During the busy maize harvest, the Irish Farmers Journal travelled to the northeast of the Netherlands, close to the German border, to catch John Deere’s new kit in action ahead of the 2026 season.
The event was held on the Vroege farm, one of the largest dairy farms in the Netherlands, and one of the largest agricultural contractors in the Netherlands.
Milking 1,260 cows and yielding close to 12,000l on an indoor system, the business employs 10 family members and a further 25 staff, with the contracting business running four John Deere foragers and a fleet of 20 plus tractors.
New F8 and F9 foragers
The highlight of the event was without doubt John Deere’s new self-propelled forage harvesters – the F8 and F9 series. These two ranges replace the outgoing 8000 and 9000 series, and see John Deere surpass the 1,000hp mark for the first time.
The new F8 and F9 series replace the outgoing 8000 and 9000 series.
It says these high-performance machines are designed to deliver a significantly improved driving experience, combined with advanced automation and precision farming technology, which arguably, was long-awaited.
The smaller F8 will form the standard body range (660mm feed channel), with the flagship F9 models offering wider-intake machines (830mm feed channel). The F8 range comprises six models, with the F9 featuring five variants, including the flagship machine, which exceeds the 1,000hp barrier for the first time.
The two main talking points of both ranges are the engine and the cab. John Deere is using the same engine proven in its X9 combines and 9RX tractors, namely the JD14X engine to power all six of the F8 models.
Ground Speed Automation automatically optimises the forager speed and engine rpm based on engine load and preselected target speeds.
The engine power range starts at 420hp with the F8 100 model and the new top model, the F8 600, delivering 636hp. In the smaller of the three models in the F9, the JD18X engine is responsible for supplying power, with the 500 featuring 700hp, the 600 with 765hp and 700 coming with 820hp.
For the power-hungry operators, the two flagship models, namely the F9 900 and F9 1000, are powered by a Liebherr 24.2 L V12. This generates 890hp and 1,020hp, respectively. For reference, the maximum output of the Liebherr engine in the outgoing 9900 flagship forager is 970hp.
All three engines utilise John Deere’s Harvest Motion engine management system. The company says this technology maximises productivity at reduced engine speeds, delivering constant power over a wide rpm range.
New cab
The second major change is the new cab. The roomier cab on both the F8 and F9 ranges comes from the X9, S7, T6 and T5 combine ranges.
The new cab on both the F8 and F9 ranges comes from the X9, S7, T6 and T5 combine ranges.
Operators will note the wider, more comfortable cab with improved storage compartments for keys, beverages etc. There is now an optional electric door closer too. The premium infotainment system includes Bluetooth connectivity, radio, streaming and hands-free calling. There are now more 12V and USB ports conveniently placed throughout.
The ActiveSeat in the F8 and F9 series swivels 16° to the right and left for excellent visibility. The optional ActiveSeat II also offers adjustable electric controls, cooling/heating, a massage function, and active suspension technology that isolates up to 90% of vertical movements for a smooth ride.
The slim cab pillars and wide windows provide panoramic visibility from the header to the flap of the spout. The spout now can be rotated up to 230° for optimal unloading while the redesigned steering system of the rear axle delivers a 6m turning radius for faster headland turns.
Intuitive control
John Deere says the F8 and F9 foragers are equipped with intuitive controls for machine and harvesting settings which can be tailored through different driver profiles.
The new Command PRO joystick, featuring up to 11 customisable buttons, is programmed via the touchscreen of the G5/G5Plus Command Center display. John Deere says that this display is 35% larger and 75% faster than previous displays, with a high definition 1080P screen.
Inside the cab.
It includes settings for header folding, spout lift, Auto Trac, Pro Touch, Machine Sync, 4WD and more. A new forage harvester-specific screen menu allows operators to adjust the most relevant machine functions. An optional G5 Plus extended monitor doubles the 12.8” screen, allowing users to monitor more functions at once. Essential data is displayed via infographics on the corner post display.
