Loaders and Lifts

Farmers, Truckers and Gear Heads Rejoice: EPA Rolls Out Streamlined Diesel Engine Fluid Guidelines

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:02:00 GMT

EPA is rolling out new guidance for manufacturers of farm equipment and other heavy-duty vehicles, removing regulatory red tape requiring diesel-powered farm equipment to reduce engine torque dramatically when a problem arises with the machine’s Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system.

You can read EPA’s statement on the announcement here.

The new rule making goes into effect immediately for all new diesel engines on model year 2027 machines. It should also be noted the new guidance from EPA is voluntary for all non road equipment. Ultimately, each manufacturer will have the right to choose whether it implements the new inducement strategy or maintains the status quo with its own machines.

To fix the problem for farm machinery already in the field, EPA’s new guidance, developed in collaboration with farm equipment manufacturers, will work to ensure necessary software changes can be made on the existing fleet.

(EPA)

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin says now all non-road equipment, like farm tractors, combines and sprayers, must be configured so there is no impact on engine power for up to 36 hours when a DEF system malfunction occurs. Once 36 engine hours have passed, a 25% reduction in engine torque will go into effect until the machine is serviced. If the farm equipment is not fixed within 100 engine hours, then a 50% reduction in torque is activated until the machine can be serviced.

Additionally, farm equipment can be restarted with full engine power three times for up to 30 minutes after inducement, according to the EPA release.

“This is the first crack in the ice toward saying we don’t need these expensive systems on our farm equipment,” says Ben Reinsche, owner, Blue Diamond Farming Company in Jesup, Iowa. “We don’t need to immediately shut off an engine or be restricted for 36 hours if you have DEF unavailable or a malfunction.

“This is a positive step and maybe a formative step toward saying that having these emission standards on farm or off-road equipment is not critically necessary,” adds Reinsche. “There are so many other things farmers can do that are planet positive, like using conservation and sustainability practices, rather than having an after treatment system on our diesel engines.”

Small Business Administration (SBA) leader Kelly Loeffler says the new rule will save 1.8 million family farms across America a staggering $727 million per year while offering “vital financial and operational certainty.”

“This announcement today is such a big deal, especially on behalf of our farmers and ranchers,” says USDA secretary Brook Rollins. “At a time when our ag sector is really hurting, our farmers have had to endure a 30% cost increase in inputs, and a $30 billion Biden-era trade deficit, these everyday regulations being lifted makes such a difference.”

The new guidance greatly reduces a machine setting known as DEF derating and allows operators more time to secure DEF, refuel and make repairs. The new guidance also reportedly retains the environmental benefits of Tier 4 engine and DEF regulations for farm equipment and trucks.

“Today we are taking another important step forward by undoing these diesel fluid guidelines that have hurt our farmers and small rural businesses,” says U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). “Not only will these new guidelines save family-run farms hundreds of millions of dollars per year, but it is also just common sense, folks. No farmer should have their tractor come to a halt in the middle of a field due to Green New Deal-style regulations from Washington.”

How Did We Get Here?

EPA ushered in DEF requirements for large farm equipment when it enacted broader Tier 4 emissions standards in 2004.

Tier 4 Interim rules, which required DEF for farm machines 750 horsepower and up, then went into effect in 2008.

In 2015, EPA’s final Tier 4 regulations were put in place, meaning all new non-road diesel engines — regardless of horsepower rating — had to comply with new emissions standards.

Curious where your farm equipment is made? Check out Farm Journal’s “Who Makes What Where” feature to learn more.

Why Do Many Farmers Hate Using Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)?

American farmers say they detest using DEF due to the challenges and additional fuel cost it tacks onto their operations.

Here are some reasons farmers aren’t big fans of DEF:

Higher Costs and More Maintenance: DEF adds on extra materials costs for machinery-based field work. Farmers must purchase large amounts of fluid, and the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) framework that processes DEF is prone to malfunctions and expensive to repair. Often a simple-but-unexpected repair can pop up out of nowhere and end up costing farmers thousands of dollars and leave equipment inoperable.
Field Work Interruptions: If a tractor runs out of DEF or if the system breaks down, under the now-defunct previous guidelines engine power was greatly reduced, which is known by many farmers as “going into limp mode.” For farmers who rely on their equipment to operate consistently and reliably during planting and harvesting, any issue quickly becomes a major headache.
Storage Issues: DEF has a limited shelf life and is sensitive to temperature ups and downs. A quick Google search says DEF freezes at around 12°F and can degrade if stored in temperatures above 86°F. And who wants to look at a giant pallet of DEF cartons stacked in their machinery barn? Nobody, that’s who.
Contamination/Quality Control: DEF fluid must be pure and free of contaminants. Accidentally using the wrong type or getting foreign substances in the tank during refilling can wreak havoc throughout the system, leading to repairs and downtime.
Engine Performance Concerns: There are farmers who believe newer emissions systems, including those that use DEF, reduce the machine’s total power output and lower fuel efficiency.

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From Omaha to Georgia: Inside the Farm Machinery Reshoring Boom

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 19:38:03 GMT

After releasing our “Where Farm Equipment Is Made” 2025 update in February , we circled back with farm equipment manufacturers to get a read on how tariffs will affect where machines are made.

