6M Series: Power And Comfort In A Compact Package

Designed to make your job easier and more comfortable, John Deere has developed a completely new 6M Series tractor range, with higher standards of performance, manoeuvrability and visibility.

This range replaces the previous 6M, 6MC and 6RC Series and includes three new four-cylinder models from 90 to 120 horsepower.

As Sales Operations Manager Andrew Watt explains, this is a more compact 6M Series tractor.

“The 6M Series makes up more than 30% of our sales year in year out. It’s been our bread and butter utility tractor for decades and this new line up offers expanded solutions for customers running sheep and cattle or with some cereal cropping. It also suits our government and local council markets and the dairy, viticulture and horticulture industries.”

“There are changes across the board with this new 6M Series, including new option codes and new cab design but one of the biggest changes is the Extra Small Frame models, which have a low bonnet design presenting a clear view to the front of the machine.”

“This adds a huge amount of visibility down to any front implements or loaders and right around the tractor, which is something customers have been asking for because they’re hooking and unhooking implements all the time. They might need the use of a front hitch to pick up a mower or a front mounted PTO implement, and that seamless equipment change over right from the cab is crucial.”

“Another big thing for the 6M is the ability to do an electronic engagement of the front loader pins, which is new.”

Andrew said improved manoeuvrability is a result of the short wheelbase, which allows a tight turning circle of only 4.35m on the new four-cylinder models.

“The Extra Small Frame is about seven inches, or 10cm, shorter on the wheelbase, which is better for the turning radius. This sees a 16% tighter turning radius for manoeuvring in tight spaces and the larger models still have a great turning radius.”

“Despite their slim design, these tractors feature a maximum permissible gross weight of 10.45 tonnes, which means an unrivalled payload capacity in this class of up to 4.7 tonnes.”

“Operator comfort has not been overlooked. All these latest 6M Series tractors feature a newly designed cab that is significantly brighter and more modern in appearance, as well as extremely quiet, with a rating of 70dB(A).”

“All the important operating functions are located on the right-hand panel, which has been completely redesigned, while models equipped with the CommandQuad™ transmission can be optionally fitted with a Compact CommandARM™, with the functions located on the armrest.”

“The instrument cluster used to be around the steering wheel, which blocked visibility. That’s been moved to a new corner post display, which increases visibility. There’s also a bit more flexibility on seat design. When you move your seat, everything travels with you, so you’re no longer stuck in one position.”

“Driver comfort is also enhanced by mechanical cab suspension and the proven TLS (triple link suspension) front axle, while 360° LED lighting is optionally available for perfect illumination of night work.”

Andrew adds that there are another dozen or so options that were previously unavailable on the 6M, including up to four electric SCVs available.

“Switches on the electrohydraulic joystick are fully programmable, and direction of travel can be changed on both this and the mechanical joystick via a push-button.”

“In addition, we’ll be offering a five year subscription to the JDLink™ dashboard. This series of machine comes with a modem, so we can seamlessly track machine hours, customers can access their machine information from anywhere from the MyJohnDeere.com cloud, and remote display access will make training operators and diagnosing issues a hell of a lot easier.”

“Any production data a customer wants to capture can be sent to the cloud remotely using that subscription as well. It just means we start to get those machines connected so we can have more predictive and proactive diagnosis of issues.”

Article originally published in the 2019/20 Summer HP Magazine and some content in this article may be out of date. To learn more, talk to the Sales team at your local branch.