FJD Autosteer in UK?

NeepClatter

Member
Getting on fine, installed the first one beginning of year and done all the subsoiling & drilling with it, works great, just ordered my second unit yesterday. I see they have headland U turn available now which will be nice, would really like to see headland tracking which I believe they are working on. All in all does what it says on the tin and easy to use. I’ve never used any other type of Autosteer so nothing to compare it to, I use mine with a base station so no bollocking about with subscriptions or correction signal via cellular sim.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Getting on fine, installed the first one beginning of year and done all the subsoiling & drilling with it, works great, just ordered my second unit yesterday. I see they have headland U turn available now which will be nice, would really like to see headland tracking which I believe they are working on. All in all does what it says on the tin and easy to use. I’ve never used any other type of Autosteer so nothing to compare it to, I use mine with a base station so no bollocking about with subscriptions or correction signal via cellular sim.
Base station will make very good sense for more than One unit I am sure. Will you set it up as a semi perm installation, or moving it about? I've not had too many issues with using 4G RTK signal. Biggest issue is 132kva cables killing signal!

I have found it great for numerous tasks too. I've not yet managed to suss out the ability (if even possible) to set the Unit up for different implements and save the Setting as was promised. eg Say a drill, a sprayer and an offset mower.

Have you seen an Upgrade be made available for your first Unit yet.... ? Bought about the same time as mine. FJD seem very quiet on this aspect :(
 

NeepClatter

Member
I bought the second unit with its own base station as if I ever decide to sell the tractor it’ll have the full kit with each, I had to mince the old steering wheel to use the spline on the Autosteer as the ones that come with the kit don’t fit on the Deutz steering column. Regarding the implement info storage the last time I used it was drilling which was quite a few tequila & cervezas ago but if I remember correctly I just popped in the width of the machine and it worked fine, the drilling was done in bouts and was accurate as hell with no stopping and backing up in the headlands to turn, in fact I never stopped at all just slowed down for lifting and dropping drill.
This unit is not the kind you’d move from one machine to another, I’m sure it could be done but I think it would be a hassle. I have it set up for auto software updates and noticed there was at least one update installed back in the spring. According to the “how to” vid on YouTube the U turn feature required a software key code to activate.

edit to ad: for base station positioning I just pull it off the charger in the shed workbench go out front and slide it thru the fence, works fine I don’t even bother with the tripod.
 
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steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I bought the second unit with its own base station as if I ever decide to sell the tractor it’ll have the full kit with each, I had to mince the old steering wheel to use the spline on the Autosteer as the ones that come with the kit don’t fit on the Deutz steering column. Regarding the implement info storage the last time I used it was drilling which was quite a few tequila & cervezas ago but if I remember correctly I just popped in the width of the machine and it worked fine, the drilling was done in bouts and was accurate as hell with no stopping and backing up in the headlands to turn, in fact I never stopped at all just slowed down for lifting and dropping drill.
This unit is not the kind you’d move from one machine to another, I’m sure it could be done but I think it would be a hassle. I have it set up for auto software updates and noticed there was at least one update installed back in the spring. According to the “how to” vid on YouTube the U turn feature required a software key code to activate.
Aha. I had not seen an "Auto Update" option in the zillions of Menus... ;)

Like you, I had seen that point about a code required in the YT video, which was somewhat in contradiction to what was I was told in an email... I have asked the question but FJD Support has seemingly died! But TBH, it's not something I feel I need :)
 

NeepClatter

Member
Aha. I had not seen an "Auto Update" option in the zillions of Menus... ;)

Like you, I had seen that point about a code required in the YT video, which was somewhat in contradiction to what was I was told in an email... I have asked the question but FJD Support has seemingly died! But TBH, it's not something I feel I need :)
Surprised to hear about support dying, I had a hardware failure, the control screen wouldn’t recognise sim slot, sent them an email, within a few hours I was on a video call with their engineering support who had me run some checks to verify the problem. They sent out a replacement unit with 4 days from China. Was very very impressed.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Surprised to hear about support dying, I had a hardware failure, the control screen wouldn’t recognise sim slot, sent them an email, within a few hours I was on a video call with their engineering support who had me run some checks to verify the problem. They sent out a replacement unit with 4 days from China. Was very very impressed.
Good to hear. I used the Chinese chat system as well for a problem, sent vids etc. Both pleasant and really helpful.

