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Deere in top 3 US innovators

John Deere is among the three leading innovators of 2020, as recognised by two leading American industry organisations

John Deere's Quik-Knect system wins Davison Prize
John Deere’s Quik-Knect system wins Davidson Prize

A quick power take-off (PTO) connection, an ISOBUS management system and a precision spray control system have been named as America’s most innovative ag technologies for 2020.

The three innovations were awarded the Davidson Prize by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) in February.


Check out our story on the ASABE’s top 50 US innovations for 2020 here


Among the winning entries was John Deere, for the Quik-Knect system used on the 1, 2, 3 and 4 Series models in its compact utility tractor range.

“Using one connector for the tractor PTO shaft and another for the implement, Quik-Knect prevents twisting or forcing to line-up the splines when attaching rear implements,” the company says.

“Operators can simply slide the tractor and implement connectors together until they click into place. ASABE selected the Quik-Knect system based on its ability to save operators time while switching between implements, increasing productivity.”

While the product isn’t currently available in Australia and New Zealand, a John Deere spokesperson confirms that the products are in the company’s New Product Entry review process.

The Tractor Implement Management (TIM) system, developed by the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation, was also a winner – for its ISOBUS communication system that allows implements to control certain tractor functions.

“What is new is that the implement sends information to the tractor via standardised and secure communication, which leads to an optimisation of the overall system,” the group says.

“The field operation becomes technically simpler and easier as TIM takes over tiring and repetitive tasks; and, the farmer can use TIM with his tractors and implements from different manufacturers.”

The third prize went to Indiana-based Smart Guided Systems for its density-based Intelligent Spray Control System – for fruit and nut growers.

The system uses light detection ranging (LiDAR) technology in an after-market add-on for conventional air blast sprayers, sensing the density of the target plant and the outline of the tree canopy in order to spray the exact amount necessary to cover it.

The LiDAR system interfaces with an Android-based app that the operator can control as they drive the sprayer – and which can be overridden at the flick of a switch.

Smart-Guided Systems products are sold in Australia through Haeusler’s Equipment and BA Pumps and Sprayers. 

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