John Deere updates sprayer lineup

John Deere’s current precision spraying option, See and Spray Select, can spot spray weeds in a fallow field.

For model year 2026, that feature gets some expanded capabilities. It can now also be used for more precise application of variable rates in late-season fungicide, desiccant and preharvest passes.

Growers will be able to see the percentage of biomass each camera detects throughout the field. Each camera rates the amount of green biomass detected and varies the volume of product applied by percentage. An operator can then adjust how much product they want to apply on an individual nozzle level basis.

Variable-rate capabilities will require a G5 or G5 Plus CommandCenter display.

“See and Spray Select has primarily been used for fallow applications for green weeds against brown or black soils,” says Josh Ladd, market manager for application products.

“New for this year, however, we introduced variable rate for later-season fungicide, desiccation, PGR-type products, where the operator can set the band of application and the target application rate. Using the cameras and processors, the machine will automatically adjust the rate of application to ensure we’re putting the right amount of product down across every acre of every field.”

The company also announced it will expand its turn automation feature to sprayers.

Auto Trac Turn Automation will be available for 2026 sprayers in both the John Deere and Hagie brands. It helps ensure consistent and accurate turns at the end of each pass, taking some of the pressure off operators and allowing them to focus on watching boom positions and obstacles. It also reduces crop trampling.

Also new for 2026 is Auto Trac Vision 2.0, which helps keep the sprayer wheels where they’re supposed to be. It can detect crop heights as short as 4 inches and late-season canopy coverage up to 90%, allowing it to function accurately and follow in between crop rows throughout the growing season.

A new precision upgrade kit for See and Spray Select is available for Deere sprayers going back to the 2018 model year.

Learn more online.

Image courtesy of Kubota.

KATR: Stability and control over uneven terrain

The Kubota All-Terrain Robotic Platform (KATR) is a breakthrough in productivity and efficiency, seamlessly blending advanced technology with user-focused design to tackle the diverse challenges of agriculture and construction. As a versatile robotic platform, the KATR adapts to a wide range of tasks, enhancing operations in the field, on the job site and beyond.

The KATR is equipped with dynamic stability control, using gyroscopic sensors and load cells to maintain balance on uneven and sloped terrain. Its all-terrain mobility is powered by four independent motors and hydraulically actuated legs, making it highly capable in challenging environments. Compact in design, with a width of 116 centimeters and an adjustable length between 115 and 234 centimeters, the KATR is agile enough to navigate tight spaces while remaining robust enough for demanding agricultural and construction tasks.

Its design supports a wide range of attachments, making it a multipurpose solution for tasks such as material transport, automated harvesting and advanced sensing. Operable via an onboard interface, CAN or remote control, the KATR ensures user-friendly operation. Available in both gas-powered and electric configurations, it meets the needs of diverse industries while promoting sustainable practices.

With integrated sensors and connectivity, the KATR offers seamless integration with other equipment, enabling virtual towing and real-time data sharing for enhanced operations. The KATR’s applications span across agriculture and construction, demonstrating its versatility and value. In agriculture, it simplifies material transport, data collection and automated tasks like pruning and harvesting, all while optimizing crop health and productivity.

Since its introduction, the KATR has demonstrated Kubota’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that address real-world challenges in both agriculture and construction.

The Kubota KATR is the future of agriculture and construction, providing dynamic, multifunctional capabilities that embody Kubota’s vision for innovation, resilience and sustainability.

Learn more on the website.

Image courtesy of New Holland.

New Holland’s next-gen PowerStar Series tractors

For decades, New Holland’s PowerStar Series tractors have been synonymous with power, utility and comfort. The next generation is no exception, offering powerful utility along with sleek new styling outside, greater comfort inside and a wide array of productivity-enhancing features across four PowerStar models – the 90, 100, 110 and 120.

“These new PowerStar tractors elevate the expectations of what a utility tractor is capable of,” says Lena Patton, North American product marketing manager, New Holland. “From the outside, noticeable upgrades include a new hood with Connective Flow styling along with new LU Series front loaders and bigger tires. Inside the VisionView cab, operators will find greater productivity with a new seat, digital instrument cluster, super-high-visibility panel and loader joystick.”

Power is important for a utility tractor and, as the name implies, the PowerStar Series delivers. Underneath the new hood is a powerful, fuel-efficient FPT Industrial 3.6-liter four-cylinder engine featured in all four models.

