The MK-V is often described as the tractor that pays you back. How does that work? Recently, one of Monarch’s MK-V Dairy tractors came in for servicing and the team saw that the customer had logged more than 4,000 hours on it in just two years. That’s the equivalent of 4.5 hours per day, every day, for 730 days.
Monarch’s team was thrilled. These numbers are a snapshot of what electric, autonomous farming is all about — reliable, sustainable power that keeps farms, dairies, and land management enterprises running strong day after day.
Payback Time
The customer purchased at least one of its MK-V Dairy tractors by taking advantage of California’s Clean Off-Road Equipment subsidy program, or CORE. With CORE, the dairy’s out-of-pocket expense was just over $30,500. In California, as of 2025, off-road diesel runs about $4.14 per gallon and feed-pushing operations burn through approximately 1.74 gallons of diesel for every hour of use. With the MK-V Dairy, the customer saved enough money in diesel alone to nearly cover the cost of a tractor purchased with CORE in a mere two years. The customer has other MK-V Dairies that are also currently racking up the hours and associated savings.
To see a tractor with 4,000 hours is really exciting! The customer has saved so much money on fuel costs. It’s [the MK-V Dairy] is actually saving them money the more they use it. You can’t say that about many tractors out there.
Isaac Rodriguez, Manager of Operations, Monarch Tractor
A Robotic Platform with Monarch® Autodrive™
Because the dairy has outdoor lanes, it could also run its fleet autonomously using Autodrive for additional savings in labor and time. By supporting a reliable feeding routine that won’t get interrupted due to farmhands needing to tend to other pressing matters, cows can eat more, which can increase milk production and farm profitability.
Real Service That Really Cares
It’s inevitable that any tractor with that many hours experiences some ups and downs and requires servicing. In addition to servicing, this particular tractor was getting some physical upgrades to improve its performance.
We wanted to upgrade some of the parts and make it actually a better working tractor for our customers. We went through it top-to-bottom.
John Rivera, Manufacturing Technician, Monarch Tractor.
Rodriquez says that when dairy tractors come in for service, they are often caked in mud and manure. One of the first things the team does is give the tractor a good wash to help it last even longer. While this tractor went to Monarch HQ for servicing, Rivera is enthusiastic about the simplicity of taking care of the MK-V. Customers across the U.S. can rely on their local Monarch dealership for servicing, a network that is expanding rapidly.
But what about the technology? Monarch’s tractors are smart tractors loaded with the Wingspan Ag Intelligence (WingspanAI™) technology platform. That means they can also be upgraded with new features and improved performance over time through over-the-air software and firmware updates. These upgrades don’t require a visit from the dealer, owners just need to update their MK-V tractor, much like they would with their smart phone.
We can’t wait to see another 4,000 hours!
Isaac Rodriguez, Manager of Operations, Monarch Tractor
Seeing Monarch’s first MK-V clock in with over 4,000 hours in just two years is a story greater than service or savings. It’s a testament to the dedication of our incredible customers who are true partners on this journey to make agriculture healthy and profitable once again. Here’s to thousands of more hours of clean, efficient work in the fields and the rows!
