INTERVIEW ▶▶▶ Roberto “Joby” Javellana
“Most likely, it will be hybrid drivelines”
Roberto Javellana – nickname Joby – tells us what he thinks the future for tractors will look like. He is part of a team at John Deere responsible for the development plan for the bigger tractor series.
BY BOB KARSTEN
Tractor Works, the companies biggest tractor factory. Joby tells in detail about the machines. Including the new top model in the 8R-series: the more than 400 hp strong 8400 R. He says there is a market for tractors with this much horsepower on relatively small wheels. The 8400 R apparently is a sales success. Remarkable fact: especially in Europe the new 8400 R has been well received.
J
Long term plans Apart from developing tractors, Joby is also interested in what is happening in other countries. Although he works from the John
“Tractors will
certainly grow further in engine power.”
Deere factory in America, he spends half of his time travelling around the globe to see what is happening in agriculture. He uses this information to make development plans, asking what is going on and what farmers need. Joby sniffs out the demand, and what is most likely going to happen in the future. He is
18 ▶ FUTURE FARMING | 1 November 2018
oby likes to join us during our tour through the tractor factory. He is visibly proud and enthusiastic, strolling along the production line of the 8R and 9R-series trac- tors in the plant in Waterloo, Iowa. We are at John Deere
responsible in a team drawing up development plans for the major tractor series for the next 20 years. The plans for the first five years are already pretty fixed.
What developments can we expect in the short term? “Look around you in the factory. What do you notice? It has been about two years since we introduced the 9RX series – those artic- ulated tractors on four tracks. At this very moment, about half of all 9-series tractors are already being built as a 9RX. That is a re- markable fact, and at the same time is proves that the concept is a success. The 9RX is narrower than an articulated 9R with double wheels mounted. That is important for public roads. In addition, there is less soil compaction and the 9RX has more grip for pulling power. So, tracks are becoming more common, and are really going to play a bigger role for us.”
John Deere is working on a 100% electric tractor, the Sesame. And recently we saw pictures of an electric tractor on a long extension cord. John Deere also participates in a research project into small, autonomous robots. Which way will it go? “We are working on many concepts, like every manufacturer. Nobody can be 100% sure which way the market is going in the future, so we are exploring many ideas. And not afraid to let something fail, provided we learn from it. John Deere has already successfully introduced many electrical components, especially in the construction sector. So the company has experience.”
Which idea would be most realistic? “A hybrid driveline. John Deere is already using a hybrid driveline in the popular 944K wheel loader. In this machine a diesel engine drives a hydraulic pump, but also two electric generators. We will
PHOTO: RANDY WILLIAMS
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