INDIANAPOLIS (DTN) -- It's been four years since John Deere introduced a new line of combines. So dealers at Big Green's annual meeting here this week were buzzing about the new S-Series combines for a lot of reasons, including a Machine Sync product that allows a combine and tractor/grain cart to coordinate positions wirelessly.

Increasing the dealer buzz was the fact that the new offerings include Deere's first Class 9 combine. The S690 cranks out 543 hp and has a 400-bushel grain tank that unloads at up to 3.8 bushels per second. Class 6, 7 and 8 S-Series combines have similar capacities. Those new machines share the new 13.5 liter engine that is Interim Tier 4 compliant—a first for Deere combines. The Class 5 S550 uses a 271-hp Tier 3 engine.

All of the larger body S-Series machines come with a redesigned cleaning system, which increases capacity up to 33%, according to Katie Dierker, division marketing manager for worldwide combines. A new cleaning shoe is a key improvement. A Variable Stream rotor, which has a tapered nose and tail, is optional for high-yield small grains and rice.

Comfort and efficiency features in the S-Series include a larger cab and touch-screen controls. To maintain a "green-on-green" family feel, controls are similar to those in Deere's R-Series tractors. The grain tank cover can be opened or closed in 30 seconds with the push of a button, saving time and effort for operators who used to crawl up the combine to do the same job manually. A final comfort feature is a refrigerator under the "training" seat -- an improvement over a cooler and sloshing ice.

New options let the combine operator adjust how residue flows out the back of the machine. The idea is to customize crop residue to the field and application. Think straw sales; think biomass bales.

To complement the new combines, Deere also introduced new harvesting platforms including the 600 Series corn heads with Deere's first 16- and 18-row capability. Other models come in 6-, 8- and 12-row versions. The 12-row models can be configured to 20-, 22-, 30-, 36- and 38-inch rows. The 18-row model accepts 20- and 22-inch rows.

A new HydraFlex draper head comes in 35- and 40-foot models. When used at ground level, the blades flex up to 7.5 inches to accommodate variations in the terrain.

Yet it's Deere's new Machine Sync system that has a great "cool factor," according to Mark Brokaw, product instructor at the dealer meeting. It also increases harvest productivity because it enables multiple combines and grain carts to coordinate efforts like a square dance.

On each Sync-enabled vehicle, the operator can see the status of the other vehicles in the system. In fields with multiple tractor/grain carts and multiple combines, the system will enable a tractor/grain cart driver to move toward the combine that needs to empty. A combine driver also can summon a particular grain cart when he needs it.

Once in proximity, the grain cart and combine "lock" in place, with the software using the tractor's autosteer system to keep proper distance between the machines, for unloading. The tractor and grain cart follow the combine's lead: If the combine swerves to avoid an obstacle or to follow a contour, so does the grain cart. The combine driver can "nudge" the grain cart forward or backward in relation to the unloading auger to allow uniform filling.

Selling points for Machine Sync include more efficient use of all vehicles, less operator stress and possible fuel savings. It does not employ robotics technology like that which Kinze introduced recently. Machine Sync requires a driver in the tractor that pulls the grain cart.

The S-Series combines, harvest platforms and Machine Sync will be available for the 2012 harvest. Pricing was not available.

(GH/CZ)

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