2008 News Releases and Information

LENEXA, Kansas (August 07, 2008)– To meet growers' demands for the ultimate solution in small grain harvesting, John Deere introduces a new line of 600D Draper Platforms.

"We've redesigned these platforms from the ground up and have added many new features to help producers get more done in less time," says Anthony Souhrada, product information manager, John Deere Harvester Works. "The 600D drapers provide more productivity with a larger reel, wider and faster belts, and a larger feed drum. They are designed to cut lower and handle more material than the 900 Series models they replace."

The 600D Draper Platforms are available in three sizes, 25-, 30-, and 35-foot models. The drapers are centered on the combine and each model has a true width-of-cut as per the sizes listed above. This promotes even crop feeding throughout the full width of the platform, even in tough, high-yielding crop conditions.

"We've also developed the new HydraFloat™ suspension system," explains Souhrada. "Customers will no longer be required to use springs or air bags to adjust the floatation capability of their header. And, HydraFloat allows customers to adjust header floatation to match harvesting conditions, without leaving the seat of the combine!"

The 600D Draper Platforms are also designed with height sensing capabilities. Operators can adjust two predetermined cut heights: close to the ground for down-crop harvesting and higher from the ground for normal standing-crop harvesting. Each of these settings is programmed into the hydro handle and can be selected by the operator to match the harvesting conditions, providing more productivity and easier operation.

Cutterbar tilt can also be adjusted hydraulically from the cab. Operators can adjust the cutterbar angle a full eight degrees while maintaining excellent visibility during operation. This ensures the lowest cut possible in varying field conditions.

Another John Deere exclusive includes the one-inch tall draper belt cleats that are designed to move heavy, down and damp crop from the cutter bar to the combine feeder house more efficiently. With an increased belt speed of 20 percent, the 600D Draper now has the most aggressive crop material handling system in the industry.

"We've also designed a 16-inch feed drum which is four inches larger in diameter than previous draper models," says Souhrada. "This provides significant improvement in overall material handling while delivering crop efficiently into the combine feeder house. Operators will see productivity improvements in high volume crops such as irrigated wheat, barley, and canola."

The 600D Draper Platforms feature a reel resume and reverse function that allows the operator to store two different reel positions. One setting is for normal conditions and the other for down and tangled crop. The reel reverse setting, compatible with 70 Series Combines, will also reverse the reel in conjunction with the center feed drum and center belt to back out any plugs. All these settings and adjustments can be made from the cab of the combine.

An optional 11-inch, hydraulically driven top auger is also available to keep bushy crops moving smoothly into the feeder house. This is a field-installed top auger bundle and is particularly effective when harvesting field peas, lupines, or any bushy crops that stall over side draper belts. The top auxiliary auger can be easily removed for normal conditions.

"For growers that harvest rice, we also offer a steel-tine reel option, 54 inches in diameter with eight bats to provide improved performance in down or damp crops," continues Souhrada. "The new reel optimizes cutting and feeding of tougher crops in all conditions."

Other features include new crop dividers on the sides of the drapers that are designed to lift and separate standing or down crop to minimize plugging, a convenient storage compartment for spare knives, and a stainless-steel feed floor for smooth crop flow and longer wear life.

"The 600D Draper Platforms have many new features that will help growers cover more acres in less time, even in higher-yielding crops. These are the most aggressive draper platforms we've ever designed and will help operators gain even more productivity from their combines during harvest," concludes Souhrada.

For more information, visit our Web site at www.JohnDeere.com/Ag or contact your local John Deere dealer.

John Deere (Deere & Company - NYSE: DE) is the world's leading provider of advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.