Honeydew engineers hoping to spark off-road revolution with Frankenstein’s tractor
Inspired by rural life, the Kotonki has the potential to bridge the gap for SMMEs and smaller manufacturers.
Whether man or machine, having the right tools for the job can aid efficiency. Christened with a variation of a Setswana word for donkey cart, Pro-Opt Engineering has crafted a burly beast to bridge the gap between intensive agriculture and small-scale transportation. Designed by Xavier Meeuwissen and Pierre Quoillin, the creation is inspired by small village life where scale and utility mesh.
While on holiday in Portugal in 2019, Pierre and Xavier witnessed how a similar vehicle had changed the way people in rural towns transported everyday items. Wanting to import the European model, they were put off by the exorbitant import costs that would render the venture unviable. Not short of engineering expertise, the pair decided to use do it themselves and the result is part tractor, part go-kart and all business.
The original designs features gearboxes, differentials and a more rigid chassis but they were scrapped as the end goal was simplicity and functionality. The finished product features a swivel carriage connected to an A-frame, operated by a single joystick for seamless forward, reverse and side-to-side steering. A two-button electric starter fires up the imported 13 horsepower Honda motor, which powers each wheel independently, allowing for two, four and all-wheel drive options.
Officially launched on July 1, Pro-Opt compiled 15 quotations within the first week. Enquiries came in from the United States, Portugal, Zambia, Tanzania and several other countries across Africa. A brewery has requested several while a popular animal shelter has also been enticed by the Kotonki’s potential. Customisable in various way, extras include a roll cage, lights, an additional seat and much more. “It is modular so you can add and remove to suit whatever requirements” says Pro-Opt’s Project Manager, Elizabeth Moynihan.
For less than the price of a quality used car, the Kontonki has the potential to become a stepping stone for those needing a more robust implement yet do not have the resources for specialised equipment. Able to carry 1.3tons on a detachable flat bed tipper, a water tanker can be attached for irrigation and when not running, the Kotonki doubles as an electric power supply. While not designed to pull, Pierre states they have not reached a limit on what it can pull, having run out of heavy objects to test it with.
The logistical challenges facing South African industries are numerous and as it is comfortable enough on a farm, an orchid, a factory and even a golf course, the Kontonki’s versatility is as ranged as the obstacles that could be put in front of it. Some machines shatter expectations and one creative application could propel the vehicle far beyond it creator’s dreams. Aiding commerce, efficiency and labour is about matching horses for courses, or in this case, a donkey.
