A new world plowing record has been set by an autonomous vehicle covering just over 50 acres in 24 hours.
Autonomous AgBot Sets 24-Hour Plowing Record
The event took place in the UK at Birch Farm in North Yorkshire, where the record was achieved by the AgXeed AgBot 5.115T2 driverless vehicle pulling a five-bottom Kverneland LO 300/85 plow.
Officially, the 24-hour autonomous plowing challenge completed 20.8 hectares (51.37 acres) using the robotic tractor, which is powered by a Deutz diesel engine.
Essentially, this area would have taken two working days to complete with an operator using a similarly powered tractor pulling a five-bottom plow.
Working with furrow widths of 40 cm (16 inches) and at a depth of 22.5 cm (9 inches) to prepare the land for corn and fodder beets, the 156-hp rubber-tracked autonomous AgBot operated at forward speeds ranging from 5.6 kph (3.5 mph) up to 8 kph (5 mph) on rolling ground, slowing only to complete headland turn sequences.
Telemetry from the AgBot confirmed that fuel consumption from the diesel-electric powertrain totaled 382.72 liters (101.1 gallons) over the 24-hour period, delivering a fuel efficiency of 18.4 liters per hectare (7.8 gallons per acre).
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AgXeed USA Sales Manager Peter Robinson was enthusiastic about the AgBot’s 24-hour performance.
He said:
“After mapping the field boundary and creating a job map complete with headland turn sequences, the AgBot worked tirelessly for 24 hours. It has proved that autonomy isn’t just for mundane, repetitive tasks — it can also handle more complex operations, such as plowing.”
With multi-layer security systems built into the AgBot for unmatched operational safety, the seven-ton autonomous tractor was equipped with a 1.5-ton front weight to enhance traction for the fully mounted, five-bottom Kverneland LO plow.
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Adam Burt, Kverneland USA’s product specialist for plows, said:
“We’re excited to be part of this technological revolution and proud to have completed this world-first record attempt. The combination of the Kverneland LO plow and the AgBot delivered an output that would have taken two working days with an operator using a similarly powered tractor pulling a five-bottom plow. Using Kverneland number 28 bodies, the LO plow is one of the easiest on the market to pull, and its low draft helped achieve this with low fuel consumption and a high-quality finish. Setting this record highlights the efficiency gains possible with autonomous tractors for repetitive tasks.”
The AgBot was briefly stopped during the night to refuel its 375-liter (99-gallon) tank in order to complete the 24-hour run. The total area plowed during the challenge was verified by North Yorkshire farmer and former director of the Society of Ploughmen, James Whitty.
