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The Monarch-made MK-V tractor is now in production with the first of the 100% electrically powered tractors – which can be manned or autonomous – heading out to market.
The Monarch-made MK-V tractor is now in production with the first of the 100% electrically powered tractors – which can be manned or autonomous – heading out to customers.
The electric drivetrain delivers 40hp (30kW) of continuous power and short duration peak up to 70hp (52kW). Depending on operating conditions, maximum battery runtime is claimed to be more than 14 hours.
However, an optional battery pack is available for those customers seeking to extend the operating range.
Monarch Tractor suggests one person can swap the batteries in less than 10 minutes. The recharge times from 0 to 100% is said to be 5 to 6 hours using an 80-amp charger unit, or out to around 12 hours with a 40-amp charger. Batteries are covered by a 10-year (10,000hr) warranty.
The MK-V is packed with safety features including roll and collision prevention, vision-based PTO (540rpm) safety and 360° cameras. The tractor will stop moving if it detects a human within 2m, and the PTO automatically shuts off if the system detects a hand or a leg within 30cm.
Offering customisable, additional packages to use the latest autonomous hardware and software technology for driver-assist and driver-optional operations, the tractor can perform pre-programmed tasks without the need for the operator.
An interactive automation feature allows the tractor to follow another in the same field. Meanwhile, it is also possible for one operator to manage up to eight MK-Vs at a time.
Said to be well suited to orchards, vineyards, or areas where noise might be an issue, the electric tractor weighs in at 2.3 tonnes and offers a turning radius of 2.7 metres.
Currently, the tractor is only available in North America, with 4-wheel drive, a Cat I/II rear linkage, 750kg lift capacity, and 75l/min hydraulics flow at prices starting at US$89,000 (NZ$141,000).
CNH Industrial recently secured a minority stake in Monarch Tractor, and the California-based start-up (founded in 2018) played a role in the development of the recently showcased New Holland T4 Electric Power tractor.
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