“We know our customers are seeking solutions that help them reduce their fuel costs. While these engines still utilize common rail fuel injection technology like our previous models, we’ve also improved performance and optimized fuel consumption further with a longer stroke and more displacement,” Patton states.

This lineup complies with Stage V emissions standards, which reduces particulate matter by 40% compared to Tier 4B. Along with a 3.4-gallon (13-liter) DEF tank, these tractors utilize Compact HI-eSCR 2 technology, resulting in higher torque, an increase of up to five horsepower and greater efficiency. For maximum visibility and compact dimensions, which are critical during loader work, the Compact HI-eSCR 2 is neatly concealed under the tractor’s hood, while a new U-shaped exhaust has also been incorporated. Combining this feature with a larger fuel tank and long 600-hour service intervals that maximize uptime, operators will find powerful operational advantages.

While a 12x12 transmission with a column-mounted electronic power shuttle is available on the three largest models (the 100, 110 and 120), operators can gain an advantage in their day with the proven 24x24 Dual Command transmission available as an option on all four models. The Dual Command transmission features the same electronic power shuttle but provides a Hi-Lo speed in each of the four gears.

For added convenience, the PowerClutch button that’s placed on the back of the handle lets operators shift the gearshift lever without having to use the clutch pedal.

On 12x12 and 24x24 Dual Command transmission models, a new feature, Dynamic Start-Stop or “brake-to-clutch,” is included to help reduce operator fatigue during jobs that require frequent stops, like round baling. When activated, operators will simply need to press the brake pedal to stop the tractor and then release it to start driving again.

Another set of novel options designed specifically for the PowerStar Series are all-new, factory-installed LU Series front loaders. These loaders offer more lifting capacity, greater lifting height, faster cycle times, improved visibility, easier coupling and refined control.

Customers can select the non-self-leveling 650LU, perfect for standard-duty applications, or the mechanical-self-leveling 655LU for greater lift capacity. A skid-steer-style or Euro-style quick-attach faceplate also can be equipped along with a third-function diverter valve to run attachments, like grapple buckets, and a soft ride system to absorb shocks to subsequently reduce fatigue on both the operator and tractor.

For greater stability and lifting power, the loader’s attachment point puts its center of gravity closer to the tractor’s rear axle. An open-center hydraulic system comes standard with a 21.7-gallon-per-minute (82.1-liter-per-minute) implement pump – a 35% increase over prior models for greater loader response. Operators will find impressive visibility with sloped arms that match the new hood’s contour and linkage located under each arm instead of on top of the 655LU.

Learn more online.

Image courtesy of Trimble and PTx Trimble.

Trimble and PTx Trimble expand innovative technology

Trimble and PTx Trimble announced the availability of Trimble IonoGuard for the precision agriculture industry. IonoGuard is a next-generation technology engineered to enhance RTK GNSS signal tracking and hardware positioning performance. IonoGuard helps ensure more reliable and accurate positioning by reducing the risk of signal loss and maintaining signal integrity during challenging ionospheric conditions.

Every 11 years, solar activity peaks, causing ionospheric disturbances such as scintillation and signal noise that can result in unreliable positioning. Solar Cycle 25, which began in 2024 and is expected to last through 2026, could pose significant challenges with the potential for global disruptions. While solar cycle disturbances are a phenomena noticed by few in most occurrences, high-precision RTK GNSS users in equatorial regions are regularly impacted by solar activity year-round, inflicting costly interruptions on agricultural operations.

“There was no question when asked if we wanted to test IonoGuard,” said Michael Munro, general manager of sales and marketing. “Knowing we can better weather the next major solar storm with less risk for signal loss and improved signal availability and precision during such a disturbance provides peace of mind knowing we can still get the work done.”

“The solar storm experienced in May 2024 put IonoGuard to the test and, based on feedback from our beta testers like Vantage Australia, demonstrated the value of this technology to enable uninterrupted work in the midst of significant solar activity,” said Andrew Sunderman, vice president, product and customer experience. “When a solar storm hits, work might be stopped due to signal loss, resulting in downtime, increased labor costs and potentially wasted inputs during planting and spraying. We’re extremely proud to offer a solution that truly minimizes this risk by decreasing downtime, reducing costs for the farmer and keeping the agriculture industry up and running all day, every day.”

Trimble IonoGuard is available on the PTx Trimble NAV-900 guidance controller via the latest PTx Trimble Precision-IQ firmware release and Trimble base stations that support the ProPoint GNSS positioning engine, sold and distributed by PTx Trimble. When combined, users can achieve maximum RTK performance.

Learn more on the website.