2021 John Deere Tractor: Next-Gen John Deere 7R and 8R Tractor Review and Price
2021 John Deere Tractor John Deere has announced several updates and additions to the 7R and 8R tractor lineup for the 2021 model year, with deliveries starting in November.
The new 7R 350 from John Deere has a 20 horsepower increase over the largest MY20 7R tractor and has a base weight of 24,700 pounds. It comes standard with Triple Link Suspension and Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT). It can be ordered with CommandPRO controls for precise speed control and easy implement hookup.
Good news for the baler operator, the addition of the LSB Ride Control compensates for the baler’s plunger rocking motion by modulating the IVT, increasing your comfort. The ride control feature is available as a factory-installed option for the MY21 on the 7R tractor and is compatible with John Deer L331 or L341 large square balers, which require a JD StarFire receiver.
John Deere will also make ActiveCommand Steering 2 available as a factory-installed option on the 7R and 8R tractors starting in 2021, replacing the original steering system, adding more features and capabilities. The upgrade will reduce steering effort and will increase lane retention during haulage, the company said.
In addition to steering updates, low sidewall tires will also be an option on the three largest 8R tractors: 8R 240, 370, and 410. “The 8R tractor requires Independent Link Suspension to be equipped with the low sidewall tires. This combination provides excellent ride quality with all the advantages of a single tire and a large tread, such as reduced compaction, in a tight transport package, ”says Jardon.
The model year 2021 John Deere 7R tractor will be available in additional sizes and feature improved ride quality and improved steering. New steering upgrades and tire options will be available on the new 8R tractor.
New in the 7R Series lineup is the 7R 350, with an engine of 257kW or 350 horsepower – a 20 horsepower increase from the largest MY20 7R Tractor – and a base weight of around 11,200 kg. This means the 7R 350 provides the best power-to-weight ratio of all the tractors John Deere has to offer.
A 350-hp. tractors have been added to the 7R family. This is 20-hp. an increase over the largest 7R tractor offered in the 2020 model year. The new 7R 350 has a base weight of 24,700 pounds. Deere claims the machine has the best power-to-weight ratio of any tractor in the entire range.
Triple Link Suspension and Infinitely Variable Transmission are standard on the 7R 350. command controls are optional and may appeal to farmers who need precise speed control and easy-to-implement installation.
The new 7R 350 is a great choice for jobs requiring significant power. Customers will benefit from the maneuverability and lighter footprint of the smaller chassis offered by this tractor, said John Deere’s Ryan Jardon. If you transport slurry or fodder or need to move large mower and propellers, this tractor is perfect.
The new LSB Ride Control was added to the 7R series as a factory-installed option for manufacturers who spend hours in the cab working hay and fodder. Lags created by the baler and transferred to the tractor can result in poor ride quality. To compensate, some manufacturers use tractors that are larger than necessary to power their balers.
This new option gives farmers the ability to use a lighter 7R tractor with LBS Ride Control to better manage operator comfort and to reduce soil compaction and crop damage thanks to a lighter tractor footprint, said Jardon.
LSB Ride Control works by modulating the tractor’s IVT to compensate for the baler’s plunger rocking motion. The system adapts itself to changing plant densities and field conditions, so operators remain comfortable.
This system is available as a factory-installed option for the 7R tractor equipped with IVT. It is compatible with John Deere L331 and L341 large square balers. A John Deere StarFire receiver is also required to use LSB Ride Control.
ActiveCommand Steering 2 (ACS 2) replaces the original ActiveCommand Steering system and will be available as a factory-installed option on 7R and 8R tractors. This new system reduces steering effort for the operator and improves line hold during the haul. With ACS, two operators can adjust steering sensitivity and steering wheel resistance. Alternatively, they can activate variable-ratio steering.
ActiveCommand Steering 2 gives the operator greater control over steering system settings to suit the job at hand. For example, the ACS 2 can be set to make it easier to turn the tractor in the field or it can be adjusted to provide a more automotive-like steering experience during the haul. On tractors equipped with ACS 2, it is easier to handle turns, for example, compared to tractors without this option
The three largest 8R tractors, 8R 340, 8R 370, and 8R 410, can be ordered with Low Sidewall (LSW) tires for the 2021 model year. Tractors must be equipped with Independent Link Suspension to accommodate the LSW.
It comes standard with Triple Link Suspension and Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) and can be ordered with CommandPRO controls for precise speed control and easy implement hookup.
John Deere’s Tactical Marketing Segment Manager, Marko Koeln, says the new 7R 350 provides the ideal choice for jobs that require power and mobility. For example, it is ideal for moving large cutting and strapping equipment or for transporting heavy loads on land.
Another important enhancement to the 7R Tractor used for hay and fodder is the addition of the LSB Ride Control.
As we know, the high inertia force exerted by Large Square Balers (LSB) can cause the tractor cab to experience strong movement, which can result in poor ride quality and put pressure on the operator. This means that, at times, farmers may choose a larger tractor option than is needed to power up their bailing equipment, to compensate, Koeln said.
LSB Ride Control is an integrated system that controls vibration on the 7R tractor which works in conjunction with the John Deere LSB to reduce these problems.
LSB Ride Control modulates the tractor’s IVT to compensate for the baler’s plunger rocking motion. The automatic adjustment system increases operator comfort, even when density and paddock conditions change. LSB Ride Control is available as a factory-installed option for the MY21 on the 7R Tractor equipped with IVT and compatible with John Deere L331 or L341 Large Square Balers.
LSB Ride Control allows operators to operate large hay equipment and large square balers more easily, minimize compaction damage due to the 7R 350’s lighter footprint, and to perform balancing, milling, packing, and moving with one tractor, Koeln said.
Since MY20, all 7 Family Tractors include five years of activation of AutoTrac and JDLink Connect as a base, while featuring the all-new StarFire 6000 Integrated Receiver.
As soon as the tractor leaves the factory it is ready with JDLink, providing John Deere Connected Support and Expert Alerts to keep things going, Koeln said.
It is equipped with a Starfire 6000 Integrated Receiver which reduces setup time and eliminates calibration of the Terrain Compensation Module (TCM). With less software download and recall times, precision farming has never been easier.
Starting with the 2021 model year, John Deere will make the ActiveCommand Steering 2 (ACS 2) available as a factory-installed option on the 7R and 8R Tractors. This system replaces the original ActiveCommand Steering system and adds more features and capabilities to further enhance the tractor driving experience in the paddock or on the road. ACS 2 reduces steering effort for the operator and improves line hold during the haul.
Mr. Koelln said using the ACS 2, operators can adjust steering sensitivity and steering wheel resistance, or turn steering on or off at a variable ratio, to suit their application and driving preferences.
For example, the ACS 2 can be adjusted to make it easier to turn the tractor in the paddock or it can be adjusted to provide a more automotive-like driving experience during transport, he said.
For the MY21, John Deere will also offer Low Sidewall (LSW) tires as optional equipment on its three largest 8R Tractors, the 8R 340, 8R 370, and 8R 410.
The 8R Tractor requires Independent Link Suspension to be equipped with Low Sidewall Tires. This combination provides excellent ride quality with all the benefits of a single tire and a large tread, such as reduced compaction, in tight haul options.
2021 John Deere Tractor Price and Release Date
Orders are open now for the 7R and 8R 2021 tractors. Deliveries will begin in November. Both tractors will be built in Waterloo, Iowa. As for the price, we cannot confirm it yet, we will continue to update the information on this website.
