Autonomous Grain Carts Enter the Mainstream

OutRun turns existing tractors autonomous and speeds grain harvests across the U.S.

21 Mar 2025

PTx Trimble, the joint venture between AGCO and Trimble, has introduced an autonomous grain cart system designed to retrofit existing tractors, aiming to reduce labour needs during the US harvest season.

OutRun, which launched in March 2025, enables a single operator to manage both a combine and a grain cart. The company said the system improves speed and accuracy by allowing the two machines to coordinate through onboard sensors and software.

"We're helping farms stay productive during one of the most critical times of the year," said a PTx Trimble spokesperson.

The technology has been recognised quickly in the farm equipment sector, receiving the Davidson Prize for engineering excellence and placement on Fast Company's "World Changing Ideas" list. It is compatible with widely used tractor models such as the John Deere 8R series, reducing the need for new capital investment.

US row-crop farms have been facing persistent labour shortages, especially during the autumn harvest when operators are in short supply. The company said the retrofit design lowers barriers to adoption, as producers can automate part of their fleet without replacing machinery.

Industry analysts noted that the focus on upgrading existing equipment reflects a broader shift in agricultural technology strategy. Manufacturers are emphasising incremental improvements for current fleets rather than pushing fully autonomous, high-cost replacements. The approach is seen as more practical for farms dealing with volatile commodity prices and tight margins.

Regulation remains an area of uncertainty. Autonomous farm equipment operates under a patchwork of state-level rules, and national safety standards are still being developed. PTX Trimble said it is working with industry groups and regulators to support consistent guidelines for field use.

With the next harvest cycle approaching, early adopters report that OutRun is helping to manage peak workloads. The system's performance is expected to influence how quickly farms scale automation across other operations in the coming years.