New Four-Track 8RX

It’s like Christmas has come early for some our team, with the announcement of the John Deere all-new 8RX tractor.

And there’s plenty to get excited about. With more power, versatility and durability than any generation of 8 Series tractor before it, these high-horsepower row-crop tractors represent a huge lead forward in smarts and strength and spaciousness.

Sales Operations Manager Andrew Watt has seen a lot of tractors in his day, but that first-of-its-kind 8RX has him pumped.

“The 8RX is the first-ever four-track, front wheel assist tractor. This is the first time a machine of this type has been put into production anywhere in the world by any manufacturer.

“Four-tracks have been around in other larger models, but they’ve been very limited as to what they can do. It’s really been pulling large implements. With the launch of the four-track front wheel assist tractor, everything that we used to do with a wheeled machine is now possible with a four-track machine. Three-point linkage mounted units for row crop work, heavy tillage, spraying, you name it. And the benefit of the four-track is a whole lot more surface area on the ground, all with the flexibility of being able to turn in tight spaces without disturbing the soil.”

Andrew said the new 8RX represents true tractor innovation and is a prime example of John Deere responding to customer need.

“The 8RX is all about listening to customer issues, and them wanting to do more in less time.

“In the United States, and here in Australia, our windows are very, very short. When it’s raining and the ground is wet, we’ve got to wait for that to dry out before we can get a traditional tractor on there. Whereas the high flotation and less ground pressure capability of the 8RX allows you to maximize that window and get on the ground earlier and stay on it longer, even in the wet.

“Importantly for the operator, the 8RX is exactly like driving a wheel tractor in the fact that it doesn’t lose traction in a turn. Typically, track machines are very good at pulling in a straight line, but when you start to turn you have to slow down one side and that becomes the weakest link.

“But with the 8RX, that all changes. This has a large footprint with all four tracks maintaining contact during steering, so you can pull around the corner the same way as a wheel machine.”

Operator comfort really takes a step up in the 8 Series.

“When you reach a 40-hour week by Wednesday, you’re logging some serious hours in the cab but watching the video of the 8RX brings to mind being in a late model Mercedes or a luxury yacht. It’s absolutely next level!

“There are three different options, Select, Premium and Ultimate, which includes leather everything, heating, cooling, ventilation, and massage functions.”

Of course, it’s much more than just riding in style. Precision ag is also made effortless with the 8RX.

“The display and GPS receiver are both fully integrated into this machine, standard from the factory and AutoTrac ready.

“This is the first time the receiver has been integrated, so it’s just like a car where sat nav is built right in. The result is a seamless user experience with no need to reconfigure every time you plug or unplug or have a battery change or something like that on the tractor. Say hello to no more calibrations. It just does everything itself.

“This makes it great for the row crop user with high precision requirements – like cotton, corn, rice or anyone who’s in irrigation that needs to plant in a timely manner. Of course, the other main users will be anyone who has been in a wheeled machine but is looking to get more out of the ground to pull larger implements. We’ll have up to 410 horsepower available in these machines and the way that gets to the ground out-performs any wheel or two-track of similar horsepower.”

“This is a big deal. The entire Hutcheon & Pearce Sales team is going to Toowoomba to see the first machine in the country in operation and we’re all pretty excited about that.”

While information about the 8RX was released in October, the first orders won’t be taken until December. Just in time for the Christmas wish list!

To learn more about the 8RX, talk to the Sales team member at your local branch.