In this equipment roundup, DTN/Progressive Farmer looks at Precision Planting unveiling new seeding and spraying tools, Case IH and AGCO winning AE50 awards, Titan teaming up with NASCAR driver and watermelon grower Ross Chastain and JCB winning a Marine Corp contract.

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PRECISION PLANTING ANNOUNCES NEW SEEDING, SPRAYING TECHNOLOGIES

AGCO's Precision Planting brand this week revealed new planting and spraying products during its PTx Winter Conference in Tremont, Illinois.

Here are brief descriptions:

-- ArrowTube: A seed delivery system that provides accurate spacing at high speed. ArrowTube also orients corn seeds with the tip down to promote even germination and emergence and orients the embryo sideways to promote corn leaves that grow across the row to capture maximum sunlight.

-- SymphonyVision/Duo: A retrofit sprayer system that uses cameras, concentrate tanks and a dual nozzle system, enabling farmers to spot spray contact herbicide and broadcast apply a second tank mix in the same pass.

-- SmokeRow: Precision Planting also demonstrated SmokeRow at its Winter Conference, a product first revealed at the end of 2025. SmokeRow adds two nozzles at the end of the boom to spray beyond the boom, controlling weeds in field edges, waterways and terraces. SmokeRow pulls a chemical mix from a secondary solution tank.

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CASE IH WINS AE50 AWARDS

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) recognized Case IH with three 2026 AE50 awards.

The awards include:

-- SenseApply Automation. SenseApply, available for factory-fit or as a kit, uses real-time sensing and rate control to detect crop health and weeds, automatically adjusting application rates based on what the camera sees. Its dual-mode selective spray capability pairs green-on-brown spot spraying with a Base-Plus-Boost mode to apply product only where needed.

-- Draft Tube Free Toolbar System. The Draft Tube Free Toolbar System for the Case IH Early Riser 2160 24-row, 22-inch Large Front-Fold Trailing planter delivers a large front-fold planter with no draft tubes or telescoping hitch. This reduces toolbar weight, shortens transport length, streamlines harness and hose routing, and increases ease of accessibility.

-- Seedbed Sense Speed Control Tillage Automation. Seedbed Sense Speed Control is new to the Case IH Tiger-Mate 255 field cultivator that monitors seedbed conditions in real time and adjusts tractor speed to maintain a consistent seedbed floor.

AE50 award winners include machines, systems, components, software and services ranked highest in innovation, significant engineering advancement and impact for the markets they serve.

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AGCO BRANDS WINS AE50 AWARDS

AGCO has announced that its brands earned seven 2026 AE50 awards:

-- Fendt 800 Gen5 tractor. This tractor mounts a new 8.0-liter engine in three models, ranging from 283 to 343 maximum horsepower. Key features include VarioGrip tire inflation, a dual-pump hydraulic system with 101 gallons-per-minute flow and a maneuverable frame.

-- Fendt 1000 Gen4 tractor. This tractor delivers up to 550 horsepower with an updated 12.4-liter engine and VarioDrive CVT. The redesigned cab adds ergonomic footrests, heated and ventilated massaging seats, and 360-degree UltraVision LED lighting.

-- Hesston by Massey Ferguson SB.1436DB. The first OEM double small square baler. The SimplEbale system, which comes standard on every 1436, automates bale density and consistency and reduces manual input.

-- PTx Trimble OutRun/Tillage. A retrofit autonomy kit for existing tractors that enables fully driverless tillage. Farmers plan, control and monitor autonomous tillage via a smartphone app.

-- Precision Planting MiraSense. An advanced optical seed sensor that uses LEDs and firmware to detect a wide range of seed sizes, eliminating the need to switch sensors between crops. Its dust rejection algorithm distinguishes seeds from dust, ensuring reliable data flow.

-- Precision Planting's SymphonyVision/Rate and SymphonyVision/Spot. These technologies enhance the SymphonyNozzle platform with camera-based technology for intelligent herbicide applications. The Rate system adjusts herbicide output based on weed size and density, while the Spot system identifies crops versus weeds, turning nozzles off when no weeds are present.

-- Radicle Agronomics MicroGlow. An automated nutrient analysis system within the Radicle Lab platform, delivering measurements of potassium, calcium and magnesium in soil samples. This technology gives agronomists and growers same-day soil data.

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TITAN SPONSORS NASCAR DRIVER

Tiremaker Titan International Inc. has launched an official partnership with NASCAR driver and eighth-generation watermelon farmer, Ross Chastain.

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JCB INKS DEAL WITH MARINES

JCB has been awarded a $205 million Defense contract to supply 535 militarized 437HT wheel loaders to the United States Marine Corps. The 437HT delivers strong lift capability, efficient cycle times and reliable performance in tough operating conditions.

Many of the machines are manufactured at JCB's North American headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. Full production is anticipated to begin in 2027.

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

Follow him on social platform X @DMillerPF

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