Frustrated by the lack of modern technology in older machinery, a fifth-generation farm family in northeast Iowa took matters into their own hands. After cycling through unreliable aftermarket transmitters, the Herbert family developed the Cab Radio Upgrade Kit, a solution designed to bring modern connectivity to legacy equipment.
The project was a collaborative effort between T.L. Herbert, his wife, Rochelle, and their three teenage sons: Thomas, Mason and Colin. The idea sparked when Mason and Thomas grew tired of subpar audio options while working on their row-crop and cattle operation.
“We tried a bunch of different designs. We tried cheap radios that we could find in stores, and nothing really worked out,” Mason explains.
The brothers brought their vision to their father, T.L., who contributed 20 years of experience working for major tractor manufacturers. By combining the sons’ innovation with the father’s technical expertise, the family designed a professional-grade kit.
“We decided to design our own, and we decided it was actually a pretty good design, and we were going to try to sell it,” Mason says.
Just picked one of these up for the 8120! Pretty stoked! Plus supporting a couple young entrepreneurs. https://t.co/L81YI8l6xl pic.twitter.com/jIgJwJPzud
— Michael Steeke 🌾 (@steeke7) March 24, 2026
The kit features a dedicated screen that allows operators to wirelessly connect phones for music and hands-free calling. Perhaps most importantly, it integrates two camera feeds to improve visibility. Currently, the kit is specifically engineered for John Deere tractors in the 7000 to 7030, 8000 to 8030 and 9000 to 9030 series. The Herberts use the technology daily on their own farm, noting the camera system is a game-changer.
“When we’re dumping corn from the grain cart to a wagon, we can look over at the screen and see exactly how full we’re getting because it’s faced right down into the wagon,” Thomas says.
The kit is already gaining traction with other producers, including Ben Bonson, a fourth-generation farmer in northwest Iowa. For Bonson, the kit offers a cost-effective way to modernize a fleet without the price tag of a new machine.
“Putting this newer technology in an older tractor kind of gives it a whole new feel,” Bonson says. “Taking these old tractors and merging them with that new technology for so much cheaper is a great investment.”
Bonson also appreciates that when calling and talking over the Bluetooth mode, he sounds clearer, and the hands-free functionality allows him to focus on other work.
“Say you’re doing something like you’re on a silage pile. You can’t really take your hands off the wheel to call someone,” he says.
T.L. appreciates the ability to easily stream podcasts and audiobooks to help pass the time in the tractor cab.
While the Herberts hope to expand the kit to other tractor models in the future, their current focus remains on perfecting the offerings for their supported John Deere models. Beyond the business success, Rochelle notes the venture has strengthened their family bond.
“Being able to learn together, being able to create a stronger family together, will take us to the next level where we can start expanding the product,” she says. “Being able to celebrate together, seeing the success they’ve had … has been really, really cool.”
