Before the invention of autonomous tractors all the intelligence needed to operate the machine and implements sat squarely in the tractor seat — the farmer controlled all aspects of the operation. In the case of tillage, for example, the farmer monitored the speed of the tractor and when the cultivator clogged they were there to… Read More
Category: Tractors
There are at least two options for increasing efficiency on the farm: use wider, larger equipment or use smaller technology that gets the job done faster. In the race between larger equipment and automation, which class do you think is winning? (Hint: it’s bigger engines and wider equipment). This week was Commodity Classic in Houston,… Read More
The jewel in the 2025 John Deere lineup crown was unveiled at Commodity Classic at Houston, Texas, this week. The new 9Rx line up available with 710, 770, or 830 horsepower, four tracks and heaps of new features turned heads and had the whole crowd talking. Our own Bern Tobin was at the John Deere… Read More
Sales of new tractors and combines have slowed down from a year ago, almost certainly due to lower commodity prices and higher interest rates. Combine and four-wheel drive tractor sales ended 2023 up slightly while sales of small tractors were down — in both the U.S. and Canada “As we look ahead to 2024, we’re… Read More
John Deere has unveiled a lineup of new machines and technology at Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas, this week, including the anticipated 830 horsepower 9RX series tractors, as well as S7 Series combines and C-Series air carts. “This is one of the largest product launches in our company’s history, and it reflects John Deere’s commitment… Read More
North America is a growing strategic market for the SDF Group, manufacturers of Deutz-Fahr tractors. Farmers in Canada and the U.S. can expect to see a bigger footprint for the brand in 2024 with arrival of the new Deutz-Fahr Agrofarm 5 Series tractor, says SDF international regional director Umberto Miceli. In this report from Agritechnica… Read More
As the possibilities of farming with autonomous tractors and implements gain traction, many manufacturers are working on how autonomous machinery will run efficiently without human hands and eyes as it travels on or through the ground. At Agritechnica, Lemken shared how its iQblue tool monitoring technology uses sensor systems to monitor performance as well as… Read More
If you love buying used farm equipment, you’re going to love what Greg “Machinery Pete” Peterson has to say about the latest trends in prices. But before you get too excited, Peterson says that while the price dynamics might have shifted to favour the buyer, it’s only a slight shift, and it certainly doesn’t cancel… Read More
When it arrives on-farm, Fendt is telling farmers they can start work with its electric e107 V Vario tractor in the morning, plug it in over lunch, and then continue working for the rest of the day. The German machinery manufacturer showed off its 2024 ‘Sustainable Tractor of the Year’ award winner at the latest… Read More
CLAAS is the latest equipment manufacturer to share its plans to market autonomous tractors. At Agritechnica in Hanover, Germany, CLAAS showcased an Xerion autonomy-enabled prototype tractor and a two-step process to automation. In this interview, CLAAS head of technology management, Christoph Molitor, tells RealAgriculture’s Shaun Haney that the company’s first step will be a “co-pilot”… Read More
When it comes to machinery shops, most farmers like to build them in their yard from the ground up. But farmers are also innovators and some just can’t resist looking for alternative ways to get the job done. That’s certainly the case for Dresden, Ont., grain farmer Mark Richards who in 2015 came up with… Read More
AGCO is touting a five to seven percentage fuel efficiency gain for its new AGCO Power Core50 engine. The 4-cylinder 5.0 litre engine first appeared in the the Fendt 600 Vario tractor and AGCO is billing it as the “most advanced diesel engine platform on the market today.” It’s set to debut in other AGCO… Read More
New Holland is taking alternative fuel technology further up the power scale with the debut of its new T7.270 Methane Power CNG (compressed natural gas) tractor. Agritechnica visitors had the first opportunity to view the tractor at the innovation showcase in Hanover, Germany. The new tractor actually features the NEF 6.7-litre methane-fueled engine currently used… Read More
The era of Russian ownership of Buhler Industries — the makers of high-horsepower Versatile tractors and Farm King equipment — is over. Turkish manufacturer Basak Traktör says it has formally closed its purchase of 96.7 per cent of the shares in Buhler Industries from Rostselmash on Dec. 28 — eight days after the deal was… Read More
The Case IH 715 Quadtrac, the most powerful commercially-produced tractor in the world, attracted plenty of attention during its debut at Agritechnica 23 in Hanover, Germany. With a 715 horsepower-rated, 778 peak horsepower engine, the tractor delivers built-in power and speed to cover more ground in less time, but it’s also nimble, says CNH Industrial’s… Read More