This year Ford joins the ranks of automakers that are offering a diesel engine option in half-ton pickups. The 2018 F-150 will be available with a total of six different engine choices, and for the first time a 3.0 litre V-6, turbocharged diesel capable of 30 m.p.g. (7.84 l/100 km) is one of them. The […] Read more
A diesel F-150 pickup for 2018
The F-150 begins production with a new 3.0 litre diesel engine option
Time to sign on the DOTted line?
In the past month or so, it seems there have been no end of public guestimations from pundits about when North American roads will be taken over by autonomous cars and trucks. Of course the estimates vary wildly. I’ve seen opinions ranging anywhere from next week to never. And while all that broader discussion is […] Read more
New Canola Ready Technology from Horsch
Small seeds kit lets Horsch’s Maestro SW planters handle canola with an easy conversion
Horsch has recently announced it now has a small seeds kit for its line of Maestro SW planters that will allow for an easy conversion to handle canola. It includes a stainless steel seed disc and quick-change meter components, which it says allows for fast planter change over. The brand also claims producers could see […] Read more
GM to unveil “all-new” Class 4 and 5 trucks
GM set to debut its redesigned medium-duty Silverado trucks in March
General Motors has chosen to introduce its newest medium duty trucks, the 4500HD and 5500HD models, at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 6. It’s calling them “all-new”. As you might expect, there’ll be Duramax diesels under the hoods mated to Allison automatic transmissions. There will be a variety of wheelbases available in both […] Read more
The “all-new” Ram 1500
This pickup truck gets a new look, a lighter weight and new features for 2019
It turns out engineers at FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) have had the Ram pickup on a diet. The new 2019 models introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January were a svelte 225 pounds lighter than the current versions. Part of that weight reduction comes from switching to aluminum for some components, such as the […] Read more
Winter F-150 road test
Our cold-weather review of a Ford 2018 Platinum pickup
Extreme cold weather is hard on vehicles. And this winter has been extreme. So rather than stay inside with a hot cup of coffee and watch afternoon movies, Grainews decided there was no better time to take advantage of Mother Nature’s cruel side to see just how it affects the average farm pickup. So we […] Read more
100 years of Ford trucks
From the Model TT to the Raptor, Ford celebrates a milestone
July 27, 1917 was a big day for Henry Ford. That was the day the Model T car was given a brother, the Model TT pickup, Ford’s very first truck. And last July marked the 100th anniversary of that production milestone at Ford. Suggested retail for the TT was $600 (about $9,607.32 in today’s dollars), […] Read more
New loader from JCB
Designed for farmers, new articulated loader gets more lift capacity
JCB has always had a prominent display at Germany’s Agritechnica machinery show. Last November it used that event to debut a new machine it thinks will be of interest to farmers on both sides of the Atlantic: the TM420 articulated, telescopic loader. “Currently we sell a smaller machine in North America, the TM320,” said Joe Eddleston, […] Read more
On-farm fire protection
Small system can be placed inside a workshop or on a truck
The workshop has become the heart of many prairie farmyards, and loosing one to fire would be a major disruption. Considering the risk of fires starting in mechanical workspaces is very high, everyone should give some thought to preparing to deal with one. With the amount of flammable liquids and other substances inside modern farm […] Read more
New AutoTrac options from John Deere
John Deere releases more advanced guidance and options for data sharing
In early December John Deere released three new advanced or expanded guidance features along with a new machine data-sharing application for its Generation 4 displays. AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoTrac Implement Guidance, AutoTrac Vision for Tractors and the In-Field Data Sharing applications are now being sold as bundled activations for the John Deere 4600 CommandCenter and […] Read more