Daire McCabe

WORKS Platform - High capacity mowing, with the cab in the forward position to maximise visibility.

Background - This was my final degree project. In this project, I started from scratch, got rid of the standard layout and rebuilt the tractor from the ground up. Modern agricultural activities are changing - machinery work is taken up largely by contractors who are travelling long distances by road, and doing lots of haulage work. Versatility was the key, and all-round performance, whether the machine is working in fields, on the road, on building sites or in the farmyard.

Cutaway View - A cutaway view showing the layout of the machine's components - a lot of work went into the the packaging of the components in order to save space, maximise access and functionality, and improve performance. The lifting mechanism for the tracks can be seen in greater detail, as well as the dual-disc braking system and flat-six engine.

Reversible Cab - The cab rotates fully, and can lock into position either in the centre or at one-end of the machine. This helps to maximise operator visibility depending on the job being done. The cab also has the ability to raise to further improve visibility, especially for jobs such as loading trailers. The lifting mechanism consists of a hydraulic ram and a pair of arms. The ram can be set to "float" mode, therefore providing suspension for the cab.

Patented Sliding Articulation Joint - When turning, the pivot joint slides in the direction of the turn, reducing the chance of the front and rear halves of the machine hitting each other, therefore allowing the tractor to achieve roughly twice the turning angle of any other machine. Also, the front and rear halves can slide independently around the pivot - offsetting themselves so that the rear tracks don't follow the path of the front tracks. This reduces soil compaction, helping to improve crop yields.

In Situ Trailer

Load Platform - When the cab is rotated to the front, a large platform is revealed which can host implements, flat-beds, tanks etc. Think Unimog versatility, allowing the machine to transcend agriculture and be used as a viable tool in construction, forestry and municipal work. Another key feature is the inclusion of a "fifth wheel" truck hitch. The rear deck was specially designed to be no more than 1.2 metres high, allowing for standard truck trailers to be towed.

Truck-trailer Haulage

Patented Lifting Track System - A debate exists regarding what is more beneficial in agricultural machinery - tracks or wheels? Tracks have substantially more traction and better flotation than wheels, therefore making them the prime choice for field work. Wheels offer better comfort on hard surfaces, allow for higher speed and cause less soil damage when turning. For me, tracks won out, however I wanted the best of both worlds, so set about re-thinking the track.

In Situ Rake

In Situ Baling

WORKS studio shot