A technology makeover has transformed John Deere’s new S700 combines into smart harvesting mach­ines that will provide improved grain quality, operator comfort and data collection, according to Randy Sergesketter, John Deere senior vice president for global harvesting.

The new combines, which include four models for 2018, don’t look much different from earlier models from the outside, but a wave of technology updates makes it easier for operators to optimize and automate adjustments on the go.

"Our 2018...