Agra-Trac hybrid tool carrier makes public debut in the field

At the machine demonstration of the Deltaplan Agrarisch Waterbeheer (Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management) held in the Van Pallandtpolder in the Dutch village of Middelharnis, the Agra-Trac made its first public appearance, equipped with an APV harrow. Photos: Peter Roek

The Agra-Trac hybrid tool carrier, developed by Dutch manufacturer Graafstra Machinebouw, has made its first rounds in the field. This tool carrier is highly versatile, thanks in part to its electric wheel motors and stepless track width adjustment.

The Agra-Trac is primarily designed for sowing and crop care operations. It is powered by a 60 hp three-cylinder Perkins engine. This setup forms a hybrid drive system: the engine drives a generator, which in turn powers the electric wheel motors. This choice was made for efficiency, high torque from a standstill, and because electric motors offer precise controllability. The vehicle features permanent four-wheel drive, with equal traction on all four wheels—a kind of permanent limited-slip differential. During steering maneuvers, the drive is adjusted to allow for differential behaviour.

While the vehicle is electrically driven, the engine also powers a hydraulic pump—for operating external functions like cylinders and hydraulic motors, as well as the lifting mechanism. The Agra-Trac is designed to work with standard implements.

A standout feature of the Agra-Trac is its stepless track width adjustment, which ranges from 1.80 to 4.60 meters. There are no track rods; instead, the system measures the wheel position to ensure correct alignment when changing the track width.

The ability to drive sideways is particularly valuable in tree cultivation, and it also simplifies connecting and disconnecting implements mounted underneath the frame.

Generous ground clearance

The main frame offers a ground clearance of 2 meters, making the Agra-Trac also suitable for orchard and tree cultivation work. Because the wheels can rotate 180 degrees, the vehicle is capable of driving sideways. In this configuration, the track width is fixed at 3.50 meters. Graafstra foresees this mode being especially useful in tree nurseries.

The unladen weight of the Agra-Trac is around 5 tons, and the indicative price is approximately €160,000.