Kellys of Borris has staked its claim in the autonomous tractor sector with the Irish release of the revolutionary AgBot.
Developed by AgXeed, a Dutch technology start-up, AgBot tractors allow a range of monotonous or time-sensitive tasks, such as Power harrowing, Seeding and topping, to be performed without an onboard operator.
AgXeed is distributed in Ireland by Kelly’s, one of the largest privately-owned farm machinery distributors in Ireland.
Kelly’s Product Specialist Martin Kangh says
Finding drivers is becoming increasingly harder with a drop Ag students and increasingly long hours in this industry and i think this can fill a gap.
Our farmers have been using gps, autosteer and isobus for many years, this product just takes it a step further bringing technology into one machine. I am keen to get product into the field show customers what it can do. There are a few much smaller robots coming into the industry but nothing like this that can really replace a 160hp tractor for field work.’
The AgBot is available in three models: the three-wheeled 2.055.W3 (75 hp), the four-wheeled 2.055.W4 (75 hp) and the twin-tracked 5.115T2 (156 hp).
The tracked AgBot 5.115T2 model is powered by a 4.1 L four-cylinder Stage 5 Deutz diesel engine that produces a maximum output of 155 hp and a maximum torque of 610 Nm.
Designed specifically for AgBot, the track assemblies are hydraulically suspended and can be set on a range of track widths from 1.8 to 3.2 metres.
A range of track sizes is available from 300 to 910 millimetres. The eight-tonne unit is fitted with front and rear linkages with maximum lift of three and eight tonnes, respectively.
The unit itself weighs 7.8 tonnes. The 210-bar hydraulic pump delivers a maximum flow of 85 litres per minute to the four double-acting proportional spool valves.
There’s also an optional load-sensing Power Beyond connection. It’s fitted with a 350 litre diesel tank and a 30 litre AdBlue tank, which is enough for up to 20 hours’ operating time, depending on the workload. AgBot is fitted with a dual RTK GNSS navigation system that delivers sub 2.5 cm accuracy.
It has full ISOBUS connectivity, which allows variable rate application, mapping and data collection.
The machine also has its own cellular connection to enable remote diagnostics and online file transfer.
There are four separate safety and obstacle detection systems to keep the tractor and everyone around it safe – LiDAR light detection and ranging, radar, ultrasonic sensors and safety bumper. AgBot is controlled via an easy-to-use portal, which can be accessed the portal via your smartphone, tablet or computer.
The portal provides an overview of your AgBot fleet and implements, your farms, surveyed fields, planned tasks; real-time performance of live tasks and a job history of completed tasks, including time, fuel consumption and application data, Haydon says.
You simply select the field you want to work in, create a task, configure your AgBot with the required implements, select the reference line you want to work from, set the start and stop points of the task and how you want the task to be carried out.
You can plan all of your task’s days, weeks or even months in advance, including different scenarios for each operation if necessary.
The task is saved to the portal and then sent to the machine.
The task management centre automatically plans the most efficient route, ensuring coverage of the entire area within the boundaries with minimal overlap.
Once in the field ‘autonomous mode’ can be selected and the machine will commence its work.
You can check on the live performance of each machine on the portal or viewing the front and rear onboard cameras, Martin says.
About Kelly’s of Borris
Our family-run business, established in 1957, has been serving the Irish market for 64 years. KELLYS is one of Ireland’s largest stockists of new and used agricultural machinery, farm machinery and plant equipment. We carry the full range of CLAAS agricultural machinery and our customer care mobile workshops cover 26 counties.
More information: Richard Kelly +353860400362