High-capacity forage harvesting doesn't mean sacrificing forage quality. In corn, the all-new 9000 Series Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters (SPFH) from John Deere provide up to 400 tons of throughput per hour, along with optimum corn silage processing that's independent of the length of cut.

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"Ultimately, high-quality feed helps livestock producers improve their feeding efficiency, animal health and productivity, while reducing their feeding costs," said Tim Meister, division manager for marketing at John Deere. "The 9000 Series Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters produce superior silage quality that lay the foundation for a healthy and productive herd, which produces high milk or beef yields at low input costs."

The four models, all with final Tier 4-compliant engines include:

9600 616 hp (460 kw) (625 ps) John Deere 6 cyl. 13.5L PowerTech Engine

9700 759 hp (566 kw) (770 ps) Liebherr V12 24L Engine

9800 858 hp (640 kw) (870 ps) Liebherr V12 24L Engine

9900 957 hp (713 kw) (970 ps) Liebherr V12 24L Engine

Meister said the improved performance and capabilities of the 9000 Series enable producers and custom harvesters to obtain the highest possible return on investment under narrow harvesting windows where high-capacity and high-quality feed are the goal.

"Custom harvesters can raise the profitability of their SPFH investment by covering more ground in the same harvesting window while increasing their margins through lower operating costs," Meister explained. "The increased reliability and strengthened components found on the 9000 Series maximize uptime and ensure you're in the field on time and ready to go."

Compared to its predecessor, the 9000 Series is 10 percent more productive per horsepower and offers a 10 percent improvement in kernel processing. Up front, a new 772 12-Row, Big Drum Corn Header consumes up to 7 tons of forage per minute. When paired with the new XStream™ kernel processor, customers achieve optimal corn silage processing, regardless of length of cut. Fuel consumption has also been improved by 10 percent per ton when compared to the 8000 Series, and wear parts on the new machines are built to last three times longer.

"From a technology standpoint, the 9000 Series is the most advanced SPFH John Deere has ever produced," Meister stated. Integrated John Deere technology solutions can be found throughout. "Each model comes equipped from the factory with John Deere Connected Support that includes a 5-year JDLink™ subscription and a year of JDLink Connect with wireless data transfer. This provides customers with valuable machine health monitoring and fleet management tools."

Optional technology that can be integrated into the machine includes John Deere AutoTrac™ RowSense™, Active Fill Control with Rear Unloading, HarvestLab™ 3000 and AutoLoc™.

When ordered guidance-ready, AutoTrac, RowSense or AutoTrac RowSense guidance can be field activated. AutoTrac RowSense keeps the machine in the right row, regardless of conditions, and helps maximize time in the field by improving harvest efficiency and yield quality while reducing operator fatigue.

Active Fill Control with Rear Unloading can be factory or field installed and provides automated truck and trailer filling while allowing operators to harvest with confidence, day or night, with less stress and fatigue.

When mounted to the SPFH, John Deere HarvestLab 3000 with constituents sensing, provides moisture levels and yield data, and it helps operators get a read on forage nutrient levels on the fly. When teamed with AutoLOC, the collected data can be used to make informed decisions and adjustments to improve feed quality.

"The data provided helps customers determine if it's time to harvest, how much inoculant to apply and what length of cut to set for optimal forage quality," Meister explained. "In the office, yield maps can help them make better seeding and fertilizer decisions for the next growing season."

To help producers keep a watchful eye over the entire harvesting operation, John Deere offers multiple display options. A GreenStar™ 3 CommandCenter™ is included as base equipment. An optional GreenStar 3 2630 can be mounted on the armrest; or mounted on the armrest along with an optional Gen 4 4640 display mounted to the side rail. The Gen 4 display provides an improved operating experience – complete with data merging, collecting and transferring capabilities.

"Whether you are a beef or dairy producer, or a custom harvester, John Deere 9000 Series Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters are durable, state-of-the-art machines that deliver more throughput, lower costs and better data management," Meister said. "More important, they provide a better, more consistent livestock feed product."

For more information about the 9000 Series Self-Propelled Forage harvesters, visit your local John Deere dealer, or JohnDeere.com/SPFH for more details.