Kverneland and AgXeed have set the first world record for autonomous ploughing. The 24-hour autonomous ploughing challenge was carried out at Birch Farm in North Yorkshire UK, and achieved an output of 20.8ha (51.37 acres) using a driverless AgBot, pulling a five-furrow Kverneland LO plough.
Working on-land at furrow widths of 40cm (16in) and at a depth of 22.5cm (9in) to prepare land for maize and fodder beet, the 156hp rubber-tracked autonomous AgBot 5.115T2 operated at forward speeds from 5.6kph up to 8kph on the rolling land, slowing only to carry out headland turn sequences.
Telemetry from the AgBot confirmed that fuel consumption from the diesel-electric powertrain totaled 382.72 liters over the 24-hour period, delivering a fuel efficiency figure of 18.4 liters/ha.
“We’re delighted to be part of this technological revolution and thrilled to have completed this world-first record attempt,” said Adam Burt, Kverneland UK’s product specialist for ploughs. “The combination of Kverneland LO 300/85 plough and AgBot achieved an output that would have taken two working days to complete with an operator using a similar powered tractor pulling a five-furrow plough,” he said.
“Using Kverneland No.28 bodies, the LO plough is one of the easiest on the market to pull, and its low draft has rewarded this achievement with low fuel consumption supported by a high-quality finish,” said Adam. “Creating this record has highlighted the efficiencies available from using autonomous tractors for repetitive tasks.”
AgXeed UK sales manager, Peter Robinson, was equally positive about the AgBot’s 24-hour performance.
“Having mapped the field boundary and created a job map complete with headland turns sequence, the AgBot worked tirelessly for 24 hours,” said Peter Robinson. “It has proved that autonomy is not just for the mundane, repetitive tasks, but it can also be applied to more complex processes, such as ploughing.”
With multi-layer security systems built into the AgBot for operational safety, the 7t autonomous tractor was equipped with a 1.5t front weight to reinforce traction for the fully-mounted, five-furrow Kverneland LO plough.
The AgBot was momentarily stopped during the night, to top-up its 375-litre fuel tank to complete the 24-hour work period. The total area ploughed during the 24-hour challenge was verified by north Yorkshire farmer and former director of the Society of Ploughmen, James Whitty.
