OVER 870 HP: Deere’s new 18.0L engine.

culture April 2020

Pleasetake one!

AFGRIculture April 2020

Deere Power Systems introduce higher power range enginesAs a complete power solutions provider for OEMs, John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) has expanded its lineup of engine solutions with the introduction of 13.6L and 18.0L engines. The 13.6L engine was built with a clean-sheet design, offering new levels of performance, serviceability and integration. This design process was driven specifically by customer requirements, with the engineering team considering the top customer needs and then listing design requirements to meet those objectives. JDPS director of worldwide marketing, sales & customer support David Hoffman said Deere are continually focused on providing customers with power solutions to fit their applications’ needs. “We leveraged and optimized our proven technologies developed over the years to best address market and customer needs in heavy-duty applications,” said Hoffman. “This ensured

the final product would deliver increased performance and overall value to our OEM customers and end users.” Building on the design of the 13.6L engine, Deere has also introduced a new 18.0L engine which offers maximum power over 870 hp. Designed with flexibility, serviceability and durability in mind, the performance engine is equipped with John Deere engine controls, a high-pressure common-rail system and series turbochargers and utilises cooled EGR. The model-based controls enable advanced prognostics capabilities and improved transient response. A rear gear train reduces noise as well as torsional and crank stress. Hoffman said the top 20 service and repairs for larger John Deere engines were also taken into consideration when designing the engine. “We utilised a streamlined engine design process to expand our power range,” Hoffman

said. “Advanced modeling allowed us to define and optimise engine subsystems to achieve our performance requirements and to deliver on our customers’ growing horsepower needs.” The new 18.0L engine will be made at the John Deere Engine Works in Waterloo, Iowa with production planned to begin in 2022. Forward orders can now be placed for the 13.6L engine.

Master Tech program recognises technician skills and experience

MASTER TECHS: AFGRI’s Terrence & Morne.

NEW MASTER TECH: AFGRI’s James Jewitt.

AFGRI Equipment would like to congratulate a further three technicians who have received their accreditation as qualified AFGRI master technicians. To become a master technician, they must display outstanding abilities in their role and meet all expected training competencies. Our three newest master technicians are Carnamah’s James Jewitt, Pingelly’s Terrence Enslin and Wagin’s Morne van Tonder. AFGRI operations director Gollie Coetzee said the Master Technician

program provides value and peace of mind for customers. “The program helps to ensure our technicians demonstrate and maintain the quality skills and experience required in order to excel,” Gollie said. “To be a master technician means the technician displays a lot of pride and passion in their work and in their relationships with customers. “Our master technicians are also encouraged to become specialists in the fields that interest them the most whether it’s diagnostics, specific units or Precision Ag technology.” After achieving this status, master technicians are cemented as leaders in their workshops and continue to work with and train those around them to a high level. AFGRI technical advisor Charles van Loggerenberg said master technicians are influential to their respective workshops. “The master technicians take on extra responsibility ensuring if others in the workshop have an issue or need advice

on a particular repair order or service query, they are available to assist and can share their experience.” Master technicians must maintain their competencies and are reviewed on their accreditation annually. The new recipients join 12 others who maintained their master technician qualification from last year.

Deere CEO to become Deere Chairman of the Board with Allen retirement

Deere ‘doing business the right way’ as one of World’s Most Ethical Companies

AFGRIculture April 2020

Digital connectivity the talking point at Develop with Deere conferenceJohn Deere held its 7th annual Develop with Deere conference on January 29 this year, focusing on digital connectivity. The event, held in St Louis, USA brought together nearly 700 Deere dealers, software companies, ag service providers and others from 13 countries to share ideas and learn about the latest digital tools and applications in agriculture. AFGRI precision ag consultant Josh Bracken, who represented AFGRI Equipment Australia at the conference said attendees could bolster their skills and knowledge by attending educational sessions and networking with peers. “It was fantastic to be a part of the conference working with others in the industry to collaborate on solutions for our farmers,” Josh said. The theme of this conference was connecting people, equipment, technology and

After a 45-year career, Samuel R. Allen has elected to retire 1 May from his current position as chairman of the Deere & Company Board of Directors. The Deere board has elected John C. May, the company’s chief executive officer, to become chairman upon Allen’s retirement. May said Allan led the company to record growth and success over his decade of leadership, expanding the customer base and global footprint but also making major gains in innovation and precision technologies. “As a result of Sam’s leadership and vision, John Deere has developed a more dynamic business model and is uniquely positioned to captilise on the demographic and technological

John Deere has again been recognised as one the World’s Most Ethical Companies according to the Ethisphere Institute, a company that defines and measures corporate ethical standards. The institute has recognised Deere as one of the world’s most ethical businesses 13 times since first starting its annual ranking. A company’s

insights, a focus that has become even more imperative if not challenging with the current COVID-19 situation. John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG) digital business development manager Kayla Reynolds said the conference placed great emphasis on connected software and application demonstrations. “We had a record 123 companies attend with more than 40 demonstrations and on-board sessions, which helps attending dealers, ag service providers and others see how these applications could for their customers,” Reynolds said. John Deere (Australia/New Zealand) precision ag segment manager Ben Kelly said the conference brought people, businesses and technology together to collaborate and develop solutions. “I think we all understand data has a big role to play

trends that are defining the future of our businesses,” May said. One of Allen’s most significant developments during his tenure as chief executive was Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group, established in 2012 with the objective to develop precision ag technologies and help bring them to the market. “Today, products equipped with these advanced capabilities are making our customers far more productive while helping reshape Deere as a smart industrial company,” May said. Allen is also credited with emphasis on responsible corporate citizenship with the company having doubled investment in philanthropic activities under his tenure as chief executive. He launched the global employee-

ethical performance is accessed on five categories – ethics and compliance, culture of ethics, corporate citizenship and responsibility, governance and leadership and reputation. This year, 130 companies were recognised with this honour spanning 21 countries and 51 industries. Deere chief executive officer John May said the

recognition reflected Deere’s commitment to ethical practices. “Integrity is a core value at John Deere and has been critical to our company’s long history of success,” May said. “We remain committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and maintaining our reputation for doing business the right way.”

in the future of agriculture, and it is great to see through a conference like Develop with Deere that we have 123 different companies under one roof workshopping, learning and working together with John Deere to help farmers get real value from their data,” Kelly said. John Deere continues to invest significant resources into its API platform, the John Deere Operations Center, in the form of new tools and applications to provide benefits to farmers. “These are real-world solutions that add value for our farmer customers and their operations,” Reynolds said. “With more than 130 connect software tools available, our open platform enables customers or any trusted advisors they grant access to, to send job instructions directly to machines executing jobs in the field.”

volunteerism program in 2010, which has recorded nearly one-million hours of volunteer service. Allen joined Deere as an industrial engineer in 1975, before joining the company’s senior management team in 2001. He was elected president and chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors in June 2009 and became Deere’s ninth chief executive officer in August later that year. May joined the board in August last year and became Deere’s tenth chief executive officer this past November. “As chairman, John will lead the board with the collaborative style and strategic, operating and technical skills so capably demonstrated over his 23-year career with Deere,” said Allen.