Key Takeaways
- OutRun™, the first commercially available autonomous retrofit grain cart solution by PTx Trimble, has won the Davidson Prize at Commodity Classic 2025.
- Awarded by ASABE and AEM, the prize recognizes groundbreaking agricultural engineering innovations that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and productivity.
- OutRun™ allows a single operator to manage both the combine and grain cart, addressing labor shortages during critical harvest times.
- Currently compatible with John Deere 8R and 8000R tractors, with Fendt models to be added in 2026.
- PTx Trimble, formed by AGCO and Trimble in 2024, continues its retrofit-first strategy for farm autonomy.
PTx Trimble’s OutRun™ Recognized as a Breakthrough in Autonomous Farming
PTx Trimble, a joint venture between AGCO and Trimble, has announced that OutRun™, its autonomous retrofit grain cart solution, has been awarded the Davidson Prize at Commodity Classic 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
The Davidson Prize, awarded by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), honors game-changing innovations in agricultural engineering that improve farm efficiency, sustainability, and productivity.
“OutRun™ was designed as a cost-effective way to help farmers with labor issues, allowing operators to run both the combine and the grain cart during critical harvest times,” said Andrew Sunderman, Vice President of Product & Customer Experience at PTx Trimble.
How OutRun™ Enhances Harvest Efficiency
OutRun™ is a self-contained retrofit kit that enables autonomous grain cart operation, eliminating the need for a second driver during harvest.
Key Features & Benefits of PTx Trimble’s OutRun™:
- Autonomous grain cart operation—stages and moves independently.
- Combine operator control—calls the grain cart for unloading.
- Predefined truck unload zone—automatically sends the cart for manual unloading when full.
- Labor-saving technology—reduces reliance on experienced grain cart operators.
Currently, OutRun™ is compatible with John Deere 8R and 8000R tractors equipped with IVT (Infinitely Variable Transmission). By 2026, the technology will be available for Fendt models, expanding accessibility for more farmers.
The Davidson Prize: Celebrating Agricultural Innovation
Named after J.B. Davidson, the father of modern agricultural engineering, the Davidson Prize is awarded to only three products annually, selected from the 10 top-scoring AE50 award winners.
The award recognizes technologies that significantly impact agricultural efficiency, safety, or production. AGCO and its brands have won four Davidson Prizes in the last five years, underscoring their leadership in farm innovation.
“As the latest in PTx Trimble’s commitment to its retrofit-first strategy for autonomy, OutRun™ allows farmers to use autonomous technology to harvest at the optimal time—maximizing yield while reducing labor challenges,” added Sunderman.
