News & Events

John Deere has launched its first mobile phone app in the UK and Ireland, following the introduction of the John Deere FarmSight wireless technology strategy.

The free JDLink mobile telematics application allows arable farmers and contractors in particular to monitor and manage their equipment fleets on the move, from a smartphone. While the app does not have as much functionality as the full JDLink system on a laptop or desktop computer, it does include the following features:

- multiple machine mapping;
- directions to machines (based on Google maps);
- ping and share location of machines;
- view and acknowledge message alerts.

After downloading the app, customers who already have a JDLink account can simply log in and check their machines’ location and service status. Non-users can use a Demo function to explore the features provided.

The newly developed JDLink Inside telematics machine monitoring system includes hardware and a JDLink Ultimate subscription for the following John Deere product ranges – new 2012 models are being supplied with a complimentary subscription for the machine’s first year:

- new Stage IIIB compliant John Deere 8R Series and 7R Series tractors;
- new Stage IIIB compliant John Deere W660, all T-Series and all S-Series combines;
- self-propelled forage harvesters.

John Deere’s proven multi-brand satellite guidance system is now available as a more fully integrated solution for other makes of tractor and older John Deere models.

New AutoTrac Controller will be featured on the John Deere stand at Cereals 2012 in June, as part of the company’s AMS (Agricultural Management Solutions) precision farming display. It provides non-John Deere and mixed fleet users in particular with the same benefits and advantages as the established AutoTrac automatic steering system.

These include less operator fatigue; consistent accuracy, with reduced overlaps and misses leading to increased productivity and machine efficiency; less wear and tear on equipment; and typical fuel savings of 10 to 15 per cent. Experience with AutoTrac has shown that automatic guidance can achieve savings of between £6000 and £10,000 a year on a 500ha arable farm, for example.

AutoTrac Controller provides fast line acquisition and can be used at all accuracy levels, including the free StarFire 1 signal (30cm), StarFire 2 (10cm) and StarFire RTK (2cm). It operates with John Deere’s AMS GreenStar 2 1800 and GreenStar 3 2630 displays plus the StarFire iTC and 3000 satellite receivers to provide improved accuracy and repeatability, compared to other universal steering systems. It is also compatible with John Deere’s iGuide automatic implement guidance and GreenStar documentation systems.

AutoTrac Controller needs to be fitted by a John Deere dealer, which may take one or two days depending on the level of modification required. Currently it can be fitted to selected John Deere 6000/6010 and 7000/7010 Series tractors plus Fendt Vario, Case IH Steiger and Case IH MX Magnum models – further information on approved platforms can be found at the www.StellarSupport.com website.

In addition to AutoTrac Controller, the Universal AutoTrac 200 aftermarket steering kit continues to be available for more than 300 models of John Deere and competitive self-propelled machines, including combines and foragers as well as tractors.

John Deere’s latest award-winning round baler and forage harvester technology will be featured on the company’s stand at Grassland UK 2012 at the Bath & West Showground, Somerset in May.

The revolutionary Fast Release System (FRS) featured on new 900 Series variable chamber round balers, which employs a unique ‘curtain’ design to replace the traditional heavy rear door, won an innovation award at the FIMA fair in Zaragoza, Spain in February. Now in production for the 2012 season, the 960 and 990 model balers employ this state-of-the-art technology to significantly improve baler output, bale density and operator comfort, which can lead to savings of up to an hour a day during harvest.

Working together with the exclusive full-frame design for reliability and durability, FRS speeds up the bale ejection process by enabling the operator to unload the completed bale in less than five seconds, which is up to 10 seconds faster than a conventional machine.

The 900 Series balers are available with a choice of 2.2m wide RotoFlow or MaxiCut 13- or 25-knife precutter high capacity pick-ups, and produce bale diameters from 80 to 160cm and 80 to 185cm respectively. Both balers are ISOBUS certified and can be equipped with a GreenStar 1800 display for controlling most of the key machine settings and functions.

The SIMA 2011 Gold Medal award winning Tractor Implement Automation (TIA) system is also now available as an option on the 900 Series balers. When operated with a tractor featuring ISOBUS, a continuously variable transmission and electronic SCVs, this baler automation system also significantly reduces the harvest workload – instead of the driver having to stop the tractor to open and close the rear of the baler, TIA manages everything using simple fingertip controls to complete the baling process.

