Having splashed out on the development of its acre-gobbling twin-rotor X9 combine, John Deere has been making the most of the investment by filtering much of the technology down to its smaller ranges.

This means every machine in the firm’s harvesting line-up, from the entry level T5 400 to the monster X91100, gets the same cab and control layout, and similar levels of tech.

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T5/T6 walker updates

Most recent recipients of these updates are T5 five-walker and T6 six-walker combines, which were launched in June this year.

These replace the T500 and T600 ranges and, in addition to the X9 cab, get new automation features, tweaks to the residue management setup and upgraded engines.

All bar the entry level T5 are fitted with a 9-litre JD9X six-cylinder block that delivers a bit more power than before – an extra 11hp in the top T6 800 model – and is claimed to do so while using less fuel.

Grain tanks are bigger too, with most T6s able to hold an extra 23% (13,500 litres), and T5s getting a 15% boost to 11,500 litres.

Added to that, they’ve got the same large-diameter auger used on the X9, albeit with a slightly more modest unloading speed of 150 litres/sec.

Helping to accurately channel the grain flow into trailers is an optional adjustable spout controlled via a scroll wheel on the Command Pro joystick.

As for the chopper, this can be fitted with dimpled Ecel knives to reduce power drain, an electronically adjustable counter knife, and automatic swapping of the vane settings when turning on the headland.

But perhaps the fanciest addition for the T-series is a system that alters combine settings automatically based on the terrain.

Using pitch readings from the GPS receiver, this adjusts the top and bottom sieves and fan speed to both reduce losses and improve output.

Farms with testing topography have the option of a hillside package (dividers on the top sieve) which compensates for slopes up to 14%, or the Hillmaster articulating system that can account for angles of up to 22%.

Despite all these changes, the internal threshing and separating parts of the combine are the same as the outgoing range.

The new T series machines are now on sale ready for harvest 2025 delivery, with list prices starting at £351,938 for a T5400, plus £40,538 for aN RA25 25ft header.

Moving to the six-walker range sees list prices kick-off at £387,296 for a T6 500, plus £51,060 for a typical 30ft RA30 header.

© James Andrews

S7 single rotor

S7 single-rotor combines have received a similar number of upgrades but, like the Ts, there’s little change to the way they process the crop.

Most of the range is now powered by a 13.6-litre JDX 14 engine, which is apparently more efficient than its 13.5-litre predecessor.

Another move to save fuel and make better use of available power is an updated residue management system, as used on the X9.

This is mechanically driven, rather than hydraulically, and has spinning impellers to spread both chaff and chopped straw.

It also uses the Xcel dimpled knives as mentioned earlier on the walker combines.

Several slope compensation systems are on offer to suit varied terrain. Like the Ts, there’s a sidehill kit with divider plates on the top sieve and a fully fledged Hillmaster setup.

But there’s also a mid-spec Active Slope Adjust system that uses a belt to level grain across the cleaning shoe. This can compensate for hills of up to 18%, which isn’t that far off the Hillmaster’s 22%.

Other tweaks include a move to more accurate loss monitors and a fancier setup for automatic adjustment of machine settings.

All operators now have to do is input acceptable limits for losses, sample quality and cracked grains and the combine will do the rest.

As well as that, there’s the option of a sophisticated terrain compensation system that uses a combination of pitch information from the GPS receiver, satellite biomass maps and forward-facing cameras to alter machine setup.

This is capable of automatically slowing forward progress for thicker patches of crop or lodged areas, as well as speeding back up in the thinner bits.

According to John Deere, this can improve productivity by up to 20%.

List prices for single-rotor machines start at £446,264 for an S7 700, with a suitable 35ft RDF35 draper header coming in at £119,368.

© James Andrews

Gracing the T- and S-series combines with the same cab as the X9 has given a fair boost to operator comfort.

Added creature comforts include a better ventilation system, more storage space, a fancy massaging seat and the option of up to four sdcreens for viewing and adjusting machine settings.

There’s also a new auto-cinching door option that creates an ultra-tight dust-proof seal without the operator having to slam it shut.