Deere Announces Upgrades for S700 Series Combines for 2020

The newest John Deere S700 Series combine will have better automation, data management, and residue placement compared with previous models, the company says.

By

Natalina Sents Bausch

Published on May 31, 2019

John Deere Combine Advisor for model year 2020 — Combine Advisor. Photo: John Deere

The newest John Deere S700 Series combine will have better automation, data management, and residue placement compared with previous models, the company says. Model year 2020 enhancements were announced at the end of May.

Automation Updates

Both Combine Advisor and HarvestSmart have been updated to increase automation on the new S700 Series combines. The software uses cameras and sensors to detect changes in crop conditions so combine adjustments can be made automatically to maintain optimal performance.

Controls have also been simplified to make Combine Advisor easier to use, says Matt Badding, harvesting product manager.

Ground speed is automatically regulated and adjusted on the go by HarvestSmart. This automation helps the machine maintain a consistent crop load and adapt to crop variations. Now, the combine can run closer to its power limit because this system analyzes engine power, load, and rotor pressure to determine the most efficient ground speed.

HarvestSmart is now more intuitive as well. The 30-second calibration process is now passive, eliminating wait time.

"It's like the automotive industry's adaptive cruise-control. Operators no longer have to speed up, then slow down to set a target speed," Badding explains.

HarvestSmart-John-Deere — HarvestSmart. John Deere

Data Management Improvements

A new, more accurate moisture sensor collects higher quality data. Better data enables farmers to make better management decisions.

An expanded Precision Ag intelligence package is now standard on all 2020 S700 Series combines. On top of the existing integration of Generation 4 CommandCenter Displays, AutoTrac and documentation, customers now get JD Link with five years of connected service. JD Link allows the machine to easily and securely transfer data, and for farm managers to remotely monitor combine performance.

Better Residue Placement

An optional feature allows farmers to set the chopper knife bank in four different positions from the comfort of the combine cab. This improves residue placement and saves time.

"This is another time saver during harvest, especially when switching between two different crops, such as corn and soybeans," Badding says. "This adjustment is now integrated into the Optimize Performance crop settings in the Generation 4 Display. Default settings are based on crop type but can be easily adjusted to fit a customer's specific needs. Settings can be saved for future use, so the next time a switch is made from soybeans to corn, it will automatically default to the last setting entered for that particular crop."

Additionally, Auto Swap is now a standard setting that works with PowerCast and Advanced PowerCast tailboards to increase the precision of residue placement. After the farmer sets the combine's residue offset to compensate for a crosswind and activates Auto Swap, the machine automatically switches the direction of the residue 180° when the combine turns around at the end of a row to come back the other direction.

"It may seem like a small improvement, but this automates a task that a combine operator might make dozens of times each day depending on conditions," Badding says.

Auto-Swap-John-Deere — Auto Swap. John Deere

Additional Changes

Because today's grain carts are getting taller, the height of the combine's auger has been increased.

"The additional auger height is especially beneficial to operators who unload grain into grain carts while on the go, or in unfavorable conditions, such as crossing waterways or driving in other low spots in the field," explains Badding.