John Deere “Reaps” Awards at 2009 Agritechnica

For the third consecutive time since 2005, a John Deere innovation will be awarded a gold medal at Agritechnica, the world’s leading agricultural equipment trade fair which will be held in Hannover, Germany 10-14 November (exclusive preview days 8+9 November). Along with four other gold medals awarded to competitive solutions, the John Deere "ActiveCommand Steering" which was designed for future 8R Series tractors, will receive the prestigious DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschaftsgesellschaft) Agritechnica gold medal.

“ActiveCommand Steering” is an entirely new tractor steering concept which follows the fly-by-wire design principle. It will no longer require the traditional steering column. Instead, with the support of a "gyroscope", sensors on the steering knuckles and steering wheel, a set of electronic and hydraulic actuators, the required manual force and number of steering wheel turns will automatically adjust to the actual tractor speed. Thus, with a smaller steering wheel, the driver benefits from less manual work during field, front loader and transport operations. Additionally, the John Deere Steer-by-wire system utilises a dynamic stability control system to reduce over-steer at transport speeds. John Deere has made innovations in redundant electronic hardware, software, and hydraulic technology to set a new benchmark in tractor steering control.

In addition, the five DLG silver medals are awarded to innovative solutions for tractors, harvesting and crop care solutions.

One of them is "tractor-implement-automation", a system which enables bi-directional data exchange between the tractor and a highly complex implement via extended ISOBUS. During operation, the systems allows the implement to take command of certain pre-assigned tractor parameters to facilitate the operator’s work. A round baler, for instance, will indicate to the tractor that the formation of the bale nears completion and will subsequently stop the tractor, initiate the baling process and release automatically the bale.

Likewise, a joint medal application together with the Austrian supplier "Pöttinger" was also awarded a silver medal for tractor-implement-automation. The Pöttinger loading wagon slows down or accelerates the tractor depending on the density/shape of a swath which is recorded with a sensor mounted on the front end front of the tractor. This enables a continuous intake rate of the loading wagon’s pick-up. This results in increased productivity and reduced operator fatigue.

The extension of "i-solutions" from self-propelled sprayers to 700i and 800i trailed sprayers (produced by John Deere Fabriek Horst) will also be awarded with a silver medal. This includes the integration of a "tank fill calculator", an advanced "SprayerPro" package and an "AutoDilute" function to handle the appropriate dilution of residual liquid.

Another silver medal will be awarded to the "EasyGuide Center Link", a new system that facilitates the coupling of the hydraulic upper link on heavy-duty three-point hitches. Instead of requiring costly triangular support frames, the new linkage system works with heavy-duty springs that keep the upper link in an adequate position. Furthermore, the upper link movements can be controlled with an easy-to-use wire rope.

Last-but-not-least, the fifth DLG silver medal is awarded to the newly designed "John Deere Condition Monitoring System (CMS)" which will optionally be available on the new 7950i self-propelled forage harvesters from Zweibrücken. This system continuously monitors bearing vibrations of key components such as compaction rollers, the drum, kernel processor and the accelerator fan. In case those component bearings begin to change their vibration frequency due to the wear pattern, the driver/fleet owner is alerted via signal in the cab or remote notification via "JDLink", respectively.

The selection process leading to DLG Gold and Silver medal awards is a very time consuming one and follows a stringent set of rules. The jury consists of experts from universities, chambers of agriculture, test institutes and of advanced farmers. Medals are only awarded to breakthrough technologies and innovations which add significant practical or economical value to a product.

For more information on the John Deere’s range, FREECALL 1800 800 981 in Australia or 0800 303 100 in New Zealand to contact your local John Deere dealer or visit our Web site.

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.