OutRun Tillage retrofit system enables autonomous field work using tractors
PTx Trimble was awarded the prestigious Davidson Prize for Agricultural Innovation for the second time. The award was presented during the 2026 Commodity Classic held in San Antonio, Texas. The recognition highlights the company’s new technology called OutRun Tillage, a retrofit autonomous tillage system designed to improve efficiency and productivity in modern farming.
The Davidson Prize is presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers in partnership with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The award recognizes breakthrough engineering innovations that help farmers improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in agriculture.
“Timeliness of every field task matters, not just to get that task completed, but to hit the optimum agronomic window for each task,” said Darcy Cook, senior director, Autonomous Solutions, PTx. “OutRun | Tillage extends the OutRun system beyond the grain cart operation, which won the 2025 Davidson Prize, and adds autonomous tillage capability for farmers as they work toward full crop cycle autonomy.”
The OutRun Tillage system allows farmers to convert tractors they already own into autonomous machines capable of performing tillage operations without a driver. Farmers first record and draw field boundaries, slow zones, and no-tillage zones within the system. Once the field setup is complete, the tractor paired with a tillage implement can automatically perform the tillage work across the field.
This innovation helps farmers manage their time more effectively. By allowing tractors to operate autonomously, farmers and employees can focus on other important tasks that require attention during busy planting or field preparation periods. Improving the timing of field operations is essential in agriculture because completing tasks within the correct agronomic window can directly impact crop performance and productivity.
The OutRun autonomy kit is currently compatible with John Deere 8000R and 8R tractors equipped with IVT transmissions. The company also plans to expand compatibility to Fendt 900 and 1000 tractor models later in 2026.
The OutRun system already supports autonomous grain cart operation, which received the Davidson Prize in 2025. With the addition of autonomous tillage, the system now expands its capabilities and moves agriculture closer to the goal of full crop cycle autonomy.
Industry leaders say innovations like OutRun demonstrate how advanced engineering can provide practical solutions for farmers. By combining existing farm equipment with automation technology, systems like this help improve operational efficiency while reducing labor demands.
Receiving the Davidson Prize for a second consecutive year highlights the growing importance of autonomous technology in agriculture and its potential to transform how farms operate in the future.
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