WATERLOO, Iowa – John Deere has introduced a new line of windrowers for next season.
The major changes are higher field capacity and faster transport speeds.
“We’re trying to reduce the time not spent in the field on operations,” said Deanna Kovar of John Deere’s Ottumwa Works.
“Those are times that producers identify as being the most frustrating. They understand about operations speed, but they don’t want to be using up extra time, whether it’s in transport or in other machines, loading or unloading …. So a higher maximum transport speed was one of the things we did in the new design.”
Read Also
VIDEO: Green Lightning and Nytro Ag win sustainability innovation award
Nytro Ag Corp and Green Lightning recieved an innovation award at Ag in Motion 2025 for the Green Lightning Nitrogen Machine, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable form.
The company said it also made the machines better on the road and in the field, with a new independent rear suspension, rear steering assist and larger optional tires.
Hydrostatic machines, such as the self-propelled windrowers, are great for low speed manoeuvreability while cutting in heavy crops or making sharp end-of-swath turns. However, this advantage decreases as the ground speeds increase.
The new windrowers have added hydraulic cylinders to the rear caster wheels and they kick into action above four miles per hour. Below that speed the casters are free to trail along at the back of the machine.
Until the windrower reaches eight mph, the casters are only aided on a part-time basis, giving the user greater control of the machine’s momentum in that four to eight mph speed band.
Above eight mph, the hydraulic system works full time for dramatically increased control, whether cutting light crops, repositioning in the field or in transport on the road.
The A400 is a 125 horsepower machine and can be fitted with sickle or draper headers.
The D400 is the dedicated draper version of this model.
The R450 is a 200 h.p. machine capable of powering draper, rotary or sickle headers.
