Yield mapping with Claas Lexion 580

Camilla · Jul 24, 2017

We recently got a (new to us) Lexion 580. I'm trying to get this set up to use for yield mapping but struggling to find clear info.

The combine came with PCMCIA cards in it - I've transferred the files that were on these to the computer (presumably these will be yield maps from the previous owner) but now I have to get my hands on the software to read it. I understand Claas has its own Agrocom software which sounds like a good start but when I spoke to our dealer about how to get a copy of this his only advice was to speak to SOYL. Surely there is a way to get hold of it directly?

If anyone has any recommendations of other software that does the job well I'd love to hear about it too!

In addition, we use the JD Greenstar 2600 for steering etc - any experiences of having the two working together?

Northdowns Martin · Jul 24, 2017

I believe there is no way around it but talking to Soyl and get them to set you up. I run a JD steering system separate from yield mapping haven't tried to link together. Search TFF for "Claas yield mapping" plenty for discussion reading for you!

farmerfred86 · Jul 25, 2017

You will need to speak to SOYL. I could give you a copy of the software but you still need SOYL to activate it via Germany.

Phil P · Jul 25, 2017

I'm mapping with a jd2630 screen and running an atu in my 560tt, seems to be working very well up to now and jd software is free. Speak to Johannes at Agra-gps if you want to go down that route, they are the only ones who can get jd to talk to claas.

Northdowns Martin · Jul 25, 2017

@Phil P I like what you have achieved, are you transferring maps to Gatekeeper? Also have you ever asked if they can get the JD GPS signal to talk to the Claas Laser pilot steering system? this would save having to install an ATU wheel.

Camilla · Jul 25, 2017

@Northdowns Martin @farmerfred86 This is what I thought but was hoping there might be a way around it... I don't have a particular aversion to SOYL but I rather resent having to shell out a fair chunk of change to get software that is necessary for part of the key functionality of the combine, particularly when they tell me that I will have to pay almost as much again to have someone to come and install/train usage because it is so difficult to use that I wouldn't be able to do it myself.

@Phil P That looks like a great set up. Have to admit JD have come a long way in terms of provision of software and collaboration with other tools - a far more modern and open approach.

Clive · Jul 25, 2017

The agcom software comes free with a combine when new - previous owner could give you their licence ? Soyl do activations

however I wouldn't both, its rubbish software, just import the data files into Gatekeeper directly or even google earth etc with a bit of messing

Camilla · Jul 25, 2017

@Clive That makes slightly more sense.

I can't say I'm shocked that you say that. The previews I've seen didn't look great. I'd definitely be happy to use an alternative if there's something that works. My original thought had been to use a generic mapping program but I was a bit thrown that the files I have appear to be .dat rather than something like shape or kml files.

Phil P · Jul 25, 2017

Northdowns Martin said:
@Phil P I like what you have achieved, are you transferring maps to Gatekeeper? Also have you ever asked if they can get the JD GPS signal to talk to the Claas Laser pilot steering system? this would save having to install an ATU wheel.

Not sure about the laser pilot but I know it will work the newer auto track ready machines 700 series. And it's fully integrated on them so will work with the resume on the leaver. You'd have to speak to Agra about older machines. Mine only dose moisture yield and totals.
Email [email protected]
He's very helpful and normally gets back to you within a day, he's in Canada though so there 6h behind us.

drifter · Jul 25, 2017

Clive said:
The agcom software comes free with a combine when new - previous owner could give you their licence ? Soyl do activations

however I wouldn't both, its rubbish software, just import the data files into Gatekeeper directly or even google earth etc with a bit of messing

Clive, for a new machine the software training and support from SOYL is built into the price of the combine hence on new machines you can opt out of the software option if you wish. Unfortunately AGROMAP is the only program which will dechiper the files created by a 580 Lexion, unlike new machines which can be read direct into Gatekeeper or Farmworks.

Clive · Jul 25, 2017

drifter said:
Clive, for a new machine the software training and support from SOYL is built into the price of the combine hence on new machines you can opt out of the software option if you wish. Unfortunately AGROMAP is the only program which will dechiper the files created by a 580 Lexion, unlike new machines which can be read direct into Gatekeeper or Farmworks.

I forgot older cebis didn't work with GK

what file type does old cebis throw out ? surely they could be pulled into google earth etc ? I guess that agrocom software is expensive to buy and its really not great

Clive · Jul 25, 2017

Camilla said:
@Clive That makes slightly more sense.

I can't say I'm shocked that you say that. The previews I've seen didn't look great. I'd definitely be happy to use an alternative if there's something that works. My original thought had been to use a generic mapping program but I was a bit thrown that the files I have appear to be .dat rather than something like shape or kml files.

yes as @drifter has pointed out I had forgotten older Cebis used a different file type

immsure there must be a way to get a .dat file into google earth etc - google may be your friend here for a solution or conversion app etc ?

Clive · Jul 25, 2017

@Camilla take a look here

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11483920/convert-dat-files-to-either-dta-shp-bdf-or-csv

Open a New Blank Excel file

In Excel

Go to Data tab
Select From Text
Select the .dat file which you want to open(Note: Select "All files" in dropdown box)
Click Import
Check Delimited and click next
Deselect the tab and select Other and give "|"(Tab symbol) then click next
Click finish and Ok

seems to be a few apps available as well if you google

convert .dat to .csv then you can pull them into google earth or various cropping programs

farmerfred86 · Jul 25, 2017

I think they are .aft or .aftu files? Claas own software required to decode them?

TheEarlOfMoray · Jul 25, 2017

Speaking of soyl, I got stickers through the post yesterday saying to stick them on my combine so I know the number in case I need to call them, I had no idea I had anything to do with soyl or that my combine did yield mapping!

drifter · Jul 25, 2017

Clive said:
yes as @drifter has pointed out I had forgotten older Cebis used a different file type

immsure there must be a way to get a .dat file into google earth etc - google may be your friend here for a solution or conversion app etc ?

I'm sure there maybe a way to get the files into Google Earth, however there are numerous files which make up the entire yield map.

drifter · Jul 25, 2017

farmerfred86 said:
I think they are .aft or .aftu files? Claas own software required to decode them?

.aft is the file type created after the data has been read by the software this can be read by gatekeeper, farmworks or even transformed into a csv file format

farmerfred86 · Jul 25, 2017

maybe its just me but I quite like the class software. Its a little like gatekeeper... a bit old and clunky but everything is there. (Plus I'm in charge of the data and its not in the cloud for all to see)

Camilla · Jul 26, 2017

@Clive Thanks very much for this input - I've tried converting to CSV but they appear to encrypted so that it's not producing anything usable. Also had a go with QGis which supports some .dat mapping formats but it can't read them. Makes me think Claas may have done something sneaky to stop anything other than their software being used.

@farmerfred86 Sounds like I'll be finding out for myself soon...

Clive · Jul 26, 2017

farmerfred86 said:
maybe its just me but I quite like the class software. Its a little like gatekeeper... a bit old and clunky but everything is there. (Plus I'm in charge of the data and its not in the cloud for all to see)

unless its changed its big issue was that you could not calibrate maps to reflect what had actually gone over the weighbridge ? also generation of stuff like gross margin maps isn't possible unless connected to your crop records, I find gross margin maps much more useful and interesting that yield personably

Yield mapping with Claas Lexion 580

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