardisation of architecture across its different machines is part of its ‘DNA’ – or ‘DeereNA’ as the firm refers to it – approach. “From 2025, there’ll be brand new electrical architecture on the T5, T6, S7 and X9. This has enabled us to include more sensors and better ethernet communication ability to aid in the move from automation towards autonomy.”
Enabling technology has also been improved to tie in with John Deere connected support to help predict any potential downtime and fix problems before they become an issue, explains Jonathan.
Technology on the combines has also been advanced and includes AutoTrac, AuthPath Boundaries, AutoTrac Turn Automation and MachineSync. “MachineSync allows the combine to communicate with the grain carts to ensure there’s no spillage, and if there’s more than one combine in the field, in-field data share can optimise coverage maps.”
While yield documentation has been available on combines for some time, Jonathan highlights that John Deere has worked to advance this so all machines from 2025 have grain sensing to allow for the quality of grains and oilseeds to be measured on the combine. “This’ll allow farmers to make fact-based decisions off the back of what the combine harvests in the field.”
Looking specifically at the T combines, 2025 will see an expansion from four models up to eight: with the new machines consisting of the T6 800, T6 700, T6 500, T5 700 and T5 500. “In terms of operator experience, there’ll be a new cab which has been taken from the X9”, says Jonathan. “This is a significant update for the T5 and T6. New LED lights are 25% brighter, the electronic door cinch keeps the cab pressured and doesn’t require force to shut. There’s a new corner post display with the G5 display and extended monitor in the command arm, a new joystick, plus Apple Car Play and Android Auto.”
In terms of grain handling, there are new grain tank options including a 13,500-litre tank option on the T6 and an 11,500-litre tank on the T5. There’s a larger auger diameter – the same as that on the X9 – and an adjustable spout, however the S7 has an unload rate of 150 l/sec, he adds.
The residue management system has also been updated with new knives to improve the quality of the chop, says Jonathan. “The XFC (extra fine cut chopper) T6 has 124 knives while the T5 has 100 and the FC T6 and T5 have 68 and 52 knives, respectively. These machines have moved to a common knife design and are Xcel knife ready, which can save 7-8kW of power. Spread capability is now also achievable at up to 35ft without wind paddles.”
And as far as residue management automation goes, there’s now remote counter knife adjustment, tool-less cross bar (grouser) engagement and residue AutoSwap.
In addition, Terrain Settings Automation (previously Active Terrain Adjustment) brings new features to the T5 and T6 including adjustment of the chaffer, sieve and fan speed while driving up or downhill, taking the pitch from the StarFire receiver.
The S7 combine line-up includes the S7 900, S7 850, S7 800 and S7 700. “When we looked at bringing something new to market, the two key areas we focused on were automation with optimisation, and productivity with efficiency,” says Jonathan. “The S7 features the JD14X engine (or the JD9X on the S7 700), which has a single turbo and introduces Harvest Motion to optimise drive from the engine to the combine. Users will see that it sustains the power in tougher harvesting conditions, keeping the rpm higher.”
Residue management has been updated in line with the X9 concept so that it’s mechanically driven, has second air vents for the shoe, residue spread performance has increased with the introduction of Premium Powercast (PPC), and there’s also the option of the Xcel chopper knives.
Active Slope Adjustment (ASA), which was introduced at Agritechnica, is the belt system on the cleaning shoe and can be added to models which aren’t HillMasters, says Jonathan. “The base machine can deal with slopes up to 7%, while adding the Sidehill Kit will allow it to manage 14%. Including ASA gives it capability on slopes of up to 18% while the full HillMaster can manage 22%,” he explains.
“Loss sensing has been updated to provide better deliver to the pad design with one sensor per shoe bay, which increases accuracy for automation and for loss sensing.”
New for 2025, Ground Speed Automation will be included with the T, S and X combines. “This is completely new, and replaces HarvestSmart,” says Jonathan. “In the past, the systems were reactive but they now work on a proactive and predictive approach. The new algorithm looks at the loss level of the combine, the engine power and any rotor or variative pressure. This is utilised to send speed commands to the combine. But on top it also looks at the cover maps, header height and terrain information from the GPS receiver to optimise commands.”
As far as predictive information is concerned, crop information is collected by satellites and sent via Operations Centre to the combine. “In addition, forward looking cameras work with satellite biomass maps to assess what’s happening in front of the combine,” says Jonathan. “We’re seeing a 20% increase in productivity using this technology.”
Harvest Settings Automation is the replacement for AutoMaintain with the new system allowing operators to accept their own acceptance limits, whereas previously they’d have had performance targets to achieve, he adds. “AutoMaintain required very skilled combine operators but with Harvest Settings Automations we’re driving towards outcomes, whereby the operator sets the acceptance limits of grain loss, foreign material and broken grain. From these settings the combine will adjust aspects such as the ground speed, engine power, concave, clearance and rotor speed.
“With Ground Speed Automation and Harvest Settings Automation we’re aiming to allow operators to utilise 100% of the capacity of the combines,” he concludes.
This article was taken from the latest issue of CPM. Read the article in full here.
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