AUSTRALIA's first driverless tractor made a grand appearance at the Tulloona Conservation Farming Group Field Day to the awe of growers and industry.
The driverless technology was applied to the Fendt 936 Vario tractor by Holland technology manufacturer, Probotiq.
Tractor owner Gerrit Kurstjens had heard of the company's experience fitting the driverless technology to smaller tractors used on golf courses.
In May this year, company representatives spent time on Mr Kurstjens Beefwood property, north of Moree, applying the technology to the Fendt.
They returned in late August before it made its first public appearance at the Tulloona field days.
Mr Kurstjens said the driverless tractor had been used for spot spraying on the 100,000 hectare farm which grows wheat, barley, chickpeas and sorghum. He said future uses would include tramline renovation work and other field work.
Mr Kurstjens is pleased with the driverless tractor and believes it’s the way of the future.
He said the driverless tractor was most suited "easy" work in the paddock.
"It's better than what I expected," he said. "There are a lot of safety features; if something is wrong the tractor stops and then an automated phone call comes through and you go to the field and assess the problem."
Picture: SARAH COULTON