Technology
John Deere says that F8 and F9 models feature a comprehensive technology stack to optimise performance. Ground Speed Automation automatically optimises the forager speed and engine rpm based on engine load and preselected target speeds.
John Deere claims that no matter what the conditions, the machine constantly harvests at maximum productivity with optimal efficiency. Active Fill Control utilises a stereo camera system to control the rotation and flap position of the spout automatically, tracking transport vehicles and aiming the crop for optimal fill strategy.
The Pro Touch Harvest system offers single-click headland automation for any crop, managing header lift, spout control, AutoTrac, Active Fill Control, and Ground Speed Automation for easy headland turns. Switching between road and field, the ProTouch technology handles up to nine functions, including beacons, 4WD, settings for engine speed management and spout positioning.
Other updates
John Deere noted that the machine’s turning circle has been improved by 20% compared to outgoing models, thanks to its shorter chassis design. It also features some new solutions for loading the kernel processor and other features such as the easy ballast system to allow improved operator handling of heavy components.
Irish Farmers Journal got a brief opportunity to spend some time operating the F9 1000 flagship forager in a seriously heavy crop of wet maize, with the new 9m Kemper header.
After the long-awaited forager revamp, the machine looks the part and incorporates many clever design features. Inside the cab, it’s evident John Deere has put a big focus on the operator. The new cab is up there with the most comfortable and well-laid-out operator stations available on any agricultural machine.
The company continues to focus and play on its strengths in the area of technology and data transfer, with a continued shift towards increased automation. The display screens and controls are clear and well-laid-out, giving operators ease of control.
Once the machine is set up in the field with the full technology package, the operator merely becomes an observer, with his/her only task to turn the machine at the headlands.
John Deere’s standing in the Irish and UK tractor markets is top of class, and with its new forager series, it offers more power, more comfort and a further step up in technology.
John Deere is making no secret of it; it is going after an increased share of the hugely competitive chopper market. The first of these new foragers has now arrived on Irish shores ahead of the 2026 grass season.
John Deere dealers have already made quite a stir, with deals having been completed for several new machines, some of which are seeing contractors changing previous alliances.
During the busy maize harvest, the Irish Farmers Journal travelled to the northeast of the Netherlands, close to the German border, to catch John Deere’s new kit in action ahead of the 2026 season.
The event was held on the Vroege farm, one of the largest dairy farms in the Netherlands, and one of the largest agricultural contractors in the Netherlands.
Milking 1,260 cows and yielding close to 12,000l on an indoor system, the business employs 10 family members and a further 25 staff, with the contracting business running four John Deere foragers and a fleet of 20 plus tractors.
New F8 and F9 foragers
The highlight of the event was without doubt John Deere’s new self-propelled forage harvesters – the F8 and F9 series. These two ranges replace the outgoing 8000 and 9000 series, and see John Deere surpass the 1,000hp mark for the first time.
The new F8 and F9 series replace the outgoing 8000 and 9000 series.
It says these high-performance machines are designed to deliver a significantly improved driving experience, combined with advanced automation and precision farming technology, which arguably, was long-awaited.
The smaller F8 will form the standard body range (660mm feed channel), with the flagship F9 models offering wider-intake machines (830mm feed channel). The F8 range comprises six models, with the F9 featuring five variants, including the flagship machine, which exceeds the 1,000hp barrier for the first time.
The two main talking points of both ranges are the engine and the cab. John Deere is using the same engine proven in its X9 combines and 9RX tractors, namely the JD14X engine to power all six of the F8 models.
Ground Speed Automation automatically optimises the forager speed and engine rpm based on engine load and preselected target speeds.
The engine power range starts at 420hp with the F8 100 model and the new top model, the F8 600, delivering 636hp. In the smaller of the three models in the F9, the JD18X engine is responsible for supplying power, with the 500 featuring 700hp, the 600 with 765hp and 700 coming with 820hp.
For the power-hungry operators, the two flagship models, namely the F9 900 and F9 1000, are powered by a Liebherr 24.2 L V12. This generates 890hp and 1,020hp, respectively. For reference, the maximum output of the Liebherr engine in the outgoing 9900 flagship forager is 970hp.
