Tech Kits Automate Existing Tractors

2023 - Volume #47, Issue #5, Page #38

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“We manufacture an aftermarket retrofit kit to add automation and autonomy to existing tractors,” says Kyle Dooley, COO of Sabanto, an Illinois-based AgTech company. “It’s a mix of hardware and software.”
The technology is currently focused on tasks such as mowing, tillage, seeding, weeding, cultivation and rototilling.
“In theory, the system is universal, but the tricky part is integrating it into a machine,” Dooley says. “At this point, we’re primarily working on Kubota M5 tractors and will be releasing it for the Fendt 700 series soon.”
He explains the Sabanto system consists of two parts, the hardware on the machine that enables autonomy and the “real” product which is the cloud-based mission control platform for communication, mission planning, and monitoring while in use.
Most of the hardware, including lidar, cameras and sensors, is available off the shelf. The hardware Sabanto develops is an integration module, the cellular communication to and from the machine, plus the GPS infrastructure for navigation and location.
“Our proprietary hardware is where the magic happens,” Dooley says. “We’re aggregating all the sensing from the machine into the controller, and then the controller is also the input and output between the system and the tractor.”
Sabanto’s headquarters are located in Illinois, where they develop their software and user interface. Vehicle integration is done at an Iowa location.
Numerous dealers are taking orders on a limited basis to match the compatibility of the products they’re currently working with. A small number of commercial units are already being used with Sabanto keeping a watchful eye out for any issues.
Dooley urges customers to contact their local dealer for pricing but the kit and an ongoing subscription to maintain the latest software package and updates come in around the same dollar value as a well-optioned pickup truck.
A group of nine AgTech solution providers covers most of the arable acres in North America and can provide kit installations at work sites or dealer locations.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Sabanto Ag, 150 E. Pierce Rd., Suite 230, Itasca, Ill. 60143 (sales@sabantoag.com; www.sabantoag.com).

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Tech Kits Automate Existing Tractors TRACTORS Conversions “We manufacture an aftermarket retrofit kit to add automation and autonomy to existing tractors ” says Kyle Dooley COO of Sabanto an Illinois-based AgTech company “It’s a mix of hardware and software ” The technology is currently focused on tasks such as mowing tillage seeding weeding cultivation and rototilling “In theory the system is universal but the tricky part is integrating it into a machine ” Dooley says “At this point we’re primarily working on Kubota M5 tractors and will be releasing it for the Fendt 700 series soon ” He explains the Sabanto system consists of two parts the hardware on the machine that enables autonomy and the “real” product which is the cloud-based mission control platform for communication mission planning and monitoring while in use Most of the hardware including lidar cameras and sensors is available off the shelf The hardware Sabanto develops is an integration module the cellular communication to and from the machine plus the GPS infrastructure for navigation and location “Our proprietary hardware is where the magic happens ” Dooley says “We’re aggregating all the sensing from the machine into the controller and then the controller is also the input and output between the system and the tractor ” Sabanto’s headquarters are located in Illinois where they develop their software and user interface Vehicle integration is done at an Iowa location Numerous dealers are taking orders on a limited basis to match the compatibility of the products they’re currently working with A small number of commercial units are already being used with Sabanto keeping a watchful eye out for any issues Dooley urges customers to contact their local dealer for pricing but the kit and an ongoing subscription to maintain the latest software package and updates come in around the same dollar value as a well-optioned pickup truck A group of nine AgTech solution providers covers most of the arable acres in North America and can provide kit installations at work sites or dealer locations Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Sabanto Ag 150 E Pierce Rd Suite 230 Itasca Ill 60143 sales@sabantoag com; www sabantoag com

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