This might not be a machine the average farmer would buy, but for farmer-contractors in hilly areas it could be a novel way of getting local authority business.

It’s a new remote control mower specially designed for tackling tough terrain without putting operators in a hazardous situation.

Called, logically enough, the Robocut, it’s the result of a development project between UK-based McConnel and Italian remote control specialist Energreen. It’s now on sale through McConnel’s dealer network.

While the £40,000 list price may sound steep, the company points out that it can save vast amounts of time otherwise spent hand-trimming on steep slopes. The wide tracks mean it can master slopes up to 55° and it is designed to work along riverbanks, railway embankments, paths, parks and public utility sites

The Robocut has a 1.3m flail head and can be operated from 150m away. It has a 40hp Isuzu diesel engine that gives speeds of up to 7kph. A novel oil distribution system ensures all parts stay lubricated even when working on steep slopes, says the company, and a Clean-Fix reversible fan keeps the radiator matrix clean.