MF auto steer ready

Farmer Fin

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Aberdeenshire
Afternoon. We now have 2 MF tractors which are auto steer ready. 1 4 years old and another 10 years old.
They both have plates and plugs on the roof.
Is is just the case of attaching an antenna to the roof plug and it should come up on the datatronic screen?
Are there systems that are compatible and some that are not? I watched a YouTube clip with a guy putting an LH agro receiver on and it appeared to work. I don’t really want to go and pay for other screens etc.
Thanks
 
Location
Cheshire
Chances are the 10yo tractor will be compatible with Agco topcon derived system and the 4yo tractor will be compatible with Trimble and novatel systems. To be compatible with both and other tractors it would be safest to buy a receiver that runs through isobus. That’s what I have done for 8yo and 2 yo Masseys. The newer tractor needs additional wires to allow it to talk to the steering valve the old one was plug in and go.

Agco derived topcons are uniquely frustrating for their lack of compatibility and serviceability.
 

Farmer Fin

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Aberdeenshire
Chances are the 10yo tractor will be compatible with Agco topcon derived system and the 4yo tractor will be compatible with Trimble and novatel systems. To be compatible with both and other tractors it would be safest to buy a receiver that runs through isobus. That’s what I have done for 8yo and 2 yo Masseys. The newer tractor needs additional wires to allow it to talk to the steering valve the old one was plug in and go.

Agco derived topcons are uniquely frustrating for their lack of compatibility and serviceability.
Thanks. What did you go for and do you use the datatronic screen?
 
Location
North
Chances are the 10yo tractor will be compatible with Agco topcon derived system and the 4yo tractor will be compatible with Trimble and novatel systems. To be compatible with both and other tractors it would be safest to buy a receiver that runs through isobus. That’s what I have done for 8yo and 2 yo Masseys. The newer tractor needs additional wires to allow it to talk to the steering valve the old one was plug in and go.

Agco derived topcons are uniquely frustrating for their lack of compatibility and serviceability.

I was wondering if the 4 year old was one built for the Topcon receiver or the later one built to use Novatel or Trimble.

The old Topcon on an old MF does run through isobus (on the datatronic screen), doesn't it? AGI-4 should support the Isobus mode even if sold to be used with the Topcon screen (or a branded one).

Would like to learn more about this lack of compatibility. I understand Topcon is not really compatible with after market Trimble but can't you say the same for Trimble, not compatible with the OEM Topcon?

What about serviceability? Are other brands built for easier repair or do mean generally better after market support?
 

Farmer Fin

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Aberdeenshire
I was wondering if the 4 year old was one built for the Topcon receiver or the later one built to use Novatel or Trimble.

The old Topcon on an old MF does run through isobus (on the datatronic screen), doesn't it? AGI-4 should support the Isobus mode even if sold to be used with the Topcon screen (or a branded one).

Would like to learn more about this lack of compatibility. I understand Topcon is not really compatible with after market Trimble but can't you say the same for Trimble, not compatible with the OEM Topcon?

What about serviceability? Are other brands built for easier repair or do mean generally better after market support?
Our 4 year old has a load of cable next to the passenger door as well, so I wonder if the previous owners were running nav through a different screen.
 
Location
Cheshire
Thanks. What did you go for and do you use the datatronic screen?
I went for a topcon receiver, that will work through the datatronic screen. It also works on the data 5 and the tellus pro screens. When we got the 7726S we plugged it in and it would do everything bar steer. LHagro said it needs a connection between the steering CAN and the receiver on that model, just waiting on that.
 
Location
Cheshire
I was wondering if the 4 year old was one built for the Topcon receiver or the later one built to use Novatel or Trimble.

The old Topcon on an old MF does run through isobus (on the datatronic screen), doesn't it? AGI-4 should support the Isobus mode even if sold to be used with the Topcon screen (or a branded one).

Would like to learn more about this lack of compatibility. I understand Topcon is not really compatible with after market Trimble but can't you say the same for Trimble, not compatible with the OEM Topcon?

What about serviceability? Are other brands built for easier repair or do mean generally better after market support?
Agco don’t repair agco topcons, that’s not acceptable especially for something under 10 years old.

The Agco topcon does work through the isobus, but it’s not universal, it’s limited to steer ready Masseys of a certain age.
 
Location
North
Agco don’t repair agco topcons, that’s not acceptable especially for something under 10 years old.

The Agco topcon does work through the isobus, but it’s not universal, it’s limited to steer ready Masseys of a certain age.

Topcon was the GNSS receiver for some AGCO tractors still early 2018. The AGCO branded AGI-4 plus the AGCO branded X30 cannot be swapped to Trimble/Novatel on those tractors. What do they do if the tractor still has the 5 year extended warranty (not sure which market has the longest warranty available) and the receiver needs repair? A new replacement part? Fine if available at a significantly reduced price.

Actually never needed any GNSS receiver repair, do other brands have replacement circuit boards and other parts?

I remember @Robt posting AGI-4 (original Topcon) installed on a Fendt as an Isobus receiver. I've also run the MF/Valtra AGI-4 in the Isobus mode on a C3000/X30 screen virtual terminal (just for some temporary testing). It should work on any Isobus virtual terminal and any tractor with a suitable hydraulic steering interface or with an electric steering wheel. Not as powerful as "natively" on an X30 screen or similar.
 
Location
Cheshire
My Agco topcon had a software upgrade and didn’t work after. It was only due to an enthusiastic Agco employee that it was fixed, no routine channels to get them sorted.

I will try it on the 7726S because it would be handy if it worked while the 6616 drill/spray tractor had the higher accuracy AGI4
 

Robt

Member
Location
Suffolk
@shumungus @Northern farmer .
Sorry my knowledge isnt what it was as I left LH Agro 4 years ago. Yes great team at LH Agro are the importers of Topcon Ag for UK.
The AGI-4 can be used as an isobus steer controller on agco products. I am sure it can be used as plug and play on new mf tractors that are labelled Trimble/Novatel ready. (although not 100% sure).
Best to call LH and discuss your options, 01480 496367
 

Chae1

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
Friends of mine have bought used topcon kit at farmsales and fitted it to Massey tractors successfully.

@Robt did very kindly assist them.

They get on well with it but are very good mechanics.
 

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