Stef Ruiter, a bulb grower from the Netherlands, is exploring the potential of unmanned tractors on his farm. Following in the footsteps of other Dutch farmers, Ruiter used an autonomous Steyr tractor to shallowly till grassland in preparation for bulb planting. The tractor was able to perform this task because Ruiter had already set the field contours and line planning using GPS, which was then provided to the iQuus system on the Steyr. The route that the tractor needed to follow was pre-programmed based on this information. Ruiter expressed his interest in a line program that would allow him to create these routes himself, giving him more flexibility and eliminating the need for last-minute preparations.
Koen van Boheemen, overseeing the practical test of the autonomous Steyr tractor, noted that Ruiter’s preference for thorough preparation is an interesting point of discussion. While Ruiter currently prepares lines and loads them into his own terminal, others find this process inconvenient. GPX Solutions, the supplier of the iQuus system, is working on adapting the system for open field crops, taking into account the changing cultivation plans and various working widths required.
The practical test of the autonomous tractor is a collaboration between eight participants of the National Fieldlab for Precision Farming (NPPL), GPX Solutions, Wageningen University & Research, and De Bruijn Mechanization. The system is deliberately limited for safety reasons, requiring a person to be near the tractor at all times. Feedback from NPPL users will help adapt the system for use in open field crops.
Ruiter sees immediate potential for unmanned tractors in bulb planting, as it would allow for continuous monitoring and adjustment of the work being done by the plow. In the long term, he envisions integrating unmanned tractors into his soil improvement goals, particularly in mulching grassland before bulb cultivation. This would save the soil and reduce the risk of compaction, while maintaining capacity without additional drivers.
Ruiter has some requests and recommendations for unmanned tractors, including a logger to record machine activities and mobile phone notifications for malfunctions. He believes that GPX Solutions plays a proactive role in agriculture and admires their dedication to accelerating the development of unmanned tractor technology.
The iQuus Autonomy system used in the test includes a steering automation system, an RTK GPS system, vehicle and implement control, and a safety package. It is connected to the tractor’s CAN bus for control and monitoring. The Steyr Expert 4130 CVT used in the test requires supervision as it does not have the iQuus safety package.
In conclusion, Stef Ruiter is exploring the potential of unmanned tractors on his farm for tasks such as shallow tilling and bulb planting. The practical test of the autonomous Steyr tractor is providing valuable insights into the possibilities and limitations of unmanned tractors in open field crops. With further development and adaptation, unmanned tractors could become an integral part of precision farming and soil improvement strategies.