If you had to organize a several-thousand-kilometer-long expedition through a tough and wild continent like Australia, in the midst of boundless desolated areas in the Outback, you would probably choose 4×4 off-road vehicles, well-equipped jeeps, or maybe some rugged trucks. You probably wouldn’t even dream of using farming tractors.
However, there are four McCormick Pro-Drive tractors with robust BKT Agrimax RT 657 tires and full travel equipment starring in Xtractor Around the World, an extraordinary expedition which leaves from Melbourne to reach the legendary Ayers Rock, crossing a distance of 8,500km through the states of Victoria and New South Wales en route to the Northern Territory.
The expedition aims to highlight agriculture’s crucial role in facing the challenges of overpopulation and global warming. Technology and agriculture must form a cooperative alliance to successfully master these challenges and BKT is right at the forefront, by the farmers’ side, and by side of their equipment, which requires forever higher-performing tires that are gentle to the soil on which they move.
In addition to the three Italian-made X7 and one X6 McCormick Pro-Drive tractors, the Xtractor caravan also includes three off-road vehicles for the TV crew. The video production in UltraHD format is done through three mobile units, four action cameras, a drone and a motorized steadycam in order to keep track of all expedition stages. A support vehicle arranged as a mini editing studio produces TV and internet clips with the pictures, comments and all the occurrences that take place during the expedition.
It is a highly technological expedition putting both people and equipment, from tires to motors, to a tough test. All team members must show attributes including passion, commitment, firmness, adaptability and inventiveness, as well as an entrepreneurial spirit. Exactly the same traits that all farmers show in their daily job, dedicated to farming and food production.
Xtractor Around the World will undoubtedly thrill the television audience as it shows how extreme conditions are mastered by farmers and their equipment, not only through adventuring but in their day-to-day activities.
October 9, 2015
