The push-button shift transmission (PBST) is an upgrade to the manual-shift 3-speed transmission. When equipped with PBST there no longer is a shift lever located in the cab. This frees up additional cab space and provides operators a quick, simple, and easy way to shift gears on the combine.

 

The shift lever is replaced by three pushbuttons that shift between gears simply with the press of a button. With PBST, the manual park brake is replaced with an electromechanical park brake that is engaged using a simple push button located on the CommandTouch™ armrest console.

The PBST functions similar to the manual-shift 3-speed transmission, less the shifting lever. As with the manual-shift 3-speed transmission, the combine must be stopped to shift between gears. Once the combine is stopped, the desired gear is selected by pressing the corresponding gear- selection button. Once the desired gear is selected, the gear is displayed on the digital cornerpost display, and the combine speed can be varied infinitely within the gear range using the multifunction control handle on the CommandTouch armrest console.

The PBST is equipped with an electromechanical park brake. When the hydro handle is moved to the neutral position, the park brake is automatically engaged to prevent unintended movement and can be locked in this mode with the touch of the park brake button on the CommandTouch armrest console.
 
An alarm in the CommandTouch display alerts the operator the park brake is engaged if it has not been released prior to hydro handle movement. When the combine engine is turned off, the park brake is automatically applied.

The S650, S660, and S670 Combines can be equipped with the 3-speed mechanical, push-button shift, or the ProDrive™ transmissions (ProDrive for S660 and S670).

With the PBST option for the S650, S660, and S670 Combines, the maximum transport speed is approximately 3 mph (5 kph) less than the 3-speed mechanical-shift or the ProDrive transmissions. The PBST offers 10 percent greater ground-drive torque at the front-drive wheels than the 3-speed mechanical-shift transmission. The advantage is with larger front-end equipment harvesting in hills or in muddy conditions. The increased drive-torque will provide more consistent ground drive performance. The trade-off is when the transmission is in third gear or transport speed that the maximum ground speed is reduced. This reduction in speed is the result of the increased-drive torque capability offered with the PBST transmission option.

The 3-speed mechanical transmission has a higher transport speed but has slightly less torque at the drive wheels than the PBST transmission. John Deere’s premier transmission option is the ProDrive transmission which has both faster transport speed and higher torque. For customers that desire the value of the PBST transmission, they need to understand its overall performance in the field is very good, but it will not transport at the same speeds as the 3-speed mechanical or ProDrive transmissions.

The EvenMax cleaning system has a large cleaning shoe area and a unique, multi-leveled shoe design that provides customers with superior shoe capacity. The result is a high-performance cleaning system that reduces slope sensitivity while delivering results.

The EvenMax cleaning system begins with conveyor augers located beneath the concave, where the volume of threshed material is highest, to evenly move material onto the cleaning shoe (1). The deep auger troughs provide uniform distribution of material to the cleaning shoe with less bunching, even on sloping terrain and when harvesting up or down hills.

Once grain is on the cleaning shoe, the raised-center front chaffer cleans up to 40 percent of free grain before it reaches the main chaffer (3). High-velocity air from the cleaning fan elevates any light material traveling over the end of the front chaffer, resulting in more aggressive separation of chaff and increased cleaning performance (2). The main chaffer provides grain separation from chaff as the grain passes through the main chaffer to the sieve (4).

The sieve provides proper sizing of grain from material other than grain (5). Any grain that passes through the sieve is elevated to the grain tank while some grain or material other than grain flows to the tailings return system for reprocessing. On S650, S660, and S670 Combines, the tailings material is directed back into the threshing section of the separator for additional threshing. The tailings on the S680 and S690 Combines is directed to the active tailings return system for additional threshing then directs the material back on the return pan then onto the main chaffer for additional cleaning (6).

For S680 and S690 Combines, the S-Series cleaning system also includes an extended front chaffer. The extended front chaffer (circled) provides an additional cleaning capacity to match the high throughput of the S-Series separator.

1. Maximum power
2. Rated power

Black line = Model year 2011 engine curve (with separator on)
Yellow line = Model year 2012 engine curve (with separator on)
Green line = Unloading (with separator on)

 

The isochronous engine governor keeps engine speed constant until rated engine power is exceeded. Due to the constant engine speed driven components remain at constant speed too, which enhances the combine overall capacity as well as efficiency. This is gained by preventing over blowing of shoe in low-load conditions such as starting a filed, down crop conditions when leaving, entering a path, that can either end in higher shoe losses or in dirty grain tank samples.

