Equipment Roundup
Deere's Forage Harvester; Kubota's Autonomy Deal; Case IH High Tech Options for Optums
MADISON, Wis. (DTN) -- In this equipment roundup, DTN/Progressive Farmer looks at John Deere's new self-propelled forage harvesters and its announcement of the purchase of remote imagery provider; Kubota signing an autonomous technology deal; Case IH detailing new technology options offered with Optum tractors.
JOHN DEERE SELF-PROPELLED FORAGE HARVESTERS
John Deere is showing media its new F8 and F9 Series self-propelled forage harvesters Wednesday.
"We've combined our strongest hardware with our newest and smartest precision ag technology to give forage producers a machine they can count on in every pass, every season, to create higher-quality forage they can depend on throughout the year," said Bergen Nelson, John Deere go-to-market manager for harvesting equipment.
New F9 Series forage harvesters are available in two engine options -- John Deere 18X and Liebherr V12 24L -- with five horsepower options ranging from 700PS to 1020PS (PS is the German term for horsepower; one PS is roughly equal to 0.986 horsepower). The F8 Series comes with the JD14X engine bringing six horsepower options, ranging from 425PS to 645PS.
The JD18X engine features no DEF requirements, and Deere's HarvestMotion Plus technology allows for increased torque at lower rpms, creating up to 15% in fuel savings and up to a 10% gain in power.
DTN/Progressive Farmer will be publishing additional information on these harvesters. Here are a few known details:
-- Ground speed automation helps maintain ideal load and helps prevent operator stress by adjusting ground speed in real time based on crop conditions.
-- Operator input can be reduced by using ProTouch Harvest, allowing operators to initiate multiple harvest-ready settings with one push of a button.
-- Active Fill Control ensures consistent truck fills.
-- A new inoculant dosing system with an insulated, larger-capacity tank and an automated cleaning system reduces maintenance and offers better feed preservation.
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-- Swivel seat improves visibility and operator comfort.
For more information: https://www.deere.com/…
KUBOTA PENS AUTONOMY DEAL
Kubota North America is announcing a collaboration with Agtonomy, a provider of agricultural autonomy software, to commercialize autonomous operations on Kubota diesel tractors for spraying and mowing.
The initial phase of this partnership will focus on integrating Agtonomy's capabilities starting with Kubota's M5N diesel tractor used in grape, orchard and similar operations. The phased rollout will be introduced to select growers.
For more information: https://www.kubotausa.com/… and https://www.agtonomy.com/…
DEERE BUYS AERIAL FIELD SCOUTING TECH
John Deere has purchased Sentera, a provider of remote imagery solutions for agriculture. Sentera is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Deere said this acquisition will provide farmers and ag service providers with a set of tools to generate and use data to make decisions that improve farm profitability, efficiency and sustainability.
"Combining Sentera's imagery capabilities with the John Deere Operations Center will enable farmers and trusted advisors to seamlessly gather and integrate agronomic data, understand real-time conditions, and turn data into insights that drive decisions in the field throughout the growing season," said Chris Winkler, director of digital software and solutions at John Deere.
Drones equipped with Sentera technology fly over fields at high speeds and generate high-resolution images.
Sentera's cameras are compatible with most major drone platforms. Its FieldAgent software tools help farmers and agronomists assess plant-level health, identify stressors and act. SMARTSCRIPT Weeds is a customized herbicide prescription that can be delivered to sprayers with individual nozzle control.
Sentera scouting technology also can be used to assess crop stand uniformity, disease pressure and pests.
Sentera will continue to supply cameras directly to drone manufacturers for integration into their products, as well as sell to farmers, agronomists and ag retailers.
CASE IH ADDS TECH PACKAGES TO OPTUM TRACTORS
Case IH Optum tractors, available in three models with rated power outputs from 271hp to 340hp, can now be ordered with new technology packages.
In addition, the joystick option for precision control of the front linkage has been upgraded to also control the rear linkage.
The tiered technology packages allow buyers to match their tractor's features with their needs. The tech packages can be combined with the existing Advanced or Professional specification packages.
The Optum tiered technology packages include the armrest-mounted Pro 1200 touchscreen display, with a readiness package (harness and mount ball) for a second display.
Optum tractors also now come standard with Connectivity Included, enabling owners to unlock their tractor's full potential. Connected services and FieldOps capabilities are provided throughout the life of the machine's connectivity modem, with no recurring subscription fees.
For information: https://www.caseih.com/…
Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@dtn.com
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