Equipment

Sabanto launches tractor tech revolution in Australia.(Image credit: Sabanto)

In a bold move set to reshape the future of farming, US-based agricultural technology company Sabanto has officially expanded its autonomous tractor technology to Australia

The company’s innovative retrofit systems, which transform standard tractors into fully autonomous workhorses, are now available to Australian farmers through strategic partnerships with OneAg and Vantage NSW.

This marks Sabanto’s first major international expansion and a significant milestone for agri-tech in Australia. Instead of requiring costly investment in new machinery, Sabanto’s technology offers a smarter, cost-effective solution by upgrading the equipment farmers already trust and use.

“Australia’s agricultural sector is highly innovative, and we’re eager to partner with local experts to deliver affordable autonomy to farmers,” said Craig Rupp, CEO and Founder of Sabanto. “Together with OneAg and Vantage NSW, we’re helping farmers adopt this technology with the local expertise and service they already trust.”

Sabanto’s retrofit autonomy kits integrate seamlessly with a wide range of existing tractors, enabling 24/7 operation without the need for constant human supervision. This leap forward not only improves labour efficiency but also allows producers to tackle time-sensitive tasks such as seeding and spraying with greater precision and reliability.

The partnership with OneAg, a leader in precision agriculture, reflects a shared vision for the future of farm operations. “Autonomy represents one of the biggest shifts in how we’ll approach farming over the next decade,” said Michael Munro, Head of Autonomy at OneAg. “Sabanto’s technology allows us to expand what’s possible for productivity. I’m excited to lead this next chapter and work closely with our partners and customers to make autonomous farming a reality.”

Vantage NSW, another key collaborator, brings in-depth knowledge of precision ag systems across the full farming lifecycle. Founder and Director Michael Casey shared, “Our customers want smarter ways to do more with the equipment they already own. Partnering with Sabanto allows us to deliver advanced autonomy solutions, helping farmers improve efficiency while addressing labour and cost challenges.”

The introduction of autonomous retrofits into the Australian market is especially timely, with producers across the country facing increasing pressure from rising input costs, unpredictable labour availability, and extreme weather patterns. Sabanto’s systems help mitigate these challenges while positioning farms for long-term digital transformation.

As Sabanto builds its international dealer network, this expansion underscores a global shift in agriculturewhere smarter, smaller, and more adaptable technologies are paving the way for scalable, sustainable farming solutions.

Grand L70 Series is designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s residential and commercial farm operators. (Image credit: Kubota)

Kubota has raised the bar in compact tractor innovation with the launch of its next-generation Grand L70 Series, designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s residential and commercial farm operators

With three model options - deluxe, premium, and cold-weather - the L70 series offers serious versatility, combining advanced intelligent hydrostatic transmission (iHST) with operator-first comfort and smart functionality.

At the heart of the Grand L70 is Kubota’s all-new iHST, engineered to tailor performance with adjustable pedal sensitivity, auto-throttle advance, and six speed ranges. Whether you're feeding livestock, shifting bales, or clearing snow, drive modes like road, loader, cutter, and snow make gear-shifting seamless. The hydro dual-speed allows real-time high/low switching within each range delivering unmatched control and efficiency.

The tech doesn’t stop there. Operators now have a K-Command Display - a vivid colour screen with Bluetooth connectivity and hands-free calling. You can monitor performance, tweak drive modes, and keep productivity on point. Meanwhile, digital stall guard protects your PTO and engine under heavy load, automatically adjusting to keep operations running smoothly.

Comfort on the job has been reimagined with the introduction of Kubota’s ProCab - a factory-installed cab option on the deluxe and premium models. With heated glass, rear wiper, remote start, defrosters, and a heated swivel seat, the ProCab offers a controlled environment in any season. Its curved glass and four-post design maximise visibility ideal when working in tight yards or long fields.

Under the bonnet, the Grand L70 houses a Kubota diesel engine with outputs from 37 to 60 hp, featuring Common-Rail System (CRS) for cleaner combustion and consistent torque. The deluxe model comes with a naturally aspirated engine, while the premium boasts turbocharged power.

Pair it with Kubota’s performance-matched loaders (LA806, LA1056, LM1056) or the BH92A backhoe, and the Grand L70 becomes a true workhorse lifting over 3,000 lbs, digging over 9 feet, and simplifying daily farm tasks with quick attach/detach systems.

