A number of innovative John Deere solutions have been recognised with awards at this year’s FIMA fair in Zaragoza (14-18 February 2012), Spain’s most prestigious international agricultural trade show. Industry-wide, the jury of 14 independent experts gave awards to a total of 33 products, features and solutions. John Deere leads the list of winners with seven individual awards.
Two John Deere innovations were awarded Gold:
• Electrical adjustment of the top-cover vanes on the variable stream rotor in new S-Series combines. Remotely controlled from the cab, this feature helps to optimise straw quality and separation capacity under frequently changing harvest conditions.
• John Deere’s second generation ActiveSeat suspension system, which is activated electrically and isolates the driver from up to 90 per cent of the tractor’s vertical movement. The system, which is optionally available on large horsepower tractors, increases operator comfort while reducing fatigue.
The following five John Deere solutions were given innovation awards:
• The new range of diesel-only John Deere PowerTech PVX and PSX engines, which operate with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), so no additional liquid is required to meet Stage IIIB emission regulations (as of 1 January 2011).
• The new Vistronic Fan Cooling system on John Deere 7R Series tractors, which automatically adjusts the fan speed to maintain the best possible operating temperature and helps the engine to respond more quickly to load changes. This pushes the air into the engine compartment under pressure and thus minimises the ingress of dirt and debris.
• The Fast Release System on John Deere’s new 900 Series round balers. These balers employ a unique ’curtain’ design, which replaces the traditional heavy rear door, enabling the operator to unload the completed bale in less than five seconds. This effectively saves the operator one valuable minute for every six bales he produces.
• John Deere’s new HarvestLab constituents sensor for self-propelled forage harvesters. Based on near infrared (NIR) technology, this advanced sensor analyses silage for sugar, starch, protein and fibre (ADF/NDF) content, either on-the-go or as a portable stationary unit in the barn or office.
• Machine Sync, a logistics optimisation tool introduced as part of the new John Deere FarmSight strategy. Machine Sync enables fleet owners and operators of tractor/trailer combinations and combines to optimise their transport operations via permanent wireless data exchange between machines.
