Based on new tractor registrations, John Deere has done as intended with the latest 6M series and brought stiff competition to the tractor market. The addition of 50km/h transmissions and the AutoPowr CVT are among the main factors that have allowed Deere to capture a larger share of the market with its latest 17 model 6M series, and better compete with the likes of AGCO and CNH brands.

Although the physical factors that once differentiated the 6R and 6M have narrowed and are now shared, ie chassis, engines and transmissions (to a large extent), there are still considerable differences when it comes to specification, mainly in terms of in-cab refinements and a price difference to reflect this.

With the series now having firmly found its feet on the Irish market, we caught up with Louth-based livestock and tillage enterprise Lurganboy Farm, that last year swapped out a Massey Ferguson 7722 VT for a new 6M 155, a deal that may not have swung in John Deere’s favour if it weren’t for the new 6M series.

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The 6M 155 is married up with an AMazone UF2002 28m sprayer and FT 1502 front tank.

Background

Situated near Togher, along Ireland’s east coast in Co Louth, Lurganboy Farm is a large scale beef finishing and tillage enterprise owned by Joseph O’Reilly. The farm grows a broad mix of spring and winter crops.

On the tillage side, all work is carried out in house right through from cultivations, to sowing, spraying, harvesting etc. The business currently runs a mix of fresh John Deere, Massey Ferguson and a New Holland tractor.

Now working on the farm almost 10 years, Frank Winters is part of the farm’s machinery team, and resident sprayer operator. Spraying is done with an Amazone UF 2002 mounted sprayer, running 28m booms and married up with an FT 1502 front tank. In total, 800 acres tend to be sprayed up to six times annually, bringing the total annual acreage sprayed up to 4,800 acres.

Last year, the time had come to upgrade the sprayer tractor.

“The requirements were, something compact with a 50km/h CVT transmission and a good level of technology onboard, without being overkill for spraying. Given that the sprayer tractor doesn’t spend much time separated from the sprayer, price played a big factor. Therefore, a new 6R John Deere was automatically out off the question,” said Frank.

Frank is very fond of the clean and simple control layout.

Cab

Having seen the mid frame 6M 155 at a Meath Farm Machinery open day, it instantly ticked all the boxes in terms of requirements, for a price somewhere in t he region of €20,000 less than the equivalent model 6R. A deal was later done for a well spec’d 6M 155 AutoPowr equipped with the compact CommandArm, StarFire 7500 and G5 Plus Universal 12.8in terminal.

“Size wise, the 6M 155 is perfect for the sprayer. It was finding the balance between a compact, manoeuvrable chassis without sacrificing on lift capacity or stability,” Frank explained.

In the midst of his first spraying season, Frank is delighted with just how well the 6M 155 has married up with the sprayer, particularly within the cab, where the bulk of the Series updates are.

The compact CommandArm with the Electronic Joystick is a real winner for Frank, based on its layout and simplicity.

“While our 6R 185 and 175 R Series tractors are Command Pro models, the more simplified CommandArm in the 6M really suits this job.

“With the rough tramlines this spring and other factors, such as poles and small fields, the booms require a lot of concentration, so simple controls leave quick adjustments easier.”

Frank has the electronic joystick set up to work in a similar fashion to a standalone sprayer specific Isobus joystick. Each boom functions is assigned to one of the programmable buttons.

As part of the new 6M updates, the dash display has been relocated to the A pillar, which Frank believes is a good job for visibility.

Although, it did take some time to acclimatise to the smaller six-post cab having come from the larger R series cab, he doesn’t find it an issue, outlining that it is quiet and comfortable with all controls really well positioned.

For context, the 6M offers a total 2.7m3 of cab space, while the 6R cab offers a total 3.3m3 of space.

The front axle is fitted with the proven Triple-Link Suspension (TLS) front suspension and rear mechanical cab suspension.

“The tramlines left after this spring would test any machine. But comfort wise I couldn’t fault the tractor. It’s not quite as comfortable as the R series but I never expected it to be,” Frank said.

Frank, Lurganboy Farm.

Engine and transmission

The 6M 155 shares the same, proven 6.8l Deere Power Systems (DPS) with the rest of the six-cylinder lineup and 6R models. However, for the first time the 6M boosts, providing an extra 11hp during PTO, hydraulic or transport work. This leaves the 6M 155 with a pre-boost maximum power of 171hp and tops out a 182hp, compared to 203hp in the equivalent R series.

One thing John Deere did do with the arrival of the 6M is offer a lengthy list of options, so the range can be tailored to suit those with the most basic of needs, or to satisfy those at the higher end of the scale who want a machine that is more comparable to a 6R. In terms of transmission, John Deere is offering its 6M models with the choice of PowerQuad Plus 20x20 40km/h transmission, AutoQuad Plus 20x20 40km/h or 50km/h, CommandQuad Plus 20x20 40km/h transmission or the renowned Autopowr CVT in both 40km/h and 50km/h formats.

The large A pillar display replaces the traditional dash display previously on the steering column.

Lurganboy Farm’s tractor is a relatively highly spec’d example, equipped with the 50km/h Autopowr transmission, electric spools and the optional Command Arm.

Hydraulics and lift capacity

The 6M 155, like its other mid-frame counterparts features a 114l/min hydraulic pump as standard, which can be optioned out in favour of a larger 155l/min alternative. Lurganboy Farm’s tractor is equipped with the larger hydraulic pump and four electric spools positioned on the right-hand console. Maximum lift capacity is 7,650kg on the rear linkage and 4,400kg on the front linkage.

With a fully laden weight touching of 4,000kg when the sprayer is filled fully and the front tank weighing up to 1,750kg when full, Frank says that the tractor is stable even on rough tramlines.

The 12.8in G5 Plus terminal is used for guidance and sprayer control.

Hydraulic functions are easily assigned to each of the electronic joysticks buttons via the G5 screen.

Verdict

“So far, the 6M155 has proved to be an ideal sprayer tractor, both in size and capacity. The control layout lends itself to being as close to a self-propelled sprayer as you’ll get.

“Where I see the real benefit is inside the cab, I don’t like a machine with multiple joysticks.

“The simplicity of the AutoPowr transmission and the programmable electronic joystick are up there with my favourite features.

“Control layout is probably as close to perfect as you’ll find in a tractor.

“The large A pillar display is a good replacement for the traditional dash and does offer a lot more functionality. The G5 Plus terminal is crisp clear and easily managed, whether its just assigning hydraulic functions to the joystick buttons, guidance or controlling the sprayer via Isobus.

“From an operators point of view, the 6M 155 has more than impressed me. Leaving the smaller cab and a few other small bits aside, it is every bit as good as a 6R.

That said, the 6Rs will always have a place and suit certain jobs better. When the time comes to change them, we will more than likely replace them for another 6R. There’s a place for both series,“ said Frank.