In the heart of South Holland, a revolution is quietly unfolding on the fields of Dick Klok Cultuurtechniek. The company, run by brothers Kees and Arjo Klok, is at the forefront of integrating autonomous technology into their arable farming and land development operations. Their latest addition is an iQuus-autonomously equipped Fendt 516 tractor, currently being put through its paces on a sports field.
The tractor, operated by Ton Tanis, has already tackled a variety of tasks, from tedding and raking grass to preparing land for bean sowing. The Klok brothers see this as more than just a trial; it’s a glimpse into the future of their business. “As a company, we are always interested in innovative technologies,” says Kees Klok. “It seems inevitable that an autonomous tractor will be deployed on our farm in the future.”
The shift towards autonomy is not just about efficiency; it’s about redefining the role of the tractor operator. The days of valuing a driver’s ability to shift gears and drive in straight lines are over. Today, the operator needs to understand and manage technology, troubleshoot issues, and even multitask by operating multiple machines simultaneously.
Ton Tanis, the regular operator of the Fendt, has found the transition to be surprisingly smooth. “After an initial explanation from the iQuus team, working with the tractor was fairly easy,” he says. The familiarity with Fendt tractors and RTK GPS on their farm has certainly helped. However, Ton has also encountered some hiccups, which were quickly resolved with assistance from iQuus.
Safety is a paramount concern with autonomous tractors, and the iQuus-equipped Fendt seems well-equipped in this regard. The tractor halts when the operator steps on or off, or even when the cab door is opened. It’s a testament to the robust safety systems in place.
The tractor is currently equipped with a combination of vision cameras and radar for obstacle detection, a first for iQuus. While this creates more data traffic, it also enhances safety. However, live video streaming, which could provide real-time monitoring, is not yet available.
The Klok brothers and Ton Tanis have several suggestions for improvement. These include emergency stop functions on implements, more headland turning options, variable forward speed based on task maps, and additional systems to monitor implement performance. They also see potential in autonomous mowing, although this would require programming to account for the asymmetrical setup.
Despite these suggestions, the brothers see clear opportunities for autonomy on their farm. Labour is expensive and scarce, and autonomous tractors can help fill this gap. Moreover, tasks where the tractor operates while the ‘driver’ does other work can lead to significant cost savings.
However, operating an autonomous tractor is not a task for just anyone. It requires a different skillset, one that Ton Tanis seems to possess. “Ton enjoys this kind of work and is interested in the technology, which makes him the ideal candidate to work with the iQuus system,” says Kees Klok.
As the iQuus-equipped Fendt 516 continues to work on the sports field, it’s not just turning soil; it’s turning the page on traditional farming. The future of agriculture is autonomous, and companies like Dick Klok Cultuurtechniek are leading the way.