Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Technical developments of the last two decades make it possible to develop autonomous tractors and implements for arable farming. Despite some hurdles to overcome, like the safety aspects, it opens new possibilities in design of implements and cropping systems. New concepts in respect of platform or implement configuration are possible. One of the possibilities is that a trend of the last half century, increased implement size, will be reversed as it no longer determines labour productivity.

Autonomous row crop cultivators with a large working width require still a relatively large percentage of human labour, 20.1 percent at 12 m width, because of more frequent switching of fields. The fact that an autonomous implement does not require rest allowance has a considerable effect on capacity and therefore operating cost.

It is shown that when cost of navigation reduces below the present level, autonomous row crop cultivation becomes an attractive alternative for manual operated machinery, provided that sufficient area to be worked is available in a certain region.