The combine harvester, simply known as a combine, is a machine that harvests grain crop for farmers. The John Deere STS series allows for individuals to complete reaping, threshing and winnowing operations in a consolidated process.
These economically important labor-saving inventions help to harvest crops in an efficient manner. The STS series from John Deere features a range of machines that vary in size, speed and harvesting capabilities.
The least bulky of the harvester combines still come with significant engines and sources of power, but are easy to maneuver for farmers who have to operate in tighter spaces. The John Deere 9650 is the smallest of the STS series, but allows the operator to drive it up and down hills with better control while maintaining a programmed speed.
While the 9560 may be the smallest in the series, it still packs remarkable power. Complete with a 290-horsepower PowerTech engine, the machine enables owners to drive through fields with force and contains a 250-bushel grain tank to allow for a significant amount of crop storage.
The John Deere 9660 STS is the next step up in the series, and packs a little more power due to its increased size. The machine comes complete with a 340-horsepower PowerTech engine and also has the ability to maintain a set speed while traversing hills.
A unique feature of the John Deere 9660 is its ability to unload while on the go. The combine is able to maintain a programmed speed while harvesting and simultaneously unload into a partner vehicle. It also features the Single Tine Separation (STS) system, which remains an industry benchmark for high-capacity threshing and separating.
The John Deere 9670 combine utilizes the John Deere Bullet Rotor System, which has revolutionized the way farmers harvest their crops. This model combines power and precision as it picks, complete with a 305-horsepower engine that was engineered to provide maximum speed.
"What we’re doing is reducing the force it takes to move crop through the combine," says Chris Savener, senior sales and service representative, John Deere Harvester Works. "By doing that, we’ve decreased the amount of engine power required to drive the rotor by as much as 20 percent in tough small grains conditions."
The 9670 combine also comes with a filtration system that helps to harvest more efficiently and with enough speed to gather sufficient amounts of crops.
John Deere outfitted the 9760 combine with enough horsepower for more strenuous tasks on the farm and yet enough low-end torque so that its operator can navigate rolling hills. The machine comes with a number of options that include a small grain fixed-speed feederhouse, harvest monitor with a display, premium header controls, field office training seat, touchset concave adjusters, small wire concave, general purpose chaffer, wide spread fine cut chopper/chaff spreader, adjustable rear axle, service lights and high-intensity lighting.
The bigger machines in the STS series have an unmatched amount of power, including the John Deere 9770 combine. This model features a 360-horsepower PowerTech engine and programming abilities that allow a farmer to eliminate the need for excessive double passes.
Because the 9770 combine is a larger model, the cab space is greatly increased and allows the operator more room and a new level of comfort. This also helps to give the operator more visibility, letting them monitor the ground conditions easily and view the harvesting up close and personal.
The JD Harvest Form composite side panels allow for easier cleaning of the 9770 combine, along with reducing the weight of the powerful harvester.
The John Deere 9860 STS combine brings more power to the table than the smaller 9770, as it operates on a 375-horsepower PowerTech engine that helps to keep its speed up during heavier harvesting procedures.
This model is an excellent companion for farmers who need to operate on difficult low-lands and marshy terrain. It comes with built-in sensors to help recognize the height of corn or other crops, and automatically adjusts the harvesting height based on this calculation. This allows an individual to extract the most from their field.
The innovative John Deere AutoTrac System also allows a farmer to perform office tasks and yield calculations while casually monitoring the harvesting process in its spacious cab.
The John Deere 9870 STS combine is the largest in the series from the agricultural giant, as it comes equipped with a 440 horsepower PowerTech engine that helps to offer exceptional torque for the harshest of conditions.
Although the size of the 9870 is larger than other combines, due to its significant load of power and spaciously sized cab, it is still able to harvest side hills at a slope of 14 percent without scraping and damaging the equipment.
The variance in size, speed and power allows for each of the STS combines to work well in specific conditions, and help farmers with fields and yields of all types.
John Deere STS combine comparison
The John Deere STS series allows for individuals to complete reaping, threshing and winnowing operations in a consolidated process.