The popular 6R range from John Deere has expanded with four new models offering more powerful four cylinders units and six cylinder tractors aimed at greater on-road use. The range now covers 14 models from 110hp to 250hp.
The four cylinder range has grown to offer two larger models. The 6R 140 and 6R 150 push out 166hp and 177hp respectively; both models could be agile pocket-rockets for a mixed business looking for plenty of power without significant size or weight. To get this power to the ground and optimise performance, the 6R 150 can support a payload of 4 tonnes and have 650/65 R38 boots fitted, offering some benefit to those who value soil structure.
The mid-range has been expanded to accommodate two new six-cylinder models, the 6R 165 and 185.
Proposed as tractors for higher intensity road use, such as contractors, these units offer outputs of 213hp and 234hp in a still relatively short wheel base of 2,765mm.
The 185 is only available with the CVT AutoPowr transmission, which is claimed to offer good fuel efficiency in roadwork.
Across the range a wide selection of transmission options is available including Autoquad, Commandquad, Directdrive and Autopowr
The Intelligent Power Management (IPM) system has been expanded to function with high hydraulic demand, in addition to transport and PTO loads. The four-cylinder models now deliver up to 20hp and the six-cylinder models up to 40hp. This should offer more flexibility when running hydraulic demanding implements, such as wrappers, vacuum tankers and drills.
As some of the four cylinder models at the smaller end of the range are likely to find themselves bolted to a loader, some technology has been added to bring loading shovel-style control. The new E-joystick button operation can be individually configured, and now included a reverser. A proximity hand-detection system replaces the irritating safety flap.
A weighing system for the loader contents offers an on the-move display. This may not offer much use for those filling grain lorries or a mixer wagons with integrated load-cells, but could be valuable for anyone handling bales by tonne.
Return-to-position has been added to the control too, allowing the bucket to return to a preset position by pressing a button. Typically associated with loading shovels, this could be helpful when loading muck in a field, avoiding skimming off stubble.
New control technology, including the integrated 1-Click-Go AutoSetup system, makes tractor and implement settings quicker and easier. This system allows the operator an up to 90 per cent reduction of display clicks through the in-cab terminal says the manufacturer.
Required settings can be pre-planned and managed in the cloud, including data such as field boundaries, guidance lines and application rates. Once the tractor crosses the field boundary, the stored profile is automatically loaded onto the machine.
Arriving next year a new Starfire 7000 receiver will offer improved signal stability which should go a long way to resolve the issues associated with shading from trees or landscape regardless of the level of accuracy chosen by the user.
Disappointingly, and unlike the larger 7R and 8R range, the Starfire receiver remains mounted separately to the cab structure, leaving it more exposed to theft. When questioned about this, the manufacturer said ‘more information would follow' on this design feature.
Updates to the cab and operator information system includes the dashboard's migration to the A pillar, increasing forward visibility. An increase wiped area of the front screen should improve the view in less ideal conditions.
Sharing design with its bigger cousins, the mirrors have been updated with a larger surface, offer improved visibility.
The updated bonnet design and naming convention now aligns with the 7R, 8R and 9R range. The name is now followed by a separate indication of the rated horsepower. A 6155R becomes a 6R 155.
