John Deere is planning to enhance productivity, automation and in-cab convenience across its walker, rotary and high-capacity combine ranges.
The manufacturer is rolling out a comprehensive package of updates across its T5/T6, S7 and X9 combines for model year 2027 (MY27).
The latest developments are intended to promote better productivity, in‑cab convenience, slope performance and advanced automation.
This will support agricultural operators in achieving “a lower cost of harvest under increasingly diverse field conditions,” John Deere said in a statement.
PGSA
Predictive Ground Speed Automation (PGSA) will be available on the MY27 variants of the T5 and T6 following its successful launch on the S7 from MY25.
According to John Deere, the system controls the combine’s ground speed based on crop height and biomass measurements taken pre-harvest from satellite scans.
The system also controls the combine’s ground speed using on-the-go measurements made by cab-mounted cameras, such as down crops or dense weed patches.
The addition of this feature helps drivers avoid getting into trouble by approaching thick groups of corn and grain too quickly.
Machines equipped with PGSA will also be capable of using an operator-defined crop throughput target as an additional automation setting.
John Deere claims that when enabled, PGSA with throughput will “intelligently link ground speed with grain quality to help optimise harvesting performance and allow more dynamic speed adjustments to keep grain loss within acceptable limits”.
John Deere go-to-market manager Jonathan Edwards said: “This is technology that no other brand can offer, and we have seen how much of an impact it can have on productivity during one of the busiest times of the year.
“With the model year 2027 updates, we are making our combines more intuitive, more connected and more adaptable to harvesting conditions in the field.
“By combining proven mechanical upgrades with smarter automation across all series, we are helping customers harvest more efficiently, with greater confidence and lower cost of operation.”
The feature aids in preventing driver fatigue during long days, which allows for more work to get done and makes it easier on the operators using the machinery.
Threshing and separation
MY27 brings new remote adjustment capabilities to the T5 and T6 threshing and separation system.
The booster bar and separator grates can now be adjusted directly from the cab, allowing operators to “react immediately to changing crop conditions without stopping or leaving the machine”.
According to John Deere, this improves productivity, keeps the cab clean, and reduces downtime.
In addition, two new unloading augers expand the T5/T6 range.
A 6.1m rigid auger improves compatibility with wider headers, while a 7.3m foldable auger for T5 models addresses markets with stricter road homologation requirements.
The 7.3m foldable auger also provides a good match for 9.1m platforms.
The ranges
The John Deere T5 and T6 are iconic in Ireland, the UK and Germany, having been designed to handle European harvesting conditions.
They replaced the T500 and T600 models, combining grain capacity with straw walker systems, built to preserve the straws integrity.
The S7 and X9 combines are significantly bigger than the T5 and T6 and as a result are much less come across in Ireland.
That being said, they can generally provide insights into the developments brought to future editions of the T5 and T6 models.
S7 slope improvements
Active Slope Adjustment (ASA) is now available as a full specification option across all S7 combines.
Using terrain data from the StarFire receiver, the system automatically adjusts the active belt speed to level crop flow to the cleaning shoe on side slopes.
This results in more even material distribution without compromising grain quality or capacity.
For MY27, the S7 range offers four sidehill configurations, allowing customers to select the right solution for their operating conditions.
Options include the Sidehill Kit, Active Slope Adjustment, and HillMaster, providing solutions for slopes from gentle undulations to more demanding hillside terrain while maintaining grain cleanliness and reducing losses.
X9 capacity upgrades
The X9 combine range gains a new HDX 50 header for MY27.
With a working width of 15.2m, the new header significantly increases feeding capacity, supporting the high throughput capability of the X9 and maintaining smoother crop flow at high harvesting speeds.
New grain handling options further enhance the X9’s productivity in high-yielding crops.
A new 10.7m unloading auger supports controlled traffic farming and improves unloading efficiency in wide working widths.
MY27 also introduces new threshing and separation configurations for the X9, including Tru Tresh concaves.
The updated design improves modularity and simplifies crop changeovers, for instance by controlling concave and separator covers from the cabin.
Technology upgrades
In terms of technological advances for MY27, John Deere has developed the following:
- Auto unload is now available on S7 and X9 combines.
- Harvest settings automation continues to evolve for MY27, expanding the number of compatible crops
In regards to auto unload, the system automatically guides the tractor and trailer during unloading, ensuring consistent grain distribution while reducing operator workload and stress.
Live fill monitoring provides real-time feedback, allowing the combine operator to focus on crop throughput even while unloading on the move.
For the harvest settings automation, new additions include oats, sunflower, triticale, rye, peas, lentils and rice, allowing automatic optimisation across a wider range of harvesting conditions and regions.