 

Main benefits of the isochronous engine governor include:

• Constant engine speed equals increased overall machine performance
• Reduced engine operating speed equals less fuel usage
• Consistent engine speed equals better durability

The cleaning shoe speed is directly proportional to the engine speed. The cleaning shoe performs best as it approaches its maximum operating speed. With non-isochronous engines, the shoe speed was calibrated to limit the maximum shoe speed proportionally to the maximum engine speed with no load. This left the shoe speed subject to falling below the optimal cleaning speed in tougher, heavier load conditions. The isochronous governor manages and maintains the engine speed throughout the array of crop conditions, leading to a more consistent, better-performing cleaning system.

The isochronous governor electronically activates only when the separator or unloading auger is engaged. Normal engine operation (higher idle) will be present when the machine does not have the separator or unloading auger engaged.

Power meter display

Previously, engines without isochronous governors would decrease the crankshaft speed when load was applied to the engine. Operators could hear when this happened, which gave them an understanding of the amount of power the engine was being required to output. Since the isochronous governor maintains a constant crankshaft speed independently of the engine load, a display is created to aid in the operator’s understanding of the power output by the engine.

A power meter in the cab gives the operator a visual reference of how much power is being used, similar to how changes in engine speed are displayed. The display features a bar graph, which shows the operator how much engine power is being used at any time.

• Green – 35 to 100 percent engine load (14 bars)
• Yellow – 101 to 110 percent engine load (4 bars)
• Red – 111 to 114 percent engine load  (2 bars)

As long as the combine is operated in the green range, it is running below rated power at constant rpms when reaching the yellow area it exceeds rated power engine rpm starts to drop. When reaching the red area, the operator is informed that the machine is close to reaching maximum power, so the operator should pay attention to the throughput of the machine.

The S-Series Combine features a 10,600-L (300-bu) grain tank to meet the grain tank capacity demands of producers. The 10,600-L (300-bu) grain tank is available on the S660 and S670 Combines. The 10,600-L (300-bu) grain tank comes with two grain-tank-level sensors to alert the operator when levels reach three-fourths and full. The grain-tank-level sensors are also tied into the beacon lights to alert grain cart drivers.

 

A convenient hinged door panel provides quick access to obtain a grain sample. The grain trough delivers grain right to the sampling area for increased safety when taking an early grain tank sample. 

120-L (3.3-bu) per second unload rate

The highly productive unloading system delivers a 50 percent increase over the 78-L (2.2-bu) per second unloading system. The faster discharge rate dramatically decreases the unloading time to increase overall productivity on the S-Series Combines.

 

The 120-L (3.3-bu) per second unload rate features:

• Large-diameter grain tank cross augers 25.4 cm (10 in.)
• Large vertical auger 43.1 cm (17 in.)
• Larger-diameter unloading auger 38.1 cm (15 in.) and auger tube 43.1 cm (17 in.)
• Available in both general-purpose and extended wear-versions
  
  

Clean-grain system

The clean-grain elevator allows columns of grain to be handled by the elevator without plugging. The drive capacity in the clean-grain elevator system comes from large drive sheaves with a belt wrap, large conveyor chain sprockets, and a larger clean-grain cross auger.

 

Key features of the clean-grain elevator are as follows:

• Clean grain elevator efficiently delivers clean grain to the grain tank
• Elevator chain tension can be easily adjusted from the ground
• Hinged door allows complete and convenient grain cleanout

Loading auger

The grain tank loading auger ensures rapid movement of grain from the clean-grain elevator into the grain tank. An abrasive-resistant shield covers the gearcase to protect it from wear in abrasive crops. 

• Designed to not push against large volumes of grain when filling the tank
• Easily folds down to the transport position to reduce overall combine height

Valuable harvest time will no longer be lost shifting on hills, on slopes, and when exiting fields to start transporting. The ProDrive propulsion system is a high-capacity feature that enables John Deere S-Series Combines to maintain high levels of productivity in all terrain and ground conditions.

 

The system uses powershift transmission technology to automatically shift between two speed ranges as ground conditions change, to keep the combine harvesting at the desired ground speed.

 

Mode one can be set for typical harvesting speeds. Mode two can be used when higher speeds are needed during harvest or when transporting the combine.

 

The ground speed can be infinitely varied within both modes by the operator, using the multifunction control handle on the CommandARM™ armrest console. The multifunction handle regulates the high-capacity, variable hydrostatic pump and motor that drives the ground speed.

 

The productivity advantages of ProDrive include the following:

• Precise control of the combine speed (when going up or down hills), without the need to continuously monitor and adjust the hydrostatic control handle
• No need to stop to shift between transmission gears
• Automatic powershift technology between speed ranges
• Operator-selected maximum speed within each mode, allowing for more precise control of the combine in delicate operations (for example, when hooking up headers)
• High-capacity, high-torque ground drive performance during harvest and transport
• No loss of ground speed when engaging four-wheel drive (if equipped)

The ProDrive system on S-Series Combines includes an integrated Harvest Smart™ feedrate control system to provide the maximum productivity and reduce operator stress and fatigue.

