RETROFIT AUTONOMY FOR THE TURF INDUSTRY
Long hours with an operator in the driver’s seat are becoming a thing of the past. Turf farmers across Australia can now let their tractors handle routine fieldwork on their own, thanks to Sabanto, an ag tech company based in the U.S., bringing retrofit autonomy to agriculture.
By teaming up with early-adopter turf producers, such as Australian Turf, Turfco, and Lilydale Instant Lawn, alongside trusted precision-ag dealers OneAg and Vantage NSW, Sabanto’s proven retrofit autonomy system is now available to Australian turf producers nationally.
Vantage NSW brings expertise in precision agriculture and machine control systems, helping farmers use data and automation to make smarter operational decisions. OneAg has built its reputation on delivering precision ag solutions that boost productivity and profitability. With Sabanto, Vantage NSW and OneAg are helping Australian farmers bring autonomy into everyday operations.
Sabanto turns your existing tractor into a fully autonomous machine without the need for an operator in the seat. The system combines satellite-corrected GNSS receivers, onboard cameras, perception systems, electronic and mechanical actuators, and a central control unit that monitors and manages the tractor’s CAN systems.
Routine fieldwork, such as mowing, rolling, aerating, seeding, and spreading, can be completed any time of day or night with consistency and precision.
The Retrofit Autonomy Concept
The concept is simple but powerful. Rather than replacing an entire fleet of tractors with new and expensive machines, retrofit autonomy gives new life to the equipment farms already own. Farmers can keep using the tractors they trust, but with a major cost-efficient upgrade. One that increases uptime and productivity, lowers operational costs, and reduces dependence on labor. It’s a timely solution for modern agriculture.
Farmers can extend the life of their existing machinery and focus on farm management instead of spending endless hours behind the wheel. Sabanto’s approach with retrofit autonomy offers a practical and scalable path forward.
Strong Partnerships and Local Expertise
To make autonomy work in the real world, you need more than just technology. You need ongoing support, trusted service, and boots-on-the-ground expertise. That’s exactly what Sabanto found with OneAg.
“Sabanto’s technology allows us to expand what’s possible for productivity,” says Michael Munro, Head of Autonomy at OneAg. “We’re excited to collaborate with farmers and partners to make autonomous farming a reality.”
“Autonomy only works when it’s practical, safe, and backed by people who understand the land,” says Michael Casey, Founder
and Director of Vantage NSW. “That’s what we’re here to do, make it work in the real world, for real farmers.”
These partnerships ensure Australian customers get more than just a product. They get ongoing technical support, training, and a local team that understands the unique challenges Australian farmers face.
Why Australia is the Perfect Proving Ground
Australia isn’t just another market for Sabanto; it’s a proving ground. The country’s diverse climates, challenging conditions, and forward-thinking farmers make it an ideal place to demonstrate what happens when autonomy meets agriculture.
Australian farmers are known for adopting technology early, from precision agriculture and variable-rate applications to satellite imagery and connected farm management tools. That same willingness to innovate makes adopting autonomy a natural next step.
Operating in Australia allows Sabanto to support local farmers while learning from the country’s unique conditions. Insights gained here will help shape how autonomy is deployed worldwide.
Tackling Real-World Challenges
At its core, Sabanto’s technology solves practical problems.
By automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks, autonomy allows farmers to accomplish more with fewer resources, without sacrificing quality or consistency. The result is improved productivity, better use of time, and the ability to manage more acres of turf without additional labour.
Because the system retrofits existing tractors, farmers don’t need to invest in costly new machinery or overhaul operations. Sabanto’s autonomy is affordable, scalable, and designed for modern farming.
A Smarter, More Resilient Future
In just a few short years, Sabanto has accumulated hundreds of thousands of acres operating autonomously in the U.S. Its expansion into Australia marks a major milestone in its global mission to accelerate agricultural autonomy. It provides farmers with tools to succeed in an industry that’s changing faster than ever.
Autonomy allows field operations to continue even when labor is scarce, or weather windows are tight. It offers consistency and reliability, giving farmers confidence that work will be done the right way.
“Autonomy isn’t just a productivity tool,” says Cory Spaetti, Chief Operating Officer at Sabanto. “It’s a way to build resilience into your business, so you can focus on managing your farm, not just running your equipment.”
The Future of Autonomy is Here
Sabanto’s presence in Australia is just beginning, but the impact is already clear. Local dealers are leading the rollout, and turf farmers are already using autonomy on their farms today.
Farmers interested in learning more about Sabanto’s autonomous technology can visit sabantoag.com or contact OneAg or Vantage NSW to explore retrofit options available locally.
