OC-Group has officially unveiled its first working prototype of a controlled traffic farming tractor, known in the Netherlands as a rijpadentrekker. The machine has already completed its first operating hours in the field and represents a dedicated solution for row based and controlled traffic crop systems.
The most distinctive feature of the prototype is its hydraulically adjustable track width. In road configuration, the tractor maintains a minimum width of 2.25 meters, keeping it compliant with transport regulations. Once in the field, sliding axles allow the track to be widened by up to one meter, providing a maximum operating width of 3.25 meters. This configuration enables the tractor to remain within permanent traffic lanes while working between crop rows, particularly for mechanical weed control and inter row cultivation.
Powertrain and Driveline Specifications of the OC-Group Prototype
The prototype is powered by a Deutz diesel engine rated at 135 horsepower or 100 kW. According to the manufacturer, the tractor reaches a top speed of 40 km per hour, positioning it for both field operations and conventional road transport.
OC-Group has equipped the machine with a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, targeting smooth speed control and precise low speed operation. The tractor features a suspended front axle to improve ride comfort and traction. Steering is currently limited to the front axle, although the company confirms that four wheel steering is being evaluated for future iterations depending on customer demand and application requirements.
Development Timeline and Planned Market Launch in 2026
The displayed tractor is the first test version of a development program that has been underway for approximately two years. OC-Group plans to accumulate extensive test hours throughout the current season to validate the mechanical layout, driveline behavior, and axle design under real world conditions.
Based on the results, the manufacturer intends to build one or two updated version 2.0 prototypes in early 2026. If testing progresses as planned, OC-Group aims to have a market ready machine available in the second half of 2026. No pricing details have been disclosed at this stage.
About OC-Group and Coppens Mechanisatie
OC-Group operates from Wouw in the Dutch province of North Brabant and is a subsidiary of Coppens Mechanisatie. The company is known for developing and manufacturing Torq branded agricultural machinery, with a focus on specialized solutions for modern farming systems. The controlled traffic tractor prototype signals OC-Group’s ambition to expand beyond implements into purpose built power units tailored to precision and soil conserving agriculture.