John Deere’s advanced HarvestLab constituent sensing system for the 7050 Series self-propelled forage harvester range was also awarded a DLG Silver Medal at Agritechnica 2011.

The system has been enhanced for 2012 to sense additional maize silage quality parameters, such as protein, sugar, starch, fibre (ADF/NDF) and ash content, either on–the-go on the forager or as a portable stationary unit for use by both farmers and feed nutritionists. This is designed to help silage producers manage their feed rations and additive calculations more efficiently, and to provide better control of feed costs.

There is also a new interest free finance offer available from John Deere Financial on all new John Deere round balers ordered by 30th April 2012, in the UK only. The offer is for 0+36 monthly payments at zero per cent interest, with the amount financed limited to 50 per cent of the retail value.

As usual, other credit profiles are available on request, and the availability of finance is subject to status and terms & conditions – further details are available at www.JohnDeereFinancial.co.uk or from John Deere’s UK dealers.

John Deere dealer Templetuohy Farm Machinery Ltd has taken over the Co Wicklow trading area from Derek Plant Farm Machinery, providing full sales, service and parts support from its existing branches at Enniscorthy, Co Wexford and Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Following some internal reorganisation, four full-time staff have been appointed specifically to support customers in Co Wicklow. Two experienced TFM salesmen, Ken Goggin and Peter Breen, are now looking after the new area in addition to their existing responsibilities, while John Conroy (ex-Matt Buckley Tractor Spares and John Deere dealer Murphy’s Garage Headford) has been taken on at the Thurles branch to handle sales in Co Tipperary.

A new service technician, Philip Driver, has been appointed to cover the West Wicklow area, while a second technician vacancy has been advertised and should be filled shortly. Both these technicians’ service vehicles will stock a range of fast moving parts, and the dealership will provide guaranteed next day parts delivery from the Enniscorthy and Portlaoise branches to ensure continuity of supply and service to John Deere customers in Co Wicklow.

Templetuohy Farm Machinery, which was established at Thurles in 1981, is also launching a new hire fleet service across the whole of its trading area, which includes a fourth branch at Clonmel, Co Tipperary. In addition to John Deere’s full line of agricultural equipment, TFM’s other key franchises include Caterpillar and Schaeffer farm loaders, and Lemken ploughs and cultivation equipment.

A huge thank you to everyone who took time to attend our Clarecastle opening evening last night Wednesday 8th March.

Your support & well wishes are greatly appreciated. A big thank you also to Ireland & Munster rugby legend John Hayes for spending the evening with us.

We hope everyone enjoyed the evening as much as we did & we look forward to doing business you in the future.
Congratulations to Darragh Minouge , Feakle , Co. Clare who was the lucky winner in our lawnmower give away!

Come visit us on our Open Evening this Thursday March 8th, from 5pm to 9.30pm.

View the newly launched 6R series tractor, 6030series tractors, 5M series tractors, and full range of farm machinery and lawnmowers.

Refreshments served, all are welcome.

John Deere’s new global suite of advanced technologies under the name FarmSight, designed to help optimise machinery and farm operations, will be the main focus of the company’s stand at the 2012 Precision Farming Event in March.

The John Deere FarmSight strategy integrates wireless technology into the arable farmer’s and contractor’s business, as well as the John Deere dealership, to a much deeper level than ever before. In the future, the system will connect equipment, owners, operators, dealers and agricultural consultants in order to enhance productivity and increase efficiency, by sharing information as well as sustainable practices to help reduce overall input costs.

A range of integrated solutions will include user-friendly monitors, sensors and wireless networks for machinery, and agronomic data to facilitate operational decision making. One of the first John Deere FarmSight elements is the newly developed JDLink Inside telematics machine monitoring system.

This advanced, web-based telematics solution includes hardware and a JDLink Ultimate subscription for the following John Deere product ranges – new models are being supplied with a complimentary subscription for the machine’s first year:

* new Stage IIIB compliant John Deere 8R Series and 7R Series tractors;

* new Stage IIIB compliant John Deere W660, all T-Series and all S-Series combines;
* self-propelled forage harvesters.

