GPS for tractors
Trimble has unveiled a new autopilot system that links global positioning system satellites to farm tractors.
The AgGPS Autopilot automatically steers tractors to within inches for row-crop applications. The driver, with hands-free operation, can concentrate on working the implements for listing, bed preparation, planting and cultivating.
The autopilot should increase productivity for the farm through more efficient use of tractors and allow longer working hours.
The AgGPS connects to the tractor’s power steering hydraulic system to automatically steer it in straight rows. A field computer inside the cab allows the operator to select field patterns and display operating parameters. A lightbar is used to guide the tractor on the path at the beginning of a row. Once on a row, the driver engages the AgGPS system to oversee field operations.
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The system is designed to reduce driver fatigue, eliminate guess rows and allow for around the clock operation. The system also increases efficiency to lower cost per acre.
A Trimble GPS navigation controller is at the heart of the system. Attached to the controller is an AgGPS 214 Real-Time Kinematic receiver, in-cab terminal, lightbar and AgGPS 70 Remote Display and Logger. The first generation AgGPS Autopilot is aimed at high value vegetable row crops and cotton. The AgGPS Autopilot system is expected to be available after June.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.trimble.com.
New service
Green Key Solutions Inc., an independent crop consulting company, is offering private agronomic services to farmers.
The company offers soil and tissue testing to develop nutrient management plans, permanent record keeping, season-long crop inspections, including weed, insect and disease monitoring, chemical recommendations, crop and pesticide rotational planning, soil health management, and manure management recommendations.
For more information, contact Green Key Solutions at #8 4001B 19th Street N.E. Calgary, Alta.,T2E 6X8, or phone 403-250-9710.
GPS tractor
Renault Agriculture has developed a prototype of an automatic guidance system for tractors using a new type of global positioning system.
It hopes to launch a commercial, hands-free driving tractor in 2003.
The system it uses is called kinematic GPS, which offers accuracy to within a few centimetres.
Operation can be set remotely, based on the size and shape of the field and the width of the implement, or a driver can go over the field and have his route recorded to be accurately reproduced by the system.
However, the day of driverless tractors is not here yet. The company says that for safety reason the driver will still have to be in the cab, but his attention can be on monitoring the equipment.
Windrower tractors
MacDon has introduced a new line of multi-crop windrower tractors with the 900 series Harvest Header.
There have been more than 50 improvements, including an increase in hydraulic power, allowing the use of all header functions at maximum capacity while also increasing traction power.
All functions can be controlled from the cab, including hydraulic adjustment of header and guard angles and fore and aft reel adjustment.
The cab has been improved, as has the lighting package.
The header can handle hay, forage, small grains, oilseeds, grass and specialty crops.
It comes in widths from 15 to 36 feet (4.5 to 10.8 metres.)
The 922 Auger Header is designed for the demands of large operations and features improved high output conditioning with the new 10 v-bar curved, non-contact intermeshing spiral steel rolls.
Other features include a new reel bat design and a high-torque, variable-speed hydraulic reel drive for uniform crop flow into the cutterbar, auger and conditioner rolls.
MacDon tractors are distributed in Western Canada by John Deere under the Premier brand name and by Westward dealers under the Westward brand.
