The front axle steer six-wheeled drive monster, designed and built by Greaves Enterprises, offers potential users from a range of rural industries the option of customising to suit individual cropping requirements.

This might see it operate as a self-propelled sprayer or as a cane haul-out vehicle, or even as a grain chaser bin all operating on 2.5m wheel tracks.

The three-generation farm engineering team based in Bundaberg district says its model 450 specialty application truck is the outcome of a large-scale melon grower's requirement for a purpose-built machine capable of rapidly and efficiently applying herbicide and nutrients, as well as liquid fertilisers.

Greaves Enterprises has had the concept of a cab-chassis in mind for a number of years, only requiring a grower's nod of approval to turn the concept into reality.

Merv Greaves and his son Paul are skilled mechanical inventors and draftsman, quickly computerising their early sketches into 2-D and 3-D representations prior to showing their clients.

"We build our machines from the ground up in our factory," Merv Greaves said.

"The electronics available now are incredible, making it possible to control everything from the cab."

The noted machinery designer said the younger generation was "so in tune" with the possibilities electronics can now offer that this added a whole new dimension to the machinery the company was able to design and build.

"The technology is all coming together now," Merv said.

"So many features can be built into the machine so it can monitor itself.

"For example, if the engine temperature gets too high, the computer will automatically turn cooling fans into reverse mode to self-clean the cooling system."

Meanwhile, the necessary 'grunt' comes in the shape of a Caterpillar CAT C13 322kW (430hp) that is matched with an Allison automatic powershift transmission.