MachineryLink

DECATUR, Ill. (DTN) -- If you didn't get a chance to visit the 2025 Farm Progress Show last week, here are some of things that caught our interest -- from tractors, to technology, to tough work pants with many pockets and cool vents.

STEIGER QUADTRAC

Case IH debuted its new and largest Steiger last week at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. The Steiger 785 Quadtrac represents a 10% horsepower boost over the Steiger 715 Quadtrac with 853 peak hp and 40% more torque.

With the 785 Quadtra, farmers gain access to subscription-free, integrated precision technology delivering automation-driven features, such as AccuTurn Pro and AccuSync, along with actionable data capabilities through FieldOps.

"We're building on the Steiger legacy of ultimate power to the ground," said Mark Burns, North America high horsepower marketing manager for Case IH. "As farm sizes increase and implement sizes increase, guys are still looking to get more done in a compressed window. That takes horsepower and that's where the 785 comes in; large drills, big tanks, lots of hydraulics requirements, high speed discs, disc rippers where it takes a good amount of horsepower just pull that implement through the field."

The Steiger 785 Quadtrac can be fitted with an optional heavy-duty suspended undercarriage that delivers superior traction and flotation, Case IH said.

For more information, go to: https://www.caseih.com/… .

OUTRUN EXPANDS

AGCO is extending its OutRun autonomous retrofit package to its own Fendt 900 tractor and to tillage.

OutRun is a retrofit kit that currently enables autonomous grain cart operations with John Deere's 8R/800R (model year 2014 and later) tractor. Controlled from the cab of the combine, the operator can stage grain carts, call for the grain cart, pull it alongside the combine and send the tractor-cart off to an unloading area.

OutRun harvest autonomy will be available with AGCO's Fendt 900 series tractors late in 2026.

AGCO is also giving OutRun a tillage capability. With the tillage kit, an OutRun-equipped tractor is ready for fall or spring tillage.

For information, go to: https://www.outrunag.com/… .

DEERE B30

John Deere has approved the use of B30 biodiesel across its entire portfolio of Tier 4 John Deere engines. This increases the previous approval of blends up to B20.

"We believe strongly in the role that renewable fuels play in supporting the agriculture economy and are excited to offer our customers -- including those who grow the very crops used to make renewable fuels -- the opportunity to leverage higher blends of fuels like biodiesel in their own equipment," Pierre Guyot, senior vice president of John Deere Power Systems, said in a Deere release.

For more information, go to: https://www.deere.com/… .

FENDT 1000

Fendt has added a 550 hp 1000 Vario tractor to its Gen4 line (line begins at 426 hp). Fendt's 12.4-liter MAN engines come with Fendt iD low-speed innovation for maximum torque at lower RPMs.

The 1000 Vario Gen4 lines comes autonomy ready from the factory with unlocks for OutRun autonomous grain cart and tillage operations.

The 1000 Vario line features 360-degrees of LED lighting, cabin dust extraction, coolbox and Apple CarPlay.

For information, go to: https://www.fendt.com/… .

MASSEY FERGUSON 5M SERIES

Massey Feguson rolled out its new 5M series tractor at the Farm Progress Show. The 5M is designed for small to mid-range farms with models ranging from 105 to 145 horsepower and two transmission options -- 12x12 or Dyna-4.

The 5M series tractors carries the hydraulic capacity for loader work, light tillage, planting, hay, mowing and general utility work, Massey Ferguson said. The 5M features a tight turning radius and ergonomic controls for ease of use. It is equipped with the FieldStar 5 touch screen, ISOBUS Light compatibility and is auto-guidance ready.

For more information: https://www.masseyferguson.com/… .

CASE IH FARMALL M SERIES

The Case IH Farmall M series tractor -- 110M and 120 Super M -- made its return to the farm by way of the 2025 Farm Progress Show.

The original Farmall Super M -- produced from 1952 to 1954 by International Harvester -- was built with the promise that it would deliver more power and faster field speeds.

The all-new Farmall Super M upholds those promises with a 16x16 semi powershift transmission and integrated technology, including FieldOps, Case IH said. It is designed for operations around the farm such as loader work, seed tendering, moving supplies and auger work.

"This M series is really that top line, 120 horsepower, a connected vehicle with data so that through FieldOps, I can see location and fuel. We can also pair this with a new 6 series round baler and now I can use ISOBUS class 3 to stop the tractor, wrap that bale and then, eject it," said Leo Bose, customer segmentation lead at Case IH.