I was very impressed with the support initially, but just don't get any response whatsoever now, used email and their own Contact box....
 

NeepClatter

Member
I think they’re moving to a dealer network setup instead of selling direct to the end user, they were doing special pricing direct last year to get the product going in the U.K. but seem to be focusing now on channel distribution thru guys on here like Bale & ERH.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
I think they’re moving to a dealer network setup instead of selling direct to the end user, they were doing special pricing direct last year to get the product going in the U.K. but seem to be focusing now on channel distribution thru guys on here like Bale & ERH.
Yep, that is what I felt too. But disappointing that they seem to have shut the door on the early adopters.

I was nudged on several occasions to take on a "Dealership", but not really my bag. ;)

A local Dealer network makes more sense, as it not only reduces the burden on FJD dramatically, it helps with Customer communication too, as users in different countries will often be using different terms etc.
 
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ERH Services Ltd

Member
Arable Farmer
I tucked mine inside ot of the way with a little mod... I had a wheel sensor ripped off a tractor some years back when a piece of timber caught, up and flicked out.
You don't have to use the steering angle sensor, it is advisable on a combine or if you ate planning to travel at very slow speeds though. (y)
 

ERH Services Ltd

Member
Arable Farmer
Sometimes the WAS can be a bit difficult to fit due to location of mudguards etc. We don't generally see any issues with not having it fitted and that's mainly due to the twin GNSS antennas.
One is giving a position and the other a direction of travel, so they can quickly calculate if the machine is going to be off the line at all.
 
Location
North
Sometimes the WAS can be a bit difficult to fit due to location of mudguards etc. We don't generally see any issues with not having it fitted and that's mainly due to the twin GNSS antennas.
One is giving a position and the other a direction of travel, so they can quickly calculate if the machine is going to be off the line at all.

Agreed that dual antenna heading helps a lot, specifically for simple AB-lines (that one should favour anyway). It "fails" in some scenarios e.g. if the tractor does not steer well to the direction front wheels are pointing.
 

NeepClatter

Member
Anyone know if any of the spare plugs/connectors on the FJD wiring harness or ports on control box can accept/ or be provisioned to switch on the ”RECORD” (worked area) automatically, as opposed to having to press the Record button on the screen manually. I was hoping the hitch up/down signal from the ISO port on tractor could be hooked up somewhere to toggle the record function on and off.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Anyone know if any of the spare plugs/connectors on the FJD wiring harness or ports on control box can accept/ or be provisioned to switch on the ”RECORD” (worked area) automatically, as opposed to having to press the Record button on the screen manually. I was hoping the hitch up/down signal from the ISO port on tractor could be hooked up somewhere to toggle the record function on and off.
Be great, wouldn't it. Heck the basic kit I played with 20 years ago used a simple on/off switch operated by the linkage for this.

The complete lack of detail is a frustration at times. Just have to wait on a video... or one of the guys here!
 

NeepClatter

Member
Had a “customer input” vid call with FJD marketing dept. today. Strongly emphasized Headland tracking and hitch position “worked area” record toggle. They assured they are aware how important these features are to users and are working on it.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Had a “customer input” vid call with FJD marketing dept. today. Strongly emphasized Headland tracking and hitch position “worked area” record toggle. They assured they are aware how important these features are to users and are working on it.
Brilliant to hear!! :)

I would love to see Google maps be incorporated as with various Android apps, such as Fieldbee...
 
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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

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