John Deere S7 700 Combine

Introduction

The John Deere S7 700 is the second model in Deere’s current S7 combine lineup and represents a meaningful step up from the S7 600 without moving into the larger JD14-powered S7 800 and S7 900.

It uses the same 9.0 L John Deere JD9 engine family as the S7 600, but output increases to 402 rated horsepower and 460 maximum horsepower.

The grain tank remains at 300 bushels, while the unloading system moves up to 4.2 bushels per second.

That combination gives the S7 700 an interesting position.

It provides substantially more engine power than the John Deere S7 600 while retaining the same basic rotor dimensions, grain-tank size and 9.0 L engine architecture.

For larger Prairie grain farms, that can be a useful balance. The S7 700 offers more reserve for heavy wheat, canola, barley and other demanding crops without immediately moving into the 13.6 L engine, 400-bushel tank and higher capacity of the upper S7 models.

John Deere S7 700 Key Specifications

Specification	John Deere S7 700
Combine type	Rotary combine
Engine	John Deere JD9 / PowerTech
Engine displacement	9.0 L (549 cu. in.)
Rated engine power	402 hp (300 kW)
Maximum engine power	460 hp (343 kW)
Rated engine speed	2,200 rpm
Power boost at rated speed	34 hp (25 kW)
Fuel capacity	250 gal. (950 L)
Separator type	Rotary
Rotor diameter	30 in. (76.2 cm)
Rotor length	123 in. (312 cm)
Low rotor range	210–530 rpm
High rotor range	400–1,000 rpm
Concave area	11.8 sq. ft. (1.1 m²)
Total cleaning area	54.9 sq. ft. (5.1 m²)
Grain tank capacity	300 bu (10,600 L)
Peak unloading rate	4.2 bu/s (150 L/s)
Unloading auger lengths	22.5, 26 or 28.5 ft
Base weight without header	43,752 lb (19,842 kg)
Emissions	Final Tier 4
Manufacturing location	East Moline, Illinois, USA

The numbers show why the S7 700 should not simply be treated as an S7 600 with a different badge.

The rotor and grain tank remain similar, but Deere gives the S7 700 considerably more engine power and a faster unloading system.

JD9 9.0 L Engine

The S7 700 uses Deere’s 9.0 L JD9 engine.

Rated output is 402 hp and maximum power reaches 460 hp.

That is 69 more rated horsepower and 78 more maximum horsepower than the S7 600.

Importantly, Deere achieves this while staying with the same basic 9.0 L engine displacement.

The upper S7 800 and S7 900 move to the larger 13.6 L JD14 engine, so the S7 700 effectively represents the top of the JD9-powered part of the S7 range.

That gives it a clear role.

For a farm that needs more reserve than an S7 600 can provide but does not need the capacity of a 13.6 L S7, the S7 700 is the logical middle step.

Extra power is particularly useful when several parts of the combine are under load at the same time.

Heavy crop flow, chopping residue and unloading on the move can all increase engine demand.

But horsepower should still be viewed as available capacity rather than guaranteed acres per hour.

If the grain cart or trucks cannot keep up, another 78 horsepower does not solve the real harvest bottleneck.

Rotary Threshing and Separation

The S7 700 uses Deere’s single-rotor threshing and separation system.

Its rotor measures 30 inches in diameter and 123 inches long, the same basic dimensions listed for the S7 600.

Low rotor speed ranges from 210 to 530 rpm, while high range extends from 400 to 1,000 rpm.

That gives operators considerable adjustment for different crops.

The way wheat needs to be handled can be very different from corn, canola or pulses.

Even within one crop, conditions can change during the day.

Dry wheat in the afternoon may move easily through the combine. Several hours later, tougher straw and increased moisture can make feeding and separation much more demanding.

The ability to adjust rotor speed and crop movement becomes more important in those changing conditions than simply having a large engine.

TriStream Rotor

For coarse-grain harvesting, Deere uses its TriStream rotor concept.

The rotor has a tapered front section and spiral vanes intended to help move crop into and through the threshing area without creating unnecessary resistance.

Deere also uses rifled elements that help pull material through the rotor.

The practical idea is consistent crop flow.

A combine works better when material enters and moves through the machine evenly rather than arriving in large slugs.

