When John Deere introduced its newest offerings to European farmers at the 2017 Agritechnica in Germany, it showed off two new models for the top end of its 6R tractor line. These two tractors, rated at 230 and 250 engine horsepower, packed a lot of power into a compact chassis. And there was more. Deere’s marketing team said the machines would appeal to producers who need a tractor that is capable of efficiently pulling heavy trailers and manure tankers on the road, a common chore on European farms.
So along with more power, the new models got features that allow them to hit road speeds easily and quickly, like the CommandPro customizable joystick that gives operators control of tractor speed and implement functions from a single control lever.
At that show, Deere reps also leaked the news, enticingly, that the tractors might eventually make their way across the Atlantic.
This February, that finally happened. Deere has introduced the 6230R and 6250R to North American farmers. Although these units push the maximum engine rating in the 6R line to 250 horsepower, when the power bulge and John Deere Intelligent Power Management (IPM) control are factored in, the 6250R is capable of delivering up to 300 horsepower.
Deere thinks these tractors will be an ideal fit for Canadian livestock producers who are looking for some of the same higher-end features along with a little more power and faster road speeds, just like their European cousins. It makes them well suited for things like hauling home heavy trailers loaded with large bales. Those on-road hauling needs of a segment of North American farmers are in part what prompted Deere to consider bringing them here.
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“Livestock, dairy and hay producers will appreciate the power of these tractors, especially when they need to haul heavy loads or want to reach optimal transport speed more quickly,” said Anne Anderson, product marketing manager with John Deere, in the press announcement.
“The performance and versatility of these tractors makes them a solid choice for loader and PTO work such as baling.”
These tractors certainly aren’t lacking in base features. Both get Deere’s Infinitely Variable Transmission (the IVT) as base equipment, but there are two versions of it, a 40 km/h model and another that pushes road speed up to 50 km/h.
The IVTs make things more comfortable for the operator, said Anderson, adding, “The IVT saves time and money and lets operators choose the optimal speed for implement performance or transport. Since they’re shifting less to adjust speed, they can focus more attention on implement performance or other important tasks.”
Also included in the base equipment package is a Gen 4 4200 CommandCenter colour monitor with an 8.4-inch display. That can be upgraded to a 4600 monitor and include features like Deere’s Field Documentation with an AutoTrac activation, section control and wireless data transfer.
The two new 6Rs also get a frame that is 10 centimetres longer than what is used on the 6215R, which has been the bigger tractor in the 6R family until now. The brand’s Triple-Link Suspension (TLS) can further improve ride quality and improve traction by keeping the front axle firmly planted on the ground. The suspension is part of the reason the two new Deeres can sprint along the road at up to 50 km/h. Plus the brand claims the suspension improves traction by up to 10 per cent.
TLS has three operating modes that can be changed from the Gen 4 CommandCenter monitor. They include auto, max or manual. Auto mode reacts to changes in travel speed, draft characteristics and implement weight to provide an optimal ride. Max mode delivers maximum suspension stiffness for loader work. In manual mode, the tractor’s suspension can be raised or lowered to a specific height, making the attachment of front implements easier.
Of course JDLink telematics technology is also part of the base price package. Variable rate electronic steering is an option, as is a factory-installed front three-point hitch. Tractors equipped with a front three-point hitch can still be fitted with a Deere 680R front-end loader.