All three engines utilise John Deere’s Harvest Motion engine management system. The company says this technology maximises productivity at reduced engine speeds, delivering constant power over a wide rpm range.
New cab
The second major change is the new cab. The roomier cab on both the F8 and F9 ranges comes from the X9, S7, T6 and T5 combine ranges.
The new cab on both the F8 and F9 ranges comes from the X9, S7, T6 and T5 combine ranges.
Operators will note the wider, more comfortable cab with improved storage compartments for keys, beverages etc. There is now an optional electric door closer too. The premium infotainment system includes Bluetooth connectivity, radio, streaming and hands-free calling. There are now more 12V and USB ports conveniently placed throughout.
The ActiveSeat in the F8 and F9 series swivels 16° to the right and left for excellent visibility. The optional ActiveSeat II also offers adjustable electric controls, cooling/heating, a massage function, and active suspension technology that isolates up to 90% of vertical movements for a smooth ride.
The slim cab pillars and wide windows provide panoramic visibility from the header to the flap of the spout. The spout now can be rotated up to 230° for optimal unloading while the redesigned steering system of the rear axle delivers a 6m turning radius for faster headland turns.
Intuitive control
John Deere says the F8 and F9 foragers are equipped with intuitive controls for machine and harvesting settings which can be tailored through different driver profiles.
The new Command PRO joystick, featuring up to 11 customisable buttons, is programmed via the touchscreen of the G5/G5Plus Command Center display. John Deere says that this display is 35% larger and 75% faster than previous displays, with a high definition 1080P screen.
Inside the cab.
It includes settings for header folding, spout lift, Auto Trac, Pro Touch, Machine Sync, 4WD and more. A new forage harvester-specific screen menu allows operators to adjust the most relevant machine functions. An optional G5 Plus extended monitor doubles the 12.8” screen, allowing users to monitor more functions at once. Essential data is displayed via infographics on the corner post display.
Technology
John Deere says that F8 and F9 models feature a comprehensive technology stack to optimise performance. Ground Speed Automation automatically optimises the forager speed and engine rpm based on engine load and preselected target speeds.
John Deere claims that no matter what the conditions, the machine constantly harvests at maximum productivity with optimal efficiency. Active Fill Control utilises a stereo camera system to control the rotation and flap position of the spout automatically, tracking transport vehicles and aiming the crop for optimal fill strategy.
The Pro Touch Harvest system offers single-click headland automation for any crop, managing header lift, spout control, AutoTrac, Active Fill Control, and Ground Speed Automation for easy headland turns. Switching between road and field, the ProTouch technology handles up to nine functions, including beacons, 4WD, settings for engine speed management and spout positioning.
Other updates
John Deere noted that the machine’s turning circle has been improved by 20% compared to outgoing models, thanks to its shorter chassis design. It also features some new solutions for loading the kernel processor and other features such as the easy ballast system to allow improved operator handling of heavy components.
Irish Farmers Journal got a brief opportunity to spend some time operating the F9 1000 flagship forager in a seriously heavy crop of wet maize, with the new 9m Kemper header.
After the long-awaited forager revamp, the machine looks the part and incorporates many clever design features. Inside the cab, it’s evident John Deere has put a big focus on the operator. The new cab is up there with the most comfortable and well-laid-out operator stations available on any agricultural machine.
The company continues to focus and play on its strengths in the area of technology and data transfer, with a continued shift towards increased automation. The display screens and controls are clear and well-laid-out, giving operators ease of control.
Once the machine is set up in the field with the full technology package, the operator merely becomes an observer, with his/her only task to turn the machine at the headlands.
John Deere’s standing in the Irish and UK tractor markets is top of class, and with its new forager series, it offers more power, more comfort and a further step up in technology.
John Deere is making no secret of it; it is going after an increased share of the hugely competitive chopper market. The first of these new foragers has now arrived on Irish shores ahead of the 2026 grass season.
John Deere dealers have already made quite a stir, with deals having been completed for several new machines, some of which are seeing contractors changing previous alliances.
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