2026 John Deere Tractor – Updates and new releases cover a wide range of row crop solutions, including harvesters, planters, sprayers, tractors, tillage equipment, and precision technologies.
John Deere, at Agweb, informs us that a series of equipment and technology enhancements and new features are available across its entire machine portfolio. Some updates are available only for 2026 model year machines, and others are available as retrofit or upgrade options for new and/or existing John Deere machines.
2026 John Deere Tractor: New Technology
John Deere has announced a series of improvements and new technologies across its equipment lineup, with many updates available for the 2026 model year.
A key highlight is the Next Generation Perception System for Autonomous Tillage, which enables select 9R, 9RX, 8R, and 8RX tractors to operate without a driver.
The 2026 model year combination will feature enhanced Crop Setting Automation, Predictive Ground Speed Automation, and AutoTrac Turn Automation, along with enhanced weed detection, an auto-unloading camera, and connectivity features.
Sprayers also received enhancements, including new See & Spray capabilities for variable rate application, AutoTrac Vision 2.0 for precise row alignment, and ExactApply Variable Rate enhancements for more accurate product placement.
Next Generation Perception System for Autonomous Land Management
John Deere is releasing an Autonomous Precision Upgrade kit for select tractor models that provides autonomous tillage. The system is available as a Precision Upgrade kit for 9R and 9RX tractors model years 2022 and newer, and 8R and 8RX tractors model years 2020.5 and newer. Select John Deere tractors model years 2025 are already factory-ready.
To enhance the autonomy of tillage equipment, a retrofit kit is available for 2017, as well as newer John Deere tillage equipment, complete with auxiliary lights, a StarFire receiver mast, and a harness. This autonomy-ready solution is factory-installed on the base model of some MY25 tillage equipment.
Enhancement Combination
For the 2026 model year, additions include a new three-piece CAM hinge draper roll with dense packing radii and a new CF 18 30 corn head, which John Deere says is the industry’s first folding corn head with 18″ rows and 30″ spacing.
John Deere also announced several enhancements to the 2026 model year:
The Harvest Settings Automation feature will now include an off-harvest setting that activates when the harvester passes over a previously harvested field. This feature now supports wheat, barley, canola, soybeans, corn, and rice.
Predictive Ground Speed Automation is being updated with new features to help operators manage unique field terrain such as waterways, ditches, or terracing. Weed detection sensors are also being added. A new function will be integrated into the John Deere Operations Center that will use crop type data from planting and satellite imagery to ensure all eligible harvesters have the critical harvest automation files needed to increase productivity. Predictive Ground Speed Automation supports wheat, barley, canola, soybeans, corn, peas, beans, and lentils.
AutoTrac Turn Automation is being updated to automate the lifting and lowering of combine heads for hands-free reversing. A new automatic unloading camera with supporting hardware and software is available to help fill grain carts consistently and potentially reduce spillage in the field.
John Deere also announced several updates to the crop settings available in the Operations Center, including grain harvest weight sharing and Grain Sensing with HarvestLab 3000, which are now available on all 2025 model year and newer X9, S7, and T6 combines.
Physical updates for the 2026 model year machines include a new instructor seat on all models and dual USB-C fast charging modules in the cab. A JD Link Boost satellite connectivity module is also available for installation on eligible combine models to maintain connectivity during harvest.
Sprayer Update
John Deere says the update was developed to give farmers cleaner fields with less weed competition, resulting in higher yield potential.
See & Spray has new variable rate capabilities that can deliver precision application and significant product savings in late-season fungicide and desiccant applications, pre-harvest processing, and more. Farmers can also now see the percentage of biomass detected by each perception camera across the entire field. See & Spray’s variable rate capabilities require a CommandCenter G5 or G5Plus display.
See & Spray Select is now available from the factory for 2026 model year John Deere 400 and 600 series sprayers with 90′, 100′, or 120′ steel booms. It will also be available as a Precision Upgrades kit for 2018 and newer model year John Deere sprayers with ExactApply and a 120′ steel boom.
See & Spray Premium adds a new boom size and is now available on the Hagie STS20 sprayer. See & Spray Premium is compatible with 90′, 100′, or 120′ booms.
In addition to the See & Spray updates, John Deere also has two new AutoTrac options for sprayers:
AutoTrac Turn Automation (ATTA) is now compatible with John Deere 400 and 600 series automatic sprayers, 800R float sprayers, and Hagie STS12, STS16, and STS20 sprayers, model year 2022 and newer. This new feature is also included with Automation 4.0 on Gen4 displays and G5 Advanced licenses for machines with G5 displays.
AutoTrac Vision 2.0 is a new technology that ensures the sprayer wheel stays centered in each row. It has a maximum speed of 34 km/h, grade performance of up to 6 degrees, and the ability to navigate curves with a radius of just 50 meters. AutoTrac Vision 2.0 is available as a factory option for the 2026 model year John Deere sprayers.
John Deere is also introducing ExactApply Variable Rate capability, which includes multiple rates across the boom with AutoSelect Pulsing (and A+B pulse width modulation nozzle switching). Sprayer operators can now vary multiple application rates across the boom, in up to 11 unique sections, resulting in more precise product placement. Operators can also use a wider rate range for variable rate prescriptions and curve compensation. This technology is available as a software update for 2023 through 2025 model year sprayers, and 2026 model year sprayers will be factory-installed with updated software features and functionality.
2026 John Deere Tractor: Planter Update
John Deere announced four new planter updates:
A new rate controller, the John Deere Rate Controller 3, offers the option to simultaneously control and apply two liquid and/or anhydrous ammonia (NH3) products in up to 16 sections. This can help farmers reduce the number of trips across a field while completing the same application work. John Deere states that the new rate controller is suitable for a variety of row crops, livestock, high-value crops, and even golf courses.
The Rate Controller 3 also features a new rate controller app available in the John Deere display menu. This rate controller app is fully compatible with Gen 4 v2 and G5 displays.
John Deere says the new app will provide farmers with a similar experience to operating an automatic sprayer with a factory-installed controller. This means farmers can now monitor planter and rate controller functions on a single screen and make easy adjustments, according to John Deere.
The new rate controller module also features a new harness and 48-pin connector, which expands compatibility with third-party equipment.
Seed Level Sensing provides farmers with more accurate information about the remaining seed level in the tank. This sensor places a sensor inside the tank that measures the remaining seed volume, which is then communicated to the operator in the cab and the John Deere Operations Center. This feature is available on 2026 model year planters or as a Precision Upgrade kit for select models through 2022.
The Fertilizer Level Sensor is also a new feature and, similar to the seed level sensor, provides operators with better information about the remaining fertilizer level in the tank. This sensor is an external manifold that includes two pressure sensors, which are used to calculate the density of the liquid and the remaining volume in the tank. This update is available on 2026 model year planters and is also part of a Precision Upgrade kit that can be added to 2022 and newer model year plants.
Active Vacuum Automation is available on 2026 model year planters with electric drive and the SeedStar 5 Monitoring System. This feature monitors singulation in real-time and automatically adjusts vacuum, helping to prevent skips and double-ups.
Contact your local John Deere dealer to determine what new features and updates are available for existing machines or only on new 2026 model year machines.
Verdict
The 2026 John Deere Tractor lineup redefines modern farming with powerful engine upgrades, cutting-edge smart technologies, and bold model innovations. These updates prove John Deere’s commitment to boosting productivity and shaping the future of agriculture. Don’t miss out on the latest breakthroughs—bookmark tractorsreview.com and visit us again for fresh updates, in-depth reviews, and exclusive insights that keep you ahead in the farming world.