Besides remote monitoring of a machine’s location, fuel consumption and status, JDLink Ultimate also enables remote monitoring and diagnostics via John Deere’s exclusive Service ADVISOR technology. Using this system, the machine automatically generates message alerts via e-mail or mobile phone (SMS) when service or maintenance is required.

Based on the machine owner’s preference, message alerts can be sent directly to the owner or fleet manager, the John Deere dealer or both. This entirely new level of service increases the efficiency of machine diagnostics, maintenance and repair, and so reduces machine downtime.

With the customer’s agreement, the dealer is able to remotely access machines from his office base. This enables him to access service or fault codes, as well as details about the machine. He can also make software updates and diagnoses from the dealership. And with full JDLink access, he’ll also know the machine's exact location, so that the service technician can arrive precisely when and where he’s needed.

A new optional extra for JDLink Ultimate, to be introduced later in 2012, features remote access to allow the subscriber to view the machine’s GreenStar 2630 in-cab display. This would let the machine owner or the dealer assist the operator with a problem without having to travel to the machine, as well as providing remote diagnosis of the machine or third party ISOBUS implements; it could also be used for machine optimisation.

Another new element of the FarmSight strategy is Machine Sync, which was one of five innovations awarded a DLG Silver Medal at Agritechnica 2011. Designed for use with combines and tractors, Machine Sync enables these machines to exchange data on-the-move to improve the efficiency of the harvesting and unloading operation, and allows the combine operator to ‘guide’ a tractor and trailer alongside the harvester.

In addition, as one of a new range of complementary services being provided within the FarmSight initiative, a fast growing number of participating John Deere dealers can now offer RTK (real time kinematic) satellite signal availability in their trading areas.

The need for increased, repeatable positioning accuracy (to +/-2cm), specifically for automatic guidance and machine automation applications, drives the need for this new RTK service. It is recommended for customers who require the very highest levels of accuracy for crop establishment, treatment and harvesting applications, such as potato growers or those wishing to carry out controlled traffic farming (CTF).

Zaragoza - A number of innovative John Deere solutions have been recognised with awards at this year’s FIMA fair in Zaragoza (14-18 February 2012), Spain’s most prestigious international agricultural trade show. Industry-wide, the jury of 14 independent experts gave awards to a total of 33 products, features and solutions. John Deere leads the list of winners with seven individual awards.

Two John Deere innovations were awarded Gold:

• Electrical adjustment of the top-cover vanes on the variable stream rotor in new S-Series combines. Remotely controlled from the cab, this feature helps to optimise straw quality and separation capacity under frequently changing harvest conditions.

• John Deere’s second generation ActiveSeat suspension system, which is activated electrically and isolates the driver from up to 90 per cent of the tractor’s vertical movement. The system, which is optionally available on large horsepower tractors, increases operator comfort while reducing fatigue.

The following five John Deere solutions were given innovation awards:

• The new range of diesel-only John Deere PowerTech PVX and PSX engines, which operate with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), so no additional liquid is required to meet Stage IIIB emission regulations (as of 1 January 2011).

• The new Vistronic Fan Cooling system on John Deere 7R Series tractors, which automatically adjusts the fan speed to maintain the best possible operating temperature and helps the engine to respond more quickly to load changes. This pushes the air into the engine compartment under pressure and thus minimises the ingress of dirt and debris.

• The Fast Release System on John Deere’s new 900 Series round balers. These balers employ a unique ‘curtain’ design, which replaces the traditional heavy rear door, enabling the operator to unload the completed bale in less than five seconds. This effectively saves the operator one valuable minute for every six bales he produces.

• John Deere’s new HarvestLab constituents sensor for self-propelled forage harvesters. Based on near infrared (NIR) technology, this advanced sensor analyses silage for sugar, starch, protein and fibre (ADF/NDF) content, either on-the-go or as a portable stationary unit in the barn or office.

• Machine Sync, a logistics optimisation tool introduced as part of the new John Deere FarmSight strategy. Machine Sync enables fleet owners and operators of tractor/trailer combinations and combines to optimise their transport operations via permanent wireless data exchange between machines.