Driverless electric tractor

[TheMan419]

Cheers to AI: Monarch Tractor Launches First Commercially Available Electric, ‘Driver Optional’ Smart Tractor

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blogs.nvidia.com

Looks like this could be interesting. I did not look too hard, but can't find data on how long it can run between charges.

 

[grsthegreat]

ill tell you what. theres nothing more boring than driving in circles mowing a field. I did it enough when i was younger. now days i hire out a guy that mows and bales my pasture. he keeps the bales. id buy a driverless tractor in a heartbeat if i HAD to do this on my property. but ill bet the cost of this unit is sky high.

 

[ponytug]

Back in 2020, they were claiming 10 hours/charge and a $50k price tag...

The $50K Electric Monarch Tractor Can Plow a Field Without You and Run for 10 Hours

It even has generator capabilities to provide an on-site electrical supply.

www.thedrive.com

Now, $68k for 70HP...

Monarch launches first commercial "driver-optional" electric tractor

After two years of development, California startup Monarch Tractor has launched the AI-packing, all-electric MK-V Founder Series, and announced deliveries to its first customer – wine and spirits producer Constellation Brands.

newatlas.com

All the best, Peter

 

[oldnslo]

Article states targeting vineyards in California so no clue on HP required vs period of time used. I believe another company in California has released an autonomous crop sprayer for orchards. Information not mentioned was recharge time. Maybe they can put wind mills or solar panels in the vineyards and orchards to recharge them.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Kubota is supposed have one out in "23".

SR

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Last I'd seen, they had stake trucks with huge batt. packs that they could drive out into the fields to quick charge them.

SR

 

[TheMan419]

Last I'd seen, they had stake trucks with huge batt. packs that they could drive out into the fields to quick charge them.

SR

I have never understood why electric cars (and now tractors) do not have an easily replaceable battery pack. I realize there would have to be a standard across all companies..... but just drive into a "gas" station and swap out a battery pack and be back on the road in a few minutes. Then the battery can be recharged while you are driving on to the next station. I realize there is a heck of a lot more logistics in it than that, but it seems logical. Since it seems logical no legislature is ever going to deal with it.

 

[TheMan419]

Back in 2020, they were claiming 10 hours/charge and a $50k price tag...


Now, $68k for 70HP...

All the best, Peter

10 hrs seems pretty reasonable. Also if they are fully autonomous they can drive back to the barn, recharge and get back to work. So they can work overnight while I am sleeping.

As for ROI you have to factor in the money you are saving not paying an operator to run the thing. I suspect the actual payback period is on the order of 4 - 5 years.

Not practical for us small operators, but for a big operation not having to worry about your farm hands showing up for work is a good thing.

 

[LittleBill21]

I have never understood why electric cars (and now tractors) do not have an easily replaceable battery pack. I realize there would have to be a standard across all companies..... but just drive into a "gas" station and swap out a battery pack and be back on the road in a few minutes. Then the battery can be recharged while you are driving on to the next station. I realize there is a heck of a lot more logistics in it than that, but it seems logical. Since it seems logical no legislature is ever going to deal with it.

because batteries can be abused, and a finite life, if i take care of my battery and want to prolong its life, why would i stop somewhere and swap a battery that can be damaged or have a shorter life cycle, especially considering most of them cost 10-20k to replace.

 

[oosik]

There may be some type of advantage to an electric tractor - ??? But what are the advantages to a driverless tractor. You certainly aren't about to turn it loose, walk away and start some other project. The thing will have to be continuously monitored by somebody. The same somebody who could be driving a standard tractor.

And what about those - wheat, corn, soy beans, etc - with really large fields. Where the tractor will be out of sight and possibly out of range of any form of communication. That's a whole lot more than a lot of trust.

 

[4570Man]

I have never understood why electric cars (and now tractors) do not have an easily replaceable battery pack. I realize there would have to be a standard across all companies..... but just drive into a "gas" station and swap out a battery pack and be back on the road in a few minutes. Then the battery can be recharged while you are driving on to the next station. I realize there is a heck of a lot more logistics in it than that, but it seems logical. Since it seems logical no legislature is ever going to deal with it.

