John Deere showcases new 5ML tractor

Agricultural heavyweight John Deere has held its first Australian field day for its new John Deere 5ML tractor, with the model – honed for orchard and vineyard applications – being demonstrated before customers and dealers at the brand’s HVC (high-value crop) Showcase at the SuniTAFE Smart Farm in Mildura, Victoria.

In addition to the John Deere 5ML, attendees also got a close look at the new autonomous sprayer, or GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System), which was developed in California and was recently awarded the coveted Machine of the Show award at the Henty Field Days.

Customers and dealers got the opportunity to ride and drive the first John Deere 5ML to reach Australia, as well as speak with John Deere and GUSS representatives.

According to John Deere Production Systems Manager, Stephanie Gersekowski, the day underlined the company’s commitment to high-value cropping.

“We understand customers in this sector have really been calling for additional technology and productivity gains to support their operations and the 5ML is the perfect example of how we’re working to do that,” Ms Gersekowski said.

“We’ve been able to integrate a lot of technology that traditionally hasn’t been available in our smaller-frame tractors, such as integrated AutoTrac within the dash display.”

The 5ML is available in 105, 120 and 130hp models, with two front axle configurations for working widths from 155cm (61in) to 180cm (71in). John Deere says the model carries “premium features at a size suited to exacting applications”.

Other features include programmable LED lighting, a front hitch for heavy implements such as almond harvesters, a front PTO, and the choice of a PowrQuad PLUS or Powr8 transmission. A limb lifter kit to gently move lower branches out of the way is also available.

Production begins in November with units available in Australia by spring 2024, with the first demo units reaching Australian dealers shortly.

Also on hand at the HVC Showcase was the GUSS autonomous sprayer, which gave attendees a great insight into the innovative machine as it was put through its paces.

The demonstration was handled by GUSS Automation co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Gary Thompson, who explained how the product’s genesis stemmed from a labour shortage in its home state of California.

“We come from an agricultural background,” Mr Thompson said.

“Our CEO started a commercial spraying business in 1982 with two tractors and grew it to become the largest commercial application company in California, and we will spray over 2000 hectares every single day in our peak season.

“He’s brought in a lot of innovations over the years such as some of the industry’s first three- and four-row vineyard sprayers but eventually finding tractor drivers became his number one challenge. So, he decided to do something about it.”

GUSS utilises GPS and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, vehicle sensors, and software to navigate through high-value crops. John Deere entered into a joint venture with GUSS in April 2022 to accelerate the development and distribution of the platform and meet the needs of orchard and vineyard production.

“The whole concept was we wanted one employee to be able to supervise an entire fleet of these machines,” Mr Thompson said.

“As of today, we have about 240 of these autonomous sprayers out in the world and run more autonomous acres than any other company.”

Mr Thompson said he was excited to see the partnership with John Deere bear fruit and was also looking forward to seeing how John Deere’s recent acquisition of precision spraying company Smart Apply Inc would impact the collaboration.

“We’re looking at what kind of technologies we can add to our base machine and one of them we’re excited about is Smart Apply,” he said.

“It’s a product that uses LiDAR sensors to see the canopy of the tree or the vine and engage individual nozzles to spray where it sees foliage and turn off where it doesn’t see foliage,” Mr Thompson said.

“It saves a huge amount of chemical, which is great for the grower and good for the environment.”

Ms Gersekowski said the new John Deere 5ML heralded a wider push by the brand to develop equipment to enhance HVC production.

“The 5ML is just the beginning and we’re excited to bring further products and technology solutions to the HVC segment over the next several years.”