Equipment Roundup

In this Equipment Roundup, DTN/Progressive Farmer looks at the Polaris Ranger XD 1500, CNH's agreement for combine wear parts, the FAA's approval of a high-capacity spray drone and a California company being fined for emission control tampering.

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POLARIS LAUNCHES EXTREME RANGER

"Beast" might be one word that describes the all-new Polaris 2024 Ranger XD 1500. In development for five years and targeting farming, ranching, large properties and hunting, the Extreme Duty (XD) 1500 expands the Polaris utility line and is perhaps the first entry in an entirely new class of high-horsepower, side-by-side utility vehicles.

Three passengers or capacity for six with the Ranger Crew XD 1500 version, the XD 1500s mount a liquid-cooled, ProStar 1500cc, electronic fuel-injected, dual overhead cam, triple-cylinder engine producing 110 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque.

Polaris is putting that off-road powerplant and torque to work. The Ranger XD 1500 tows 3,500 pounds with a 2-inch receiver. The nearly 4-foot-wide, electric-dump bed holds 1,500 lbs.

The XD 1500 carries passengers and cargo over rough terrains with 15 inches of ground clearance and 12 inches of suspension travel. That, with on-demand true all-wheel drive, two-wheel-drive, turf and ultra turf drive modes. Hill assist prevents rollback during uphill stops. The transmission engages to control descents.

With the XD 1500, Polaris introduces the STEELDRIVE transmission. It is an industry-exclusive design featuring a 100% steel belt, fully sealed and liquid-cooled. Designed to last the life of the machine, the only transmission maintenance is changing the oil and filter at 6,000 miles. Mentioning vehicle service, the engine has a hot and cool side. All engine service points are on the cool side.

To keep shovels, sledgehammers, axes, post-hole diggers and such from consuming bed space, Polaris offers its optional no-tool, Lock & Ride Max system. Fully customizable and reconfigurable on the go, Lock & Ride secures cargo up and over the bed space, leaving it free for other supplies and materials. Among the other 70 accessories offered by Polaris, operators can install a roof rack, brush guard, 1,000-lb. rear cargo winch and a cargo bed extender (open tailgate is rated for 500 pounds).

So, off-road beast? Assuredly for farm and ranch work, the Ranger XD 1500 has a desirable work-hard design and capabilities and, with a 13.6-gallon fuel tank, the range to get there.

The Ranger XD 1500 is available early fall 2023 in three trim packages. The 2024 Ranger XD 1500 Premium starts at $29,999; Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Premium starts at $39,999. The 2024 Ranger XD 1500 NorthStar Ultimate starts at $44,999.

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CNH REMAN AGREEMENT WITH IHLE FOR COMBINE WEAR PARTS

CNH Reman has penned an exclusive supplier agreement with Ihle Fabrications to offer its line of combine wear parts to the Case IH and New Holland dealer networks.

Through this agreement, dealers can choose from a selection of more than 117 Ihle combine wear parts to offer customers. Like CNH Reman's other product offerings, these parts carry the company's 24-month warranty.

Dealers have already been buying parts direct from Ihle. So, this agreement centralizes the ordering process so dealers can more efficiently stock parts for their customers.

For more information, visit www.mycnhreman.com/wearparts and www.ihlefabrications.com.

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PYKA'S UNMANNED PELICAN SPRAY GETS FAA APPROVAL

Pyka, the manufacturer of electric aircraft for crop protection and cargo transport, has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate its fixed-wing, zero-emission electric, Pelican Spray aircraft for crop protection.

With a gross weight of 1,125 lbs., Pyka's uncrewed aircraft system is the largest ever to receive FAA authorization for commercial operation in the United States.

In conjunction with an agricultural aircraft operator certificate, the FAA approval will enable Pyka to commence commercial operations in the United States.

Pyka is already operational on farms in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Brazil. It can carry up to 540 lbs. (70 gallons) of liquid and spray up to 240 acres per hour.

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SINISTER PLEADS GUILTY TO EMISSIONS TAMPERING

A California company will pay $1 million for violating federal environmental laws by making and selling devices that defeated smog controls on diesel trucks, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Sinister Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Roseville, California, doing business as Sinister Diesel, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and to violating the Clean Air Act by tampering with the monitoring device of an emissions control system of a diesel truck, the AP reports.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's office in Sacramento say that for nearly a decade, Sinister sold products referred to as "delete devices" or "defeat devices" that were designed to bypass diesel truck emissions controls, along with software that could alter a truck's on-board computer so that it appeared to run normally, the AP reports.

The company also counseled customers on how to evade state emissions tests.

Sinister agreed to pay a $500,000 criminal fine and another $500,000 to settle a federal civil case, the AP reports. The company also agreed it wouldn't make, sell or offer to sell delete products.

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

Follow him on Twitter @DMillerPF

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