John Deere 8RX

[James 6920]

So what’s everybody’s thoughts on this, looks very good, having driven 6 different crawlers over the year’s and a big fan of tracks, I do like this new offering of four tracks in a smaller frame than a quadtrac etc, yes it’s not articulated but looks to be better offering than the half trac concept.

Discuss away chaps...

 

[Norfolk Olly]

I think it will be the death of the RT range, theyll outpull them in the wet and not destroy the headlands. Not keen on the styling but not that it matters. The only thing that will come close is the case rowtrac, the biggest draw to a red one will be purchase price.
A 410 with an e23 gearbox please

 

[Brisel]

Would you buy one now, or wait a couple of years until they have sorted the problems arising from a new design? A neighbour of mine fitted Stocks tracks to the rear axles of 2 of his Magnums. Both split their back end castings within 2 seasons and went down the road shortly afterwards. Does the 8 RX have suspension on its tracks?

 

[AlfM]

Wasn’t many years ago JD messed up big time launching the original 7R’s too soon only to become instant lemons and then worthless when they ironed the problems out with a rapid redesign of several elements shortly after. Think I’ll let someone else try these first.

 

[Norfolk Olly]

Would you buy one now, or wait a couple of years until they have sorted the problems arising from a new design? A neighbour of mine fitted Stocks tracks to the rear axles of 2 of his Magnums. Both split their back end castings within 2 seasons and went down the road shortly afterwards. Does the 8 RX have suspension on its tracks?

No track suspension, only cab i was told. It wouldnt bother me having one now as i think its been a long time coming, my biggest concern would the positive drive from the tracks, somethings got to give and from previous expereince with quadtracs it usually rips the centre out of the tracks

 

[Lincsman]

Having Tracks on the front is pretty pointless and making it expensive, a big wide tyre there does the job fine, having experience of these, engaging 4WD usually has little effect in most conditions, and usually only comes into use turning with trailed implements. Not sure the steering system will be happy with it ether.

Having said that it will pull way better than the fixed 2 track type that wont pivot to follow the ground

A Quad track is different, more weight is at the front than the back.

 

[fred.950]

Having Tracks on the front is pretty pointless and making it expensive, a big wide tyre there does the job fine, having experience of these, engaging 4WD usually has little effect in most conditions, and usually only comes into use turning with trailed implements. Not sure the steering system will be happy with it ether.

Having said that it will pull way better than the fixed 2 track type that wont pivot to follow the ground

A Quad track is different, more weight is at the front than the back.

I don’t agree, a half track type with tyres at the front will not steer when pulling hard up a hill. We have tried several and always stuck with a twin track crawler for this reason.

 

[Michael S]

I don’t agree, a half track type with tyres at the front will not steer when pulling hard up a hill. We have tried several and always stuck with a twin track crawler for this reason.

The Claas 900 terra tracs automatically use the brakes to assist in steering. Bit of an ugly duckling but possibly technically the best of the tracked conventional tractors with suspension on the cab and tracks. If I were in the market for such a thing I would definitely be wanting a demo.

 

[Lincsman]

I don’t agree, a half track type with tyres at the front will not steer when pulling hard up a hill. We have tried several and always stuck with a twin track crawler for this reason.

I have never had a problem in 19 years.. (dont have steep hills though) why will a track thats supposedly lighter on the ground grip better to steer more than a tyre?
I have always though putting the brake on to steer is a little counter productive, as well as knocking the diff lock out.

 

[fred.950]

I have never had a problem in 19 years.. (dont have steep hills though) why will a track thats supposedly lighter on the ground grip better to steer more than a tyre?
I have always though putting the brake on to steer is a little counter productive, as well as knocking the diff lock out.

I don’t actually know that they will. A mini quad track would be the best maybe? Twin tracks definitely have their limitations.

