John Deere Expands 500R Sprayer Range with Larger Tank Capacity and Advanced Boom Technology

John Deere today announced a major update to its 500R self-propelled sprayer line-up for model year 2027 (MY27), introducing a new 6,000-litre spray tank flagship model alongside significant upgrades to boom technology, spraying performance and operator comfort. Designed for large arable farms and professional spraying operations, the MY27 500R series builds on the established front-cab, rear-engine concept and enters a higher productivity segment while maintaining a compact
transport width of just 2.55 m.

New 560R model adds 6,000-litre tank capacity
The headline addition for MY27 is the new John Deere 560R, expanding the
500R range into the 6,000-litre class. The larger tank is aimed at operators
working tight application windows who need to cover more hectares per day
with fewer refilling stops, particularly in cereals, oilseed rape and other
high-input crops. The 560R complements the existing 4,000- and 5,000-litre
models, giving customers a broader choice within a single platform.

New generation spray booms up to 42 m
MY27 also marks the introduction of an all-new spray boom portfolio for the
500R series with working widths of up to 42 m. The modular steel boom design
is more compact and lighter, offering significantly shorter opening and closing
times. Boom widths of 30, 36 and 42 m are available, with a double- or triple-
folding design and both 25 cm and 50 cm nozzle spacings. All nozzles and
stainless-steel spray lines are fully protected within the boom structure,
helping to reduce damage and maintenance. Despite the wider working widths,
the new booms maintain a 2.55 m transport width, supporting safe and
efficient road travel between fields.

Improved boom stability with BoomTrac™ Pro 2 and active yaw
control
A key technical upgrade for MY27 is the introduction of BoomTrac™ Pro 2,
John Deere’s latest automatic boom height control system. With five (boom
widths under 36 m) or seven (36 m and over) ultrasonic sensors, the system
allows the boom to closely follow ground or crop contours, maintaining
consistent spray height and overlap even at higher forward speeds. In addition,
the new boom centre frame incorporates active boom yaw and roll control,
designed to counteract chassis movement and slope effects. This helps to keep
the boom stable across the full working width, improving application accuracy
and reducing operator workload.

Higher spraying speeds with consistent application quality
For MY27, the maximum spraying speed of the 500R series increases from 25
km/h to 30 km/h, without compromising droplet quality. This is enabled by
the combination of stable boom control and John Deere’s established
application systems, including Individual Nozzle Control (INC) Pro and
ExactApply™. These systems also allow multi-rate spraying (up to 15 different
rates across the boom width), turn compensation and consistent droplet size
across a wide speed range, helping operators apply crop protection products
accurately while maximising daily output.

Fast filling and easy rinsing with PowrSpray™ solution system
All MY27 machines benefit from the innovative PowrSpray™ dual-circuit
solution system. A high-capacity clean-water filling pump delivers up to 1,200
litres per minute, reducing filling time and improving efficiency during busy
spray periods. Rinsing is easily done with an intuitive interface accessible both
inside and outside the cab. Automated rinse programmes, combined with
AirRinse™ and AutoDilute functions, help minimise residue, reduce
contamination risk and prepare the sprayer quickly for the next application.

Operator comfort and transport efficiency remain core strengths
The MY27 500R series retains the front-mounted cabin, familiar from the John
Deere combines and forage harvesters, and rear-engine layout, delivering a
balanced 50:50 weight distribution and a clear view of the boom. Combined
with in-wheel suspension and the CommandDrive™ drivetrain with automated
rpm management, the result is high ride comfort both in the field and on the
road. Despite its increased capacity and wider booms, the 500R remains easy
to manoeuvre on narrow roads and through villages, an important
consideration for European farming conditions.

Ease of use, setup and documentation
For MY27, the 500R series places a strong emphasis on ease of use through
AutoSetup, which allows operators to prepare spraying jobs before entering the field. With integrated agronomic advice and full field guidance, machine
settings, application parameters and guidance lines can be transferred directly
to the sprayer, helping to reduce setup time and avoid operator errors. In
addition, automated documentation supports farmers and ag service providers
in meeting regulatory requirements. Application records are generated
automatically, can be exported as Excel files, and are ready to be submitted
to governmental authorities, making it easier to fulfil Cross Compliance
obligations with minimal administrative effort.

“From easy pre-work planning to the quick opening and closing of the boom,
to the freedom to speed up where and when possible thanks to Pulse Width
Modulation, as well as efficient road travel thanks to added comfort features,
we are looking at a 10 to 15% productivity gain compared to the previous
model,” said Solenne Bourgois, Go-to-Market Manager Crop Care for Europe.

MY27 availability
Production of the MY27 John Deere 500R series is scheduled to begin in late
2026, with first customer deliveries expected from early 2027, depending on
model and specification