Dutch manufacturer AgXeed has started marketing its range of autonomous tractors in Great Britain following the appointment of AgBots UK and SoilEssentials as distribution and service partners.
Like all AgXeed partners, the British-based dealers will be expected to get close to customers and guarantee short and transparent links to the company. Service means more than just assisting in the event of damage or maintenance; to AgXeed, service begins with consultation and analysis of the farms, up to the complete implementation of the autonomous systems.
With AgXeed’s integrated software tools, farmers can virtually plan the operations in their fields in advance. The company’s AgBots will then carry out the pre-planned task fully autonomously. The AgBots can operate with standard implements such as cultivators and drills thanks to their front and rear linkage, electric PTO and powerful diesel engines connected to a generator to provide electric power to the drive train.
AgXeed currently offers three autonomous tractor models: the 5.115T2 tracked machine; the narrow-track width 2.055W3 three-wheeled robot; and the recently launched 2.055W4 four-wheel, two-wheel-drive model. These offer 156hp, 75hp and 75hp respectively.
All the AgXeed machines follow the international standards ISO 25119 and ISO 18497 in relation to autonomous use. ISO 25119 governs the safety-related parts of control systems for tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry, while ISO 18497 is the standard for the safety of highly automated agricultural machines.
UK insurance policies can be obtained for the AgXeed machines taking into account variables that include: type of operation; oversight/monitoring; public rights of way; and transportation between sites. AgXeed’s compliance with the standards allows clear understanding of machine capabilities. This, in turn, enables the creation of the correct insurance policy for each customer.
With autonomy, size is replaced by continuity and precision in the field. These are new approaches that require distribution partners that are close to agriculture, and that understand how resources need to be managed differently and who believe that autonomy can be a solution.
SoilEssentials will be responsible for the Northern part of England and Scotland, and AgBots UK will take care of the rest of England and wales.
“We’re very excited to have been given this opportunity by AgXeed,” Soil Essentials’ Gregor Welsh said. “The AgBot is a complete game-changer for our farming and contracting customers.”
SoilEssentials already has a solid reputation in smart farming and has always strived to offer innovative products and services to its customers, from Trimble guidance systems to its own Kore software, soil sampling services and a proprietary RTK network for the UK.
AgBots UK, meanwhile, is a new company that nevertheless has comprehensive knowledge in the fields of agronomy, agricultural technology and local conditions.
“The opportunity to work with engineers from such a brilliant heritage is fantastic,” AgBots UK’s Stuart Robertson said. “The team at AgXeed understands technology, farming and what’s important for the future of our industry.
“Autonomy is the next step in the agricultural revolution, and we’re proud to make it happen.”
