John Deere Electronic Variable Transmission: What Is It?

Mar 23, 2022

When you’re on the hunt for a tractor that can provide an ample amount of power without compromising speed and control, you know you can turn to John Deere. The Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) featured on John Deere’s 8 and 9 Series Tractors for model year 2023 is specifically designed to fulfill this customer need. As agricultural producers look ahead to the future of farming, they can move forward with confidence knowing that the EVT can help them boost efficiency and productivity throughout the year.

Electronic Variable Transmission

What is Electronic Variable Transmission?

“An EVT has electric motors in place of the hydrostatic motors that improve transmission performance, reliability, and increased efficiency,” explains Ryan Jardon, marketing manager for John Deere. “The EVT brings everything customers appreciate from an Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT), into higher horsepower 8 Series Tractors. Inherently, the electrical components of an EVT are extremely reliable, offer tremendous longevity, and provide better overall tractor control, along with a system built for easy serviceability and diagnostics. In addition, customers will notice an EVT operates more quietly than an IVT.”

In a typical application, an EVT is situated within the drive train of a vehicle. The primary function of the EVT is to work as a power split transmission. It also provides inherent overload protection while dampening vibrations for a smoother ride. A drive train that utilizes EVT is considered a hybrid drive train. When the battery is removed, the EVT can operate as a “simple” continuously variable transmission.

Benefits of John Deere Stepless Electric Variable Transmission (EVT)

The EVT has already been proven to help agricultural producers in other regions of the world. In Europe, equipment featuring powered axles already utilizes the EVT to push tractors from behind while out in the field.

“EVT technology offboards electricity from the tractor to provide added power to the implement and can reduce wheel slip, improve up-hill performance, and enables the tractor to pull wide implements without the need for extra ballast or a larger tractor,” Jardon continued.

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Video: How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops.

It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents.

Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and Pierre Hucl. Here, he delved deep into the world of wheat genetics, focusing on stripe rust resistance — a quest that would shape his academic pursuits for years to come.

After completing his master’s and Ph.D. in six and a half years, he embarked on a professional journey that would see him traverse academia and research. From brief stints as a research officer to landing his dream faculty position at the University of British Columbia’s Plant Science program, his career trajectory was marked by a strong drive to make a difference in the world of wheat.

Despite the allure of British Columbia’s unique agricultural landscape, he found himself wanting to return to the vast expanses of the Prairies, where wheat reigns supreme. He recently returned to the Prairies and is the new wheat breeder at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The opportunity to lead an established wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta was a dream come true. With the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, I’m excited to drive innovation and develop high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to the unique conditions of northern Canada,” he says.

Brar, one of Seed World Canada‘s 2024 Next-Gen Leaders, has become known for identifying novel sources of resistance to priority diseases and his efforts in developing wheat germplasm with multiple disease-resistant traits.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Brar is committed to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists.

“I believe in nurturing talent and empowering students to pursue their passions,” he says. “Watching my students grow and thrive in their research endeavours is hugely rewarding.”

As he looks ahead, Brar’s vision for the future of wheat breeding is clear: “My number one target is to develop high-yielding wheat varieties adapted to the northern climates of Canada. By focusing on early maturity and strong straw traits, we can maximize yield potential while ensuring resilience to environmental challenges.”

His decision to also join the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye, and Triticale (PGDC) executive as member-at-large came from a desire to play an even more important role in the world of Canadian cereals.