Lamma 2012 was the first UK show appearance for John Deere’s largest and most powerful 9R series tractors.

The three-model line up ranges from 410- to 560hp and is available in wheel-driven articulated format or dual tracks, but only the rubber-tracked RT version was show at Lamma.

New aggressive bonnet styling and a redesigned cab set the range apart from the 9030 Series they replace, but the biggest changes have been made to the engine.

All models are Powered by Deere’s six-cylinder, 13.5 litre PowerTech PSX engines which meet the Stage 3B emission requirements. As with other tractors in the Deere stable, the 9R series has uses engine gas recirculation (EGR) route rather than the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for emission control.

In the transmission an 18 x 6 powershift box provides a top speed of 40kph and has an efficiency manager which sets the best engine speed and transmission ratio combination.

Tracked machines now have a separate pump for steering and ancillaries to increase hydraulic flow to implements. Axles have also been beefed up to take the extra muscle and lift capacity has been boosted to over 9t.

The new cab is broadly the same unit fitted to Deere’s other new R range machines and offers better visibility, more space and improved lighting.

A colour display and Deere’s JD Link telematics service come as standard meaning vehicle details can be monitored remotely by either the farmer of dealer.

A joystick-operated colour screen comes as standard and a touch-operated screen is available on the options list.

An extra bank of buttons has also been added to the Command Arm to speed up some frequently used functions and keep then separate from in-cab controls.