March 18, 2008 - For nearly 60 years, John Deere has been the leader in providing cotton harvesting equipment for producers who need efficient, reliable harvest machinery to deliver a high-quality crop to the gin. Taking productivity to a higher level, John Deere introduces the 7760 Self-Propelled Cotton Picker with the industry-exclusive on-board round module builder.

Australian John Deere Cotton dealers were invited to view the machine last year and are aware of the potential of this unit in key cotton growing areas. The 7760 Cotton Picker is not only a new John Deere machine, but a new direction for the Australian cotton industry where continual drive for greater efficiencies is key to its future development in the world market.

"This is a big step forward in new technology to bring even more productivity to our customers in their cotton harvesting operation," explains Royce Bell, Tactical Segment Manager, John Deere Limited. "The 7760 Picker will build a round module on the machine while harvesting cotton. Then it will wrap the cotton module in a protective film to preserve fibre and seed quality, and minimise any crop loss during handling and transport."

"Without ever stopping the machine during picking, the operator can then carry the module to the end of the field to be transported later to the gin. This efficient, non-stop harvesting system eliminates unloading into a boll buggy and processing in a module builder. Ultimately, the producer saves time, fuel and manpower when harvesting and processing the cotton."

The module builder receives the cotton from the accumulator. Together, a rockshaft and 11 heavy-duty rubber belts inside the module builder gently shape the round module into a size from 914 to 2,286 millimetres (36 to 90-in.) in diameter. The completed round package, wrapped by the special protective film, is then ejected onto a module handler which holds the package until the operator is ready to drop the module. The wrapped module, unloaded at the end of the field, is protected from the weather and provides easy transportation flexibility.

"Because of the horsepower requirements needed to pick and process cotton in a wide variety of tough conditions, we've designed the 7760 Cotton Picker with a large 13.5 L John Deere PowerTech Plus™ engine," explains Bell. "This 500 horsepower (373 kW), turbocharged engine features a variable geometry turbo (VGT), and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to provide exceptional power in a cleaner-burning engine."

The air-to-air intercooled engine also features electric overheat protection. A high-capacity radiator and air scoop keep the engine running cool in all conditions. A three-stage fuel filtration system and high-capacity engine pre-cleaner with air filter ensures peak engine performance in the field. A new rotary screen intakes cleaner air and enhances performance of the cooling system.

"The 7760 is equipped with a ProDrive™ Automatic-Shift Transmission designed with a hi-low shift system," says Bell. "This full-time four-wheel-drive system allows the operator to shift smoothly on the go regardless of field conditions."

Coupled with heavy-duty final drives, the ProDrive™ Transmission features hydraulic-assist wet disk brakes, an electronic parking brake and a high-capacity differential lock. Operators will notice increased harvest speeds and improved torque performance with this transmission.

"An accumulator has been designed to store cotton on the 7760 Picker while the module builder is processing the crop," states Bell. "With a high-volume capacity of 9 cubic metres (320 cubic feet), the accumulator has the storage to allow the picker to harvest non-stop at up to 6.8 km/h in most conditions."

The accumulator bay includes an automatic compacting auger and six feed rolls for better cotton management. The feed rolls ensure that a flat, evenly distributed sheet of cotton is fed into the round module builder. Sensors located at both the top and bottom of the accumulator monitor the cotton level and activate and deactivate the feed rolls and auger. This allows the harvester to continue picking while the round module is being wrapped and ejected onto the module handler.

"We've always designed a comfortable, clean cab for our cotton pickers and the 7760 Harvester is no exception," says Bell. "The spacious, pressurised cab with ClimaTrak™ temperature control offers a quiet and comfortable working environment. A new CommandTouch™ control console on the right-hand armrest allows easy fingertip control of most key functions of the machine."

The multifunction control handle controls machine movement, the raising and lowering of the picking units, and the engaging and disengaging of the round module builder and handler.

The spacious cab also features an air-suspended seat, an operator training seat, tilt-telescoping steering column and large cup holder. A large platform provides easy access to the cab and a safe place for refuelling the picker.

Adding to the productivity of the 7760 Cotton Picker, larger fluid tanks are standard equipment. A 1,135 litre fuel tank combined with a 1,362 litre water-solution tank allows for 12 hours of continuous cotton harvesting. A 303 litre picking unit lubrication tank also cuts down on lubricant refilling.

"The new 7760 Cotton Picker with on-board module builder will bring unsurpassed productivity to cotton producers," concludes Bell. "The system provides non-stop picking even while building and unloading the round modules. The machine will stay in the field longer, reduce manpower requirements for processing the cotton, and reduce stress and fatigue with an extremely comfortable, operator-friendly cab."

The 7760 Cotton Picker with on-board module builder will be available for the Australian Cotton industry in future seasons. For more information on the new 7760 Cotton Picker, visit our Web site at www.JohnDeere.com.au or FREECALL 1800 800 981 in Australia or 0800 303 100 in New Zealand to contact your local John Deere dealer.

John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is the world's leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.