Equipment Roundup

In this Equipment Roundup, DTN/Progressive Farmer looks at new equipment releases from New Holland, Great Plains, Deere, CNH, and Bobcat; CNH buying a minority interest in a drone imaging company; and CNH and Deere and Company financial results for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.

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NEW HOLLAND INTRODUCES T9 SMARTTRAX

New Holland is launching for market-year 2025 its new T9 SmartTrax tractor with PLM Intelligence.

Here are some of the T9 SmartTrax features.

-- The T9 SmartTrax is available in five model-year 2025 T9 models -- T9.520, T9.580, T9.615, T9.655 and T9.700 -- that range from 475- to 645-rated horsepower.

-- Advanced oscillating roller wheels and vibration-dampening mount suspension in the track system contribute to ride quality and prevent uneven wear during field-to-field transportation.

-- Clear track system hubcaps provide enhanced access to critical components.

-- The new track system streamlines maintenance and optimizes tension by eliminating manual adjustments with its automatic track-tensioning system.

-- The T9 SmartTrax has multiple track belt options available, including two width choices -- 30-inch and 36-inch -- and three different belt brands to choose from.

-- 47% increase in fuel capacity for T9 SmartTrax tractors. Fuel capacity is now 455 gallons.

-- Swinging cab entry steps automatically pivot as the tractor is articulated, keeping the ladder from extending beyond the tracks.

The T9 SmartTrax will be available in North America for model-year 2025 with orders beginning in summer 2024.

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NEW EQUIPMENT OPTIONS FROM GREAT PLAINS

Here is some new equipment from Great Plains.

-- A narrow-transport BD7410. This 13-foot minimum-till drill offers a transport width of less than 10 feet. Once the two transport locks are released, the drill folds and unfolds with a lever in the tractor cab. The BD7410 is available in 6-inch, 7.5-inch and 10-inch row spacings.

-- PL5905 planter. The 60-foot bulk-fill planter transports under 16-feet wide and holds 164 bushels of seed. It is available in 15-inch and 30-inch row spacings.

-- Narrow-transport versions of Great Plains' Turbo-Max and Terra-Max tillage. With these new models, producers maintain 20- and 25-foot working widths while maintaining a narrow-profile transport width of 12 feet.

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DEERE OFFERING NEW TELESCOPIC COMPACT WHEEL LOADER

Deere is now selling a new 326 P-Tier telescopic compact wheel loader with 16-plus feet of reach from its telescopic lift arm.

The 326 P-Tier telescopic loader offers a Load Torque Indicator System, which gives visual and audible alarms if stability limits are exceeded during lifting, lowering or extension.

The cab includes a 9-inch touchscreen display that shows data such as warnings, status and machine-positioning information. Electro-hydraulic controls, customizable from the touchscreen display, offer auto return-to-dig, and auto lift and lower functions.

The 326 P-Tier telescopic compact wheel loader has 23-mph top speed. For tight turning in barns and other cramped spaces, Articulation Plus steering offers 30 degrees of articulation plus 10 additional degrees of rear-wheel steering.

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DEERE ADDS TO W200 WINDROWER SERIES

John Deere is expanding its windrower series with the new W260M model. Offering an additional higher horsepower model at the M specification level, operators can cut a denser crop more efficiently. Additionally, the all-new W260M seamlessly pairs with the new mounted-merger option, allowing operators to combine up to 48 feet into one windrow.

The W260M and merger option will be available at John Deere dealerships this fall.

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CNH BUYS MINORITY INTEREST IN DRONE IMAGING COMPANY

CNH Industrial's investment arm, CNH Ventures, has taken a minority stake in Bem Agro, a Brazilian startup and current supplier to CNH.

Bem Agro uses artificial intelligence to convert aerial field images into agronomic mapping reports. These reports provide data that enables farmers to make decisions about optimizing field operations, allocating resources and increasing yield.

In sugarcane, grain and fiber harvesting, where farmers can face low-visibility conditions, Bem Agro's maps provide guidance lines for course correction and crop damage reduction. Weed mapping pinpoints specific areas to be sprayed, minimizing herbicide usage.

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BOBCAT ADDS NEW PRODUCT LINES

Bobcat Company has expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of forklifts, industrial air compressors, turf renovation equipment, and portable power products including air compressors, generators and light towers.

Last year, Bobcat announced Doosan Industrial Vehicle, Doosan Portable Power, Doosan Industrial Air and RYAN turf renovation products would change to the Bobcat brand as part of the organization's global brand strategy. All product lines have officially been rebranded under Bobcat in North America.

These products are now available at select Bobcat dealerships throughout North America.

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CNH INDUSTRIAL REPORTS 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS

CNH Industrial is reporting fourth-quarter 2023 net income of $617 million compared with net income of $592 million in fourth-quarter 2022.

Full-year 2023 consolidated revenues were $24.7 billion, up 5% year over year. Full-year net income was $2.383 billion compared to 2022 net income of $2.039 billion.

"Two years ago, we established ambitious margin targets for our agriculture and construction segments, which we achieved earlier than planned," said CNH CEO Scott Wine. "With more challenging end markets in Q4, robust contributions from our cost reduction focus and disciplined commercial execution drove margin expansion, and we will remain aggressive on these fronts moving forward."

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DEERE SEES DOWN YEAR

Deere & Company is reporting net income of $1.751 billion for the first quarter, ending Jan. 28, 2024, compared with net income of $1.959 billion for the quarter ended Jan. 29, 2023.

Worldwide net sales and revenues decreased 4%, to $12.185 billion, in the most recent quarter. Net sales were $10.486 billion for the quarter, compared with $11.402 billion in 2023.

Net income attributable to Deere & Company for fiscal 2024 is forecast to be in a range of $7.50 billion to $7.75 billion, compared to $10.166 billion in fiscal-year 2023 (ending October 2023).

"Moving forward, we expect fleet replenishment to moderate as agricultural fundamentals normalize from record levels in 2022 and 2023," said Deere & Co. CEO John May. "Regardless of where we are in the cycle, demand is accelerating for products and solutions that empower our customers to do more with less, and we are uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled value to our customers."

By market sector, Deere is predicting flat to declining agricultural sales for the current fiscal year. In the U.S. and Canada, Deere's fiscal-year 2024 outlook predicts large ag sales down 10% to 15%, small ag and turf down 5% to 10%, European sales down 10% to 15%, and South America tractor and combine sales down 10% or less.

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

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