Deere says the TriStream design can reduce the force needed to move material through the combine by as much as 20 percent under the conditions it references.

That is a manufacturer claim, but it illustrates the design goal clearly: use the available horsepower to process crop rather than simply fight internal resistance.

Variable-Stream Rotor for Tough Small Grains

Western Canadian farms should pay particular attention to Deere’s variable-stream rotor configuration.

Deere specifically discusses it for difficult small-grain conditions, including wheat, canola, barley and oats.

Adjustable top-cover transport vanes allow the operator to change how quickly crop moves through the rotor.

That can be useful because tough straw often needs more time inside the machine than dry crop.

Slowing crop movement can provide additional threshing and separation time.

In easier conditions, material can move through more quickly.

This is particularly relevant during Prairie harvest when crop behaviour can change within a few hours.

A combine set for dry afternoon wheat may need a different approach once evening moisture arrives.

The S7 700 gives the operator more engine reserve than the S7 600 while retaining the same basic rotor dimensions, which can help when crop conditions become more demanding.

Dyna-Flo Plus Cleaning System

The S7 700 uses Deere’s Dyna-Flo Plus cleaning system.

Total louvered cleaning area is 54.9 square feet.

The cleaning shoe includes a front chaffer, main chaffer and sieve, with conveyor augers distributing material across the system.

Deere uses a two-stage pre-cleaning approach to remove part of the free grain before the remainder of the material reaches the main cleaning section.

This matters because engine horsepower does not determine combine capacity by itself.

The cleaning shoe can become the limiting factor before the engine runs out of power.

That is why increasing ground speed until the engine is heavily loaded is not necessarily the correct way to find the machine’s capacity.

Grain losses and sample quality have to be watched as well.

Deere states that the Dyna-Flo Plus system can provide additional capacity in shoe-limited wheat and canola conditions compared with previous Deere designs.

For a Prairie operation, that is more relevant than a generic capacity claim because wheat and canola are exactly the crops where cleaning performance can become important.

Feeding Tough Crops

The S7 feeder house uses a pivoting mid-frame design.

Deere also gives the front feed drum an additional two inches of movement to help handle changing crop volume.

The purpose is to keep material moving evenly into the rotor.

That sounds simple, but feeding problems can affect everything behind the feeder house.

If crop arrives unevenly, rotor load changes suddenly.

That can make threshing less consistent and can create temporary overloads farther through the machine.

In lodged or heavy crop, maintaining consistent feeding can be just as important as having enough engine power.

Grain Tank Capacity

The S7 700 has a 300-bushel grain tank.

This is the same capacity as the S7 600.

That is an important detail because Deere increases engine output substantially between the two models without increasing grain-tank size.

The larger S7 800 and S7 900 move to 400-bushel tanks.

For the S7 700, a 300-bushel tank can still work very well if the grain cart is coordinated properly.

It becomes more limiting if the combine regularly waits after filling the tank.

This again shows why selecting a combine should involve the entire harvest system rather than just engine horsepower.

Faster 4.2 bu/s Unloading

While tank capacity stays at 300 bushels, Deere increases unloading speed on the S7 700.

Peak unloading rate is 4.2 bu/s compared with 3.6 bu/s on the S7 600.

At the theoretical peak rate, 300 bushels would represent roughly 71 seconds of unloading.

Actual unloading time will be somewhat different because grain does not flow at the theoretical peak during every second of the cycle.

Still, the comparison is useful.

The S7 700 can move grain out of the same-size tank more quickly.

That becomes particularly useful when unloading on the go because the combine spends less time tied to the grain cart.

Unloading Auger Options

Deere lists three unloading auger lengths for the S7 700:

• 22.5 ft
• 26 ft
• 28.5 ft

The appropriate auger depends on header width and grain-cart configuration.

As headers become wider, additional auger reach becomes more important for maintaining clearance between the combine and cart.

The adjustable unloading spout available on the S7 platform also gives the operator finer control over where grain lands in the cart.

This is not a major specification in a brochure comparison, but it can make a noticeable difference during long days of unloading on the move.

Predictive Ground Speed Automation

Predictive Ground Speed Automation is available on the S7 700.

Instead of waiting until a heavier crop is already inside the machine, the system can use forward-looking information to anticipate changes in crop volume.

