Deere Unveils New Forage Harvesters

MADISON, Wis. (DTN) -- As it showed its new F8 and F9 Series self-propelled forage harvesters to its dealers, John Deere also gave media a walkaround of the new machines parked at the University of Wisconsin's Arlington Agricultural Research Station.

"We've combined our strongest hardware with our newest and smartest precision ag technology to give forage producers a machine they can count on in every pass, every season, to create higher-quality forage they can depend on throughout the year," said Bergen Nelson, John Deere go-to-market manager for harvesting equipment.

Click here to view the video of Deere's new forage harvesters: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

New F9 Series forage harvesters are available in two engine options -- John Deere 18X and Liebherr V12 24L -- with five horsepower options ranging from 700PS to 1020PS (PS is a German term equivalent to horsepower; one PS is roughly equal to 0.9863 horsepower). The F8 Series comes with the JD14X engine with six horsepower options, ranging from 425PS to 645PS.

The JD18X engine features no DEF requirements, and Deere's HarvestMotion Plus technology allows for increased torque at lower rpms, creating up to 15% in fuel savings and up to a 10% gain in power.

John Deere self-propelled forage harvesters are primarily manufactured at John Deere's Harvester Works in Zweibrucken, Germany. A handful have arrived in the U.S. for promotion and a few field demonstrations. They will be on display this summer and fall at the Farm Progress Show, World Ag Expo, World Dairy Expo and the U.S. Custom Harvesters Convention.

Here's our walkaround:

-- New cab. A new cab, similar to cabs on Deere's S7and X9 combines. Cab houses G5 display (G5 Plus features a 12.8-inch display), extended monitor and new corner post display (new icons and improved interaction), integrated Starfire receiver, a new swivel seat and the hydro-handle common in other Deere harvesting platforms. Optional lighting packages provide up to 68% better nighttime visibility, Deere said.

-- F8 and F9 operators have access to Deere's technologies, such as:

-- Ground Speed Automation. Ground Speed Automation is a reactive system. It adjusts by engine RPMs in real time based on field and crop conditions.

-- ProTouch Harvest. ProTouch Harvest allows operators to switch from road transport mode to multiple harvest-ready settings with one button. It works with HarvestMotion Plus, which optimizes engine performance for fuel efficiency and Active Fill Control.

-- Active Fill Control. Active Fill Control employs a stereo camera system to sense the fill level of that trailer. Where is it empty? Where is it full? They system moves the spout to ensure the truck or wagon is completely full.

-- Inoculant dosing system. Applies inoculants more precisely with an 85-gallon, insulated tank. The system includes a fresh-water tank to flush the lines of remaining inoculants that may otherwise crystallize. Inoculant dosing can be fine-tuned from the cab.

-- Kernel processing (KP). Kernel processing is important to compress the corn kernels, to break them open to make the starch available for the cows. With these new forage harvesters, Deere introduces the John Deere Ultimate 250 KP and the John Deere XStream305 KP (manufactured by Scherer Inc., Sioux Falls, South Dakota). Scheer offers a new roll option for the F8 and F9 to process sorghum. KP gaps can be adjusted electronically from inside the cab.

For more information: https://www.deere.com/…

Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @DMillerPF

(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.