The autonomous tractor serves a specific purpose: feeding the world. The global population is expected to grow from about 8 billion to nearly 10 billion people by 2050, increasing the global food demand by 50%. Furthermore, farmers must feed this growing population with less available land and skilled labor, and work through the variables inherent in farming like changing weather conditions and climate, variations in soil quality, and the presence of weeds and pests. All of these factors impact a farmer’s ability to farm during the most critical times of the year.

The autonomous tractor has six pairs of stereo cameras, which enables 360-degree obstacle detection and the calculation of distance. Images captured by the cameras are passed through a deep neural network that classifies each pixel in approximately 100 milliseconds and determines if the machine continues to move or stops, depending on if an obstacle is detected. The autonomous tractor is also continuously checking its position relative to a geofence, ensuring it is operating where it is supposed to, and is within less than an inch of accuracy.

To use the autonomous tractor, farmers only need to transport the machine to a field and configure it for autonomous operation. Using John Deere Operations Center Mobile, they can swipe from left to right to start the machine. While the machine is working the farmer can leave the field to focus on other tasks, while monitoring the machine’s status from their mobile device.

John Deere Operations Center Mobile provides access to live video, images, data, and metrics and allows a farmer to adjust speed, depth, and more. In the event of any job quality anomalies or machine health issues, farmers will be notified remotely and can make adjustments to optimize the performance of the machine.

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John Deere announces several updates and additions to its popular lineup of 7R and 8R Tractors for the 2021 model year. The MY21 tractors can now be ordered with deliveries starting in November.

New to the 7R Series lineup is the 7R 350, with 350 rated engine horsepower – a 20 horsepower increase over the largest MY20 7R Tractor – and a base weight of 24,700 pounds. The 7R 350 offers the best power-to-weight ratio of any John Deere Tractor offered today and comes standard with Triple Link Suspension and Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT), and can be ordered with CommandPRO controls for precise speed control and easy implement hookups.

“The new 7R 350 is the right choice for jobs that require significant power. Customers will benefit from the maneuverability and lighter footprint of the smaller chassis offered by this tractor,”

said Ryan Jardon, product marketing manager, large tractors at John Deere.

“If you’re hauling slurry or forage or need to power large mowing and baling equipment, these tractors are an ideal fit.”

Another key enhancement for 7R Tractors used for hay and forage work is the addition of LSB Ride Control. The inertia generated by the baler and transmitted to the tractor can result in poor ride quality for the operator.

“To compensate, some farmers use a larger tractor than what’s needed to power their large square baler,”

Jardon said.

“This new option gives farmers the ability to use a lighter 7R Tractor with LSB Ride Control to better manage operator comfort and to reduce soil compaction and crop damage thanks to the tractor’s lighter footprint.”

LSB Ride Control modulates the tractor’s IVT to compensate for the rocking motion of the baler plunger. The self-adjusting system improves operator comfort, even as crop density and field conditions change. LSB Ride Control is available as a factory-installed option for MY21 on 7R Tractors equipped with an IVT and is compatible with John Deere L331 or L341 Large Square Balers. A John Deere StarFire receiver is also required.

Starting with model year 2021, John Deere will make ActiveCommand Steering 2 (ACS 2) available as a factory-installed option on 7R and 8R Tractors. This system replaces the original ActiveCommand Steering system and adds more features and capabilities to further improve the driving experience of the tractor in the field or on the road. ACS 2 reduces steering effort for the operator and improves line holding during transport. Using ACS 2 operators can adjust steering sensitivity and steering wheel resistance or turn on or off variable-ratio steering to best match their application and driving preferences.

“ActiveCommand Steering 2 gives operators enhanced control over steering system settings to best fit the work being done. For example, ACS 2 can be set to make it easier to turn the tractor in the field or can be set to provide a more automotive-like steering experience during transport,”

Jardon said.

“In a tractor equipped with ACS 2, it’s noticeably easier to handle curves, for example, compared to a tractor without this option.”

For MY21, Deere also will offer Low Sidewall (LSW^®) Tires as optional equipment on its three largest 8R Tractors, the 8R 340, 8R 370 and 8R 410.

“8R Tractors require Independent Link Suspension to be equipped with Low Sidewall Tires tires. This combination provides outstanding ride quality with all the benefits of a single tire and a large footprint, such as decreased compaction, in a narrow transport package,”

Jardon said.

Source: John Deere

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