Vector vs Butler Gold Pro
Two robotic barn machines, one verified table. Every figure below is sourced and dated; vendor claims are labelled and kept apart from independent results.
Lely's automatic feeding system — a feed kitchen plus a battery-electric mixing-and-feeding robot (MFR) that weighs, mixes and dispenses fresh ration on demand, scanning feed height at the fence 24/7. Current generation is the Vector MFR Next (launched March 2025) with 800 kg loading capacity; over 1,000 systems sold, in use in 31 countries. Sold and serviced in Switzerland via Lely Center Härkingen.
Best for: Dairy and beef farms wanting frequent, precise group-specific fresh feeding without a mixer wagon and daily tractor passes.Free-driving feed pusher and concentrate dispenser from Austrian feeding specialist Wasserbauer — a 700 kg, 24 V robot that navigates by 5 mm floor magnets set roughly every 2 m, makes up to 99 passes per day and, unlike a plain pusher, uses a special auger to throw feed loosely back to the trough without pressing it. Its 120-litre container (or 2 × 60 l for two components) doses concentrate, minerals or liquids onto the base feed along the way; the drive-over charging station manages batteries automatically.
Best for: Dairy barns wanting more than a pushing drum: fresh, loosened feed plus in-pass concentrate/mineral dosing from one robot, with typical energy use under 4 kWh/day for a 100-cow barn at 14 passes.| Vector Verified 2026-07-16 | Butler Gold Pro Verified 2026-07-17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Task | Robotic barn | Robotic barn |
| Autonomy | Fully autonomous | Fully autonomous |
| Country of origin | Netherlands | Austria |
| Availability | Available now | Available now |
| EU market | CE-marked | CE-marked |
| Lead time | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Last verified | 2026-07-16 | 2026-07-17 |
| Specifications | ||
| Power source | Battery-electric robot · mains-powered feed kitchen | 24 V battery — 2 × 105 Ah standard (up to 600 m/pass), optional 2 × 160 Ah (up to 1,200 m/pass); brushless maintenance-free motor |
| Required tractor power | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Dimensions | Feed kitchen sized to farm; MFR robot with mixing tub | 2,000 × 1,100 × 850 mm |
| Weight | Not disclosed | 700 kg |
| Min farm size | Feed kitchen + robot sized from mid-size herds upward | Not disclosed |
| Productivity | MFR Next loads up to 800 kg per run — 35% more than previous generation | Up to 99 passes/day; <4 kWh/day at 100 cows and 14 passes (vendor) |
| Max speed | Not applicable | Not disclosed |
| Sensors | Feed-height scanning at the feed fence · feed grabber with weighing in the kitchen | Magnet navigation — 5 mm floor magnets at ~2 m intervals |
| Price & model | ||
| Price (EUR) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Native price | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Business model | Buy via regional Lely Center; installation project incl. feed kitchen | Buy via Wasserbauer and country distributors; distributed by BouMatic in North America |
| Ongoing cost | Service contract via Lely Center; electricity; mixing-auger wear parts | Electricity; battery packs and auger wear parts; distributor service |
| Key outcome | ||
| Best verified result | Feed loading capacity +35% · vendor | Feed-pushing workload -70% · vendor |
| EU context | ||
| CE marking | CE marked | CE marked |
| Machinery Regulation | Compliant — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230; Swiss market access via CH–EU Mutual Recognition Agreement | Compliant — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (AT manufacturer) |
| CAP subsidy | Eligible under rural-development livestock schemes | Eligible under rural-development livestock schemes |
"—" means the manufacturer has not disclosed the figure; we never estimate silently. Model either machine's payback with your own numbers on its ROI calculator page.