Autosteer: Compatibility, Accuracy Remain Top Of Mind
July 3, 2015 The world of automatic steering solutions in agriculture has evolved rapidly in the last few years. From after-market add-ons that install directly to the steering column to GPS powered units that are fully integrated with the applicator’s in-cab display, there’s an option out there for basically any machine set-up.
Ag Leader, a well-known Ames, IA-based manufacturer of ag guidance equipment, launched its newest add-on option — OnTrac3, an update for OnTrac2 — back in August 2014. Matt Pifkin, steering product specialist, says a key addition to OnTrac3 is the auto-calibration procedure, which provides a streamlined approach to vehicle tuning and calibration.
“With OnTrac3, users will see benefits from the upgrades within the ECU,” says Pifkin. “Steering performance is better than ever with the implementation of nine-axis terrain compensation and an internal compass, both of which are new additions to Ag Leader’s assisted steering products.”
He also points to OnTrac3’s updated Mechanical Drive Unit, which he says “offers more torque for increased power and quicker response for faster steering, as well as quieter operation.”
Meanwhile, Ag Leader’s SteerCommand brings RTK and repeatable sub-inch accuracy to the cab when combined with GPS 6500, according to Jeff Dickens, product sales specialist — GPS/Steering. Additionally, new features such as StableLoc ensure that connectivity issues don’t result in missed lines or inefficient driving in the field.
“When a system without StableLoc loses differential, the ability to autosteer is lost and the operator has to switch to manual steering or wait for the accuracy to return before having the ability to utilize the autosteer,” says Dickens. “With StableLoc, the system will transition to the next highest available differential source and allows the operator to continue autosteering. When the original signal is restored, the system will transition back to the higher accuracy source, eliminating position jumps.”
SteerCommand also features Auto-Calibration, which can save an operator money and time in moving the system around a large fleet.
“Auto Calibration saves time and effort by automatically learning characteristics of the vehicle,” Dickens explains. “If the manager of a large fleet is moving the steering system from machine to machine, the easy to use Auto Calibration will remember the settings for each machine that has been calibrated. When the system is moved, the installer can select the correct profile and begin the operation.”
Last but not least, the new SmartPath feature allows applicators to establish custom field-pass patterns on-the-fly.
“With SmartPath the applicator can begin guidance or autosteering after the initial pass through the field is driven, and it allows the operator to have guidance in all field shapes and sizes.”
AgJunction
AgJunction launched its eDrive lineup of autosteer solutions back in 2014, and in 2015 the Hiawatha, KS-based outfit made waves in precision agriculture circles with its March acquisition of former rival Novariant, Inc.
AgJunction President/CEO Rick Heiniger, in a conference call with shareholders to discuss terms of the merger, said at the time that the two companies believed the merger would afford them the “leading market position in autosteer technologies.”
“First of all, the combined companies will enjoy a larger market presence with more resources, increasing their ability to work side-by-side with customers around the world,” Heiniger explained. “Second, we will be establishing, managing and extending the industries’ most comprehensive intellectual property portfolio related to machine positioning, guidance and movement — an area of increasing strategic importance to our current and future customers.
“Third,” he continued, “our ability to accelerate innovation will be significantly increased through newly integrated R&D capabilities and efficiencies. Fourth, our respective sales and marketing organizations will immediately benefit from complimentary customers, market geographies and distribution channels which will provide increased revenue opportunities. And fifth, our combined organizations will be able to pursue appropriate reductions in operating redundancy to further improve profitability.”
Topcon
While Topcon may not have swallowed up any of its direct competitors via an aggressive merger this past year, the company did launch its AGI-4 steering controller.
Topcon System 350 AGI-4
“AGI-4 is an integrated steering controller; this houses our advanced GLONASS and GPS Dual Frequency RTK Satellite GNSS receiver which gives highly accurate and robust positioning data, down to two centimeter repeatable accuracy when paired with an RTK correction source being received by the optional onboard Digital UHF Radio or GSM modem,” said Nathan Watkins, product manager, in an e-mail exchange. “The AGI-4 also contains our state-of-the-art inertial sensors and digital compass, which gives full terrain compensation allowing us steer the vehicle to two centimeter accuracy across any terrain.”
Watkins says AGI-4 features “industry leading and AEF-certified ISO11783 compatibility with any ISO-VT terminal.”
“This allows us to add Topcon’s world class auto-steering performance to many steer ready vehicles that have an ISO-VT display,” Watkins explains. “The ability to add autosteering functionality as a single component can be powerful and minimize investment for professional producers and smaller lifestyle farmers alike. All together, we feel the AGI-4 brings a feature packed and modular ‘premium’ autosteering solution which is ahead of its class in the industry.”
AGI-4 could also have a new running mate in the coming months, according to Watkins.
“Our development teams have been continuously working to bring new auto steering features and functionality to the end user and striving to keep ahead of the market with regards to compatibility with new steer ready vehicles being released by vehicle manufactures,” he says. “We have some exciting new steering products in development, which we will be bringing to market over the next six to 12 months. Stay tuned!”
Trimble
Trimble debuted its “advanced line acquisition” capabilities — referred to under the trade name OnSwath — for its Autopilot automated steering system back in August just prior to the Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA.
The Sunnyvale, CA-based positioning giant claims OnSwath enables up to 50% faster line acquisition, increasing efficiency and reducing drive time and operator fatigue. Best of all, perhaps, is that the technology is available at no additional cost to users of Autopilot.
“By adding OnSwath to Trimble’s Autopilot steering system, we’ve enabled farmers to be more efficient with their field operations,” said Erik Ehn, smart machines business area director of Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “OnSwath saves time, money and fuel, while also decreasing soil compaction and crop damage. Since we’re providing the technology at no additional cost, farmers that use Trimble’s automated guidance can leverage OnSwath and measure how much it can save their farm.”
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