Compare/John Deere 8970 vs John Deere 9R 390

John Deere 8970 vs John Deere 9R 390

Verdict: John Deere 8970 vs John Deere 9R 390

The John Deere 8970 and the John Deere 9R 390 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. John Deere 8970 leads on rated power with 400 hp against 385 hp. John Deere 9R 390 is the lighter machine (20,856 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 9R 390 is the newer design (2021 vs 1993). In short: choose the John Deere 8970 for outright pulling power, or the John Deere 9R 390 if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

Tune the fit score

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

385 hp

Confidence

98%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

John DeereReference

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

With group 48 tires.Reference

Final drives

inboard planetaryReference

Differential lock

—

electro-hydraulic front and rearReference

Engine

Engine (gross)

298.3 kWReference

287.0 kWReference

Drawbar (tested)

234.1 kWReference

—

Displacement

14.0 LReference

13.6 LReference

Bore/Stroke

140 x 152 mmReference

132 x 165 mmReference

Power (gross)

298.3 kWReference

—

Air cleaner

dual paper elements with aspiratorReference

dryReference

Compression

14.0:1Reference

15.9:1Reference

Rated RPM

2100Reference

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

34.1 LReference

64.0 LReference

Coolant capacity

68.1 LReference

56.5 LReference

Power at rated engine speed

264.3 kWReference

—

Max power

234.1 kWReference

—

Fuel tank

—

1514.0 LReference

Exhaust fluid (DEF)

—

120.0 LReference

Engine (max)

—

316.0 kWReference

Emissions

—

Tier IVReference

Rated Power (gross)

—

287.0 kWReference

Maximum Power (gross)

—

316.0 kWReference

Fuel system

—

electronic high-pressure common railReference

Torque

—

1800.8 NmReference

Torque RPM

—

1550Reference

Starter

—

electricReference

Oil change

—

500 hReference

Fuel Type

—

DieselReference

No of Cylinders

—

6Reference

Emissions compliance

—

Final Tier 4 (FT4)Reference

Engine torque at rated speed

—

Option 1: 2,100 rpm\\nOption 2: 1,800 NmReference

Interval for engine oil change

—

500 hoursReference

Interval for engine coolant change

—

6,000 hoursReference

Cooling system

—

56.5 LReference

Transmission

Power ShiftReference

e18Reference

Gears

12 forward and 2 reverseReference

18 forward and 6 reverseReference

Transmission Type

—

PowershiftReference

Wheel Drive

—

4WDReference

Rear Axle Drive Type

—

Inboard planetary with double-reduction axleReference

Interval for hydraulic/transmission oil change

—

1,500 hoursReference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

252.8 kWReference

249.8 kWReference

PTO (tested)

264.3 kWReference

—

Hydraulic system

143.8 LReference

—

Type

full power shiftReference

Capacity

143.8 LReference

827 cu. in.Reference

Pressure

174.4 barReference

200.0 barReference

Rear valves

3 to 5Reference

—

Pump flow

169.6 lpmReference

416.4 lpmReference

SCV flow

126.0 lpmReference

159.0 lpmReference

Rear PTO

independent (optional)Reference

independentReference

Clutch

hydraulic wet discReference

—

Rear PTO Type

1000 (1.75)Reference

Power at rated PTO speed

293.4 kWReference

—

Valves

—

4 to 8Reference

Rear Type

—

IVN/IVReference

Rear lift (at 24"/610mm)

—

9072 kgReference

Capacities

Fuel

832.7 LReference

—

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank

—

120 LReference

Crankcase oil volume

—

16.9 U.S. galReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

340 cmReference

391 cmReference

Weight

31879 to 33655 poundsReference

20856 kgReference

Front tire

24.5R-32Reference

710/70R42Reference

Rear tire

24.5R-32Reference

710/70R42Reference

Ag front

18.4R-46Reference

710/70R42Reference

Ag rear

18.4R-46Reference

710/70R42Reference

Length

683 cmReference

794 cmReference

Shipping weight

14460 kgReference

20856 kgReference

Operating weight

15265 kgReference

—

Front axle

110 by 3251 mmReference

119 by 3048 mmReference

Rear axle

110 by 3251 mmReference

119 by 3048 mmReference

Width

—

440 cmReference

Height (cab)

—

374 cmReference

Height (exhaust)

—

373 cmReference

Max weight

—

28123 kgReference

8970 Serial Number Location

8970 Serial Numbers

1993

1001Reference

—

1994

1991Reference

—

1995

2995Reference

—

1996

6001Reference

—

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Batteries

3Reference

Battery CCA

925Reference

—

Battery volts

12Reference

Charging system

—

alternatorReference

Charging amps

—

330Reference

Alternator size

—

250 ampReference

Battery options

—

12 VReference

Total cold cranking amps

—

3 x 925 CCA\\nTotal: 2,775 CCAReference

Test results

Fuel use

76.1 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

15559 kgReference

—

Speeds

General

Make & Model

—

MJDXL13.5,334Reference

SCV control

—

ElectronicReference

Drawbar category

—

Category 4 or Category 5Reference

Drawbar Maximum vertical load

—

5,443.1 kgReference

Rear Axle Type

—

Diameter: 120 x 3,048 mm\\n4.72 x 120 in.Reference

Rear Axle Differential Lock

—

Full-locking electrohydraulicReference

Front Axle Type

—

Diameter: 120 x 3,048 mm\\n4.72 x 120 in.Reference

Front Axle Differential Lock

—

Full-locking electrohydraulicReference

Country of manufacturer

—

USAReference

Type of headlight bulb

—

Standard: halogen, 65 W\\nOptional: LEDReference

Power

Max Power

—

429 hpReference

Rated Power

—

390 hpReference

Power boost

—

10 percentReference

PTO

PTO Power

—

335 hpReference

PTO torque rise

—

38 percentReference

Rear PTO Power

—

AvailableReference

Rear PTO Control

—

ElectrohydraulicReference

Rear PTO RPM

—

1,000 rpmReference

Hydraulics

Pump Rated Output (total)

—

416 l/minReference

Remote Valves

—

4Reference

Rear Hitch category (SAE designation)

—

4NReference

Rear Hitch maximum lift capacity

—

15,000Reference

Rear Hitch Sensing Type

—

Electrohydraulic with draft sensingReference

Dimensions & weight

Drawbar clearance

—

527 mmReference

Turning radius

—

6.1 mReference

Overall weight

—

20,856.2 kgReference

Operator station

Cab Availability

—

AvailableReference

Cab glass area

—

71.47 sq ftReference

Cab space

—

115 cu ftReference

Cab Seat Type

—

ActiveSeat™ IIReference

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.