Farm machinery lends itself to further automation and engineers and designers are using the latest technology to bring more and more automation to the field. They believe that this technology will allow for greater efficiency and more information that flows quicker to the farmer in order to make good management decisions and deal with included issues of traceability.
The end result is that the current generation of tractors have started talking. They are being equipped with various global positioning (GPS) and mobile phone technology systems to allow for a conversation between machines and between machines and the operator or machine owner.
All of the major farm machinery firms have embraced this technology. Some of the smaller and niche manufacturers have used it to make their products unique, while also talking to the systems used by the bigger players.
John Deere has been leading the field, while AGCO, the owners of Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Valtra, have been working on their own strategies, while New Holland and Case IH have similar systems. Smaller players such as Amazone, Kverneland, Rauch, Väderstad and Lely have developed technologies to meet the needs of their machine users and so too have most other farm machinery companies.
Whether it is through apps or GPS and autonomous steering systems, modern tractors and machinery offers new opportunities for more efficient use of farm inputs and available labour. Here we look at some of the options. The range and scope for the use of this new technology in farm machinery use is endless and expanding by the day as new applications are developed to meet new challenges.
Deere offers ‘connected machines’ package for 2016
The name for John Deere’s information systems for contractors and arable farmers is FarmSight. Deere claims that its dealers across Europe have made significant investments to continuously develop professional FarmSight dealer services. They are getting well prepared to support their customers with integrated solutions around information-enabled agriculture.
John Deere is offering 2016 customers the option to purchase what they call the “connectivity package” alongside a tractor, combine or self-propelled sprayer.
Deere claims that the package means that the machine is connected to the local John Deere dealer and that customers are not only purchasing technology solutions but also receive the appropriate level of product support.
Automated guidance
The machines are also connected to satellites with AutoTrac, giving automated guidance. A third feature is Tractor Implement Automation, which is claimed to give enhanced machine performance and operator comfort.
The final part of the connectivity package is that because the machines are connected through the cellular network to the John Deere FarmSight telematics solutions (machines/operators/fields), customers can enhance their overall business performance.
With the JDLink system, John Deere Remote Display Access (RDA), John Deere Wireless Data Transfer (WDT) and John Deere Mobile Data Transfer (MDT), a range of systems is available to connect all makes of machines and ISOBUS implements to Deere’s operations centre.
Implement data
Besides providing machine performance data for further analysis and machine optimisation, sending alerts, allowing geo-fencing and fleet monitoring, John Deere has announced that JDLink will soon also deliver on-the-go ISOBUS implement data. This will start with John Deere pull-type sprayers (eg actual spray pressure, actual application rate, actual tank fill level, total sprayed area, etc).
Deere claims that the system will reduce the risk for applications being delivered incorrectly and will provide solid data and help to ensure that quality jobs are completed, correctly.
Once they have received customer approval, John Deere dealers can remotely connect to their customers’ machines to update software, access diagnostic codes and perform troubleshooting.
AGCO connects through Fuse and AgCommand
AGCO, the owners of the Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Valtra machinery brands recently announced their Fuse Connected Services, through AGCO dealers. Fuse Connected Services claims to combine the right machines, technology, parts, service and support to help customers optimise their operation and maximise uptime through preventative maintenance, machine condition monitoring and year-round consultation.
Supported by AGCO Parts, AGCO Service and AGCO Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS), Fuse Connected Services is claimed to be designed to help growers improve overall farm efficiency by reducing maintenance and input costs, improving yields and enabling more informed business decisions.
At this stage, two to three service packages will be available, varying by region, with different degrees of hands-on dealer support. Level one enables customers to conduct self-monitoring, data transfer and management plus setup, calibration and operation support from the global Fuse Contact Center via phone, live chat and email.
Higher level packages offer proactive, remote condition monitoring by dealer experts, off-season inspections and reviews, operational consultation and training. Specific service packages and pricing will vary based on individual customer needs and dealer capabilities.
Many of the services will be enabled through the recent release of AGCO’s new AgCommand telemetry product. This aims to give the AGCO monitoring specialists the information they need to address and avoid costly machine downtime. AGCO claims that future releases of AgCommand will further enhance the AGCO dealers’ customer support and remote monitoring capabilities.
The communication between AgCommand and the machine takes place via the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), a normal mobile phone network, as standard.
With the aid of an Iridium satellite network, AGCO claims that it is possible to continue to communicate in real-time, even when a GSM connection fails, so quick business decisions can be made. Switch over is automatic. AGCO believes that the system allows customers to get fast and effective assistance for problems or questions and to minimise downtime.