Who is going to pay to replace the expired batteries? The second big problem I see is a busy station would need hundreds if not thousands of batteries in reserve because they’re trading them faster then they can be charged.

 

[TractorTech]

Article states targeting vineyards in California so no clue on HP required vs period of time used. I believe another company in California has released an autonomous crop sprayer for orchards. Information not mentioned was recharge time. Maybe they can put wind mills or solar panels in the vineyards and orchards to recharge them.

​

Autonomous sprayer Global Unmanned Spray System - Guss

GUSS – Global Unmanned Spray System

gussag.com

New Holland Autonomous Electric T4 Tractor - CNH Industrial presents first electric tractor prototype with autonomous features

 

[cqaigy2]

Who is going to pay to replace the expired batteries? The second big problem I see is a busy station would need hundreds if not thousands of batteries in reserve because they’re trading them faster then they can be charged.

It only takes 20 minutes to charge from 20 back up to 80% which is close to what i take to refuel my gasoline tractor. I let it cool down a bit before adding gasoline to the tank, the muffler and exhaust pipes are in a place where it would be pretty easy to splash gas onto. While im waiting for it to cool, i check bolts etc, grease anything that needs it.

 

[grsthegreat]

It only takes 20 minutes to charge from 20 back up to 80% which is close to what i take to refuel my gasoline tractor. I let it cool down a bit before adding gasoline to the tank, the muffler and exhaust pipes are in a place where it would be pretty easy to splash gas onto. While im waiting for it to cool, i check bolts etc, grease anything that needs it.

I dont think home chargers will ever charge that fast. Those rates are the commercial 3 phase units, at least from what ive been told

 

[TN8Man]

Too bad we don't have the grid infrastructure to support a growing EV industry. They are in the process of disabling the grid by shutting down fossil fuel power generation, nuclear generation and even hydroelectric with renewable energy that does not exist to meet the demand and won't exist to meet the demand for many decades to come.

 

[scootr]

Cheers to AI: Monarch Tractor Launches First Commercially Available Electric, ‘Driver Optional’ Smart Tractor

% %

blogs.nvidia.com

Looks like this could be interesting. I did not look too hard, but can't find data on how long it can run between charges.

Advertised 10 hour run time... I'm sure your mileage will vary. Its gonna use more juice to plow than cut.

 

[scootr]

Too bad we don't have the grid infrastructure to support a growing EV industry. They are in the process of disabling the grid by shutting down fossil fuel power generation, nuclear generation and even hydroelectric with renewable energy that does not exist to meet the demand and won't exist to meet the demand for many decades to come.

Sorry farmers you can not plow plant cut for the next few days as there is an energy shortage due to high demand.
Same message the EV car people got in CA last summer and the same message Sweden sent to all EV owners effective for the duration of the winter.

 

[cqaigy2]

Sorry farmers you can not plow plant cut for the next few days as there is an energy shortage due to high demand.
Same message the EV car people got in CA last summer and the same message Sweden sent to all EV owners effective for the duration of the winter.

The message to home owners that requested you to reduce demand during peak? It didn't say you couldn't plow plant or cut, it was talking about electric usage.

 

[TheMan419]

The message to home owners that requested you to reduce demand during peak? It didn't say you couldn't plow plant or cut, it was talking about electric usage.

Yes and interestingly the thought of what peak time is changes. There are studies coming out showing that charging EV during the day may be better for managing the grid than doing it overnight.

I am not aware of any request from any government to simply not charge EV's at all.

It is similar to those of us that live in areas with "ozone action days" where they ask us not to fuel vehicles, run lawn mowers or other small engines during the heat of the day.

 

[grsthegreat]

Yes and interestingly the thought of what peak time is changes. There are studies coming out showing that charging EV during the day may be better for managing the grid than doing it overnight.

I am not aware of any request from any government to simply not charge EV's at all.

It is similar to those of us that live in areas with "ozone action days" where they ask us not to fuel vehicles, run lawn mowers or other small engines during the heat of the day.

Switzerland could ban electric vehicle use during energy crisis: reports

Swiss officials said this week they could limit electric vehicle use during potential energy crisis this winter, along with sporting events, concerts, and cryptocurrency mining.

www.foxbusiness.com