For farmers seeking precision, comfort, and year-round productivity, the Grand L70 is more than a tractor, it’s your next essential farmhand.

The DX7004 is powered by a dual-motor hybrid powertrain. (Image credit: Zoomlion)

In a significant leap for agricultural technology, China’s Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. has unveiled its most powerful hybrid wheeled tractor to date — the DX7004

Launched at the company’s Smart Industry City in Changsha, this nearly 4-metre-high machine represents a new era of high-performance, hybrid-powered farming equipment.

At the heart of this groundbreaking tractor lies cutting-edge hybrid drive technology, setting a global benchmark for high-horsepower agricultural machinery. With a peak output of 1,200 horsepower, the DX7004 is tailored for large-scale, high-intensity farming, making it an ideal solution for modern agricultural operations. The tractor integrates Zoomlion’s proprietary innovations, including a digital chassis and smart control systems, which enhance both efficiency and usability on the field.

Fu Ling, vice-president and chief engineer at Zoomlion said, “Zoomlion has successfully leveraged its strength in construction equipment to accelerate the transformation of the agricultural sector. We are committed to driving the modernization of agricultural machinery by setting new standards in performance, powertrain efficiency, and intelligence."

The DX7004 is powered by a dual-motor hybrid powertrain, offering 700 horsepower and a peak torque of 4,500 Nm, enabling the machine to cover up to 480 hectares (7,200 mu) in just 12 hours. The electric drive system allows for stepless speed control, ensuring optimal performance for various farming tasks. The tractor also features Zoomlion’s self-developed EPiot smart driving system and the AOS intelligent operations platform, enabling autonomous driving and centimetre-level precision for enhanced accuracy and productivity.

 Liu Yuxin, General Manager of Zoomlion’s Agricultural Machinery Division said, “The DX7004 sets new standards in power, efficiency, and intelligent control. With innovations like electric continuously variable transmission and full-speed autonomous driving, we are driving the evolution of agricultural machinery toward greater intelligence and sustainability.”

Since its entry into the agricultural equipment sector in 2014, Zoomlion has swiftly positioned itself as a key player in global farming solutions. The company now offers a complete range of products for plowing, planting, crop management, and harvesting, spanning both paddy and dryland farming.

With the DX7004, Zoomlion is taking agriculture to the next level combining intelligence, efficiency, and sustainability in one powerful, state-of-the-art package.

ProgressiveTraction features an innovative double-edge lug design. (Image credit: Trelleborg Tires)

In the shifting soil of modern agriculture, where weather is unpredictable and margins are tight, it’s often the overlooked details like tyres that make all the difference

For over a decade, Trelleborg’s ProgressiveTraction technology has been doing just that: delivering practical, field-tested advantages to farmers navigating today’s demanding conditions.

Born from real-world farming needs, ProgressiveTraction features an innovative double-edge lug design, crafted to provide superior traction, reduce soil compaction, and improve stability—even in the most unforgiving field conditions. Combined with self-cleaning tread patterns and wider lugs to reduce vibration, this tyre offers smoother, smarter performance where it matters most.

Alessio Bucci, Marketing Training & Development Director said, “Each feature of ProgressiveTraction has been carefully developed by our tyre experts to give farmers real advantages in the field, every day.” He added, “Whether the goal is to maximise performance or increase efficiency, this technology delivers a field-tested response to the performance expectations of modern agriculture.”

The technology even proved itself at the bottom of the world. In 2014, ProgressiveTraction was fitted to a Massey Ferguson 5610 that completed a 5,000-km journey to the South Pole and back during the Antarctica2 Expedition.

“Taking part in such a complex expedition allowed us to put our expertise into practice in the most challenging conditions,” Bucci explains.

Today, ProgressiveTraction powers a full range of Trelleborg’s agricultural tyres, from the TM1000 for high-horsepower tractors, to the TM3000 for harvesters and TM600 for row crops. The newer TM900 offers up to 17% more grip and 20% longer tyre life than competitors.

With the Premium Care Portal, Trelleborg now backs select models with up to 5,000 certified hours of tread wear, offering even more peace of mind to working farmers.