Many companies across a wide range of industries are considering or even moving forward with plans to reshore production from overseas back into the United States. We’ve learned this process involves long-term, strategic investments in new facilities and/or expanding factories already established here in the States.

Although each manufacturer shared differing visions for how, when and where it plans to build out additional manufacturing capabilities in the years ahead, a common theme did emerge: farm equipment builders are investing big dollars into reshoring, and many have been for quite some time now.

Let’s hear what the machinery companies are planning:

AGCO Corp.

(AGCO Corp.)

The Duluth, Ga.-based equipment manufacturer says its dedication to American farmers and its own strategic investment plans are “key drivers of our overall growth strategy,” according to an AGCO spokesperson.

The rest of the statement from AGCO, which builds the Fendt and Massey Ferguson equipment brands along with its own AGCO machines, regarding U.S. expansion plans can be found below:

Since 2020, we have invested just under $3 billion in the U.S. across new and expanded manufacturing facilities, product innovations and the largest ag tech deal in the history of the industry. Our commitment has extended across our various brands, locations and Research & Development (R&D) efforts, including the notable 2024 joint venture establishing Colorado-based PTx Trimble, the inauguration of Fendt Lodge – the North American headquarters of Fendt – in Minnesota, a new precision ag production facility in Illinois, modernization of systems and technologies in one of our Kansas plants, and U.S.-based R&D for new sprayer and planter technology.

These investments, AGCO says, will not only enhance production at its U.S. facilities for years to come, but also ensure AGCO remains at the forefront of ag innovation around the world.

Claas

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Claas is still a somewhat fresh face to the North American farm equipment market, but the company has deep roots in Europe. It was founded over 100 years ago in a small German farming town, and today the company has global headquarters in Harsewinkel, Germany.

But you may not be aware that Claas has also built a significant manufacturing operation in America’s heartland. The company opened its Lexion combine production campus, located just south of downtown Omaha, Neb., in 1997. This year marks 10,000 Lexion combines rolling off the main production line inside the 120,000 sq. ft. facility.

(Photos: John Deere, Matthew J. Grassi, AGCO, Kubota)

Claas has significant expansion plans in place for its Omaha campus, including doubling its overall production footprint for the main manufacturing building as well as adding a new training and apprenticeship building.

Here is the statement Matthias Ristow, president & managing director of business administration – Claas Omaha, shared regarding the company’s expansion plans:

Claas is investing significantly in its production hub in the United States, and not only recently. Over the last five years, we have added to our production facility to provide a better location for our rework and reconfiguration areas, as well as a dedicated work area for our quality control department for the pre-delivery inspections each machine must go through before being shipped. This is part of our comprehensive quality assurance program.

We also have built a new service academy where we train all the technicians from our U.S. dealer network (we have a similar location in Canada) so we can keep their skills up to date and make sure they have the proper certifications to work on our machines. Technology updates and changes are trained there as well.

Furthermore, our new service academy houses our apprenticeship program where we train the future assembly technicians in a three-year rigorous training program, managed by the German Chamber of Commerce. The program has several advantages. Technicians receive a regular paycheck (“earn while you learn”), receive an associate’s degree from a community college we partner with, receive a certificate from the German Chamber and have a job when they graduate from the program debt free.

Farm Journal recently had the opportunity to tour Claas’ Omaha operation, where we learned the manufacturer is also expanding its partnerships with domestic material and component manufacturers. For example, it recently began working with a finished parts supplier local to Nebraska to fabricate the grain spout for each Lexion combine.

CNH Industrial (Case IH and New Holland)

(CNH Industrial)

Although short on specifics, CNH Industrial (Racine, Wisc.) confirms it plans to “continue to expand our footprint through capital investments in our U.S. facilities, partnerships with local suppliers and programs that strengthen the communities where we live and work.”

CNH adds it currently employs more than 9,000 people across 17 U.S. states, with 14 manufacturing facilities and 22 R&D centers active throughout North America.

And approximately 70% of the components used in CNH Industrial’s U.S. plants are sourced from domestic suppliers while 95% its steel is purchased from U.S.-based mills. It says this approach to domestic material sourcing supports thousands of suppliers’ jobs and reinforces its investment in American-made quality.

John Deere

(John Deere)

The farm equipment manufacturer with global headquarters in Moline, Ill., was first to share its future investment plans with Farm Journal. Back in May, the company announced a 10-year, $20 billion outlay plan for its U.S. production base. This year alone, Deere says it will pour $100 million into its U.S. operations.

John Deere says this initiative includes:

A 120,000 sq. ft. expansion of the company’s remanufacturing facility in Missouri.
Construction of a new excavator factory in Kernersville, N.C.
Expansion of its Greeneville, Tenn., turf equipment factory.
New assembly lines for 9RX high-horsepower tractor production in Waterloo, Iowa.

John Deere plans to invest a total of $22.5 billion into its U.S. manufacturing network once the 10-year project is complete.

Kubota North America

(Kubota North America)

Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) established its North America headquarters in Grapevine, TX., in 2017. The Japanese equipment manufacturer shared the following statement regarding U.S. expansion plans.

