June 02, 2010
GPS AND PRECISION FARMING – AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
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While farmers all around Australia have embraced GPS technology over the past decade, and continue to do so in increasing numbers, it's important to take an integrated approach in order to ensure the greatest chance of success, according to Case IH Brand Managers, Advanced Farming Systems (AFS), Ross Johansson.
"There are plenty of aftermarket options for farmers who want to begin using GPS, but a system that's bolted on after the machine is built will never have the same seamless functionality as a system that was fitted to the machine during the build," explained Ross.
"An aftermarket system doesn't interact with the tractor's internal systems, monitoring things like engine, transmission and hitch performance. And, when you bolt a system like this on after the build, you can encounter problems down the track with oil leaks or rubbing wiring harnesses. To avoid all of this - and to have a much more accurate, comprehensive and effective precision agriculture system - it's far better to choose an integrated system from the start."
Case IH introduced the industry's first complete factory installed autoguidance system, offering the ultimate in integration. Case IH AccuGuide is a fully automated steering system that enables repeatable accuracy down to less than two centimetres (depending on the type of GPS system used), reducing overlaps, cutting input costs and maximising yield potential.
"From guidance and automated steering to application, machine and implement control to yield mapping and moisture monitoring, all of the AFS functions are controlled by one, portable screen - the AFS Pro 600 monitor," said Ross. "The AFS Pro 600 monitor is the key. It's completely portable between machines, so you can take it out of your Axial-Flow combine harvester when the harvest is over and put it in your Steiger or Magnum tractor for seeding. The information it collected during the harvest can be used to inform the variable seeding rate via yield maps.
"Case IH Axial-Flow combines, Patriot sprayers and Steiger, Quadtrac, Magnum and some Puma tractors are all AccuGuide Ready, which means they're pre-wired for the AFS Pro 600 system with AccuGuide fully automated guidance. The one monitor can be transferred seamlessly from machine to machine, taking you from seeding to spraying to harvest all for the one investment. It even recognises which machine it's in and changes its settings appropriately.
"This integrated approach is simply not possible with aftermarket systems. In addition, it can become confusing if you put together a system made up of lots of different components from different suppliers. When you get your guidance system with your tractor, sprayer or combine, you're getting it from a one-stop-shop - your Case IH dealer. This simplifies things immensely, so that if you have questions or run into problems setting up and using your system, you know exactly who to talk to and you can be confident that they'll be able to help you," added Ross.
Using the integrated AFS tools in conjunction with GPS systems like RTK (Real Time Kinematic), farmers can create and analyse yield maps for effective seed and fertiliser placement, maintain controlled traffic environments for reduced compaction, minimise overlaps for increased efficiency and allow the machine operator to concentrate on the task at hand rather than on steering the machine, reducing operator fatigue and reducing the chance of operator error.
"It's important to note that not all GPS systems are created equal," added Ross. "There is a significant difference in accuracy between a standard GPS satellite system and an RTK system, which uses a base station to send correction signals to ensure accuracy down to two centimetres. Case IH dealers around Australia have set up and are setting up RTK networks for customers in their areas, giving Australian farmers the highest level of precision ever."
Secure RTK
RTK systems rely on a base station and one or more remote receivers. Thanks to the increasing popularity of RTK networks, Case IH has recently launched Secure RTK, a remote monitoring feature that also allows the network owner to securely manage access to the network. This protects farmers' subscriptions to the network, preventing unauthorised access.
By adding a cellular modem, the RTK base station can report on its own status and local conditions such as signal strength without a technician or user having to actually visit the base station. This is a particular advantage on larger properties, where base stations could be located a long way from the home. In addition, if the base station were to lose signal or run out of battery, the technician would already be aware of the problem via the remote monitoring, allowing them to fix the problem quickly and simply.
