Farm Show Highlights Bigger Machines, Smarter Tech, and Throwbacks

Technology, efficiency, and safety were common themes at this year’s Farm Progress Show. Larger machines to provide more power and the ability to cover more acres in a day were highlights of many manufacturers’ displays. A bit of nostalgia played out as well, with some throwback colors and styling drawing a lot of attention. Favorable weather meant big crowds checking out the latest and greatest in equipment. Read on for some of the highlights!

Case IH

The company displayed a throwback tractor in Steiger green paired with the red version of the new Steiger 785 Quadtrac. With 853 peak hp, the Steiger 785 Quadtrac is Case IH’s most powerful to date. 

New versions of the Farmall utility tractor were also on display with an antique Farmall Super MTA. 

“I cut my teeth on a Super M, and I can remember drawing the black and red IH logo as a kid, and looking at the new Farmall M brings back some of those memories,” said Leo Bose, Case IH customer segment lead. “The new Farmall tractors carry on that legacy with premium features developed from farmer feedback.”

JCB

Georgia-based JCB unveiled the new 4TS Teleskid and 400T compact track loader at the show. Both machines are the company’s largest in their respective category. 

“These machines reflect our commitment to equipping customers with the tools they need to work smarter, not harder,” said Lee Tice, product manager for JCB North America. “Whether you’re working cattle, clearing fence lines, moving feed, or handling heavy materials around the farm, these machines are built to exceed expectations and adapt to the demands of modern agricultural operations.”

Titan Tires/Demco

Welker Farms, located in north-central Montana, has a popular YouTube channel and recently completed a rebuild of a Big Bud tractor. The tractor was on display at the show along with the custom-made Big Buddy grain cart. 

“[Welker Farms] approached us about collaborating on low sidewall tires (LSWs) for their Big Bud, and we ended up making the wheels for them too,” said Scott Sloan, global ag and LSW product manager, Titan Tires. “We were able to work together to modify them to fit around the tractor, and when they decided to work with Demco to build the grain cart, we made the tires for that, too.”

Demco’s engineers worked with the Welkers to design the Big Buddy grain cart to their specifications, including using the largest tires they have ever used on a grain cart. The cart features a dual auger system, which allows the overall size to be more narrow while still handling 1,300 bushels of grain. 

While Big Buddy is a one-of-a-kind grain cart, it includes the Harvest Vision package, a new release available for all Demco dual auger grain carts and 1,000-1,500 single auger carts.

“Harvest Vision helps grain cart operators see better,” said Benji Vande Griend, Demco director of sales. “It’s extra lighting. It’s a camera system on the back of the cart and on the auger. It’s a scale readout on the side so the combine operator knows how much is in the cart, and a new four way spout.”

John Deere

Deere’s F8 and F9 self-propelled forage harvesters feature automation technology including ground speed automation, ProTouch Harvest, and Active Fill Control. 

“Our inoculant dosing system is also completely brand new,” said Shaun Fritchey, forage harvesting product specialist, John Deere. “We have a high volume system and a low volume system that work independently of each other. They both have a fresh water tank that can flush at the end of the day to clean the lines for serviceability.”

Fendt

AGCO announced four new Fendt 1000 Vario Gen4 tractors, with Fendt DynamicPerformance engine intelligence and factory-integrated OutRun autonomy.

The new Gen4 runs on a 12.4-liter MAN D26 engine. The tractors — the 1040, 1044, 1048, and 1052 — range in maximum horsepower from 400–520 hp. With Fendt DynamicPerformance, farmers are able to manage engine power, reducing horsepower to match an implement’s needs and increase fuel efficiency, or increase output by a maximum of an additional 30 hp, depending on the model. 

The tractors use VarioDrive CVT, Fendt’s stepless transmission that manages the whole drivetrain. The VarioDrive is designed for dynamic driving at any speed from 0.01–31 mph, variable all-wheel drive up to 15 mph, and a smaller turning circle with the pull-in turn effect. The pull-in turn effect, combined with VarioGrip tire pressure regulation boosts machine productivity and protects soil.

Claas

Claas displayed the new Jaguar 1000 series of self-propelled forage harvesters with the company’s widest crop flow channel to date.

The series is launching with four models: the Jaguar 1080, 1090, 1100, and 1200, ranging 850–1,110 hp with throughput rates of up to 500 tons per hour.

“We didn’t just tweak the old platform — we reimagined everything,” said Matt Jaynes, product manager at Claas of America. “These machines feature a truly ground-up engineering approach, with wider crop flow, a more intelligent drive system, and significant advancements in chop quality and cab comfort.”

Brent

As yields get larger and harvesting time narrows, the new Brent Avalanche model 3298 — with 3,150-bushel capacity — is the largest-yet Brent Avalanche grain cart.

With an unloading speed of up to 1,000 bushels per minute, the cart can also be configured with optional right- or left-hand unloading to meet farmer preferences. 

The low-profile, dual-auger design offers easy filling and the steep-sloped hopper handles high-moisture grain for complete cleanout.  

Summers Manufacturing

Summers Manufacturing showcased five new pieces of tillage and nutrient application equipment.

• 3RT Samurai vertical tillage tool
• Drone Spray Fill Xpress
• Elite Chisel Series with disk, samurai, and coulter blade options
• Strip till unit
• Disk ripper

Orders for all the new equipment open in October for delivery in spring of 2026, according to Matthew Volkmar, director of sales and marketing for Summers. The company just launched a new website with updated dealer and product information.