North America is critical for Kubota, and the U.S. is our largest market. We firmly believe in local production for local consumption and have made more than $1 billion in U.S. infrastructure investments in the last couple years to meet the growing needs of our dealers and customers. For example, we recently announced the opening of a new loader facility in Gainesville, Ga., (invested $190 million), a new Western Distribution Center in California (invested $72 million), and an R&D facility (invested $100 million) that’s also in Georgia. We have other network investment announcements in the works, and we plan to continue to invest over the next five to 10 years as we respond to market demands. Today, we are more than 7,000 American workers strong who market and sell, and fabricate, weld and assemble equipment with domestic and global parts.

Want to learn more about where your favorite farm machines are made? Check out “From the Factory to Your Fields: Where Farm Equipment Is Made”.

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Machinery and Tech News: Updates From Ag Leader, John Deere, Kinze, Rantizo, Unverferth, Yamaha and More

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:36:18 GMT

Ag Leader announces RightPath implement guidance
Trailed implements are known for drifting even when using autosteer, resulting in imprecise placement of inputs and inconsistent guess rows. Ag Leader is introducing RightPath, a passive implement steering solution, to alleviate these problems.

In many cases, an implement can drift off its guidance line up to 10 inches or more, even on flat ground. Ag Leader says RightPath keeps implements centered on the guidance line via passive implement guidance, which the company says enables farmers to:

Place the implement – and therefore rows and inputs – in the right place.
Plant seed accurately relative to a previous operation.
Achieve consistent guess rows in all conditions.
Re-use the same guidance line in the next field.
Reduce stress and fatigue.

Both the tractor and implement require Ag Leader’s GPS 7500 to utilize RightPath, and the tractor needs to be equipped with TerraStar-C, TerraStar-X, or RTK. It is designed to operate through Ag Leader’s InCommand Go displays. RightPath is compatible with both SteerCommand Z2 and SteadySteer.

RightPath will be available in late fall 2025 through a single purchase unlock, and there will be no recurring subscription fee.

Learn more at AgLeader.com.

Greeneye Precision Spraying system available for cotton
Greeneye Technology announces the expansion of its retrofit, selective smart spraying system to include cotton for 2025.

(Greeneye)

Greeneye’s AI-enabled system addresses the numerous weed management challenges facing cotton farmers today by precisely targeting herbicide application to weeds using real-time, sub-millimeter precision. The company says its technology significantly reduces herbicide usage, lowers input costs, and enhances weed control efficacy while providing flexibility for both pre- and post-emergence applications.

The retrofit solution is engineered to integrate with any commercial sprayer, regardless of brand, model, or size, according to the company.

Greeneye has already secured multiple sales with cotton farmers in the U.S., who will begin using the system at the start of the 2025 growing season.

Learn more at Greeneye.ag.

John Deere adds electric seed meters to Precision Upgrades lineup
John Deere is releasing two new planter retrofit kits to supplement its Ultimate Planter Upgrade program. Now, farmers can either replace individual seed metering row units as they wish, or they can opt-in to the full planter upgrade program.

(Nate Luke/John Deere)

For farmers that just want to upgrade to new seed meters, the MaxEmerge 5e and ExactEmerge electric drive seed Meter Upgrade kits are available for model year 2015 and newer planters. Deere says the seed meters optimize planting productivity and help farmers plant faster with pinpoint population and spacing accuracy.

Deere’s Ultimate Planter Upgrade program is a complete factory row replacement for 2005 and newer planters that include the following features:

ExactEmerge or MaxEmerge 5e electric meters.
IRHD and active pneumatic downforce.
Standard or spoked gauge wheels.
SeedStar 5 monitoring.
One year factory warranty.

Additional options for the Ultimate Planter Upgrade include ExactRate or ExactShot liquid fertilizer systems, ExactChem granular insecticide, easy-adjust pneumatic row cleaners or pneumatic closing wheels.

Learn more at deere.com.

Kinze announces model year 2026 releases
Kinze Manufacturing is introducing the following innovations as part of its model year updates for next year:

A new dual product fertilizer system on all configurations of its popular 5900 front fold planter. The new system features row-by-row section control, and fertilizer products can be applied at two different rates and are fully controlled by the Blue Vantage display.
Two new configurations and an additional seed meter for the recently released 5670 pivot-fold, split-row planter. Now a 12-row 30" and a 16-row 30" will be available for next season. And all configurations can be ordered with the True Speed electric high speed seed meter to plant at 3 to 12 mph. The 5670 fertilizer system will also be available with rear fertilizer drop tubes.
Several new alerts, counters, and reports have been added to enhance its Blue Vantage displays, along with the ability to replant over a skipped area. In addition, both the John Deere Operations Center and Ag Leader AgFiniti have been linked to Blue Vantage so data can be easily uploaded through a Wi-Fi connection.
Harvest Commander Grain Cart models will offer the Scale-Tec POINT scale indicator for scale monitoring and data collection. The scale indicator is Bluetooth enabled and ISOBUS compatible, and provides scale readout information to mobile devices up to 1,000 ft. away and on an externally mounted readout on the cart.
New Offset-Pivot Hydraulic Doors will be available in 40' to 120' widths and heights up to 30'. The door options have been built for production facilities, machine sheds, and aircraft hangars.

