First Look: New John Deere S700 Series Combine
John Deere just introduced its new S700 Series Combines into its S-Series Combine lineup. It might not look all that different on the outside, but Deere put all the serious improvements and updates on the inside. The new S700 Combines deliver consistent results, no matter the operator or the conditions. The S700 Series spans four models including the S760, S770, S780 and S790. The combines will be available for model year 2018 production. The new combine is designed to give you consistent grain quality in a comfortable and easy to operate environment. John Deere has made lots of changes to the combines since 2012. We would like to highlight 3 major improvements.
Combine Advisor
Combine Advisor is a suite of 7 different technologies that help producers set, optimize and automate the performance of their combine. This allows for the most effective harvesting performance based on their field and crop conditions. Operators have the ability to set targets or thresholds that they want the combine to maintain. The combine is able to do that through active vision cameras (smart cameras) within the combine, the Clean Grain ActiveVision Cameras and the Tailings ActiveVision Cameras. The cameras are able to differentiate cracked grain from whole grain and foreign material from the grain. The combine is then able to make adjustments as well to keep the levels the operator set even as conditions change. Cracked grain may appear yellow or purple and whole grain appears normal on the display. Operators are able to watch the images from the live active vision cameras on their display and make adjusts as well. It’s amazing the computer can actually see the grain and make adjustments accordingly.
Active Yield
The S700 Combine includes 3 sensors in the grain tank that automatically calibrate the mass flow sensors. This saves time for the operator instead of having to manually calibrate the sensors and ensures the best data possible for the producer.
CommandCenter
The biggest physical difference people will see in these new combines is in the cab. The S700 Combines include the Gen 4 interface and monitor with 4600 processor. This is the same command center used in the JD 6-9 Series Tractors and Self-Propelled Sprayers which emphasizes customization and comfort. The CommandArm and multi-function control lever has a new ergonomic design and customizable buttons. The operator’s seat also swivels 7.5 degrees left and 15 degrees right for improved visibility, and there is a place for your mobile device within the command center. Overall, the integrated, automated technology in the new S700 Combines improves the ease of use and gives you the most out of your combine with the help of quick harvest setup and automatic on-the-go adjustments.
700C/FC Corn Heads
Along with the S700 Combines, John Deere introduced the new 700C and 700FC (folding) Series Corn Heads with the RowMax row units. These new heads are more durable. The RowMax row unit provides up to a 50% increase in the life of the row unit gathering chains and features solid-alloy bushings that reduce pin and bushing wear. John Deere also increased the life of the stalk rolls by up to 25% by utilizing a harder material and adding a new wear coating on the front and trailing edges of the blades for increased performance. The 700C Series Corn Heads are available from 6 to 18 rows and the 700FC Corn Heads are available in 8 or 12 rows.
In summary, as Kevin Ripple, marketing manager for harvest at John Deere states, “These new S700 Combines are a culmination of enhancements to our previous model that optimize and automate harvesting operations for coarse and small grains. We’ve enhanced the overall intelligence of these combines by automating more adjustments and calibration tasks, and improved the lifetime durability and productivity of front-end equipment to create a high-performance harvesting solution unlike any other on the market today.” Here at Prairie State Tractor, we are excited to continue to provide all of John Deere’s new and innovative products to you. We can’t wait to see the new advancements in farm equipment like the new S700 Series Combines. For more information on the new S700 Combines, 700C/FC Corn Heads, 700D Rigid Draper and other harvesting solutions from John Deere, visit our equipment pages.