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John Deere F9 forager set for Irish working debut. John Deere's latest F9 flagship forager range set to make its working debut at Grass 2026. A Kramer KL60.8 wheel loader will also be demonstrated. Sat 25 April 2026 8:00 PM The new F9 series of forage harvesters breaks the 1,000hp mark for the first time with the F9 1000 model. John Deere's latest F9 forager range will be represented by Templetuohy Farm Machinery (TFM) at Grass 2026 following its launch last year. The model in question, which will make its Irish working debut, is the F9 700, the third-largest model in the range, churning out 820hp. With the arrival of the new F8 and F9 models, John Deere not only breaks the 1,000hp mark for the first time, but there are notable updates throughout. These updates mainly improve performance and driver experience as well as advanced automation and precision farming capabilities. While the narrower body F8 (660mm feed channel) models up to the 636hp F8 600 source their power from the JD14X, the larger 18l JD18X engine powers the three 'smaller' models within the wide body F9 series (830mm feed channel); 500 (700hp), 600 (765hp) and 700 (820hp). The range-topping F9 900 and F9 1000 source their power from a 24.2l Liebherr V12 engine, generating 890hp and 1,020hp respectively. For context, the Liebherr block in the outgoing 9900 model had a maximum output of 970hp. The onboard HarvestMotion technology is said to maximise productivity at reduced engine speeds and deliver constant power over a wide rpm range. The new F9 also benefits from the larger cab, passed down from the X9, S7 and T6 combines. The more refined and spacious environment offers an improved infotainment system and new control layout with a new CommandPro joystick with 11 customisable buttons, as well as the G5/G5 Plus CommandCentre touchscreen. The cab on the new F series machines is shared across from the X9, S7, T6 and T5 combines. According to Deere, the new console is 35% larger and 75% faster than the previous consoles, with a HD 1080p screen. It includes settings for header folding, spout lift, Auto Trac, Pro Touch, Machine Sync, 4WD and more. A new forage harvester-specific screen menu allows operators to adjust the most relevant machine functions. An optional G5 Plus extended monitor doubles the 12.8" screen, allowing users to monitor more functions at once. Essential data is displayed via infographics on the corner post display. The ActiveSeat fitted on all new models now swivels 16 degrees to both sides, and the optional ActiveSeat II offers fully adjustable electric controls, including a massage and heated/cooled function. The slim cab pillars and wide windows provide panoramic visibility from the header to the flap of the spout. The spout can now be rotated up to 230 degrees for optimal unloading while the redesigned steering system of the rear axle delivers a 6m turning radius for faster headland turns. The KL60.8 is fitted with a 136hp Deutz engine and weighs in the region of 10t. Onboard technology Ground Speed Automation automatically optimises the forward speed and engine rpm based on engine load and preselected target speeds. Deere says that no matter what conditions are like, the machine constantly harvests at maximum productivity with optimal efficiency and minimal operator effort. Active Fill Control utilises a stereo camera system to control the rotation and flap position of the spout automatically, tracking transport vehicles and aiming the crop for optimal fill strategy. The ProTouch Harvest system offers single-click headland automation for any crop, managing header lift, spout control, AutoTrac, Active Fill Control, and Ground Speed Automation for easy headland turns. Switching between road and field, the ProTouch technology handles up to nine functions, including beacons, 4WD, settings for engine speed management and spout positioning. Other updates The turning circle of the new F8 and F9 models has been improved by 20% compared to outgoing models, thanks to their shorter chassis design. It also features some new solutions for loading the kernel processor and other features such as the easy ballast system to allow improved operator handling of heavy components. The F9 500 (700hp), 600 (765hp) and 700 (820hp) models are fitted with the 18l JD18X engine. Kramer KL60.8 Back at the silage pit, TFM will demonstrate the flagship wheel loader from Kramer. The range-topping KL60.8 model weighs just over 10t and is equipped with a 136hp 3.6l Deutz engine. This machine features a 150l/min hydraulic system with PZ kinematics and a maximum tipping load of 6.1t. Unique to Kramer is its rigid chassis, four-wheel system as opposed to the traditional articulated approach. The machine will be paired up with a 12ft fork on the day.