For additional information, farmers can visit Kinze.com or contact their local Kinze dealer.

Manitou Group announces new MLT 850 telehandler
Manitou is launching an all-new agricultural telehandler to the North American market: the MLT 850.

The new model features heavy-duty parts and components similar to its existing MLT 961 while retaining a relatively smaller footprint more similar to its MLT 841.

(Manitou Group, Inc.)

The machine features a max lift height of 24 feet, 11 inches and a maximum lifting capacity of 11,021 pounds (4,410 pounds capacity at maximum lift height). The ability to easily change between dozens of attachments offers versatility for tasks including loading bulk into a trailer, loading silage and manure, loading a feed mixer wagon, stacking straw and hay bales, handling and filling bags, and loading compost and wood chips.

MLT 850 also features a double U-shaped boom built for ground engaging work and to have comparable strength and performance to front-end loaders.

Learn more about the Manitou MLT 850 here.

RELATED: Read up on more machinery news that you might’ve missed: https://www.agweb.com/news/machinery/machinery-news-new-john-deere-retrofit-kit-grain-bag-baler-telehandler-line-alfalf

Morton Building’s 3D Studio tool helps farmers design the new barn of their dreams
Morton Buildings is introducing its new 3D Studio online tool that enables users to design their own Morton building.

When working in the 3D Studio, farmers can zoom in and move around the building to fully engage in the design. They can save their building color choices and finished product with the “save” button, digitally share with others and print out the selections.

(Morton Buildings)

A unique feature of the 3D Studio allows farmers to determine the ideal dimensions for their buildings based on the specific size of the machinery, vehicles and equipment they plan to store.

To try out the new tool, visit mortonbuildings.com/3d-studio.

Rantizo, Climate FieldView now connected via new API
Iowa-based spray drone service provider Rantizo says its proprietary AcreConnect software is now connected with Climate FieldView, Bayer’s digital farming platform.

Rantizo’s AcreConnect software can share application maps with Climate FieldView accounts.

(Rantizo)

The owner of the largest spray drone network in the U.S. says this connection allows retail agronomists and growers that use these digital platforms to have a more comprehensive view of operations by including spray drone application records and maps.

Now spray drone operators can easily share those application maps with agronomists and growers directly via their FieldView account. This ensures that spray records are included with other application information and field data, giving farmers and retailers a comprehensive view of their field operations.

To learn more about AcreConnect, visit Rantizo.com/AcreConnect.

Unverferth unveils new Parker Seed tender model
The Parker Seed Chariot seed tender lineup is adding a new model, the 3620R, that offers a longer 21’ conveyor for filling central-fill planters and drills. The split compartment tank can haul multiple seed varieties and has a combined capacity of 360 seed units.

(Unverferth)

All 3620R Parker Seed Chariot tenders feature an 8” tubular style conveyor powered by an industrial-grade gasoline engine with electric start. All controls are housed in a weather-tight compartment located on the driver’s side.

For transport the 3620R features a tri-axle undercarriage with 7,000 lb. capacity torsion axles and new 235/85 x 16 highway-rated tires with electric braking on all axles.

You can learn more about Parker 3620R Seed Chariot tender by visiting the nearest Parker Seed Chariot dealer, or parkerequip.com.

Yamaha Motor Co. launches Yamaha Agriculture, a precision ag and autonomy spinoff
Yamaha Motor Co., the Japanese company that launched the first unmanned aerial application vehicles for agriculture over 40 years ago, is launching Yamaha Agriculture, a new company that will focus on delivering autonomous equipment and AI-powered digital solutions for the specialty crop market.

The new venture is being formed through strategic acquisitions of Robotics Plus and The Yield, according to a press release from the company.

Robotics Plus’ robot Prospr spraying in a New Zealand vineyard.

(Robotics Plus)

Robotics Plus provides an autonomous hybrid vehicle capable of multiple activities including spraying and weed control, while The Yield brings AI-powered yield modeling and data analytics.

Yamaha Agriculture plans to provide robotics solutions for spraying, weeding and other field operations for growers of wine grapes, apples and other specialty crops in key markets like North America and Australia.

You can learn more at yamaha-agriculture.com.

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Machinery News: John Deere Retrofit Kit, Grain Bag Baler, Telehandler Line, Alfalfa Tedder

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 18:07:15 GMT

John Deere Offers New Precision Ag Retrofit Kit

John Deere’s new Precision Essentials kit includes the following hardware (pictured left to right): a G5 or G5Plus universal display, StarFire 7500 receiver, and JDLink M or R modem.

(Photo courtesy of John Deere)

John Deere is the releasing a new precision ag hardware kit – Precision Essentials – that it says will help make advanced precision agriculture technologies accessible to farmers, growers and ranchers.

John Deere says the kit enables machine automation and provides customers the opportunity to manage their entire farm with the John Deere Operations Center. Farmers can install the retrofit kit on legacy John Deere equipment and in mixed fleets.