Ground speed can then be adjusted before the combine reaches the heavier area.

That approach is useful because reacting only to engine load means the combine is already responding after conditions have changed.

The goal is not simply maximum speed.

The goal is more consistent crop flow.

In variable fields, a combine that automatically slows before entering heavy crop and speeds up in lighter areas can maintain a steadier load than one travelling at a fixed speed.

Harvest Settings Automation

Harvest Settings Automation is also available.

The system can help adjust the machine as harvesting conditions change.

This can reduce operator workload during long days.

It does not mean the operator can ignore grain losses or sample quality.

Someone still needs to understand what the combine is doing.

The benefit is reducing the number of small manual corrections required while the operator is already monitoring the header, grain cart, yield information and field conditions.

For farms using multiple combine operators during harvest, that consistency can also be valuable.

No Active Concave Isolation on the S7 700

One difference between the S7 700 and the larger S7 models is Active Concave Isolation.

John Deere currently lists Active Concave Isolation only for the S7 800 and S7 900.

The S7 700 does not receive that system.

This matters because Deere promotes Active Concave Isolation specifically for maintaining performance in extremely tough crop conditions.

Hydraulic pressure helps stabilize the concave when heavy crop loads would otherwise force movement.

For farms frequently harvesting very tough wheat, canola or other difficult small grains, this becomes one reason to look farther up the S7 lineup.

But it does not make the S7 700 unsuitable for those crops.

The S7 700 still has the variable-stream rotor option, redesigned feeding system and Dyna-Flo Plus cleaning architecture.

It simply does not have every capacity feature Deere reserves for the upper models.

G5Plus CommandCenter, StarFire and JDLink

The S7 700 comes with an integrated G5Plus CommandCenter display, StarFire receiver and JDLink modem.

For farms already using Deere precision technology, that integration is useful.

Guidance, machine settings and harvest information can operate through the same Deere ecosystem rather than requiring unrelated systems in the cab.

JDLink also allows machine information to move into Deere’s connected farm-management environment.

The practical benefit depends on how much the operation uses that data.

For a farm already using John Deere Operations Center across tractors, sprayers and seeding equipment, having the combine integrated into the same system can make harvest records easier to manage.

X9-Style Cab

The S7 700 uses the same basic cab environment as Deere’s larger X9 combine.

That gives operators more space and visibility than older S-Series designs.

Cab comfort can sound like a secondary concern when comparing harvesting systems.

During a twelve-hour harvest day, it is not.

Visibility, seat comfort, noise and how easily controls can be reached affect operator fatigue.

The more automation a modern combine uses, the more important the interface becomes as well.

ProDrive

ProDrive is available on the S7 700.

It provides two infinitely variable speed ranges.

The operator can configure one around normal field speeds and another around transport.

Changing between them does not require stopping to manually shift a conventional range transmission.

ProDrive can also reduce engine rpm during transport while maintaining road speed.

For farms where combines regularly move between fields, those details contribute to the amount of the day actually spent harvesting.

Tracks and Wet Harvest Conditions

John Deere offers suspended tracks with 30- or 36-inch belts on the S7 Series.

Deere lists road speed at almost 25 mph with the track system.

The main reason to consider tracks is flotation.

The S7 700 has a listed base weight of 43,752 lb without a header.

Once a header, fuel and up to 300 bushels of grain are added, actual field weight becomes considerably higher.

Tracks distribute that load across a larger area.

During wet Prairie harvest conditions, this can help reduce rutting and allow the combine to continue working in conditions where tires may struggle.

There is still a trade-off.

Tracks add cost and components.

A farm that usually harvests in dry, firm conditions may have little reason to add them.

John Deere S7 700 vs S7 600

The John Deere S7 600 is the closest comparison.

Specification	S7 600	S7 700
Engine	JD9 9.0 L	JD9 9.0 L
Rated power	333 hp	402 hp
Maximum power	382 hp	460 hp
Grain tank	300 bu	300 bu
Peak unloading	3.6 bu/s	4.2 bu/s
Rotor diameter	30 in.	30 in.
Rotor length	123 in.	123 in.
Fuel capacity	250 gal.	250 gal.
Base weight	43,006 lb	43,752 lb

This is an interesting comparison because much of the basic hardware remains similar.

