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PhilRice engineers design boat-style tractor in Nueva Ecija

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The AutoBoat Tractor.

Agri-engineers from DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Nueva Ecija have developed an AutoBoat Tractor—a tractor that uses hand levers for steering and can be operated with minimal physical effort, ideal for older farmers, women, and youth.

The machine was engineered based on the common boat-style tractors used by Southeast Asian countries. It aims to make land preparation faster and more affordable for farmers. In terms of cost, a single four-wheel tractor is equivalent to three to four AutoBoat units, allowing farmers to save up to 75% on machinery investment—making it a more practical choice for smallholders.

“We kept thinking about ways to make land preparation easier for farmers who don’t want to deal with heavy mud or pricey tractors. That’s when I thought about using a left-right power transmission. Everything followed after that,” said supervising science research specialist Dr. Jasper G. Tallada.

The prototype machine, built using locally sourced materials, features a boat-shaped metal hull, a 12-hp diesel engine, and an idle clutch mechanism. It can be operated independently. Field tests show it can reach speeds of 5-7 kph and cover 0.66ha per hour with an efficiency rate of 81%.

The team is currently conducting field tests and exploring service-based models, such as leasing through local providers, to improve access and reduce ownership risks.

“By reducing labor demand and machine ownership costs, while being more inclusive to users, the AutoBoat offers a practical solution for land preparation. The team envisions incorporating remote-control electronics into the machine to further enhance its capabilities,” Tallada explained.

For its innovation, the “AutoBoat Tractor: A Novel Machine for Rice Production” was recognized at the 74th Annual National Convention of the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (PSABE), winning second Best Poster and third Best Technical Paper.

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