Meet the F8 & F9: John Deere’s most advanced forage harvesters yet

Comfort meets capability: John Deere’s new F8 & F9 Series

A new era of forage harvesting has arrived. John Deere has officially launched the highly anticipated F8 & F9 self-propelled forage harvester series — delivering major advancements in operator comfort, automation, performance, and silage quality. As your trusted John Deere dealer, Ben Burgess is proud to bring you the latest on what makes these machines a true game-changer for the 2026 model year.

Revolutionising the operator experience

The F8 and F9 set a new benchmark for cab comfort and user convenience. A brand-new, wider cab design creates a spacious and ergonomic workspace, packed with premium features:

• Optional electric door closers for effortless sealing
• Intuitive storage solutions including dedicated compartments for personal items and beverages
• A high-end infotainment system with Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto
• Multiple charging options, including 12V and USB ports

The standout feature inside the cab is the ActiveSeat™, which swivels 16° in either direction for increased visibility. Upgrade to the ActiveSeat™ II and enjoy electric adjustability, heating/cooling, massage functionality, and suspension that eliminates up to 90% of vertical movement — making long harvest days significantly more comfortable.

Visibility is exceptional, with slim cab pillars and large panoramic windows offering a full view from header to spout. The redesigned spout now rotates an impressive 230°, paired with a 6m turning radius for unmatched agility in the field.

Smart control at your fingertips

John Deere has refined machine control with new ergonomic and intuitive systems:

• CommandPRO™ joystick with 11 configurable buttons
• G5/G5Plus CommandCenter™ with a 35% larger, 75% faster touchscreen display
• Optional G5Plus Extended Monitor for split-screen viewing of multiple machine functions

Operators can save multiple profiles and settings, ensuring seamless transitions between different users and crops. The forage harvester-specific screen menu provides one-touch access to the most-used functions, keeping everything streamlined and simple.

F8 & F9 – more power, more performance

Performance meets efficiency with three high-performing engine options:

F8 Series – Powered by JD14X engine

• Proven in X9 combines and 9RX tractors
• Power range from 425 PS to 645 PS
• Features HarvestMotion™ for maximum productivity at lower RPMs

F9 Series – Powered by JD18X engine

• Rated from 700 PS to 820 PS
• No diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) required
• Integrated HarvestMotion™ Plus for even greater throughput and fuel efficiency

Top-tier power – Liebherr V12 engine

• Powers the F9 900 and F9 1000, with a jaw-dropping 1020 PS
• Built for extreme harvesting conditions and maximum crop flow

Next-level automation & precision ag

The new F8 and F9 forage harvesters redefine smart harvesting with built-in automation and advanced precision ag features. Ground Speed Automation optimises speed and RPM on the fly, while Active Fill Control 3.0 uses stereo cameras to ensure accurate crop placement. ProTouch Harvest simplifies operations with single-click automation for headland turns and field transitions. For added efficiency, AutoPath™ and Machine Sync compatibility enable precise row guidance and coordinated multi-machine harvesting.

Silage quality – enhanced and optimised

Delivering premium forage just got easier. The F8 and F9 harvesters include:

• DuraDrum cutterhead for consistent chop quality across crop types
• New IDS 2.0 inoculant dosing system with insulated tanks and a built-in cleaning system

Two new advanced kernel processors:

• John Deere Ultimate 250™ – 250mm rolls with temperature monitoring
• John Deere XStream 305™ – 305mm rolls with oil-mist greasing and electric adjustability