Compare/John Deere 8400R vs John Deere 8970

John Deere 8400R vs John Deere 8970

Verdict: John Deere 8400R vs John Deere 8970

The John Deere 8400R and the John Deere 8970 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 400 hp. John Deere 8400R is the lighter machine (14,828 kg vs 31,879 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. John Deere 8400R is the newer design (2016 vs 1993). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.

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Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

John Deere

Fit score

Best match

Clear

John Deere

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

400 hp

Confidence

98%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

John DeereReference

Gear 8 used for pull test.Reference

Six gears (1-6) in four ranges (A-D). Power shift between gear pairs 1/2, 3/4, and 5/6. Synchronized shifting between other gears and ranges.Reference

Final drives

inboard planetaryReference

Differential lock

hydraulic front with 1500 and ILS axlesReference

—

Steering

Active Command steering optionalReference

—

Trailer brakes

dual line air (optional)Reference

—

Engine

Engine (gross)

298.3 kWReference

Drawbar (tested)

238.8 kWReference

234.1 kWReference

Displacement

9.0 LReference

14.0 LReference

Bore/Stroke

118 x 136 mmReference

140 x 152 mmReference

Emissions

Tier 4Reference

—

Emission control

selective catalyst reductionReference

—

Rated Power (gross)

298.3 kWReference

—

Fuel system

electronic high-pressure common railReference

—

Compression

16:1Reference

14.0:1Reference

Rated RPM

2100Reference

Starter

electricReference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Max power

238.8 kWReference

234.1 kWReference

Power at rated engine speed

252.3 kWReference

264.3 kWReference

Fuel Type

DieselReference

—

No of Cylinders

6 cylinderReference

—

Rated engine speed

2,100 RPMReference

—

Emissions compliance

Tier 4 | selective catalyst reductionReference

—

Bore and stroke

4.66x5.35 inchesReference

—

Compression ratio

16:1Reference

—

Cooling system

liquid-cooledReference

—

Power (gross)

—

298.3 kWReference

Air cleaner

—

dual paper elements with aspiratorReference

Oil capacity

—

34.1 LReference

Coolant capacity

—

68.1 LReference

Transmission

John Deere e23Reference

Power ShiftReference

Gears

23 forward and 11 reverseReference

12 forward and 2 reverseReference

Transmission Type

PowershiftReference

—

forward and reverse options

John Deere e23- 23 F and 11RReference

—

Wheel Drive

4WDReference

—

Rear Axle Drive Type

inboard planetaryReference

—

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (tested)

274.3 kWReference

264.3 kWReference

Hydraulic system

90.1 LReference

143.8 LReference

Type

full power shiftReference

Capacity

90.1 LReference

143.8 LReference

Rear valves

4 to 6Reference

3 to 5Reference

Front valves

0 to 2Reference

—

Pump flow

321.7 lpmReference

169.6 lpmReference

SCV flow

159.0 lpmReference

126.0 lpmReference

Rear Type

IVN/IIIReference

—

Rear lift

9072 kgReference

—

Rear Arms

hydraulic center link optionalReference

—

Front Hitch

optionalReference

—

Front lift (at ends)

5193 kgReference

—

Drawbar

Cat 4 Heavy-Duty optionalReference

—

Rear PTO

independentReference

independent (optional)Reference

Rear PTO Type

540/1000 (1.375 optional)Reference

1000 (1.75)Reference

Front PTO

optional independentReference

—

Front PTO Type

1000 (1.375)Reference

—

Power at rated PTO speed

270.1 kWReference

293.4 kWReference

PTO (claimed)

—

252.8 kWReference

Pressure

—

174.4 barReference

Clutch

—

hydraulic wet discReference

Capacities

Fuel

685.8 LReference

832.7 LReference

Exhaust fluid (DEF)

25.7 LReference

—

Max capacity

18000 kgReference

—

Fuel tank

685.9 LReference

—

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank

25.7 LReference

—

Dimensions

Wheelbase

305 cmReference

340 cmReference

Weight

14828 kgReference

31879 to 33655 poundsReference

Front tire

380/80R38Reference

24.5R-32Reference

Rear tire

480/80R50Reference

24.5R-32Reference

Standard tires (ag)

Front: 380/80R38. Rear: 480/80R50Reference

—

Length

659 cmReference

683 cmReference

Width

444 cmReference

—

Height (cab)

328 cmReference

—

Clearance (front axle)

50 cmReference

—

Clearance (rear axle)

63 cmReference

—

Front axle

ILS 50 KPHReference

110 by 3251 mmReference

Rear axle

119 by 3009 mmReference

110 by 3251 mmReference

Front tread

157 to 223 cmReference

—

Max front axle

8000 kgReference

—

Max rear axle

11500 kgReference

—

Ag front

—

18.4R-46Reference

Ag rear

—

18.4R-46Reference

Shipping weight

—

14460 kgReference

Operating weight

—

15265 kgReference

8400R Serial Number Location

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

alternatorReference

—

Charging amps

240Reference

—

Batteries

2Reference

3Reference

Battery CCA

925 (each)Reference

925Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

Alternator size

240 AReference

—

Battery options

2Reference

—

Total cold cranking amps

925 (each) CCAReference

—

Test results

Fuel use

70.8 l/hourReference

76.1 l/hourReference

Max pull

13401 kgReference

15559 kgReference

General

Make & Model

John DeereReference

—

Drawbar category

Cat 4 ,Cat 4 Heavy-Duty optionalReference

—

Rear Axle Type

4.724 by 96 inchesReference

—

Country of manufacturer

USAReference

—

PTO

Rear PTO Power

AvailableReference

—

Rear PTO RPM

1,000 RPMReference

—

Front PTO Power

AvailableReference

—

Steering & brakes

Brakes

hydraulic wet discReference

—

Steering type

hydrostatic power, Active Command steering optionalReference

—

Hydraulics

Hydraulics Type

closed-center load sensing pressure flow compensatedReference

—

Remote Valves

4 to 6 VALVESReference

—

Rear Hitch category (SAE designation)

Category IVN/IIIReference

—

Rear Hitch maximum lift capacity

9,071.8 kgReference

—

Dimensions & weight

Height Over Cab

328.4 cmReference

—

Overall Height

328.4 cmReference

—

Overall Length

659.1 cmReference

—

Overall Width

444.8 cmReference

—

Front axle clearance

58.7 cmReference

—

Overall weight

14,828.4 kgReference

—

Wheels & tyres

Rear Wheel Type

480/80R50Reference

—

Front Wheel Type

380/80R38Reference

—

Front Wheel tread range

62 to 88 inchesReference

—

Operator station

Cab Availability

AvailableReference

—

8970 Serial Number Location

8970 Serial Numbers

1993

—

1001Reference

1994

—

1991Reference

1995

—

2995Reference

1996

—

6001Reference

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.