Weld Engineering Development Program - Factory Engineering

John Deere adds SmartGrade Box Blades, fire suppression option. John Deere is expanding the capabilities of its compact track loaders with new grading attachments and an equipment protection option. The additions include two SmartGrade box blades for the 333 and 335 P-Tier models and an integrated fire suppression system for large-frame machines. John Deere October 7, 2026 2 min to read John Deere has introduced two SmartGrade box blade attachments for its compact track loaders and added a fire suppression system for large-frame skid steers and compact track loaders. The new BX07 and BX08 SmartGrade Box Blades are designed specifically for John Deere's 333 and 335 P-Tier Compact Track Loaders. The attachments integrate grading hardware, SmartGrade technology, and machine controls into one system. Adding grading capabilities. The BX07 and BX08 are intended for finish-grading applications and are currently available with 2D and laser grading capabilities. John Deere said it plans to add full 3D SmartGrade capability in the future. That range of options lets equipment operators select the grading technology best suited to different types of work, rather than relying on a single configuration. The attachments include hydraulically actuated flip-up front wheels and adjustable wheel heights to accommodate changing jobsite conditions. A recessed valve block is intended to preserve operator visibility. John Deere also equipped the attachments with a heavy-duty box design and edge protection for grading applications. Fire suppression for high-debris applications. John Deere is separately adding an integrated fire suppression option for its large-frame skid steer and compact track loaders. The system includes a 20-lb. fire suppression tank and a compact control panel installed on the machine. John Deere designed the option for equipment working in high-debris environments, where accumulated material can increase equipment fire risks. The two additions expand the available configurations for agencies using compact equipment for grading and other public works applications.

Yamaha just partnered with John Deere for future side-by-sides. [email protected] (Jonathon Klein) Wed, October 7, 2026 at 4:00 AM PDT Yamaha's seemingly going back to the UTV's roots by partnering with John Deere. UTVs were once farm equipment. Utilitarian vehicles designed to get used, abused, put away wet and dirty, and just get things done. They weren't fancy. They weren't powerful. They were donkeys. Mules. Machines that just made a farmer or rancher or homesteader's life easier when tending to the jobs that abound when you're doing that type of labor. That went out the window ages ago, and ever since, they've become more complex, complicated, loaded with creature comforts, and damn-as-much expensive as the trucks they were replacing. Yamaha aims to change all that, while also reducing its overhead, as the company recently announced that it is set to partner with none other than tractor supplier John Deere on future side-by-side engineering, production, and a whole lot more. However, if you've been paying attention to the news that's come out of John Deere in recent years, alarm bells may be ringing, as the company has fought tooth and nail over "Right to Repair," i.e., it's been fighting against your ability to work on your own machines, as well as against a host of other consumer-minded practices and wants in order to keep those customers trapped in John Deere's ecosystems. Hopefully, that's not the case here. To the farm! According to the press release the companies dropped, Yamaha and John Deere have agreed to collaborate on "certain" future side-by-side products, with Yamaha offering up its design and drivetrain engineering, and John Deere its U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities - Yamaha recently ended its domestic side-by-side manufacturing in Georgia - customer insights, and development prowess. What all this entails is not entirely clear, however, as the companies stated that concrete details, and the collaborative machine will be presented at a future date. No timeline was given. First off, let's address the why of the situation. While Yamaha made record profits in the last few years, not all parts of the brand have been doing great. One of those not-so-great segments is the extremely competitive side-by-side market, as when you're going up against the likes of Polaris, Can-Am, and the meteoric rise of CFMoto, it's hard to get a foot in the door when folks start cross-shopping. And given Yamaha is relatively new to the segment, and how it ended its snowmobile run after decades of production, the move to a partnership like this one makes a lot of sense. Share the burden of R&D, don't run afoul of any tariff possibilities, and partner with a brand as iconic as John Deere. It's a win-win for Yamaha. But now Incite D has to talk about John Deere and its speed run of making almost every single farmer in the U.S. angry at the brand. Basically, in recent years, John Deere has come up with the idea that they don't want average customers working on their machines anymore. They've made these machines needlessly complex, requiring constant software updates, specialized tools that cost a bazillion dollars, created parts that could be hazardous to work on unless you're a trained John Deere mechanic, have remotely killed machines when people figure out workarounds to software hardening, and fought "Right to Repair" legislation at every turn. The idea is to trap people in the John Deere ecosystem and make them unable to work on their own machines as they did back in the day, thereby making John Deere a metric crap-ton of money. And wouldn't you know, everyone hates it - go on social media and search up John Deere and you'll see what I mean - with John Deere losing a number of legal battles because of it. John Deere, however, is basically the only name in the game at this point, with a scant few others able to pick up the scraps John Deere leaves them. The company all but has a monopoly on the space, which has allowed it to continue pushing forward with these changes and policies even in the face of the court of public opinion, as well as the actual courts. So what does this mean for the partnership between Yamaha and John Deere? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. It's still too early to tell. But it's worth noting that John Deere's Gator UTV is one of the OGs in the side-by-side space. I recall using one over twenty years ago on my first job - I'm so old - and it being the workhorse of workhorses. Hopefully, that's the kind of help the company brings to Yamaha. "We are excited about this relationship and the opportunities it creates for Yamaha, John Deere, our dealers, and most importantly, our customers," said Dean Burnett, Yamaha Motorsports President, adding, "Together, two trusted global brands can accelerate innovation and bring greater value to the market." Jon Chase, Vice President of John Deere' Turf and Compact Utility Business Unit added, "John Deere and Yamaha share a commitment to quality, innovation, and strong dealer networks. This collaboration will enable us to develop differentiated products that excite customers and create meaningful value." Hopefully, that last part of "value" stays true.