Both use the 9.0 L JD9.

Both have a 300-bushel grain tank.

Both use the same listed rotor dimensions.

Both carry 250 gallons of fuel.

The S7 700’s main advantages are substantially higher engine output and faster unloading.

That makes the decision relatively straightforward.

If an S7 600 provides enough processing capacity for the farm, the S7 700 may add horsepower that is rarely used.

If heavy crop regularly pushes the smaller machine and the grain-handling system can keep up, the S7 700 provides meaningful additional reserve.

S7 700 vs New Holland CR7.90

A useful cross-brand comparison is the New Holland CR7.90.

The two machines are remarkably close in listed maximum horsepower.

The John Deere S7 700 reaches 460 hp.

The New Holland CR7.90 also reaches 460 hp.

But their threshing systems are different.

The S7 700 uses one longitudinal rotor.

The CR7.90 uses New Holland’s Twin Rotor system.

That makes this a much more interesting comparison than simply asking which machine has more horsepower, because on paper the horsepower number is essentially equal.

Real differences come from feeding, rotor architecture, cleaning capacity, automation, residue handling, headers and dealer support.

This is exactly why cross-brand comparisons should not be decided from one specification.

S7 700 vs New Holland CR8.90

The New Holland CR8.90 sits another step higher in available engine power.

New Holland lists the CR8.90 at 496 gross horsepower and up to 571 maximum horsepower depending on configuration.

That gives it considerably more peak engine power than the S7 700.

Again, horsepower does not establish real field capacity by itself.

The CR8.90 uses two rotors while Deere uses one, and the two manufacturers take different approaches to crop flow and cleaning.

For a farm choosing between them, dealer support, crop mix, header setup and actual harvest bottlenecks deserve as much attention as the horsepower difference.

S7 700 vs Conventional Straw-Walker Combines

The S7 700 is a rotary machine.

For farms where straw condition is a major priority, a conventional alternative should still be part of the comparison.

The New Holland CX8.90 uses conventional threshing and straw walkers.

That architecture can be attractive on mixed grain and livestock farms where cereal straw is routinely baled.

The Deere’s rotary system is the more natural fit when crop flow and rotary harvesting capacity take priority.

The conventional machine may make more sense when the value of the straw leaving the combine is almost as important as the grain going into the tank.

Best Applications

The S7 700 is a strong fit for:

• medium-to-large and large grain farms
• wheat, canola, barley and pulse operations
• farms that need more reserve than an S7 600
• operations wanting the most powerful current JD9-powered S7
• farms using 300-bushel combine capacity effectively
• operations that can benefit from faster 4.2 bu/s unloading
• farms already using John Deere precision-ag systems
• operations interested in predictive harvest automation
• Prairie farms that regularly encounter variable or tough crop conditions

Its strongest position may be between the smaller S7 600 and the significantly larger S7 800.

What the S7 700 Does Not Add

It is useful to be clear about what does not change from the S7 600.

The S7 700 still has:

• a 300-bushel grain tank
• the 9.0 L JD9 engine family
• a 30-inch rotor
• a 123-inch rotor length
• 250 gallons of fuel capacity
• no Active Concave Isolation

So the step from S7 600 to S7 700 is mainly about additional engine output and faster grain unloading.

The next jump to S7 800 changes more of the machine.

That model moves to Deere’s 13.6 L JD14 engine, a 400-bushel grain tank and additional hardware aimed at higher capacity.

That is why S7 700 is best viewed as the top of one part of the S7 family rather than simply the second of four evenly spaced combines.

What to Check on a Used S7 700

When inspecting an S7 700, pay attention to:

• engine hours
• separator hours
• rotor condition
• concaves
• feeder-house components
• Dyna-Flo Plus cleaning system
• conveyor augers
• elevators and chains
• unloading auger and drives
• residue-management components
• ProDrive operation
• track condition if equipped
• G5Plus display
• StarFire receiver
• JDLink connectivity
• installed automation packages
• service and maintenance records

Technology configuration matters.

Do not assume every S7 700 has every automation feature simply because Deere offers that technology for the model.

Confirm what is actually installed on the individual combine.

John Deere S7 700 Reviews & Ratings

The specification sheet tells you that the S7 700 produces 460 maximum horsepower.

