Mapping software options

[clbarclay]

Hello, I am interested in PC software to create field boundries based on satalite maps, set optimum guidance paths, particuarly for tramlines and export to gps systems. Trees mean that its not possible to record boundries on many fields first time round while drilling. I currently use a NH FM-1000, but am considering other makes for a second system so may need it to trasfer data as well.

So far I am aware of Gatekeeper and Trimble Farm Works that will do this. Are there any others?

 

[BLG]

Do you think you will be accurate enough? I thought of doing that too but a slight movement with the mouse mapping the headlands could put you in the fence/hedge or leave a big gap!!

 

[clbarclay]

That will depend how far they zoom in and how accurate the satalite images align to gps coordinates. I have a margin around most fields so can accomidate a slight error.

It would have to be pretty crude to be worse than the errors I get recording in fields when the correction times out or too many saterlites are obscured.

 

[Robt]

If you use gate keeper. Import your trimble info then convert it to, Topcon for instance then import into your new system.

 

[Brisel]

What does @Clive use?

 

[Clive]

What does @Clive use?

Gatekeeper mapping with precision farming option

It's good but expensive and I'm not sure I trust them any more either !

 

[T C]

In Scotland you could get the maps for your holding from Scottish government. Not sure if they are still able to do it.
I imported it into Farmworks - great to have an exact copy of what they use.
Farmworks also works quite well with trimble / NH.

 

[clbarclay]

Gatekeeper mapping with precision farming option

It's good but expensive and I'm not sure I trust them any more either !

The reaction to the first of April pop up summed up that level of trust for many on here. Most comments about managing guidance paths I have seen are with Gatekeeper, but I wasn't planning on changing field management program.

@T C, do you just use Farmworks for mapping or also for records and accounting?


My father likes long distance walking. I may yet persuade him to hold a length of string tied to the tractor against the boundry while I drive round all the fields.

 

[bravheart]

In Scotland you could get the maps for your holding from Scottish government. Not sure if they are still able to do it.
I imported it into Farmworks - great to have an exact copy of what they use.
Farmworks also works quite well with trimble / NH.

Hi T C, do you have a way of measuring a buffer zone area with the government software? Seems I can get line length or area but not get a 6m line point and then use it in the area measure.
IUCWIM.

 

[Steevo]

Pear PT Mapper is worth a look too.

 

[Brisel]

Pear PT Mapper is worth a look too.

Pear is very good. The estate I work for has it but I use Gatekeeper for day to day stuff.

Will Pear be able to handle importing GPS data like AB lines for CTF? @Pear John

 

[Pear John]

Pear is very good. The estate I work for has it but I use Gatekeeper for day to day stuff.

Will Pear be able to handle importing GPS data like AB lines for CTF? @Pear John

I will try to answer the question, I look after the agronomy, contracting and crop recording software, Pear at the Havant office do mapping.
PT Mapper will import GPS data as long as it's in the industry standard Shape file - .shp. You will be able to modify the data, the problem starts when you try to export the file to your machine/gps unit a lot of agricultural machinery manufactures use their modified .shp or even their own non standard file format.

This is why software like GateKeeper has so many modules for different machines, we have looked at developing conversion add-ons but its not cheap, especially when the machine manufacturer wants to charge us for their code format.

clbarclay asked about field boundaries, PT Mapper and Fieldman our crop recording program can import the RPA field boundaries and data. In PT Mapper this will give you a digital field boundary plus the area and Parcel number. The boundary can then be modified with buffer strips, fields split and areas measured. The same data except the field boundary are automatically entered into Fieldman, just need to add field names. This will provide very quick farm setup with accurate field data for costing's and farm assurance.

 

[clbarclay]

That explains a lot, particuarly why there seems to be so few programs dealing with steering guide paths, which is why I am primarily interested in defining the boundries.

 

[BenB]

http://www.agleader.com/products/sms-software/

Ag Leader SMS might do this for you? I use it for VR prescriptions/mapping, boundaries, not sure if it does guidance paths?

 

[BLG]

That will depend how far they zoom in and how accurate the satalite images align to gps coordinates. I have a margin around most fields so can accomidate a slight error.

It would have to be pretty crude to be worse than the errors I get recording in fields when the correction times out or too many saterlites are obscured.

Just a question, you're using a Trimble FMX1000 but what accuracy are you on, RTK or what?

 

[Marco57]

Hello, I am interested in PC software to create field boundries based on satalite maps, set optimum guidance paths, particuarly for tramlines and export to gps systems. Trees mean that its not possible to record boundries on many fields first time round while drilling. I currently use a NH FM-1000, but am considering other makes for a second system so may need it to trasfer data as well.

So far I am aware of Gatekeeper and Trimble Farm Works that will do this. Are there any others?

Hi Clbarclay, Try this:
https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/field-record-software.127058/page-2#post-3164146

 

[stef]

That will depend how far they zoom in and how accurate the satalite images align to gps coordinates. I have a margin around most fields so can accomidate a slight error.

It would have to be pretty crude to be worse than the errors I get recording in fields when the correction times out or too many saterlites are obscured.

what is the advantage to do it at your desk, knowing that trees will always be there at the moment you will use the predefined guidance settings on the fields?

 

[SF1]

The reaction to the first of April pop up summed up that level of trust for many on here. Most comments about managing guidance paths I have seen are with Gatekeeper, but I wasn't planning on changing field management program.

@T C, do you just use Farmworks for mapping or also for records and accounting?


My father likes long distance walking. I may yet persuade him to hold a length of string tied to the tractor against the boundry while I drive round all the fields.

Why not just record boundarys when spraying then save,Think of your fathers legs

 

[clbarclay]

what is the advantage to do it at your desk, knowing that trees will always be there at the moment you will use the predefined guidance settings on the fields?

The trouble was recording feild boundries with large trees along the hedges causing signal loss. I don't have may feilds I could drill the first time around without loosing signal at least once.

Why not just record boundarys when spraying then save,Think of your fathers legs

I have recorded boundries while spreading, but the tramlines weren't accurate in places and I don't have tramline marking on the main drill. My father has reguarly subjected his legs to far worse including walking events doing 100 miles in 48 hours, but somehow the prospect of doing it against a hedge/ditch holding a length of string didn't appeal.


I have got around the problem by recording the boundries while drilling, but on the second (or even thrid) time around and setting the swath width to three (or five) times the actual drill width. It's not perfect, but close enough and the headland tramlines now match the crop edge better than they used to.

 

[Northern farmer]

Hi Clbarclay, Try this:
https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/field-record-software.127058/page-2#post-3164146

Looks like an affordable application for a small (average size) farm. But does it support tramline editing? I got the impression that it can do field boundaries and a lot of other things but not tramlines.

I guess one cannot expect a free tramline editor, at least not one supporting multiple brands. Editing kml files with a notepad is free but isn't really user friendly.