Part of John Deere's exhaustive agricultural product introduction includes the 8020 Series tractors that offer more power to the ground, more cab comfort, faster transport and field speeds, and overall productivity improvements. Pictured are the 8520 wide-axle track (above) and 8520 wheeled (below) tractors.

Headlines in the last couple of months reported that "Deere Posts Sharp Drop in Profit and Warns of Weak Results Ahead," while others stated that "Deere Reports Profitable Third Quarter Despite Weak Economic Condition." Both headlines are correct. Offsetting the negative affects of lower sales of commercial and consumer equipment and of construction and forestry equipment was the impact of acquisitions and higher agricultural-equipment sales.

According to Robert W. Lane, Deere Chairman and CEO, Deere is "pleased to have remained profitable in the face of difficult conditions," and will continue "to take aggressive actions to further strengthen our competitiveness and drive more efficient asset levels." In late July, the company gave a hint of some of its intended actions by launching over 50 new products designed specifically for the agricultural market.

One such launch was the new 8020 and 8020T Series tractors. "Five wheel models and five track models make up the 8020 Series family," said Dave Gilmore, Division Manager, Marketing, Waterloo Tractor Works. The series ranges from 127 to 190 kW (170 to 255 hp) PTO. All models of the 8020 Series use a PowerTech 8.1-L, high-pressure, common-rail engine that features electronic-controlled fuel injection and air-to-air intercooling. The engines deliver constant power down to 1500 rpm with a 45% torque rise and a 13% power bulge by sensing engine load and responding instantaneously.

The power bulge allows for less downshifting and thus increased productivity.

The new 9020 and 9020T Series tractors feature three transmission options, including the all-new PowerShift transmission with 18 forward and six reverse speeds. The new transmission's Automatic PowerShift automatically shifts up or down, depending on field conditions.

Brand new for the wheeled versions of the 8020 is an Independent Link Suspension (ILS). Front frame supports on both wheel and track tractors have been newly designed for greater front weight application. The new supports also accommodate the optional ILS front suspension system and optional front hitch. On wheel models, a cast-iron mid-frame improves chassis strength for the increased power and hitch lift capacities.

"The new front suspension system controls power hop in the field because of greater front-weight management," said Gilmore. "More power is transferred to the ground because of greater overall traction. ILS allows greater control and more stability on roads and highways and offers faster transport speeds."

Improvements in the 8020 automatic transmission allow transport speeds up to 42 km/h (26 mph) on wheeled tractors and 32 km/h (20 mph) on track tractors. Maximum engine speed during transport has been reduced, resulting in lower fuel usage and decreased noise. Depending on the model, speeds are increased from 5 to 13 km/h (3 to 8 mph) in the most used working ranges. A slower first gear on all models enables more flexibility when working in specialty applications.

An optional feature on the 8020 Series tractors is the John Deere ActiveSeat, which uses electrohydraulics in combination with an air suspension. For applications where operating speed is not limited by implements, Deere claims the new seat increases overall productivity by enabling faster speeds and, therefore, getting more done in less time. The seat, which receives sensor inputs at 200 times per second and adjusts to reduce excessive vertical movement, is available on wheeled tractors only; a tracked tractor provides an inherently smoother ride than a wheeled one.

The engine on the newly launched 3200 and 3400 Series telescoping loaders is located in the rear to act as a counterweight; the boom pivot is in the front of the rear axle. The telehandlers also offer a transmission consisting of a large torque converter that works in conjunction with a remote-mounted, four-speed, synchronized transmission.

Other enhancements on the new 8020 tractors include an improved electrical system with a 150-A alternator that provides more electrical power. The lighting system has a 100% increase in front usable light, new light bezels, lenses and reflectors, and an increased 65 W on all lights. An optional FieldVision lighting package improves night visibility by as much as 350% and extends bulb life to thousands of hours, claims Deere. The package adds three high-intensity discharge lights to the standard package as well as two additional cab roof lights for 360° lighting.

New styling on the tractors includes a tilt hood with a one-piece design for easier engine access. The new cab entry platforms, on both wheel and track models, provide easier access to tread spacing adjustments, including wide-track models used in 762-mm (30-in) row spacing.

"Two mid-frame sizes are used on the 8020 Series tractors," said Gilmore, "the standard size for the 8120-8320 tractors, and the large size for 8420-8520 tractors. The large size mid-frame will allow larger group size tires for increased traction, flotation, and load-carrying capacity." The large size also enables increased fuel capacity to 605 L (160 gal).

For wheel models, the increased power combined with the ability to install larger, taller tires result in greater axle loads. A new 120-mm (4.7-in) diameter axle and new heavy-duty rear wheel hubs have been designed to handle these heavier loads and enable factory-installed rear triple tire options on all 8020 Series tractors. For track tractors, seven new belt options are available to meet a wider range of applications.

Ingersoll-Rand crawler drills for solutions

Ingersoll-Rand has introduced two new crawler drills, the ECM-660 (above) and -680 (below). Both feature a Montabert hydraulic drifter, Strata-Sense Drilling Automatics, and improved hole cleaning.

Ingersoll-Rand has introduced two new crawler drills, the ECM-660 and -680. The 660 can drill holes ranging from 76 to 114 mm (3 to 4.5 in), and the 680 can drill holes from 102 to 127 mm (4 to 5 in). The 660 incorporates a Montabert HC-120 and the 680 an HC-150 hydraulic drifter, in which a trapezoidal piston delivers maximum impact energy to rocks. Rebound energy is captured by a rebound-energy-recovery valve, which then changes the drifter's blow energy to match rock hardness. Higher oil flow and elevated drifter efficiency in the 680 has increased the drifter power by 20% vs. the previous model.

Hole cleaning on the 660 has been enhanced with a GHH-Rand air compressor, which delivers 8.7 m³/min (310 ft³/min) at 965 kPa (140 psi), with an enlarged dust-collector-filter area for improved efficiency. The compressor on the 680 has an output of 10.5 m³/min (370 ft³/min) at 1034 kPa (150 psi). The increased compressor output of both machines works in sync with the dust collector for improved hole-cleaning capability.

Both machines are powered by an after-cooled, turbocharged Cummins 6CTA8.3 engine, the 660 offering 176 kW (237 hp) and the 680 offering 193 kW (260 hp). The engine features an automatic throttle control that lowers engine speed during non-drilling operation, saving as much as 15% in fuel costs, according to Ingersoll-Rand.

Strata-Sense Drilling Automatics constantly monitors and hydraulically adjusts the drilling functions for optimum hole straightness, accessory life, and performance. Improved control during difficult drilling is achieved through the automatic, progressive, and stepless adjustments of the drilling controls.

The 660 and 680 offer an inline, direct-drive powertrain, the 660 with five tandem gear pumps and an air compressor coupled directly to the engine. The 680 has a tandem pressure-compensated axial piston pump and air compressor that is coupled to the engine, as well as a variable-speed cooling fan that is controlled by oil temperature sensors and runs at a controlled speed to protect against oil overheating.

The enclosure doors on the 680 allow access to the major components of the cab, while the dust-hood adapts to various drill sites. A pre-skimmer has multi-adjustable brackets, suitable to many drilling conditions. The Teijin Seiki final drive offers increased tractive effort, and a full-length track guard protects the tracks of the undercarriage.

The drills are equipped with a standard ROPS/FOPS-certified cab, which is designed for improved visibility and pressurized with filtered air. Two drilling control levers mounted on the operator seat arms and one-lever rod changing contribute to easy operation of the 660.