A concept model wide-wheel base tractor just shipped from the John Deere factory in the United States will be a star attraction at a field day at UQ Gatton on Wednesday, July 16.
The tractor, which is factory-modified to three-metre wheel centres, has been hailed as a major advance in the development of controlled traffic farming.
A team of company technical experts from Iowa, USA, will attend the Kondinin field day which is part of the International Soil Tillage Research Organisation (ISTRO) world conference from July 13 to 18.
University of Queensland farm mechanisation expert Dr Jeff Tullberg said the new tractor would be one of the most important innovations highlighted at the world soil science conference at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus.
Dr Tullberg, who is ISTRO President, said the conference had attracted more than 250 delegates from 40 countries.
“We’ve been campaigning to get the major tractor manufacturers interested in offering a wide-wheel option for many years and it is most encouraging that John Deere has taken up the challenge,” he said.
Dr Tullberg and a team of Australians visited major tractor factories in the USA earlier this year as part of a project supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
The July 16 field day will feature a range of precision farming equipment and producers will be able to inspect field trials and talk with visiting world experts.
“We hope a large crowd of farmers will come along to what promises to be a very interesting day, ” Dr Tullberg said.
John Deere Product Development Manager Kevin Platz said the modified independent front suspension and extended axles would be field-tested extensively in Australia for up to 12 months before going into commercial production.
It would be offered as an option fitted to new tractors covered by full factory warranty.
Mr Platz said the concept had been under development for more than two years in the U.S. in response to demand from farmers in Australia and other parts of the world.
“Australia is leading the way in controlled traffic farming and we are pleased to bring the first unit here for testing and evaluation,” he said.
Mr Platz said there was a strong possibility that components for the wide track modification could be sourced from Australia.
Dr Tullberg said having a wide wheel base tractor available from a major manufacturer would be a huge advance for controlled traffic farming.
“Until now, farmers have had to carry the expense of modifications after purchase and this also probably voids their warranties,” he said.
“Using a tractor and harvester with the same wheel spacing fitted with precision guidance equipment can reduce the area of soil damaged by wheel traffic by 85 percent.
“Damaged soil absorbs and stores less rainfall. It is bad for crop yield, particularly in times of drought.
“Repairing the damage means cultivation which costs money, and destroys protective surface residues.”
Media: For more information, contact Dr Jeff Tullberg (telephone 07 5460 1354 or 0417 134 372), Ben White (telephone 07 4639 6180) or Anthony Smith (telephone 0409 265 587).
