Among the vehicles John Deere launched last week for 2012 was its new 9 Series 4WD tractors engineered for large producers. The new series, made up of five models with wheels and three with tracks, extends Deere’s horsepower reach up to 560 hp with its largest model, the 9560RT.

Among the vehicles John Deere launched last week for 2012 was its new 9 Series 4WD tractors engineered for large producers. The new series, made up of five models with wheels and three with tracks, extends Deere’s horsepower reach up to 560 hp with its largest model, the 9560RT.

The new 9 Series replaces the 9030 Series tractors that were introduced in 2007, and brings a host of new features along with a bump in horsepower. One is the new Command View II cab, carried down from the 8R Series row crop tractors launched in 2009. The cab has 10 percent more volume, 7 percent more glass area, and four times more storage than the previous cab.

In addition, an efficiency manager component was added to the power shift transmission to lock in the most fuel-efficient setting for driving. The new feature lets you set the ground speed you’d like to drive, and the tractor automatically adjusts the transmission speed and engine rpm.

Updates to the track system were made as well to accommodate the extra power and make the tractors compatible with earthmoving and scraper equipment. “This is the first time ever we have offered both the wheel and tracked tractors available and approved for scraping applications,” says Jerry Griffith, division marketing manager, John Deere Waterloo Works.

List price of the new 9R Series tractors is quoted as being comparable to the 9030 Series tractors they replace based on dollars/hp. For more information, visit www.JohnDeere.com