John Deere is making some substantial claims for its double-clutch DirectDrive transmission, which has been previewed across our technical and driving impression pages over the past couple of issues. So time now to see whether this new gearbox does what it says on the tranny tin, with a full-blown profi tractor test on the 6R flagship — the 154kW/210hp 6210R.
There’s certainly no shortage of talking points on the John Deere 6210R, a tractor model that we first tested 12 months ago — to see how frequently its diesel particulate filter regenerates and note what effect, if any, this action has on fuel consumption. Here we move on to look at the rest of the tractor package, including its double-clutch DirectDrive transmission. Initial stop is at the DLG’s pto test stand, where the 6.8-litre Deere PVX motor managed to deliver 136.9kW/183.4hp/181.2PS to the shaft while revving at rated speed, before eventually max-ing out at 154.2kW/
206.6hp/204.1PS. On top of this there’s a boost bonus that kicks in for pto work when travelling over 2.5km/hr and on transport jobs over 15km/hr. According to the brochure this should hike 6210R output by 23kW/ 30.8hp/30.4PS at rated speed and 13.0kW/ 17.4hp/17.2PS at max output.
Little more than a glossy literature claim? Not at all. Our tractor boosted to 157.9kW/ 211.5hp/209.0PS at rated and 164.5kW/ 220.4hp/217.7PS at max speed — results that left little room for test team reproach. And even more encouraging is that all 6R models now rolling off the Mannheim production line are being fitted with new injectors that are said to be more tolerant of fuel quality, which should further increase the likelihood of these 6Rs repro.
For more up-to-date farming news and reviews click here and subscribe now to profi.
