When you look at the max boosted power stat of 634hp, the new additions to the John Deere 8R line-up make it the most powerful standard tractor in the world. We caught up with one of the first units in Europe to see what all of the fuss is about.
KEEPING IT BRIEF
- Three new large-frame models have been added to the 8R series.
- Up to 548hp can make its way to the 8R540’s pto.
Fendt has been having some sales success in John Deere’s US backyard with its Vario 1052, so the big green business has kicked back, with three large-frame additions to the 8R and 8RX line-up. But they also see Europe as a strong market for its 440, 490 and 540 wheeled and tracked tractors. Indeed, there’s already a pre-production 8R540 in Europe.
Power boost available for an extra charge
Equipped with the same John Deere 14X engine as the F8 forage harvester, the new tractors achieve rated outputs of 440, 490, and 540hp, with maximum power reaching 484, 539, and 594hp, respectively.
As standard, the rated power stats can be complemented with an additional 40hp IPM (Intelligent Power Management) boost for pto work once you are on the move over 1km/hr travel speed, when using electrically or hydraulically driven implements or when out on the road.
However, the new ‘PeakPower IPM’ boost is only available for an additional £7,553. This increases maximum power by up to 40hp. On the top-of-the-line 8R540 this achieves a peak output of 634hp — a new record for a conventional wheeled tractor. The big 8R also breaks new ground when it comes to the maximum torque rating of 2,695Nm and the size of the diesel tank (936 litres plus 69 litres of DEF).
Another headline stat is the 548hp that makes its way to the pto, although reading the small print shows this is only possible when the 2¼in shaft is fitted and you have selected the new 1,300rpm speed from the terminal. This faster pto speed helps keep the torque being transmitted in check on power demanding kit, especially something like a wood chipper.
Always stepless
For the transmission, John Deere will only be fitting its EAutoPowr electric, mechanical CVT — there is no powershift box alternative for these bigger 8R/RX tractors. And if you stump up an additional £25,068, then up to 100kW can be delivered to an outlet at the back.
In Europe this electric power is of limited use — Joskin’s slurry tanker drive axle is the only implement which has been shown publicly. In the US, John Deere has already introduced the electrically powered DB90 planter, and Spudnik (Grimme) also offers a harvester with an electrically driven AirSep blower.
New items include the engine-transmission control system with three settings: Eco, Standard and Max. Furthermore, the larger 8R model can be ordered with a top speed of 60km/hr, making it the fastest Deere yet. This is also why the self-centring steering system, Reactive Command Steering, is now available. It offers more adjustment options, though was not yet finalised on the pre-production model we got to use
Also new is the load-dependent, heavy-duty independent front suspension. This provides chassis stabilisation and enables (despite the front wheels being up to 1.82m high) an impressively small turning circle of only around 14m.
New tracks
As an alternative to the wheeled models (R), there is the four-track RX version which is around £78,000 more. The three larger models receive new undercarriages that, with an additional 8% larger contact area, compensate for the 2.5t increase in the unladen weight compared to the smaller frame 8RX (0.4kg/cm² ) .
The tracks were developed with Soucy and are also operated at a significantly lower belt tension (100 bar instead of 200 bar) to reduce wear, which has been a criticism of the smaller 8RX models.
There will not be a twin-track 8RT version of these larger frame tractors, according to the manufacturer.
2.34m tyres with CTIS
To get all that power to the ground on the wheeled machines, the new 8R models (with a wheelbase of 3.35m) can be equipped with 1.82m high front tyres, like the VF710/60 R38 on our tractor, and up to 2.34m tall back tyres such as a VF900/65 R46. But it is not just larger tyres; there is also a factory-fit CTIS single-line pressure control system with a liquid-cooled 760l/min twin compressor.
John Deere states the unladen weight of the new (wheeled) models averages almost 17 tons. The permissible gross vehicle weight is a maximum of 20 tons (60km/hr) or 24 tons (at 40/50km/hr), which, according to them, should be possible through individual approvals or certifications.
The 8R540 we tried was carrying 1,400kg on the front linkage plus 2,880kg in wheel weights, so it already weighed 22.3 tons.
Paired with a 9.0m wide Köckerling Vector cultivator, we were able to work at around 8.5km/hr despite the winged points being sunk to a depth of 18cm. At 90 to 100% utilisation, slippage was a maximum of 15%, even though it had been raining overnight. To be able to utilize full traction at lower speeds or in poorer conditions, dual wheels or the tracked 8RX would probably be a better bet.
Double-acting rear linkage
John Deere has increased the oil flow rate of the new 8R/RX to up to 418l/min thanks to the optional swash plate twin pump.
Another new feature is the ability to either relieve or load the implement with up to 3.0t using the 8R’s rear linkage — excellent! And, furthermore, the Americans have given the large 8R/RX a completely new front linkage. It is much better integrated and has the option of a front pto that can transmit up to 177hp.
Lofty ladder
Seven steps lead into the CommandView4 cab with a lot of focus on driver comfort. This focus starts with the door’s “SoftClose” function, continues with the seat featuring an electrically adjustable armrest and seat cushion, and ends with the additional control display on the armrest for infotainment, climate control, telephone, seat settings. And so the list goes on.
In addition, there are now two handy options for the main joystick: the CommandX Plus for basic operation or the CommandX Pro, which will offer even more functionality in the future such as auto-steer line shifting and centring, switching of four-wheel drive and differential lock, etc.
Other details
- The new windscreen wiper has a 330° sweep.
- Instead of a key, there is a start button with the option of an immobiliser secured by a four-digit PIN.
- Reverse drive is not available as a factory option for the 8R. However, aftermarket suppliers like Kotschenreuter are soon expected to offer a conversion.
- The new 8R/RX can be ordered now but will not arrive on this side of the Atlantic until next spring.
Prices
The list price for an 8R540 kicks off from £605,789, The 8RX version is £810,092
Clearly, these prices mean owners are going to need a suitable workload to justify such an investment. And those buyers may not necessarily be just large farms with big cultivators to pull; think more along the lines of pto power demanding kit such as wood chippers, forestry mulchers or road milling machines. After all, that’s where the bulk of Fendt 1052 sales are in the UK.
Hubert Wilmer
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