John Deere's model year 2024 tractors with future-proofing technology

John Deere has announced MY24 updates for its lineup of 7, 8, and 9 series tractors, designed to meet the future of precision agriculture.

Tractor updates

A new right-hand cornerpost display was added inside the cab of all the tractors. The display features digital readouts, and an illustration area to help ensure these tractors can take advantage of advanced features as they become available. A factory-installed rear-window tint is also available for John Deere CommandView 4 cabs.

For model year 2024, the 9RT two-track tractor models have an additional 20 hp. Farmers can now choose from the 9RT 490, 9RT 540, or 9RT 590.

For potato, sugar beet, and vegetable growers, John Deere has added wider track-spacing options for its lineup of 8RX four-track tractors. These include 132-, 136-, 144-, or 152-inch-wide track spacings. The wider spacings are compatible with 16.5-, 18-, 24-, and 30-inch track widths and John Deere fertilizer tanks.

These new models are equipped with a central tire inflation system (CTS), allowing operators to easily inflate tires for driving on the road, and deflate while working in the field.

Preparing for autonomy

An autonomy prep package is available on the 8 and 9 series to ensure these tractors have the components needed to operate autonomously in the future.

"This includes the right transmission and visibility package, implement ethernet, a 330-amp alternator and other additional hardware," says Ryan Jardon, marketing manager for John Deere. "More components will likely be needed, but the autonomy prep package outfits these tractors with important known autonomy components to reduce what may be needed in the future when autonomy becomes more widely available."

John Deere has added the option of factory-installed implement ethernet to help enable high-bandwidth communication between tractor and implement.

"It's a critical piece for autonomy with the amount of data that they're using for obstacle detection," says Doug Felter, product marketing manager for John Deere. "The new ExactShot is going to require implement ethernet, as well as some other planter technology just around the corner."

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While these tractors are specifically designed for autonomy in the future, they aren't the only models in John Deere's lineup that will be able to take advantage of the technology when it becomes available.

"This new equipment is moved up another rung on the ladder, so the amount of modifications you'll need to run autonomously in the future will be a little bit less, and easier than the tractors we've produced in recent years," says Felter. "Those are still gonna be compatible — just going to take a bit more work."

The timeline for full-autonomy is still unclear, with regulatory roadblocks, and some fine-tuning on the technology itself preventing full commercial availability, according to Felter. In the meantime, John Deere will likely continue to prepare its future equipment for autonomy.

New tech options

John Deere has introduced new G5 Universal displays, and a new JDLink M modem, as well as announcing StarFire 7000 Universal receivers available as an aftermarket option. These new tools come standard with the model year 2024 updates to the Series 7, 8, and 9 tractors, and are also available

The new G5 Universal display has a 35% larger, 1080p high-definition screen, with three times faster processing power over previous John Deere displays. It's available in two configurations: G5 with a 10.1-inch display and G5Plus with a 12.8-inch display. The G5Plus includes AutoTrac, documentation, and section control in the base purchase. A G5 Advanced package is available, including AutoTrac turn automation, AutoPath, machine sync, and in-field data sharing.

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The StarFire 7000 receiver was released in 2022, but for the first time, it is now available as an aftermarket option. This allows owners to add the StarFire 7000 Universal kit to their equipment for improved functionality from StarFire updates, or to replace their outdated GPS receivers.

"The JDLink M modem was designed with legacy equipment, mixed fleets, and support vehicles in mind," says Ryan Stien, marketing manager for John Deere. "Our goal is to ensure every customer can benefit from the value connectivity provides."

The new JDLink M modem can be installed on John Deere or other brands of equipment to assist in documenting machine and work data, and make data transfer from those machines easier.

For more information about the 2024 updates to the Series 7, 8, and 9, and the new technology options available, visit JohnDeere.com.