JOHN Deere is set to update the on-board round module building capabilities of its CP690 - previously known as the 7760 – cotton picker with increased power, performance and uptime.
The major changes for the 2015 machines include a more powerful 418kW (560hp) US EPA Tier 2 13.5-litre engine that provides a 24kW (30hp) boost and five per cent increase in harvest speed.
It also offers more integrated machine intelligence that supports the John Deere FarmSight strategy and has new touch-screen displays, improved service intervals, and other features that enhance machine operation.
John Deere product manager for cotton pickers Drew Wethington said the updates helped deliver the value and benefits producers had come to expect with non-stop cotton harvesting.
“We’ve taken the very popular 7760 platform and built the new CP690, based on customer input, to make it easier, more efficient to operate, and with less downtime and maintenance,” Mr Wethington said.
“From the field to the gin, these machines deliver more, higher-quality lint faster, easier and with less manpower and other equipment costs.”
John Deere has added the next generation ProDrive automatic shift transmission to the machines, with new anti-slip regulation (ASR), to improve traction in tough harvesting conditions.
On the front end, the Pro-16 picking units can harvest cotton at 97 per cent efficiency, and new, easy-adjust row-unit doffers provide smooth, clean operation at higher speeds.
In the cab, there are a new CommandCenter touch screen display and new digital corner post display that show more system functions.
The displays, along with the multi-function lever, allow the operator to easily monitor and adjust harvesting and module building functions with finger-tip control.
CP690 units are equipped with the latest in machine intelligence, including HarvestDoc, Harvest Identification, Cotton, AutoTrac and AutoTrac RowSense.
They also feature Wireless Data Transfer to make accessing information easier through MyJohnDeere.com.
Other intelligence features include JDLink with Remote Display Access and Service Advisor Remote for real-time access to machine performance and service information.
“The new CP690 has tremendous harvesting capacity,” Mr Wethington said.
“With the 1400L fuel tank, 1360L water tank and five rolls of round module wrap, these machines are capable of harvesting over four hectares per hour and working for 12 hours without refills.”