Yamaha announces SxS production partner. Internet Brands Auto Group wouldn't have guessed but it might be interesting. When last they left Internet Brands Auto Group, Yamaha said it was going to announce its SxS development partner(s) once they settled on them. This latest announcement comes as a surprise but this could be pretty interesting. Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA and Deere & Company ("John Deere") have announced an agreement to collaborate on the development of certain future side-by-side vehicles. The agreement brings together Yamaha's powertrain and vehicle design expertise with John Deere's vehicle development, U.S. manufacturing capabilities and customer insights. The goal is to create innovative, highly capable SxS vehicles that meet changing customer needs. "We are excited about this relationship and the opportunities it creates for Yamaha, John Deere, our dealers, and most importantly, our customers," said Dean Burnett, Yamaha Motorsports President. "Together, two trusted global brands can accelerate innovation and bring greater value to the market." "John Deere and Yamaha share a commitment to quality, innovation, and strong dealer networks," said Jon Chase, Vice President, John Deere Turf and Compact Utility Business Unit. "This collaboration will enable us to develop differentiated products that excite customers and create meaningful value." Yamaha and John Deere will retain their respective brands, dealer and sales channels, and customer relationships. Details about future products will be announced at the appropriate time. ABOUT YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. Its product offerings include motorcycles and scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides, personal watercraft, boats, outboard motors, golf cars (sold, serviced and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company), surface mount technology and robotic machines, unmanned helicopters, accessories, apparel, Yamalube products and more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States. YMUS has a corporate office in California, four corporate offices in Georgia, and facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama and Florida. Its subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing USA (YJBM), based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha-brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats in Texas, with its G3 Boats division in Missouri. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC), with subsidiaries Siren Marine in Rhode Island and Torqeedo Inc. in Illinois, and divisions Bennett Marine in Florida, Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders in Wisconsin and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. in Indiana. Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, doing business as Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, offering financing solutions to support Yamaha dealers and loyal Yamaha customers nationwide. ABOUT DEERE & COMPANY Whether you've driven a tractor, mowed a lawn or operated a dozer, John Deere's work touches everyday life through its role in helping produce food, fiber, fuel and infrastructure. The company's story began nearly 200 years ago with a steel plow. Today, John Deere drives innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems and more.