Production years
2012-2016
John Deere forage harvester ยท 2012-2016
John Deere 7780 Forage Harvester
The John Deere 7780 is a late-generation, high-capacity self-propelled forage harvester built for professional grass and corn silage work. Its 13.5 L PowerTech engine and roughly 580 to 625 hp rating made it a respected large-acreage chopper with strong crop flow and well-developed precision-harvest options.
Machine type
Self-propelled forage harvester
Engine
John Deere PowerTech Plus 13.5 L inline-six, approximately 580-625 hp depending on rated-speed specification and model year
Cutterhead/drum width
31.7 in (805 mm) wide x 24 in (610 mm) diameter; 40- or 48-knife drum
John Deere 7780 specifications
| Production years | 2012-2016 |
|---|---|
| Machine type | Self-propelled forage harvester |
| Engine | John Deere PowerTech Plus 13.5 L inline-six, approximately 580-625 hp depending on rated-speed specification and model year |
| Cutterhead/drum width | 31.7 in (805 mm) wide x 24 in (610 mm) diameter; 40- or 48-knife drum |
| Typical headers | 9.8-14.8 ft grass pickups; Kemper 8- or 10-row rotary corn headers |
| Crops | Grass silage, corn silage, and whole-crop forage |
| Feed/processor | Four feed rolls; quick-change serrated-roll kernel processor available |
| Weight | About 25,500 lb (11,580 kg) without header |
What the 7780 is used for
The 7780 was designed for high-output silage harvesting on large dairy, beef, and biogas operations, as well as custom-harvesting fleets. It can be configured for grass pickups or large row-independent corn headers, with variable length of cut and a processor for corn silage.
Owners value it as a capable, comparatively modern used chopper with strong header compatibility, cab automation, and a large dealer-supported parts base. It is best suited to operators who can keep a high-capacity machine supplied with haulage.
Why the John Deere 7780 stands out
The 7780 is notable for bringing 600-hp-class output, an 805 mm cutterhead, four-roll feeding, and integrated HarvestLab, AutoTrac, and documentation options into Deere's 7080 Series. Its crop flow, accessible service layout, and broad Kemper header support help preserve demand in established forage markets.
Buying a used John Deere 7780
Inspect cutterhead knives, shearbar condition and automatic sharpening operation first, then check feed-roll wear, metal detector function, processor-roll condition and adjustment, accelerator paddles and housing, and all driveline components. Verify engine and cutterhead hours separately, review cooling-system and hydrostatic-drive service records, and inspect the header gearbox, gathering elements, pickup tines, and frame closely; exact configuration should be confirmed by serial number with a Deere dealer.
John Deere 7780 frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does a John Deere 7780 have?
It is commonly rated at about 580 hp at 2,100 rpm or 625 hp at 1,900 rpm under the cited EVE-R 120 ratings. Confirm the rating for the individual serial number and market.
What headers fit the 7780?
Common factory applications include 9.8 to 14.8 ft grass pickups and Kemper 8- or 10-row rotary corn headers.
Is the kernel processor standard?
A serrated-roll, quick-change kernel processor was available, but not every used machine has one. Inspect roll wear and verify that the processor engagement and adjustment work correctly.
Specifications are commonly cited figures for general reference; exact figures vary by year and serial number, so confirm against TractorData.com and the machine's records. Values and prices of used forage harvesters vary by condition, use, and region. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.