Deere Loads Tech Into New Tractor

Deere Loads 2nd-Generation Autonomy, Battery Tech Into New 5ML Orchard Tractor

Dan Miller
By  Dan Miller , Progressive Farmer Senior Editor
Deere is working to launch a fully electric 5ML orchard tractor with equivalent 130 horsepower, high torque and up to 10 hours of run time. (Photo courtesy of John Deere)

Deere is putting several technologies to work in its new autonomous 5ML orchard tractors.

The 5ML orchard tractors incorporate Deere's second-generation autonomous kits. The kits include a larger camera array, giving the tractor a wider view of where it exists in space, allowing it to move faster with greater accuracy, and incorporate larger and more complicated pieces of equipment. Seven cameras are mounted on the 5ML.

The camera sensing package newly incorporates LiDAR technology (light detection and ranging). Orchard tractors work in a unique environment, with trees 30 feet tall. The vegetative cover can interfere with positioning systems, such as GPS.

There are three LiDAR sensors on the tractor: one on the front and one on each side in the rear. LiDAR creates a localized picture for the machine of exactly where it is relative to the fixed trees and other obstacles such as other trees, people, irrigation equipment, other pieces of equipment and trucks, even beehives.

The 5ML is currently powered by a diesel engine (103 horsepower to 128 horsepower). But a battery electric tractor (also autonomous) of comparable size and capacity (up to 130 horsepower) is expected soon. Deere is already operating battery electric 5ML prototypes with customers in their orchards.

The fully battery-electric 5ML is powered by up to five immersion-cooled batteries. Battery-electric vehicles produce instant power and torque. Deere expects their battery-powered tractor to operate eight to 10 hours on a charge, and it will offer a fast-recharge option.

"Farmers cannot only meet their operational needs, but also achieve their sustainability goals as well," Igino Cafiero, John Deere director of high-value automation, told media assembled in early January at the 2025 CES in Las Vegas. "Plus, fuel costs, maintenance costs and maintenance downtime are all reduced by about half."

The battery system is being developed by Kreisel Electric, an Austrian company in which Deere has majority ownership. The battery package features Kreisel's patented cell immersion cooling technology. It features non-conductive cooling liquid in direct contact with each individual cell. As heat is the enemy of batteries, immersion cooling is an efficient and stable cooling system that extends battery life and performance.

This will not be the only electric vehicle for Deere. Its first electric vehicle was an electric Gator. Deere has designed and manufactured a zero-turn mower. Deere introduced an electric excavator, also at CES in 2023.

Last year, Deere and GUSS Automation debuted the world's first and only fully electric autonomous herbicide orchard sprayer, the Electric GUSS, at the 2024 World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. GUSS also incorporates LiDAR.

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

Follow him on social platform X @DMillerPF

Dan Miller