It does not tell you how much difference those extra 78 horsepower make over the S7 600 in tough canola.

It also does not tell you how well Predictive Ground Speed works in variable wheat, whether 300 bushels is enough tank capacity for the operation, or what maintenance looks like after several seasons.

Owner experience fills in those gaps.

If you operate an S7 700, a review on Aglist can help other farmers understand how the combine behaves outside the manufacturer’s specifications.

Is the S7 700 the Sweet Spot of the S7 Range?

For some farms, it could be.

The S7 700 keeps the 9.0 L JD9 architecture and 300-bushel tank of the S7 600 but raises maximum power to 460 hp and unloading to 4.2 bu/s.

That gives it noticeably more capacity without crossing into the larger JD14-powered upper S7 machines.

For a farm that finds the S7 600 slightly too small but cannot make full use of an S7 800, the S7 700 occupies a logical middle position.

But “sweet spot” depends entirely on the operation.

If the farm can keep an S7 800 loaded and use its larger grain tank, the additional capacity may be worth it.

If an S7 600 can already finish harvest comfortably, the S7 700 may be unnecessary.

The right combine is still the one that matches the harvest system around it.

Final Thoughts

The John Deere S7 700 is more than a small horsepower step above the S7 600.

It retains the 9.0 L JD9, 300-bushel grain tank and 30-inch rotor architecture while adding substantially more engine output and increasing peak unloading from 3.6 to 4.2 bu/s.

That makes it an interesting machine for larger Prairie grain farms that want more reserve without moving into the JD14-powered upper end of the S7 family.

For wheat, canola, barley and pulses, the combination of rotary threshing, variable-stream capability, Dyna-Flo Plus cleaning and available automation gives the S7 700 a strong technical package.

The question is whether the operation needs what it adds over the S7 600.

If it does, the S7 700 is a logical step.

If it does not, a larger number on the side of the combine will not make harvest more efficient.

Browse more machines in the Aglist combines category or see additional equipment on the John Deere brand page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much horsepower does the John Deere S7 700 have?

John Deere Canada rates the S7 700 at 402 hp at rated engine speed and 460 maximum horsepower.

What engine does the S7 700 use?

The S7 700 uses John Deere’s JD9 / PowerTech 9.0 L diesel engine.

How big is the John Deere S7 700 grain tank?

The S7 700 has a 300-bushel, or approximately 10,600-litre, grain tank.

How fast does the S7 700 unload?

John Deere lists a peak unloading rate of 4.2 bushels per second, or approximately 150 litres per second.

Is the S7 700 a rotary combine?

Yes. It uses a single longitudinal rotor measuring 30 inches in diameter and 123 inches long.

What is the difference between the S7 600 and S7 700?

Both use a 9.0 L JD9 engine, 300-bushel grain tank and the same listed rotor dimensions. The S7 700 increases power from 333 rated / 382 maximum hp to 402 rated / 460 maximum hp and increases unloading speed from 3.6 to 4.2 bu/s.

Does the S7 700 have Active Concave Isolation?

No. John Deere currently limits Active Concave Isolation to the S7 800 and S7 900.

Does the S7 700 have Predictive Ground Speed Automation?

Predictive Ground Speed and Harvest Settings Automation are available on the S7 700. Exact functionality depends on the technology installed on the individual combine.

How much does a John Deere S7 700 weigh?

John Deere lists the base machine at 43,752 lb without a header. Actual field weight increases with the header, fuel, grain and installed equipment.

Is the S7 700 suitable for wheat and canola?

Yes. Deere specifically positions the S7 platform and variable-stream rotor configuration for tough small grains including wheat, canola, barley and oats.

Related

• John Deere S7 600 – lower-powered S7 model with the same 9.0 L engine family and 300-bu tank.
• New Holland CR7.90 – Twin Rotor competitor with the same 460 hp maximum rating.
• New Holland CR8.90 – higher-powered Twin Rotor alternative.
• New Holland CX8.90 – conventional straw-walker alternative.
• Combines – compare combine types, brands and models.
• John Deere – browse more John Deere equipment on Aglist.

Note: Specifications, technology packages and available equipment can vary by model year and configuration. Confirm critical specifications for a particular machine with John Deere documentation, the operator’s manual or your dealer.