Test drive with John Deere 9RX 830: the most powerful tractor ever in mass production
With a maximum engine power of 913 hp, the John Deere 9RX 830 is the most powerful tractor ever produced in mass production. Empty, the tractor already weighs over 30 tons, with an additional 5,000 kilograms of extra ballast added. The fuel tank can hold nearly 2,000 liters of diesel. In short: everything about this articulated tractor is huge. Time for a test drive!
Launched in the U.S. last spring, a single unit of the John Deere 9RX 830 has now made its way to Germany. With a maximum engine power of 913 hp, it is the most powerful tractor to ever go into mass production.
Along with 2 smaller John Deere models, the 9RX 710 and 9RX 770, it is a completely redesigned tractor. Despite the familiar series name, it differs significantly from the smaller 9RX 490 to 9RX 640 models, which max out at a ‘mere’ 691 hp.
Read more below the photos.
Is there a demand for such a massive tractor?
We are standing in a large field in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. In the distance, a low, rumbling noise can be heard. As the articulated tractor approaches, the sound of the 18-liter John Deere engine turns into a deep roar. It is the first and currently the only John Deere 9R 830 in Europe.
Weighing over 30 tons when empty and delivering 913 hp, is there really a need for such a giant? “Yes,” says Michael Müller, European Product Manager for tractors at John Deere’s Waterloo (U.S.) headquarters. “We are seeing a demand for greater capacity. Implement manufacturers are also building increasingly larger machines, and today we offer a tractor with over 900 hp,” Müller explains.
After an hour behind the wheel of the 9RX, you may find yourself agreeing with the product manager. At first glance, the Köckerling Vector cultivator does not look like much behind such a colossal tractor. But do not underestimate the demands of working 33 tines 35 centimeters deep in good clay soil. In harder-packed areas, the 18-liter engine struggles, and on the dry clay, we even notice some wheel slip – despite the tractor’s weight of around 37 tons with optional ballast!
3 hydraulic pumps
The development of the 9RX 830 took 5 years. During this time, John Deere worked closely with 15 farmers, who had significant input on the final design. “For instance, they wanted a tractor that is easy to maintain and repair, as you do not just drive a machine of this size to the workshop,” Müller says.
Stripped down
As a result, despite its larger dimensions, the 9RX 830 appears more ‘stripped-down’ than the smaller 6RX 640. The hydraulic pumps are readily accessible without needing to remove panels or other coverings. If necessary, the tractor can be quickly split in the middle to remove vital components like the transmission. This accessibility is thanks to the modular design, which sets it apart from the smaller 9RX series with its frame construction.
Another key feature of the tractor is the option to equip it with 3 hydraulic pumps, which together can deliver an oil flow of 636 l/min. “In the United States and Canada, tractors like these are often used with air seeders—seeders up to about 30 meters wide, paired with a trailer carrying large amounts of seed and fertilizer. That oil flow is essential to drive the many blowers needed to distribute the seed and fertilizer over such a large distance,” Müller explains.
9RX 830 Features Larger Tracks
Underneath the cab, there is a diesel tank that can hold nearly 2,000 liters of fuel. However, in the Netherlands, you would not even be allowed to fill it completely – transport regulations limit diesel tanks to 1,500 liters. But this capacity gives the 900-hp engine plenty of range. This power is delivered at 1,700 rpm, while the nominal engine power of 830 hp is achieved at 1,900 rpm.
The 18-liter engine is familiar from John Deere’s self-propelled forage harvesters, but the rest of the 9RX 830 is entirely new. The transmission, for example, is a new 21F/11R powershift gearbox. A PTO is available as an option, for instance, to drive an auger wagon.
The track undercarriage has also been redesigned and is now larger, with 3 midrollers instead of 2. With 76-cm-wide tracks, the tractor is just under 3 meters wide. In the U.S., 90-cm-wide tracks are also available. The drive wheel itself now has a diameter of 1.2 meters, providing more contact surface with the track – a necessity, given the tractor’s maximum torque of 4,234 Nm. This, too, is unprecedented.
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