John Deere settles $99M lawsuit, but repair tech says nothing has changed. Published: Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:21 PM PDT | Updated: 19 hours ago JONES COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) - John Deere settled a $99 million lawsuit accusing the company of monopolizing its repair services, but one independent repair technician said farmers still can't repair their equipment themselves. As farm equipment has become more advanced, it's also become more expensive and challenging to repair. If farmers have to go to John Deere every time a repair is needed, the process could be more expensive and time consuming. "Even with the lawsuit, nothing's changed," said Chad Varner, an independent repair technician. Varner has been repairing farm equipment for around a decade, seven years working for John Deere, and now running his own independent repair shop. For him, newer farm equipment is a double-edged sword. He said new technology makes farming easier and more efficient, at the cost of being difficult to fix. "The new John Deere equipment you are married to the dealership and the op center you are kinda held hostage," Varner said. Varner said any equipment repair involving software is next to impossible for a farmer or technician like him to do without going through John Deere. "They have basically been backed into a corner to where they have to call the dealership to send somebody out to come fix it, and in the busy time of year it might be two days before someone gets here," Varner said. Varner's concern is if a farmer's equipment stops working at the wrong time, they wouldn't be able to afford to wait on the dealership to come out. If farmers or independent repair shops can't fix the equipment, though, then the wait is forced. "Mother nature gives the farmers so many days to put a crop in the ground and so many days to take the crop out," Varner said. If a farmer does want to do repairs themselves involving software, they have to pay $195 per machine to access the software, not including repair tools. An independent shop like Varner's would need to buy a $5,995 license each year. Varner is happy with the outcome of the $99 million settlement symbolically, but he says it won't represent real change. "You have to have them to be able to fix your equipment," Varner said. The Federal Trade Commission is also suing John Deere, accusing the company of using "unlawful practices have limited the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to repair Deere equipment."

John Deere unleashes new repair powers: farmers take control with self-repair breakthrough. John Deere says it is rolling out new tools and software updates aimed at keeping farmers' equipment running during critical periods of the growing season, following recent guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that allows greater flexibility in emissions-related repairs. The farm equipment manufacturer said the EPA has clarified that farmers and technicians can temporarily override certain emissions control system alerts in order to return machinery to operation, provided the equipment is ultimately brought back into compliance. The change comes as planting and harvest windows grow increasingly tight, making equipment downtime especially costly. Denver Caldwell, John Deere's vice president of aftermarket and customer support, said the company had advocated for the update as it developed new digital repair tools designed to give farmers more control over their machinery. "John Deere has long supported a farmer's ability to repair their own equipment," Caldwell said. "We know just how important uptime is in critical parts of the growing season, like planting, and we're focused on empowering our customers to choose how they diagnose, repair, maintain and protect their equipment." The company has begun integrating the temporary override capability into its Operations Center PRO Service platform, a digital tool that provides diagnostic, repair and reprogramming functions. Deere said the system allows users to retrieve and clear diagnostic trouble codes, access technical manuals, and use artificial intelligence-powered search tools to troubleshoot problems more efficiently. Company officials described the platform as part of a broader push to expand so-called "self-repair" capabilities, an issue that has drawn scrutiny from regulators and right-to-repair advocates in recent years. In a separate but related move, Deere said it is also updating software tied to diesel exhaust fluid, or DEF, systems after additional EPA guidance. When DEF levels drop too low, many machines automatically reduce engine power - a process known as derating - to limit emissions. That safeguard, while designed to ensure compliance, can sideline equipment if not addressed quickly. Under the updated guidance, manufacturers can extend the amount of time operators have to correct DEF-related issues before derating occurs. Deere said it is deploying software updates to both new and existing machines that will lengthen that window. Caldwell said the changes are intended to reduce disruptions during peak farming periods. "Those are frustrating during those critical windows for our customers," he said. "This will allow our customers to remain in the field to the end of the day or maybe even the end of the season, depending on where they are." The company said the updates are part of ongoing efforts to balance regulatory compliance with operational flexibility, as farmers face increasing pressure to maximize productivity within narrow seasonal timelines.