ProDrive basic specifications

The ProDrive hydrostatic motor has a higher displacement than the previous hydrostatic systems.

 

Both the pump and motor are variable-displacement components that allow ProDrive to maintain high levels of torque to the ground throughout each of the two operating-speed ranges.

ProDrive system operation

ProDrive provides operators with superior control of the combine ground drive through the CommandARM armrest console.

 

Using the navigation tools on the armrest, the operator can dial in the desired maximum-attainable speed within each of the two modes.

 

The maximum forward speed in either range can be set from 0 to 24 mph. The maximum speed in range one cannot be set higher than the maximum speed for range two.

For example, if a maximum harvest speed of 8 mph (13 km/h) is desired and set, the full forward position of the hydrostatic control handle will deliver the speed of 8 mph (13 km/h).

 

This feature provides more precise and comfortable control of the combine ground speed throughout the travel range of the hydro handle.

 

The adjustability of the range of speed can also make maneuvering the combine in close quarters and connecting header equipment much easier.

ProDrive transmission brakes

ProDrive comes equipped with hydraulic wet-disc brakes; five brake discs per side provide ample braking performance during transport or when operating on hills.

 

When transporting, it is recommended the two independent brakes pedals be locked together. When in field mode, the brakes pedals can be pushed individually for various terrain conditions.

 

When the hydro handle is moved to the neutral position, the park brake is automatically engaged to prevent unintended movement and can be locked in this mode with the touch of the park brake button on the CommandARM armrest console.

 

An alarm in the CommandARM display alerts the operator the park brake is engaged, if it has not been released prior to hydro handle movement. When the combine engine is turned off, the park brake is automatically applied.  

The ProDrive transmission is equipped with an electrohydraulic differential lock with a four-pinion differential. Non-ProDrive combines have a two-pinion differential.

 

When operating in muddy, hilly terrain or in sandy conditions that may cause one of the tires to lose traction, this differential lock enables the operator to maintain productivity. If traction is lost, the operator can quickly and easily engage the differential lock by pressing the differential lock button on the CommandARM armrest console. An indicator light within the button alerts the operator that the differential locking feature is engaged.

 

This feature eliminates the need for the operator to control the drive wheel slip manually with the independent brake pedals. When turning, the differential lock disengages automatically if one of the brakes is applied, or if the operator presses the button to disengage the differential lock.

The cab offers unsurpassed visibility, operator comfort, convenience, and productivity. The combine cab is 254-mm (10-in.) wider and 190-mm (7.5-in.) deeper than 70 Series Combines.

Deluxe cab

The deluxe cab offers:

• 30 percent larger cab than the previous 70 Series Combines
• Deluxe, centered operator seat
• Breakaway, foldable cab-mounted mirrors with beacon lights
• 25 percent greater blower and increased air-quality system capacity
• Non-touch CommandCenter™ display
• Touch CommandCenter display (optional)
• Operator seat with air suspension, swivel, fore-aft attenuation
• Single-tilt steering column with telescoping controls
• Convenience outlets for power
• Telematics ready
• Power strip bank
• Business band ready
• Deluxe storage
• Map and dome lights
• AM or FM radio ready
• Tinted glass
• Air conditioner and heater
• Armrest controls
• Two-speed and intermittent front wiper

Premium cab

The premium cab includes the deluxe cab features plus:

• Touch CommandCenter display
• Premium, leather seat with lateral attenuation and a low-frequency suspension (optional)
• Leather instructor seat with leather-wrapped steering wheel (optional)
• Dual-tilt steering column with telescoping controls
• Active refrigerator
• Premium storage
• Electric adjust, heated roof-mounted cab mirrors
• Premium radio with auxiliary input jack
• Pull-down front sunshade

The ability to fold the 10,600-L/14,100-L (300-bu/400-bu) grain tank is designed for height-restricted areas and ease of use on the S-Series Combines. The power folding extensions/covers are made of a water-resistant composite material to keep the grain tank dry when covers are closed without grain in the tank. The covers feature vinyl corners to achieve grain tank capacity and proper folding. 

The power folding grain tank option is controlled from the CommandCenter™ armrest inside the cab. Not only do the covers fold, but the fountain/loading auger also folds with a simple touch of a button so there is no need to enter the grain tank.

 

The power folding grain tank extensions/covers option is available on the S660, S670, S680, and the S690 combines.

 

For visual comparison purposes, see the manual folding grain tank below: