John Deere 6250R review | Full test & specs

We review the new, top-of-the-range John Deere 6250R, but does the swathe of technological additions justify the price?

There is a fair argument to be made that the latest John Deere 6250R is the best Deere tractor built in quite some time.

We’ve surely touched a nerve with someone with that statement, but hear us out.

The top of the range model we recently test drove in Victoria’s Gippsland region is definitely a step up from its previous 6 series tractors.

It came jam-packed with all the bells and whistles you could think off. It’s important to know that this is the first John Deere to come labelled ‘6250R’, and now acts as the flagship in this range.

However, the new John Deere 6250R doesn’t come cheap, so is it the rig you’re looking for?

The latest John Deere 6250R tractor is a beast

ENGINE

The 6250R is the top of the range tractor in John Deere’s 6 series and it’s packing some heat. Under that green bonnet, you’ll find a tried and tested 6.8L Powertech tier 4 engine.

This engine is capable of pushing out a max 300hp (224kW). Deere claims this sort of power cannot be found in any other tractor in this weight class.

In terms of emissions regulations, the 6250R doesn’t change much, offering a diesel particulate filter, selective catalytic reduction, exhaust gas recirculation and diesel oxidation catalyst – which have now become the norm in most modern tractors.

The job today was tickling soil with a set of 4.5-metre off-set discs by Grizzly. The Deere purred through the soil nicely. Even when the tractor felt like it was lugging down, it never felt like it was short of power.

TRANSMISSION

Transmission-wise, the Deere offers customers four options. You’ve got the well established mechanical PowerQuad and AutoQuad boxes, which have been a staple of Deere for over two decades.

But, for those ‘tech-savvy’ farmers, you’ve got the Deere’s well known DirectDrive transmission, but our pick of the four is certainly the AutoPowr transmission when coupled with the brand-spanking-new command pro joystick (more on that later).

All transmission options come available in 40km/h and 50km/h variants. For 50km/h variants, front and cab suspension, as well as front breaks, come as standard. This provides enhanced safety when in transport.

The tried and tested 6.8L Powertech tier 4 engine pushes out 300 horses

CABIN

Stepping inside the new Command View cab will leave you instantly impressed. On the inside, you’ll see some significant changes, primarily with the addition of the new CommandPro joystick.

Let’s not sugarcoat it. John Deere is very late to the party when it comes to multi-control joysticks. Pretty much every competitor has had a decent crack at the innovation over the past few years, leaving many pundits waiting for a Deere addition.

However, the wait was worth it. Not only does it sit perfectly in the hands, it is well placed on the CommandArm, comfortable and unlike many multi-control joysticks, feels totally natural.

Push the joystick forward to accelerate, pull it back to decelerate. Pretty simple stuff. A unique feature, however, is the CommandPro’s ability to hit top and zero speed with one push or pull.

Push the joystick all the way forward, the joystick will click and hit top speed. Pulling the joystick backwards until it clicks will bring the tractor to a complete stop.

We certainly suggest you at least trial a new Deere machine with the CommandPro joystick.

While the development might have taken awhile it certainly hasn’t disappointed. In total there are 11 programmable buttons for customised hitch, power take-off (PTO) and selective control valve preferences as well as speed and directional travel.

The size of the CommandView cab is also impressive, measuring in at a spacious 3.3 cubic metres.

Visibility is also quality thanks to the 6250R’s sloping bonnet and four-pillar cab design with large panorama doors. All-in-all, a very well-made, comfortable and practical operator environment.

The comfortable and familiar cabin of the John Deere 250R

LINKAGE, HYDRAULICS, PTO

The full spec Deere we got our hands on was certainly well equipped in these departments. It had the big daddy 160L/min hydraulic pump sending oil to the two front spools as well as the six at the rear. It also powers the 5t front linkage and 10.4t rear linkage. While the single-speed front PTO and four-speed rear PTO offers plenty for the tough jobs.

Hydraulic spool controls are operated via the CommandPro joystick, the traditional coloured paddles and optional joystick. The operator can set their preferred layout and save on the Gen 4 Command Centre (10-inch/25.4cm touch screen).

GUIDANCE

The new StarFire 6000 receiver is a revelation in the GPS world and we got to grips with it on the 6250R.

The reason this is so special is it can give RTK 2.5cm pass to pass accuracy without the additional cost and hassle of running a separate base station.

Other less expensive subscription options are available for operators who don’t need such a level of accuracy with SF3 3cm pass to pass accuracy, as well as the SF1 15cm accuracy guidance.

The John Deere 250R working hard in the field

SUMMARY

Such is the brand loyalty in the farming community, Deere could have simply left the 6R series as is and farmers would still have flocked. John Deere’s 6 series tractors are still ridiculously popular.

Instead, Deere built upon the foundations of its respected predecessor, refined it, added some new tricks and tied a cute red bow.

You’ll have to scrounge up all the loose pennies under the couch to get one, but what’s your threshold on price? The one thing John Deere does well is it never overcomplicates things – it simply makes what is best for the tractor and farmer and does it well.

PROS