John Deere introduces new S700 Series combines

The most advanced grain harvesting technology from front to back is featured in the combines and headers John Deere is introducing for 2018. Five new S700 Series combine models – the S760, S770, S780, S785 and S790 – offer producers significant improvements in ‘smart’ technology, operator comfort and data management.

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Building on the proven field performance of the S600 Series combines introduced in 2012, the new S700 Series incorporates the latest in automated harvesting technology. Many of the changes make it easier for the operator by allowing the combine to carry out the necessary adjustments automatically, on the go.

“These new S700 Series combines are the result of enhancements to our previous models that optimise and automate harvesting operations for both coarse and small grains,” says John Deere’s Combines Product Manager Carsten Heftrig. "We've increased the overall intelligence of these combines by automating more adjustments and calibration tasks. We’ve also improved the lifetime durability and productivity of our front-end equipment to create a high performance harvesting solution unlike any other on the market today.”

To make it easier for operators to maximise the performance of these new S700 Series combines, John Deere has introduced the next generation of Interactive Combine Adjustment, ICA2. After optimising machine settings such as forward speed, grain quality and losses, and cleanliness of the sample using ICA, the ICA2 system changes the settings automatically to maintain the pre-selected output at a constant level. According to a study conducted by the University of Göttingen in Germany, ICA can improve utilisation of the combine’s built-in capacity by an average of 20 per cent.

The biggest physical difference customers will see in the new S700 Series combines, compared to previous models, is in the cab. This starts with the new CommandPRO joystick, which features up to seven individually programmable shortcut buttons for customising the most useful functions. The commonality of design shared with the new 6230R and 6250R tractors will be welcomed by existing John Deere users, while newcomers will appreciate the intuitive colour coding and backlighting of the controls.

The cab’s new GSD 4600 display is also very easy to use. “This works just like a mobile touchscreen device, with a unique wipe functionality to scroll from screen to screen,” says Product Specialist Kevin Etienne. “It also offers a customisable layout according to the needs of the operator, the prevailing conditions or the job to be done.”

Alongside the combines, John Deere is also introducing new 700PF Series Premium Flow headers, with cutting widths from 6.7 to 9.1m (22 to 30ft) we do have 35PF and 40 PF as well. These will be equipped with high capacity 760mm intake augers to handle larger amounts of material. In addition, the new 700D draper header has received several modifications to adapt it for harvesting tall rapeseed, including larger diameter augers, stronger slip clutches and improved seals.

Since its introduction in 2012, the Zweibrücken built S-Series has been through several hardware updates, including a new four-strand feederhouse, eight-wing beater, active concave isolation, a new cleaning shoe, more engine power and 40kph transport speed on both wheels and tracks. These were all designed to enhance combine performance and were the result of constant improvements made by the John Deere European Crop Harvesting Development Centre in Zweibrücken, Germany. For this new series the focus has been on automation.

“Utilization of the installed capacity is the biggest opportunity in improving harvesting technology, and that’s what we have done through automation with this new combine range,” says Chris Wigger, John Deere’s Vice President Ag and Turf Sales & Marketing, Region 2. “Now with 24 automatic functions, 11 in base equipment and five exclusive to John Deere, the S700 Series deserves its new name: the Automated Combine.”