John Deere Unveils New Combine Headers to Boost Farmer Productivity

28 February 2025, Kansas: Farmers face increasing pressure to maximize crop yields during the crucial harvest season. In response, John Deere (NYSE: DE) has announced the introduction of innovative combine headers designed to enhance productivity across varying crop conditions.

The latest offerings include a three-piece hinge draper reel system and an 18-row corn head with 30-inch spacing. “Our goal is to ensure John Deere combines are as productive as possible, and that all starts with the header,” said Bergen Nelson, go-to-market manager for harvest equipment. “These headers are built to consistently feed the combine, keeping harvest productive and efficient. We know that how the crop is taken off the field is as important as how the field is left behind, and all that starts with the front end.”

For model year 2026, the company introduced a three-piece cam reel with dense pack fingers, engineered for high-performance harvesting especially for challenging crops like pulses and edibles. This design minimizes grain loss and enhances productivity, with the dense pack fingers boasting 32% more tines than previous models. This feature ensures efficient material transport from the knife to maximize grain capture.

The innovative CF18 30, featuring 18 rows at 30-inch spacing, stands out as the first folding corn head of its kind. This design aligns with the frame width of 36-row planters, simplifying harvesting by eliminating guess rows. Compared to its predecessor, the CF16 30, the CF18 30 reduces the number of harvest passes by 11% per quarter section and is compatible with StalkMaster™ technology, specifically engineered for the John Deere X9 combine series.

As operations become increasingly complex, updates to combine automation systems offer new functionalities tailored to operator needs. Nelson emphasized that customer feedback played a crucial role in the development of these automation enhancements. “These updates are designed to help farmers during harvest—from beginning to end. From improving the grain unloading experience to solutions that enhance working hours, these updates are crafted for the often tight harvest windows they operate in,” he said.

One groundbreaking feature introduced is Predictive Ground Speed Automation, part of John Deere’s ultimate technology package. Launched with the model year 2025 combines, it employs predictive inputs to measure crop variability and controls ground speed accordingly. Two stereo cameras mounted on the combine monitor crop height, allowing the machinery to adjust seamlessly while operating. Satellite validation works alongside the John Deere Operations Center to generate predictive yield maps based on mid-season biomass results.

Additionally, updates in Harvest Settings Automation enable automatic adjustments of key performance parameters like concave clearance and fan speed based on real-time analytics specific to the combine model and crop type. This allows less experienced operators to maximize their efficacy.

John Deere also launched JDLink® Boost, a satellite connectivity solution ensuring seamless operations in areas with limited cellular coverage. This feature provides real-time data transmission, aiding in fleet management and operational insights, ultimately supporting advanced automation and technology integration.

Farmers looking to leverage these innovations can contact local John Deere dealers for details about model year 2025 and 2026 combine updates.