The cab includes larger, brighter digital display. The arm rest has a joystick for the loader and there is a high-visibility roof panel above to use when -- for example -- moving round bales. The cab controls include the ActiveClutch 2 feature. Instead of the clutch pedal, push the brake and the tractor slows or stops.

The M series has 11,000 pounds of lift capacity on the rear hitch and optional suspended front axle to handle heavy front loads.

For more information: https://www.caseih.com/… .

CASE IH RB566 (6 SERIES) ROUND BALER

Upgraded, triple seal bearings throughout the RB566 Round Baler ensures contaminants stay out while lubricants stay in. Round baler automation paired with the easy-to-use display interface ensures precise bale quality and optimizes in-field productivity. Weight and moisture capabilities integrate with Case IH FieldOps.

Brian Williams, livestock product specialist for Case IH, pointed to the newly painted red pickup. "You're able to see the crop passing into the bale chamber," he said. "It's a lot brighter in there. If you have a slug, you can see it much easier from the tractor."

The stripper and fixed roles in the bale chamber have been changed. They were skinned and welded in the past. Now, the baler series features a solid roller. "Much tougher. They will last much longer," Williams said.

Telematics technology shows the location of the unit, location of the bales, moisture in the bales, and with load cells installed, a readout on bale weight.

For more information: https://www.caseih.com/… .

STRAUSS WORKWEAR

With all the steel and technology around the Farm Progress Show, one exhibitor stood out, STRAUSS -- its full line of workwear and steel-toed footwear on its display shelves inside its exhibit and not-so-common mannequins wearing said workwear and footwear at the edges of avenues filed with show-goers.

This is not the STRAUSS of Levi-Strauss. Rather, it is the third generation Engelbert Strauss, or simply STRAUSS, a 1,700-employee, global leader in workwear design, safety footwear and personal protection. Founded in Germany in 1948, the family-owned company is overseen by brothers Henning and Steffen Strauss.

Henning Strauss is CEO. STRAUSS is more than workwear, he said.

"We are the number one brand in Europe in farming with a very emotional connection with that community," Strauss said. "We are looking to make that connection here."

The brands have a great, functional look, Strauss said, but "they are really tools." Pants with give and vents, and extra pockets. Leather working boots or low-profile technical shoes with steel toes.

"What makes our pants different are some of the pocket designs, pockets for a second phone or places for ventilation with zippers," Strauss said. "(The pants) increase your flexibility and breathability for work in climates from cold to hot. The pants are really like a tool you can wear, functional and efficient."

STRAUSS utilizes fabrics and tactical materials like CORDURA NYCO, Dyneema fibers, T-400 stretch, and ripstop to ensure functionality. Triple-stitched seams, reinforced knees and pockets, and double-front designs provide added layers of premium protection.

STRAUSS supports U.S. cotton growers through its membership in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. This partnership delivers actionable, field-level insights aimed at helping farmers reduce their environmental footprint, enhance efficiency, and lower production costs, directly benefiting agricultural communities.

For information, go to: https://us.strauss.com/… .

FINISH IT UP

-- John Deere is adding a new performance feature to its Predictive Ground Speed Automation technology for 2026. Predictive Ground Speed Automation uses satellite images and a pair of stereo cameras mounted to a Deere X9 or S7 series combine to judge vegetation density and adjust ground speed, accordingly. In 2025, Predictive Ground Speed included a "downed crop" feature. For 2026, the automation includes weed detection. Weed detection enables a combine operator to more appropriately contend with approaching weed patches. The downed crop and weed detection features also give managers data for maps built in Deere's Operations Center to help inform future agronomic decisions.

-- Greeneye Technology's any-brand precision spraying system (with contact and residual capabilities) added cotton this year to its crop portfolio -- in addition to corn and soybeans. Greeneye plans to add wheat in 2026. Greeneye has also redesigned its boom using lighter-weight aluminum to carry its cameras, processors and lines.

-- Fendt introduces its first stack-fold planter, the Optimum. Optimum flexes at 4 hinge points and an optional vertical contouring hitch moves in all directions -- up/down and forward/back -- allowing the toolbar to follow the topography. Optimum offers row unit seed hoppers, center fill or a MEGA 150-bushel tank.

-- JCB Equipment launched two machines at the show, the 109-hp 4TS Teleskid and 400T compact track loader with side doors. The 4TS Teleskid is a combination of a compact track skid loader and telehandler -- giving this machine 15 feet of reach, two feet higher than 3TS, and nearly 4,000 pounds of operating capacity. Stack large bales five high. Unload from one side of a truck. Put a mulch head 15 feet in the air for clearing trees and brush on the side of a hill.

Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @DMillerPF

(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.