 

[Brisel]

The oldest twin track Cats just disconnected the drive to one side when turning which meant it just spun the other track when grip was marginal. The farm I used to manage had a 765D and Quadtrac. The Quad went happily sailing on where the Cat couldn’t. The extra 6 tonnes and 60% weight on the front tracks helped, no doubt. Are the newer Cat/Fendt crawlers better when turning?

 

[fred.950]

The oldest twin track Cats just disconnected the drive to one side when turning which meant it just spun the other track when grip was marginal. The farm I used to manage had a 765D and Quadtrac. The Quad went happily sailing on where the Cat couldn’t. The extra 6 tonnes and 60% weight on the front tracks helped, no doubt. Are the newer Cat/Fendt crawlers better when turning?

Ours is awesome in the dry but when it’s wet I have to do a hundred point turn.
I don’t actually know how these steer now!?

 

[Brisel]

Does it apply the brake on one side and let the differential sort the drive out?

A previous photo of yours showed you drilling in lands. Do you have RTK?

 

[Lincsman]

The oldest twin track Cats just disconnected the drive to one side when turning which meant it just spun the other track when grip was marginal. The farm I used to manage had a 765D and Quadtrac. The Quad went happily sailing on where the Cat couldn’t. The extra 6 tonnes and 60% weight on the front tracks helped, no doubt. Are the newer Cat/Fendt crawlers better when turning?

The main thing the quad had was all four tracks flat to the ground, something a rubber 2 track cannot do, even the 1950's track-marshals could pivot.

 

[snarling bee]

The oldest twin track Cats just disconnected the drive to one side when turning which meant it just spun the other track when grip was marginal. The farm I used to manage had a 765D and Quadtrac. The Quad went happily sailing on where the Cat couldn’t. The extra 6 tonnes and 60% weight on the front tracks helped, no doubt. Are the newer Cat/Fendt crawlers better when turning?

I think it was only steel tracked Cats that used clutch steering. All the Cat rubber tracks have used a hydraulic motor to speed up or slow down one side to provide steering. You still get full power to both tracks in theory, but the reality is that the outer track will spin in less than ideal conditions

 

[Norfolk Olly]

with my old 765 one track would speed up and the other slow down to turn, but if it was wet one would just spin faster and it would go in which ever direction was easiest. Many an hour spent wrestling with the steering wheel on a heavy dew

 

[Tramliner]

Had the opportunity to take the 8RX for a drive along a main road today,having driven 8000ts,8rts,9rts and 9RX over the last 20 years ,I have say the ride is very impressive,whether it was going over sleeping policemen or 40 k on the road you wouldn't think you were driving a tracked tractor,turning circle is very good as well. In fact it drove better on the road than wheeled tractor with big tyres where you get sway from the flex of the tyres, it just felt planted to the road.
I think this configuration of tractor will cure a lot of the negative issues associated with twin tracks,but at the same time having all good aspects.
The cab is a big improvement too,very quiet.
Just need to see how it performs in the field.......................has it got a propeller?

 

[oil barron]

Had the opportunity to take the 8RX for a drive along a main road today,having driven 8000ts,8rts,9rts and 9RX over the last 20 years ,I have say the ride is very impressive,whether it was going over sleeping policemen or 40 k on the road you wouldn't think you were driving a tracked tractor,turning circle is very good as well. In fact it drove better on the road than wheeled tractor with big tyres where you get sway from the flex of the tyres, it just felt planted to the road.
I think this configuration of tractor will cure a lot of the negative issues associated with twin tracks,but at the same time having all good aspects.
The cab is a big improvement too,very quiet.
Just need to see how it performs in the field.......................has it got a propeller?

is there anything on them to prevent you turning the steering lock to lock when stationary?

 

[Tramliner]

is there anything on them to prevent you turning the steering lock to lock when stationary?

No,it will turn from lock to lock stationary .

 

[Norfolk Olly]

From the on road video I seen it looks like all other track layers with the exhaust and mirrors vibrating and cab contents rattling