Bucci added, “As agriculture continues to move forward, this technology stands ready to leave its mark on an ever-wider range of tyres and applications.”

The system is capable of cleaning up to six tiers of cages. (Image credit: Kohshin Engineering Co.)

The Venus 2.0 is an advanced cleaning robot built to improve hygiene in poultry houses by significantly reducing the need for manual labour

Designed with ease of use and durability in mind, it delivers reliable cleaning performance with minimal human intervention.

The system is capable of cleaning up to six tiers of cages, handling heights of up to four metres. It operates smoothly in aisles ranging from 0.6 to 1.4 metres wide, making it suitable for various poultry house layouts. The robot is operated through a tablet interface, which allows users to set, repeat, and monitor cleaning routines in real time with ease.

A key feature of the Venus 2.0 is its specially designed rotating nozzle system. As it moves vertically, it targets hard-to-reach spots that are often missed with manual cleaning. Lab tests have confirmed its superior cleaning results compared to traditional methods.

Thanks to its large-diameter wheels, the robot can clean long aisles—up to 100 metres—without manual repositioning. It’s equipped with a hose reel that works in sync with the robot, automatically adjusting as it moves to keep operations seamless and hands-free.

Powering the system is a high-pressure pump developed by Kohshin, operating at up to 25 MPa. The pump uses a crank mechanism for stable performance and minimal maintenance and can also be used manually if needed.

Venus 2.0 is engineered to handle both single- and double-sided cleaning, depending on the aisle setup. It uses 15 to 30 litres of water per minute, weighs around 220 kg for the main unit and 190 kg for the hose reel, and runs on single-phase power.

One effective method being adopted by many modern farms is the use of Pure Hypochlorous Acid (PHA)(Image credit: Hydroponic Systems)

Irrigation systems often face wear and tear over time, but few growers realise that the water itself can be one of the main culprits behind this deterioration

According to the team at Hydroponic System, “Growers rarely consider water as an agent that accelerates the deterioration of their infrastructure. However, irrigation water can carry microorganisms, sediments, and organic compounds that form biofilms inside gutters, drip systems, filters, and pipes.” These biofilms not only cause blockages and disrupt irrigation uniformity, but also accelerate biological corrosion, which shortens the life of these systems. That’s why installing a dedicated water disinfection system is increasingly being seen not just as a hygiene solution but as a long-term investment in infrastructure.

One effective method being adopted by many modern farms is the use of Pure Hypochlorous Acid (PHA). This disinfectant is broad-spectrum and cost-effective to generate on-site. It works efficiently against bacteria, fungi, algae, and especially biofilms that form in pipes and other parts of irrigation networks. Unlike harsher chemicals, PHA doesn’t corrode plastic or metal components when used correctly. It's safe for continuous use in recirculating systems and is even suitable for organic farming. “Installing a water disinfection system for agricultural use is not only a sanitary measure but also an investment in the durability of channels and pipes.”

By preventing biofilm buildup, PHA keeps internal surfaces clean, reduces friction and corrosion, and helps maintain steady water flow. This is essential for avoiding water stress and achieving uniform irrigation—especially important in high-value crops like strawberries, cherry tomatoes, or peppers. It also lowers the need for harsh mechanical cleaning, aggressive flushing, or early pipe replacements, helping farmers cut down on maintenance time and costs.

In dry regions where pad-and-fan cooling systems are common, PHA also extends the life of water-contact parts. Compared to other treatments, it stands out for its balance between effectiveness and material safety. While chlorine and hypochlorite are powerful, they can damage seals and plastics. UV systems help in pretreatment but don't eliminate existing biofilm. Peroxides may aid oxygenation but offer limited long-term protection. PHA, by contrast, works continuously, supports beneficial microbes, and is well-suited for systems with recirculation, external piping, or open gutters.

PHA systems are especially valuable in greenhouses that reuse drainage water, where pathogen and biofilm build-up is a frequent issue. They’re also ideal for farms dealing with clogged drippers or routine pipe replacements. When correctly sized, a PHA unit reduces chemical and labour demands and enables remote monitoring, often paying for itself within just a few crop cycles. Ultimately, treating irrigation water with PHA is both a preventative and protective measure that enhances system reliability and longevity, contributing to healthier crops and more profitable operations.