John Deere Sets CONEXPO 2026 Focus on New P-Tier Excavators, SmartGrade and Safety Tech

John Deere will be in Las Vegas for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 (March 3 to 7), where it plans a booth programme split across machines, technology and training. The company will be located in the Silver Lot (SV2415), with live excavator demonstrations, an Innovation Centre focused on jobsite and operator technology, and an Extended Reality (XR) training demo aimed at technicians and operators.

New Generation P‑Tier Midsize Excavators

A key element for the show is the debut of the New Generation P-Tier midsize excavators, launching with the 210, 230 and 260 P-Tier in the 20-metric-ton class. Deere says the machines were validated through more than 165,000 hours of testing, with the programme targeting reliability, ease of use, productivity and operator experience. The platform combines updated structures, hydraulics and integrated technology, with Deere highlighting higher dig and lift performance alongside smoother cycle times for core applications including trenching, grading, craning and truck loading. Inside the cab, a redesigned layout and touchscreen interface are intended to simplify operation so the operator can focus on the job, not on the machine.

Deere is also using CONEXPO to underline the broader push on integrated tools around the excavator. Features highlighted for the P-Tier midsize range include EZ Control to simplify boom, arm and bucket movements, Attachment Manager to store and manage settings for multiple tools, and SmartWeigh for onboard dynamic weighing. The machines come with 2D Grade Control, including an auto laser catch function, and can be upgraded to 3D SmartGrade using either Topcon or Leica solutions.

Next Generation SmartGrade Technology for New Motor Grader Lineup

Beyond excavators, Deere will also point to technology-focused updates in its P-Tier motor grader range. The portfolio covers the 620, 622, 670, 672, 770, 772, 870 and 872 models and is built around Next Generation SmartGrade, supporting 2D and 3D grading and upgrade paths through Topcon or Leica via the G5 10.1-inch touchscreen.

Deere also highlights remote support via wireless data transfer and Remote Display Access in the John Deere Operations Centre, plus automation functions such as blade flip, auto articulation, machine presets and cutting-edge wear monitoring. Optional packages add tools including Machine Damage Avoidance, Auto Pass, Intelligent Blade Control and SmartSaddle, while a revised cab brings an 8-inch touchscreen display, simplified six-wheel-drive controls, and optional camera systems including the Advanced Vision System and Dual Front Alley Cam to improve visibility on tighter jobsites.

SmartDetect Assist: Object Detection Steps Up

Another technology John Deere is adding to its jobsite-safety portfolio is SmartDetect Assist, an object-detection system designed to automatically slow or stop a machine when an obstacle is detected. Built on the existing SmartDetect and SmartDetect Digital tools, it combines high-resolution cameras, radar and an in-cab display to monitor the area around the machine, triggering visual and audible alerts inside and outside the cab before initiating dynamic slowing or stopping.

Deere says SmartDetect Digital can send near-miss footage and insights to the John Deere Operations Center for training and management, while SmartDetect Assist includes configurable parameters, safeguards and an operator-controlled momentary override, plus projected reverse path lines on the display to show where the machine is headed. SmartDetect Assist is available on select John Deere utility loaders.

Taken together, Deere’s CONEXPO 2026 line-up points to a clear direction: new machines are arriving alongside tools that aim to make grading more scalable, attachment work more consistent, and day-to-day operation simpler for crews.

John Deere Sets CONEXPO 2026 Focus on New P-Tier Excavators, SmartGrade and Safety Tech published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.