The Precision Essentials kit requires an annual license with four different licensing options available. Deere says the kits can be customized to fit your operation based on crop type or production system – this includes dairy and livestock operations.

For more information, visit your local John Deere dealer or JohnDeere.com

Loftness Releases 12-Foot Grain Bag Baler

Loftness now offers a 12-Foot grain bag baler that mounts to the 3-point hitch of a tractor and rolls up in 9 to 12 feet.

(Photo courtesy of Loftness. )

Loftness now offers a 12-foot grain bag baler that mounts to the three-point hitch of a tractor and rolls up 9 to 12-foot diameter bags up to 500 feet long.

The company says all functions of the 12-foot grain bag baler are hydraulically controlled, control valve levers are conveniently mounted on the unit for superior visibility of the process and an integral bag tensioner helps to keep bales tight.

The 12-foot grain bag baler is based on a 4-inch-by-4-inch steel tube frame for maximum durability. It requires two hydraulic outlets to operate.

For more information, visit Loftness.com or your local Loftness dealer.

Norden Manufacturing’s new alfalfa tedder hits the market

Norden Manufacturing’s all-new AlfaTed tedder implement.

(Photo courtesy of Norden Manufacturing.)

Norden Manufacturing says its AlfaTed implement can help farmers prepare harvested alfalfa for baling while maintaining quality. The new reel-type tedders offer higher working speeds and a reliable and gentle solution compared to typical rotary tedders, the company says.

The reel on the AlfaTed features six bars of teeth and an improved cam system. Its reel design moves the window of opportunity for tedding to later in the alfalfa dry-down cycle and promotes further dry-down with minimal leaf loss.

Visit the Norden Manufacturing booth at the National Farm Machinery Show next week for more information.

T-L Irrigation Celebrates 70 years in Irrigation Systems Business

T-L Irrigation Co. (Hastings, Neb.,) is celebrating its 70th year of supplying irrigation solutions to farmers. The company was founded in 1955 by LeRoy Thom and is still family owned and operated, with David Thom serving as company president. T-L distributes irrigation machinery and products throughout the U.S. and in 87 countries worldwide.

Starting as a supplier of irrigation equipment, the company took its first step into manufacturing with the purchase of an aluminum pipe tube mill to make pipe for gravity irrigation. In 1969 came the first T-L Irrigation pivot — a novel hydrostatic drive-powered pivot in a marketplace flooded by water, hydraulic and electric-drive systems. The technology continues to be the cornerstone of the extensive T-L product lineup.

According to the company, every piece of T-L Irrigation equipment is tested on Thom family farms and must rise to their standards before the company offers it to farmers.

Click here to read more on the company’s history.

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5 Tech Companies Embracing Electrification, Autonomy

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 22:02:42 GMT

Tractors and robots powered by electrification and autonomously tasked using Artificial Intelligence were without a doubt the main points of emphasis among the handful of farm tech companies exhibiting at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Here’s a brief rundown of what some ag tech and ag tech adjacent companies showed off:

John Deere – After wowing attendees last year with a remotely operated tractor exhibit where users stopped and started a large 8RX tractor doing tillage work thousands of miles away at Deere’s Austin, Texas, test farm, the manufacturer extended its autonomous capabilities across a wider breadth of its machine portfolio to include lower horsepower tractors and autonomous spraying technologies for tree, fruit, and nut growers , as well as an autonomous lawn mower for commercial landscapers and a massive articulated yellow-and-black dump truck for construction firms. Deere also debuted a 130 hp, fully electric battery powered, autonomous-ready concept tractor at the show.

RELATED: John Deere Introducing Next Generation Perception Autonomy Kits

Behold, the hustle and bustle of John Deere’s CES booth:
Kubota – the Japanese firm captured a CES Innovation Award for its KATR robot (video clip below), a four-wheeled all terrain, multi-functional field robot that maintains a level deck across rugged terrain and operates autonomously and in “follow me” mode to help specialty crop producers get more done in a day. However the stars of the show at the Kubota booth, in this author’s humble opinion, were Flash, a plant health imagery solution that uses AI for analysis, and the Smart Plant Imager that bolts onto the top of the KATR robot and enables acquisition of hyperspectral plant health data in real-time. Both products spit back management recommendations to help high value crop growers know where to focus management and labor efforts to make the biggest impacts on yield and quality. Also new this year: the Agri Concept 2.0 autonomous tractor that debuted last year at CES has been outfitted with an operator cab, giving farmers the choice between direct oversight or autonomous tasking.

Spoiler Alert: Those peach baskets don’t fall off or spill. Good job, KATR:
Kioti – the South Korean midsize equipment innovator displayed a multi-functional, modular field robot it is calling the AI Agri Robot RT 100 (pictured top of page). Electrically driven and featuring three driving modes – manual, follow me, and fully autonomous, the helper robot can be outfitted with an orchard spray kit to apply pesticides into the plant canopy as it travels between permanent crop rows. Kioti also showed off a fully electric RX 7340 smart tractor (video clip below) that features integrated soil sensing technology that measures soil moisture, organic matter, and other soil health metrics and sends that data up through the AWS cloud for processing and then back to the grower’s preferred FMIS solution, helping provide the farmer with greater insight into soil conditions in real-time.

