Xaver GT: Fendt presents the implement carrier of the future

Fendt is taking a leap into the future with the world premiere at Agritechnica of the Xaver GT, a concept for an autonomous agricultural robot that now has all the features of a finished machine. The acronym is the abbreviation of the German term Geräte-Träger – tool carrier - with which the German company evolves the “one-man” system into a “no-man” or operator-less system. The Xaver GT weighs 'just' 3 tons, which minimizes soil compaction, while its innovative design ensures even weight distribution across both axles when implements are installed. Worthy of note are its ability to mount tools individually and to combine different work phases, such as hoeing and harrowing, and the four mounting areas - front, rear, semi-mounted and central, between the axles - capable of providing considerable application flexibility. Mechanical weed control in row crops is growing rapidly in both organic and conventional agriculture. The Xaver GT supports this trend by being able to act against weeds on each individual plant with the utmost precision. Using standardized interfaces, such as the three-point hitch and hydraulic connections, the Fendt vehicle can work throughout the entire crop cycle and carry out a wide range of light agricultural work. The central mounting position also features a hydraulic lift, built on a sliding frame. Both three-point lifts have a lifting capacity of two tons. Its 3.4m wheelbase ensures a smooth and stable ride. Depending on practical requirements and needs, the track width of the Xaver GT can be adjusted to 1.5 m, 1.8 m, 2 m or 2.25 m, measurements that cover most cultivation systems. With a height from the ground of 50 cm, it can also be used in later growth stages without damaging plants. These features, says Fendt, allow fields to be cultivated using standard tractors in alternation with the Xaver GT. The German manufacturer gives a specific example: soil preparation before sowing sugar beet can be carried out using a conventional tractor, and then sowing, weeding, harrowing and other cultivation operations can be carried out with the Fendt Xaver GT. All of this can be done independently. During road transport, the Xaver GT transforms into a trailer that can be transported into the field with a tractor. Once in the field, a single individual can use a special remote control to guide the agricultural robot into position and activate its working mode. The Xaver GT has a serial hybrid propulsion system with two backup batteries. The 25 kW (48 V) generator is powered by a diesel engine. A battery system with a capacity of 9 kWh provides additional power when needed. In the field, the Fendt Xaver GT operates at a maximum speed of 10 km/h. The four independent steering wheels are powered by electric motors and can be controlled in various steering modes. In addition to 'regular' Ackermann steering, it is possible to use four-wheel steering to obtain smaller radii or overlapping mode, i.e. crab steering plus four-wheel steering, which is particularly useful on steep slopes.

The user interface is based on FendtONE and allows remote access to the machine via mobile phone, tablet or PC. In addition to advanced route planning and satellite guidance, the Fendt Xaver GT is equipped with camera and lidar systems that use artificial intelligence to recognize features such as plants, rows and lanes.