PTx Trimble used Agritechnica to launch a range of precision farming and automation systems.
OutRun retrofit technology, currently compatible with John Deere 8R machines with the IVT gearbox, with Fendt 900 compatibility coming in 2026, enables tractors and grain carts to be called by the combine harvester to unload on the go and sent to a truck loading area, without the need for a second driver.
Virtual boundaries and safety protocols are built into the system, and the system is said to limit field compaction by having pre-set traffic patterns. It’s controlled from the combine cabin via an iPad, with on-screen alerts if something goes wrong.
A tillage version of the OutRun software will also be available, turning the tractor and implement into an autonomous system, with remote monitoring available.
It uses Starlink connectivity to avoid connection issues and comes with a 360deg video feed. PTx Trimble states that the biggest benefit will be found when cultivating directly behind the combine, as the combine operator can monitor progress and respond to alerts without bringing work to a stop.
In pre-planting scenarios, operators will be able to focus on other tasks, including drilling or fertiliser applications, while the cultivator works ahead.
PTx Trimble’s FarmENGAGE platform was also on show at the event; a brand-agnostic farm management system that enables fleet tracking, job monitoring and data management. It can be used to create, manage and sync all incoming data, as well as send task data to connected machines, with a direct wireless connection to Agco machines and PTx terminals.
The company also introduced Radicle Agronomics; a platform designed to simplify and streamline soil sampling and analysis. A full product range will be available, including GeoTube, GeoPress, the Radicle Lab and connected app.
A new module, MicroGlow, will add more soil fertility parameters, using a plasma-based approach to eliminate high-purity gases from the process, with automatic calibration and diagnostics.
Other precision farming systems included SymphonyVision to provide accurate weed control on sprayers. Two versions will be available, Rate and Spot, with the former using the camera setup to detect weed severity and adjust the rate of each nozzle automatically while still applying a blanket rate to the field. Spot turns each nozzle off individually, applying herbicide only to the areas where weeds are detected.
