ABOVE: In a fi eld of its own
– the 8RX offers excellent
implement accuracy with
none of the side-shift impacts
that occur when steering
with two tracks
BELOW: Making tracks –
designed from the ground
up as a tracked machine
the 8RX does away with
any transmission problems
associated with retrofi ts
50 iVTInternational.com February 2020
Tight turning circle
Europe is characterised by its short
headlands. is means you want a
tight turn from your
machine. e 8RX is
extremely
manoeuvrable
while minimising
any noticeable
soil scu ng
e ect when
turning.
“You’d be
thrilled if you
saw the turning
performance of
this machine,” says
Schowalter. “If you think
conceptually about two track
concepts across the industry, the
18.7T
Weight of the new
John Deers 8RX
challenge is that if you turn
too tightly you get end up
destroying the top layer of
earth. at doesn’t
happen with the 8RX.”
e tracks themselves
are available in widths from 18 to
30in (46 to 76cm) along with a
transport width of less than
3m, and 40kp/h
unrestricted road speed.
Compared to
industry two-track
designs, the 8RX
is signi cantly
more stable on
hillsides and
performs well
in more
challenging
soil conditions
due to its
superior self-cleaning
ability. Furthermore, it provides
superb implement accuracy since
side-shi impacts that occur when
steering two tracks are non-existent.
Under the hood
e 8RX family features four
iterations: the 310, 340, 370 and 410,
the numbers representing
horsepower. Each retains John
Deere’s existing, well proven and
economical nine-litre PowerTech
PVS & PSS engines with up to
458hp. Features include a Visco
radiator fan and relocation of the
engine auxiliary systems to the
front. Due to the new design and
reduced heat exposure, it has been
possible to further reduce the costs
of wear and maintenance.
JOHN DEERE 8RX
“THE 8RX PROVIDES BY FAR THE
LOWEST CONTACT SURFACE
COMPRESSION IN ITS CLASS”
Simon Schowalter, product manager for large tractors, John Deere
It’s not o en one is asked to look
at the feet of a product manager.
Schowalter points to his, explains
that he weighs 80kg, but that the
ground pressure he applies to the
oor is the same as the 8RX.
Although the machine comes in at
18.7 tonnes, this is distributed across
4.6 square metres of footprint.
“ at’s 20% more than our RT twotrack
concept and up to 50% more
than other half tracks in the market.
is tractor was developed with the
aim of maximising soil protection
without compromising
performance. It therefore provides
by far the lowest contact surface
compression in its class.”
/iVTInternational.com