Whether it’s race cars, motorbikes, or tractors, horsepower is about bragging rights, power, and speed. Most farmers appreciate a little more horsepower when they need it to get the job done. Additionally, farmers tend to have a natural talent for alterations to machinery to improve effectiveness. Some after-market changes are encouraged and do not have a downside,… Read more »
Category: Tractors
2019 Deere 8RT tractors designed for better ride, more maneuverability
For those people who like two-track tractors but always thought the ride could be a little better, good news: John Deere agrees with you and is making the cab suspension more operator friendly on its new two-track tractors. RealAgriculture had a chance to talk to Tiffany Turner, product marketing manager, large tractors, for John Deer,… Read more »
New Steiger tractors for 2019 feature suited-for-Canada tweaks
Steiger wants to hit the ground running, even on narrow tracks. RealAgriculture’s Kelvin Heppner was in Boone, Iowa, recently for the Farm Progress Show. While he was there he got a chance to talk to Mitch Kaiser, Case IH Steiger marketing manager. He says there is quite a bit new this year, “Especially for the… Read more »
Camso offers new tracks designed for road speeds
The reality is that farms are getting bigger and fields farther apart. Time spent on the road is time not spent doing field work, so there’s a lot of focus right now on tracks that handle travel at road speed to get between fields faster. RealAgriculture’s Kelvin Heppner caught up with Martin Lunkenbein, Camso’s business… Read more »
Smart Ag commercializing an aftermarket driverless tractor kit
An aftermarket kit that turns a regular tractor into an autonomous machine made its Farm Progress Show debut in Boone, Iowa this week. Smart Ag, based in Ames, Iowa, has developed a software platform and kit for controlling a tractor without a driver. The first application for the platform, called AutoCart, automates a grain cart… Read more »
DOT field robot evolving, with first units to be sold for spring 2019
It’s been one year since the DOT field robot prototype made its first public appearance at Ag in Motion (AIM) near Saskatoon, Sask. The machine has since attracted attention from people around the world who are interested in the future of autonomous farming. Engineers in the DOT Technology Corp. shop in Emerald Park, Sask. have… Read more »
TechTour: An electric tractor built for CTF
Designed for controlled traffic farming (CTF), the Multi Tool Trac built in the Netherlands offers a unique look based on a series of farmer-driven ideas. The electric tractor was developed for use in three-metre CTF, but takes transport into account with an on-the-fly adjustable gauge system that takes it down to 2.25 metres for the… Read more »
Rotating cab gives tractor operator an owl’s-eye view
Hovering 350mm (~14 inches) above its base, the tractor cab definitely stood out as it sat perched atop a Deutz-Fahr 9340 tractor on display at Agritechnica in Hanover, Germany. So why would a tractor cab need a lift kit? No, it’s not for aesthetic appeal, but for a practical reason: tasks that require the driver… Read more »
Camso launches remanufactured track program
Camso is giving new life to worn tracks. Earlier this month, the Quebec-based company unveiled its certified remanufactured program, giving farmers the ability to rebuild and reuse worn tracks. “When customers participate in our program, Camso takes their old tracks and puts new tread bars on the carcass, remanufacturing the used tracks and giving them… Read more »
Kubota offers semi-autonomous tractors, with the new M7002 series
European farmers can look forward to a new line-up from Kubota — and one that provides automation of some of the more mundane operator duties. The M7002 series tractors succeed M7001, with up to 170 horsepower, a new power shift transmission, improved braking performance, lower fuel consumption and updates to intelligence. With Tractor Implement Management,… Read more »
John Deere counting down to celebrating 100 years
March 14, 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of John Deere’s tractor business, and the company has big plans for its centennial celebration. John Deere entered the farm tractor business in 1918 through the acquisition of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company. At the recent National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky, John Deere product marketing manager… Read more »
AEM expects machinery sales to rebound in 2018
With commodity prices staying low and farmers facing higher interest rates for the foreseeable future, there is reason to be cautious about equipment sales moving forward, especially after 2017’s mixed bag of results between Canada and the U.S. Some manufacturers, though, do see light at the end of the tunnel. At play in the optimism,… Read more »
Smart track technology uses sensors to improve durability
Are you driving too fast and compromising the life of your tracks? Maybe you’re driving too slow and could hit the throttle and get to the field faster? Track maker Camso plans to answer those questions when they launch new smart track technology in North America. Smart track technology will see sensors embedded in tracks… Read more »
Whoa, there: Speedy tractors, signage, and brake requirements
Here’s a fun debate topic: if your tractor is capable of traveling at over 40 km/h, is it still a slow moving vehicle (SMV)? It sure isn’t, and if you’re traveling above 40 km/h and displaying a SMV sign, you’re actually breaking the law. Last month at FarmSmart, RealAgriculture’s own Peter Johnson was on-hand for… Read more »
Versatile celebrates Genesis anniversary with special edition black tractor
The first Ford Genesis tractor rolled off the production line in Winnipeg in September of 1993. With changes in ownership over the past 25 years, the mechanical front wheel drive series has been sold in seven different brands around the world, including New Holland, Ford New Holland, Buhler, Fiat, and Versatile. “It’s still the same… Read more »