That’s an eye-catching small utility tractor, I must say. And it’s “Smart” - beauty and brains:
Caterpillar – The heavy equipment manufacturer kicked off its 100-year anniversary at CES. Like its ag industry brethren, Cat debuted solutions around electrification and autonomy, starting with the center piece of its booth: a gigantic, electrified 55,000-pound Cat 972 Wheel Loader (pictured top of page). Cat also featured its Cat Command autonomous live remote operation capability (video clip below) by having CES attendees sit in a pilot seat and take the controls of an excavator located on a job site in Tijuana Hills, Arizona.

Space-age technology coming soon to a rock quarry near you. Freddy Flintstone and Barney Rubble approved:
The future is here: you can finally put your lazy, do-nothing barn roof to work generating free power from the sun for your electrified machines! Very cool.
(Matthew J. Grassi )

Jackery – With all of the focus on electrification from the ag side at CES, it makes sense to look at what solutions are out there for portable, sustainable power generation and storage. Jackery made a big splash with its lightweight, portable solar generators and collapsible solar panels, and an even bigger hit its solar roof shingle technology (pictured inset). One can imagine a future where growers with electric machines decide to replace their barn roof with solar roof shingles to capture all of that energy from the sun and use it to power power electrified equipment around the farm. Something tells me that Jackery is going to be relevant in the ag world should the shift to electrification continue on at the farm gate.

Stay tuned to AgWeb.com for more ongoing coverage of what we saw and heard at CES 2025 in the days and weeks ahead!

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John Deere Dismissing Significant Portion of Global Salaried Workforce

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 18:45:25 GMT

(Editor’s Note: This article’s original headline contained information that could not be substantiated and has been edited.)

As a depressed farm economy continues to roll on – many ag economists are projecting bearish demand for equipment, commodities and inputs to last well into 2025 – salaried employees with John Deere are anxiously awaiting news regarding their employment status with the equipment manufacturer today.

Many employees were instructed to work from home through July 26, and online sources on the Reddit thread r/johndeere are sharing the unfortunate news that John Deere is moving forward today with another round of mass layoffs.

Online sources say the layoffs cut across a wide swath of John Deere global corporate and administrative divisions.

John Deere recently shared the company “employs approximately 30,000 people in more than 60 U.S.-based facilities across 16 states.” The manufacturer is also moving skid steer and compact track loader manufacturing units from Dubuque, Iowa, to Mexico to curb its manufacturing costs.

Online speculation in the run-up to today’s virtual layoff meetings suggested that most of the job cuts would target the highest tenured and highest compensated salary workers, but sources thus far are reporting that the layoffs run the spectrum from recent hires to long time employees and everyone in between.

Farm Journal’s own U.S. Farm Report host Tyne Morgan is scheduled to conduct an interview discussing the situation at John Deere with executive Cory Reed.

Stay tuned in the coming days to catch her sit down with Reed.

UPDATE: WQAD-8 ABC in Moline, Illinois, is reporting John Deere has confirmed that reductions in their global salaried workforce have begun.

John Deere Layoffs: What We Know So Far

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:50:34 GMT

Farm Journal has learned via public records from the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) that nearly 60 salaried Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG) employees based out of the Urbandale, Iowa, office will be laid off in the first week of August. John Deere reported the initial number of ISG layoffs at 58 employees.

John Deere ISG leads the design and manufacture of custom, integrated electronic solutions for Original Equipment Manufacturers. The division was created in 1987 and was based in Fargo, North Dakota, before moving to Urbandale.

Additionally, John Deere has confirmed with News 8 WQAD in Moline that over 120 production workers in Moline will be placed on indefinite layoff effective June 28.

One of John Deere’s chief rivals in farm equipment manufacturing, CNH Industrial, is itself the subject of rumors the company intends to lay off 25% of it’s workforce based in Racine County, Wisconsin. Its flagship farm equipment brand, Case IH, was founded in 1842 in Racine.

Unconfirmed sources on the Reddit community r/johndeere are reporting a global all ISG employee meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 7 at 9:30 central. The purpose of that call has not been confirmed.

Iowa’s WARN Act requires employers with 100 or more employees to give 60 calendar day written notice when there is a plant closing or mass layoff. The filing shows a notification date of June 6, 2024, meaning the affected ISG employees due to be notified on June 6 will no longer have a position effective August 7, 2024.

This is on top of recent reporting by AgDay TV Host Clinton Griffiths that the equipment manufacturer has offered 103 early retirement buyouts and eliminated 650 total jobs across its Iowa operations as of June 1. John Deere has also announced its intention to move its production of mid-frame skid steer loaders and compact loaders from its plant in Dubuque, Iowa, to a proposed new production facility in Mexico.

AgDay TV also notes that a total of 773 layoffs have been reported to the state of Iowa in 2024. John Deere employs a global workforce of 70,000 people.

What’s Going On At Deere?

Looking back over the last six months, John Deere has undeniably had a busy first half of 2024.

In February, the equipment manufacturer launched its 2025 model class of tractors, combines and sprayers at the annual Commodity Classic convention in Houston.

The company also focused on marketing its precision ag technology retrofit strategy, Precision Upgrades, to capture additional revenue by helping farmers retrofit precision ag technologies to older machines already on the farm.

John Deere also struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink global low Earth orbit satellite connectivity network to provide corrections and data telematics services to customers in South America in 2024 and North America in 2025. In addition, the company signed 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to an endorsement deal, although the financial details of that arrangement have yet to surface. Farm Journal has reached out to John Deere reps for a status update on the search for its newly-created Chief Tractor Officer post, to which the company has yet to respond.

John Deere has projected a 20% to 25% downturn in farm equipment sales as farmers grapple with low commodity prices, high operating expenses and high interest rates for financing large capital investments. Sky rocketing labor costs and inflation are also having downward effects on net farm income.

Sources familiar with the inner workings at Deere have shared the belief that the equipment giant may have over projected recurring revenues from software as a service (SAAS) offerings “big time.”

Farm Journal’s Margy Eckelkamp reported on John Deere’s shift to a recurring revenue model back in 2022 , stating “with more embedded technologies delivering value to customers, John Deere is starting to shifts its business model with the goal of having 10% of revenues by 2030 be recurring revenue — or subscription based. Company officials say this aligns its business with the value customers realize in use of the equipment. They give autonomy as an example. ”

At the same time, John Deere executive leadership team compensation levels have seemingly opened the manufacturer up to additional criticism from online commentors on the r/johndeere Reddit thread.

According to salary information aggregation website Salary.com , data reported to the SEC from fiscal year 2023 shows the companies’ current Chairman, CEO and President received a compensation package that eclipsed $26 million total, with a base pay of $1.5 million combined with $5.9 million in bonuses and non-equity cash payouts. That position also received a total of $18 million-plus in non-cash stock and equity distributions.

John Deere’s current President of Lifecycle Solutions, Supply Management and Customer Success, received just over $10 million in total compensation.

Finally, John Deere’s President of its Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division, Production & Precision Ag, Sales and Marketing Regions of the Americas and Australia, pocketed just shy of $7 million in total compensation.

Reddit commentators at r/johndeere also note that the companies’ recent return to office mandates have not sat well with some current employees. They claim the company has not presented a compelling case to force workers back to its corporate offices.

Editor’s Note: Reddit is an online social networking community and the linked thread above was created with the stated intent of collecting thoughts from current and former John Deere employees. Reddit does not verify whether a poster actually is or ever has been employed by John Deere.

Bobcat Unveils All-electric T7X Compact Track Loader

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 21:04:57 GMT

At the Consumer Electronics Show Bobcat and its parent company Doosan are showcasing a future vision for pushing and lifting power on its line of compact track loaders.

The all-electric T7X compact track loader delivers more power while eliminating hydraulics and emissions.

The new machine is based on a similar frame of the T76 loader, and as Justin Odegaard, Acceleration manager at Bobcat, explains, most of the machines specs are similar.

“Customers are amazed how a quieter machine can give more power and operate at a much lower overall cost,” Odegaard says. “We review early concepts with customers and throughout the product development process. From an overall power standpoint, this new loader can push more, lift more and tilt more at the proper settings. This machine really shines on power, and through software we can tone it down so it’s similar to the diesel and gets longer battery life.”

From the company, here’s what sets apart the new Bobcat T7X compact track loader:

fully-electric
zero emissions, reduced sound levels, limited vibrations
lower daily operating costs
electric actuators and motors use only one quart of eco-friendly coolant compared to 57 gallons of fluid in its diesel/hydraulic equivalent machine
62KW lithium-ion battery developed with technology partner Green Machine Equipment, Inc.
intelligent power management system supports worksite daily operations and automatically backs off power when not needed to preserve energy use
telematics providing two-way communication to monitor machine performance

Odegaard says its operating cost is 10% of its diesel counterpart, which offsets the higher purchase price.

The new machines will be first available this summer via a contract with Sunbelt Rentals for the rental market.

Because of its power system, the new T7X requires all-new specialty designed attachments. At launch, the focus is on buckets, push tools and lift tools. But Odegaard says more farm-specific tools are on the horizon with grapples and buckets in development.

Behind this product introduction was the company’s desire to bring forward environmentally focused innovations as well as deliver the performance customers are demanding.

“It’s about how can we be better stewards of the world—and that’s the drive of a customer standpoint to have a lower carbon footprint machine,” he says.

Also at CES, the company introduced a battery powered excavator, which features at least three new technologies, all of which will be rolled out in the next year.

High Lift: Cat’s Next Generation of Compact Wheel Loaders

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:05:21 GMT

With the biggest changes to their compact wheel loaders in 15 years, Caterpillar introduces the Next Generation Cat 906, 907 and 908 machines.

The company says these three models build on the success of the M Series, and have three important updates:

operator cab
engine and powertrain
hydraulics and structures

The brand-new Next Generation operator’s station

The Next Generation machines provide the quality and comfort of a large wheel loader model but on the smaller platform. It has been re-engineered to feature more Cat technologies, including for the first time in this class size, in-cab programmable kickouts so operators set upper, lower and attachment kickout positions at the touch of a button. High-definition rotary sensors on the loader arms prevent unwanted shock and vibration when the bucket strikes the ground or dump stops at maximum height. The Next Generation loaders have cylinder snubbing to provide the operator with added protection.

Also of note, the Next Generation control monitor gives a real-time view of machine information allowing the operator to configure hydrostatic transmission response, auto engine idle shutdown and a utility powertrain mode.

In cab decibel levels have been reduced to 71 db.

Some things have not changed, including its two-door design and raised floor pedals.

Visibility has been improved with larger standard mirrors—optional parabolic lens electric heated mirrors as well as front and rear cameras are available. The rear hood has been designed for enhanced visibility.

Next Generation engine and powertrain

The Next Generation loaders are outfitted for improved drive train performance and enhanced transport speeds.

Featuring the new Cat C2.8 engine with 74-hp gross power the machines have 13% more torque. The shift-on-the-go transmission has transport speeds up to 25 mph.

For longer working days, the Next Generation loaders have at least 12% larger fuel tanks.

For work in dusty environments, an optional automatic fan reverser changes fan direction for 10 seconds every 10 minutes.

Hydraulics and Structures

Engineered for a variety of applications and workloads, the overhauled hydraulics feature a new standard pressure compensated valve. Operators can simultaneously control implements and operate hydromechanical attachments seamlessly.

New for this class size, an optional Cat 908 high-lift configuration is available, which for farmers can be paired with the reversing fan option for increased reliability and operating efficiency.

To meet demand for increased multifunctionality with lift and tilt while powering hydromechanical tools, these Next Generation wheel loaders feature a new standard pressure compensated valve, allowing operators to simultaneously control implements and operate hydromechanical attachments seamlessly. The company reports this brings uncompromised lift, tilt and hydromechanical functionality.

The optional skid steer coupler has been modified to improve visibility through the coupler when setting fork tines.

All three models in the series can be paired with higher capacity buckets.

Lighting also received upgrades with optional LED light packages. Additionally, task-focused LED under-hood lighting simplifies service work.

In all there are 60 different user-installed kits available for the machines to add options and additional features.

Cat dealers are currently able to place orders. Cat representatives say the factory builds of the Next Generation machines will begin later this year, with expected delivery to the U.S. as early as October.

Next Generation Model Specifications Provided by Cat

	906*	907*	908*
Engine	Cat C2.8	Cat C2.8	Cat C2.8
Power, kW (hp)	55.7 (74)	55.7 (74)	55.7 (74)
Operating weight kg (lbs)	5,730 (12,628)	5,792 (12,765)	6,632 (14,617)
Bucket capacities** m³ (yd³)	0.95 (1.24)	1.05 (1.37)	1.15 (1.5)

density

Startup Working on A Roomba For Picking Rock

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:05:21 GMT

TerraClear is a startup with a goal to create a fully autonomous rock picker eliminating the need for the manual (and back-breaking) job across farm fields.

The idea for TerraClear came from Brent Frei’s experience growing up on his family’s farm in Idaho, and with three decades of experience in the software industry, he applied his ag roots and tech know-how to begin to iterate a better way to pick rock.

“I’ve been picking rock my whole life, and we have had every single rock picker commercially available,” Frei says. “I saw that the pieces needed to solve this problem—artificial intelligence, computer vision, and more–were all available. We just needed to invent a solution that brought them all together.”

The TerraClear team has a prototype that fits on compact track loaders and tractor front loaders and mounts in about 5 minutes. The company plans to make 40 final beta systems for this fall, which will be the last prototypes before its first fully commercial version in the spring of 2022.

The company’s president, Trevor Thompson, says the TerraClear equipment can drastically cut the man hours needed every spring, which could instead be allocated to other farm tasks. The company calculates that medium-scale farms typically experience $5,000 -$25,000 of damage to equipment every year because of rocks in fields.

The business model includes targeting service providers who the company say can charge $150/hour for TerraClear rock picking services as well as getting the Rock Picker in the hands of farmers to use.

Today, the TerraClear solution includes drone-based imagery collection that maps rocks sizes and location, so in the cab of the compact track loader or tractor, the operator can drive directly to the location of the rock for it to be picked up by the arm of the machine and put in the storage box.

“This was the first year my dad (85 years old) hasn’t had to manually pick rock out of his fields,” Frei says.

Frei adds engineering the mechanical parts of the TerraClear rock picker have been fairly straight-forward whereas the software has been more challenging because of the high amounts of data. They’ve partnered with Hillco and Blue Line to manufacture components of the system.

They’ve refined the system with the tight spring time frame in mind—making it so an aerial image can be captured and a map generated for picking within hours.

Its testing this summer will focus on improving the system’s picking motion as it is optimized for the height of the rock.
Additionally, the company just announced a fundraising round of $25 million, which will be used to add to their team and accelerate their development toward a fully autonomous solution.

“We’re proud that at last there’s a tool that makes picking rocks go from the worst job on the farm to the first. It’s fun now,” Frei says.

More information is available on the company’s website.