How will tractor cabins evolve over the next ten years? Austrian manufacturer Steyr thinks cabs will not become bigger, but they will be quieter, equipped with better suspension and more spacious. Unlike the current cab, which is full of dials, operating terminals and loose cables. And, above all, the driver will be optimally connected to the digital farm in his mobile office.
Christian Huber, Vice President of Tractor Product Management at Steyr, thinks it will take a long time before the tractor cab disappears. “In most countries it will take decades before the phenomenon of large tractors being driven autonomously is allowed by governments and insurance companies. So yes, we think the cabin will remain an indispensable part of the tractor. ”
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This Steyr concept tractor is driven by hybrid technology. All electric wheel motors are interlinked. This modular design allows for increased flexibility for operators by providing sufficient power wherever it is needed most in any given situation. Furthermore, this tractor concept can operate with double zero emissions in a pure electric mode. The cabin is a highly capable virtual farm office, with fully integrated precision farming and connectivity solutions. A drone with special sensors is housed in the roof. It can fly in front of the tractor, for example in order to map the condition of the soil and crops in the plot. The tricky, wide side mirrors have been replaced by small cameras and always provide the driver with a perfect view to the rear and to the side of the tractor via a display in the cabin. - Photos: Steyr
Autonomous driving
Nevertheless, modern tractors do have technology that allows them to drive autonomously. This gives drivers more time for other things than just to intervene when something goes wrong. To enable operators to spend their time in a useful way, Steyr wants to ensure that the cabin is optimally connected digitally. Both with all on-board information from the tractor and the implement and for communication with the outside world. Huber: “For example, the farmer will get up-to-date local weather and be able to take action related to precision management systems.”
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Cab suspension
The cabin itself is also connected to the tractor in a smarter way. For example, the cab suspension system works together with the front axle suspension, the damping of the hitching system (front and rear) and the seat suspension.
As a result, the driver of the future virtually ‘floats’ across the field. In the meantime he or she can talk undisturbed to an employee who has a problem. Because, partly thanks to fully electric drive systems, cabs are also becoming much quieter. “We think that a whisper-quiet 65 dB (A) is very feasible,” says Huber.