John Deere will show its new 6M and 6R tractors in Ireland for the first time at the FTMTA Farm Machinery Show at Punchestown Racecourse next week. The tractors were first launched in June 2026, but Punchestown will be the first chance for Irish farmers and contractors to see them up close. The stand will also show the company’s latest grassland and contracting machines, after two years of major launches for the Irish and UK markets.
New 6R
John Deere says its new 6R is built for fast transport, confident handling and premium driving comfort, both on the road and in the field. The updated range comprises four large frame models, namely the 6R 180, 6R 200, 6R 220, 6R 240 and two extra-large frame models, namely the 6R 230 and 6R 260.
The 6R 240 is expected to draw a lot of attention too. It adds a new, higher horsepower model to the large-frame line-up and gives operators more capacity for heavy silage, slurry and cultivation work. Replacing the extra-large frame flagship 6R 250, the new 6R 260 gains 10hp of extra rated power, now topping out at 305hp with Intelligent Power Management (IPM).
New 6M
There is plenty to look at on the new 6M too. It has a top speed of 50km/h, and transmission options now include the unique e19 full powershift alongside the stepless AutoPowr. The new e19 will be offered on all mid, large and extra-large frame 6M models excluding the 185 and 240. As the name suggests, the e19 is a 19-speed powershift. It’s essentially Deere’s famous PowrQuad transmission at heart, featuring a double-clutch arrangement which sits between the powershift clutch packs and range box to give it slick shifts with no torque interruption.
Other updates to the 6M include a wide range of technology options, which mean customers can choose the level of functionality they need for daily work. Rather than buying a machine with lots of precision farming capability in base, customers can specify exactly what they need from each machine. Farmers can choose from 17 6M models across five wheelbases.
F8 forager and C442R wrapping baler
An F8 forager will also be on the John Deere stand. It offers superior driver comfort along with the power and performance operators expect from John Deere. The cab is designed to automotive industry standards and is roomier than its 8000 and 9000 Series predecessors, while being up to 6dB quieter with less vibration during harvesting.
Balers are now part of John Deere’s precision ag family. They help with productivity in the field and record keeping in the office, and provide data to inform future business decisions. The John Deere C442R is a high-performance wrapping baler built for speed, efficiency and operator comfort. An optional moisture indicator and bale weighing can be combined with a location pin and counter to build a live picture of where bales are, how many have been made and what condition the material inside is in.
Chris Wiltshire, tactical marketing manager at John Deere, said: “The FTMTA show is one of the most important dates in the Irish machinery calendar, and with our new line- up launched a few months ago, it’s come at a great time for customers to see the 6M and 6R for the first time. Grassland and contracting are the backbone of Irish farming, and the line-up we are bringing has been chosen with that in mind. We’re looking forward to plenty of conversations before the 2027 season gets going.”
