Autonomous tractors are on the breach of moving from show exhibits and prototypes to working on fields across the world. How many makes and models are already commercially available?
Now that it seems that the path for autonomy is finally being paved with numerous initiatives and more full line manufacturers finally stepping up, Future Farming is aiming to expand its autonomous tractors catalogue and buying guide drastically.
The first edition of the catalogue only contained two tractor brands with commercially available autonomous tractors including their price indications. The Monarch Tractor, a 40 hp electric tractor available in the United States for $ 50,000 and a series of four autonomous Yanmar tractors with 88 to 113 hp ranging from US$ 104,800 to $ 162,330. Other companies who offer autonomous tractors weren’t included so far because their tractor wasn’t commercially available yet or because they didn’t want to be included in the catalogue.
Since the completion of the first autonomous tractors catalogue, a lot has happened. There are more startups coming to the market while more major tractor manufacturers have revealed their market ready autonomous tractors.
Alike all currently available buying guides, the autonomous tractors catalogue is to provide interested farmers and contractors across the world with an objective overview of available autonomous tractors. Tractors that are up for sale or rent and that are capable of doing the tough farm work farmers expect from their standard manned tractors as well.
For the record, with autonomous, we mean that the tractor can perform its work completely independently after the operator has set it up to work. The autonomous tractor should be able to execute the same type of work and operations a standard tractor with driver can. Regardless of how the tractor is powered (electrically, with a combustion engine or hybrid) and with or without a cab. And with a tractor, we mean a tractor, not a field robot or self-propelled machine.
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