- Location
- Scotland
What are the options out there for auto/assisted steering for older machinery that isn’t auto steer enabled?
I’m talking Trimble EZ steer type system.
Thanks.
I’m talking Trimble EZ steer type system.
Thanks.
What are my options for basic auto steer? Non auto steer compatible tractors.
- Thread starter newbfarmer
- Start date
agOpenGPS the cheapest by far. Motorised steering wheel, valve block or even a simple motor turning your existing wheel.
The motor from a Trimble ezsteer works great with AOG too.
clbarclay
Member
- Location
- Worcestershire
Most autosteer manufacturers offer one or more forms of electric steering wheel motor.
Many of them can do a retrofit hydraulic steering valve too. Just make sure you are sitting down when you get a quote for one of those.
Many of them can do a retrofit hydraulic steering valve too. Just make sure you are sitting down when you get a quote for one of those.
davidroberts30
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
he will,dont worry about that
What make?Cheapest will be feed bags tied to be fence posts either end of the field
(I've agopengps. Highly recommend it. Though I use it only as a lightbar, no steering assist, it's very accurate despite being very cheap)
davidroberts30
Member
- Location
- pembrokeshire
Cheapest will be feed bags tied to be fence posts either end of the field
(I've agopengps. Highly recommend it. Though I use it only as a lightbar, no steering assist, it's very accurate despite being very cheap)
- Location
- Lincolnshire
The ez steer I use on my machine paid for itself in fuel and time in about two years.
It's an open source autosteer, mapping, section control, variable rate etc. software.
So a Windows tablet, usually a Panasonic FZ-G1,
AgOpenGPS PCB, antennae, a wheel angle sensor and then your choice of steering control, be it hydraulic steering valve or electric motor.
If your tractor is steer ready can steer over CanBus by just plugging two wires into the CanBus plug or wiring directly to the factory fitted steering valve.
RTK is standard, probably a free base station you can use or put your own up for £300.
So RTK autosteer no subscriptions, unlocks etc.,
Can be done for under £1000 or about £1750 if you need to fit hydraulic steering valve.
clbarclay
Member
- Location
- Worcestershire
Chose you make of animal feed based on the color of the bag. Preferably a single bold bright color that strongly contrasts nicely to the fence, hedge, etc surrounding it. What the animals think of the feed that came in the bags is a secondary concern. 4farmers are quite good, though you really need to turn the bags inside out to make the signal as clear as possible.
clbarclay
Member
- Location
- Worcestershire
On a more serious note, most of the systems out there are more than capable enough. One of the more notable differences between any two auto steering systems is the technical backup.
All of them are complicated when they are not doing what you want them to do. Try to find out what level of technical back you are getting with whatever brand or supplier you like the look of.
I bought a Trimble based system a decade ago, which has mostly been fine. It is actually badged CNH and came from the local NH dealer. My biggest criticism with it is that I didn't get a direct phone number with it to sort out technical issues and have mostly been left to iron out the issues myself. Calls to the NH dealer never got through to a person that could help me. The correction signal for it has since been bought from AS Communication, a specialist Trimble dealer and calling them for technical assistance was orders of magnitude better.
I would describe AgOpenGPS as a learning opportunity. It has the potential to be incredibly effective and incredibly good value, but you are not paying for any dealer support to hold your hand and ensure it works for you. What support there is is actually very good, with many users around the world readily helping each other, but it's not the same thing.
All of them are complicated when they are not doing what you want them to do. Try to find out what level of technical back you are getting with whatever brand or supplier you like the look of.
I bought a Trimble based system a decade ago, which has mostly been fine. It is actually badged CNH and came from the local NH dealer. My biggest criticism with it is that I didn't get a direct phone number with it to sort out technical issues and have mostly been left to iron out the issues myself. Calls to the NH dealer never got through to a person that could help me. The correction signal for it has since been bought from AS Communication, a specialist Trimble dealer and calling them for technical assistance was orders of magnitude better.
I would describe AgOpenGPS as a learning opportunity. It has the potential to be incredibly effective and incredibly good value, but you are not paying for any dealer support to hold your hand and ensure it works for you. What support there is is actually very good, with many users around the world readily helping each other, but it's not the same thing.
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The FJD autosteer work well, and while not the cheapest on the market of Chinese units seem to be well put together and have continuing support. Now got UK support working again properly. They will appeal to those less confident of setting up an AgOpen system I would suggest, but you pay for the privilege of the plug in out of teh box systems.
If you are fitting to several tractors, maybe think about having your own base station??
Several here on TFF using the FJD kits.
Just upgraded my 2021 unit again and good to have this level of support IMO. Will fit just about anything with a steering wheel!! Saw a pic somewhere of one on a Mule!
They do steering wheel kits for DIY, andf hydraulic for tractors that are ready.
Fieldbee have nice software and are European based, support seemed good when I was trialling it a couple of years back
If you are fitting to several tractors, maybe think about having your own base station??
Several here on TFF using the FJD kits.
Just upgraded my 2021 unit again and good to have this level of support IMO. Will fit just about anything with a steering wheel!! Saw a pic somewhere of one on a Mule!
They do steering wheel kits for DIY, andf hydraulic for tractors that are ready.
Fieldbee have nice software and are European based, support seemed good when I was trialling it a couple of years back
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Stw88
Member
- Location
- Northumberland
If my tractor is auto steer ready with valve block and wheel angle sensor what sort of cost would it be to set up? Not that technically minded tho So it takes a bit of getting my head round.
Kubota we’re wanting 8k for an unlock code and antenna which I though was a bit over the top When I enquired.
Kubota we’re wanting 8k for an unlock code and antenna which I though was a bit over the top When I enquired.
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£5-6K now I guess?
Hardware for that, if you did it yourself, less than £500
We have the CHCNAV option available... very easy to instal and use. £4995 no hidden extras like with FJD and SVEA for Uturn, and "advanced" features
No having to register email address and give personal information to the Chinese to get access codes sent to get it working like FJD/SVEA/Patchwork etc.
Its completely private and we send the kits out ready to go with simcard and RTK details in (if you elect to go down that route)
Click on the YouTube link to see Drew Steel using it on his BigM
Or give us a call 07810 860503
No having to register email address and give personal information to the Chinese to get access codes sent to get it working like FJD/SVEA/Patchwork etc.
Its completely private and we send the kits out ready to go with simcard and RTK details in (if you elect to go down that route)
Click on the YouTube link to see Drew Steel using it on his BigM
Or give us a call 07810 860503
- Location
- LINCOLNSHIRE/KENYA
We have Fieldbee on a Claas Arion 630 it’s taken a bit of sorting but it’s now working well. My son says it’s better than the Trimble set up we have and half the price.
Northern farmer
Member
- Location
- North
Which Trimble kit is it? How is Trimble worse than the Fieldbee?
One of the current Trimble models should be competitive considering accuracy and features but probably more than twice the price of your Fieldbee. An older Trimble might have a dual constellation receiver, outdated and worse performance than a cheap F9P receiver.