Exos by Lely: Fresh grass without a driver

In Ostfriesland, the first Lely Exos has been operating since October 2024. With this machine, Lely introduces what they claim to be the world's first autonomous solution that harvests fresh grass multiple times a day and feeds it at the feeding table. Additionally, the Exos can distribute liquid fertilizer during the mowing process.

The machine can eject fresh grass on both sides via a conveyor belt. When combined with the Vector, fresh grass and TMR alternate.

To minimize soil impact, the machine has a maximum payload of 1,400 kg, carrying an average of 1,000 kg of fresh grass per trip daily. The energy consumption is around 4-5 kWh per 1,000 kg of fresh grass.

A double knife bar is designed to cut the grass gently. It is then transported to the loading area via an elevator, where a conveyor belt piles it up, aiming to preserve the grass quality.

The vehicle weighs 3,400 kg when empty, has a turning radius of approximately 6.2 meters, and operates in 'dog walk' mode to protect the soil and allow for versatile use on different farm structures. It can handle slopes of up to 10 degrees.

Due to weather conditions and mowing frequency, applying manure can be challenging. Therefore, the Exos can distribute liquid fertilizer through these nozzles.

The Exos features a 2-meter-wide double knife bar and a 1.8-meter-wide fertilizer boom. With a 200-liter fertilizer tank, it can spread up to 50 kg of nitrogen per hectare.

The machine operates only in conjunction with the Lely Vector automatic feeding system or the unreleased Juno Max. These systems measure the feed height and signal when new grass is required. Additionally, the machines can avoid each other.

Lely aims to sell more machines in Germany, with around 20 units currently operational in the Netherlands. The target market for the feeding system includes farms with at least 35-40 hectares of grassland or forage accessible and separated from the barn without public roads. Depending on the amount of fresh grass in the ration, an Exos can feed between 150 to 400 cows.

For more information about the system and the German pilot farm, stay tuned for updates here and in the next issue of top agrar magazine.