Autosteer For Compact Tractor Retrofit?

[npalen]

I think that it is about time someone came to market with a consumer grade gps autosteer retrofit kit for compact tractors. Seems like it would "open up a whole new field".
Anyone hear of new developments in this area?

 

[npalen]

Must have been another dumb question on my part.
Someone may feel like it's a solution looking for a problem?
I'm sure that gps autosteer is available in some of the smaller tractors but not sure how small.
May just be a matter of time before it becomes more common on CUT's?

 

[RBA50]

Well, I'm not really familiar with gps autosteer, but I'm assuming it is used to guide the tractor from point A to point B while the operator takes a nap or something! I could see where something like that might find use in the wheat, hay, and alfalfa fields around here, which range in size from hundreds to thousands of acres, often a mile or more on a side, relatively flat, and wide open. However, I have never seen a CUT in one of those fields, only large agricultural tractors, the smallest probably 100hp. CUTs tend to be used by owners of smaller properties, and often on wooded areas, and for small fields and yard maintenance. I can't imagine trying to use gps autosteer on my land. Between the trees, rocks, and buildings there are so many obstacles it would probably crash in less than 15 seconds.
Aside from that, the hardware to make it work would probably be difficult to fit onto a small tractor, but never having seen one, I don't know for sure what is involved. I guess it also depends on your definition of small tractor.

 

[JNA]

One time I saw a small yard type push mower(20")that had memory and would mow around things.I believe it was electric.

 

[RickB]

In theory Autosteer can be added to anything with a steering wheel provided the ability to custom fabricate a mount bracket in the event one isn’t available off the shelf.
Trimble Ez-steer System for Cfx-75 / FMX | eBay

 

[Wagtail]

Something like this?

 

[4get gto]

Hey this could be great for my lazy ***** neighbor that doesn't mow his grass. Most he'd have to do is start it up..!

 

[npalen]

Kubota launches auto-steering for small tractors and UTVs - FutureFarming

Doing a search found this. Looks like Kubota announced it a couple years ago.

 

[RickB]

Smart Path is an Ag Leader trademark.

 

[ruffdog]

Driverless mowers sounds safer than driverless cars.

 

[shooterdon]

Useless for my needs.

 

[RickB]

Useless for my needs.

Clearly you are in the majority. And sub-inch gps is expensive even for those with a defined need.

 

[npalen]

Another area where GPS control would be useful on the CUT's would be ground speed controlled spray and broadcast for herbicide and crop nutrients.

 

[John_Mc]

Clearly you are in the majority. And sub-inch gps is expensive even for those with a defined need.

Yes. A "consumer grade" GPS and autosteer would not be a good match. They lack the precision needed to safely steer a vehicle.

 

[npalen]

I wonder what factors make gps autosteer so expensive. It seems like all the "components" are in place and probably paid for. Not enough competition, perhaps? Maybe the CUT market is simply not large enough to compete.

 

[Wagtail]

I wonder what factors make gps autosteer so expensive. It seems like all the "components" are in place and probably paid for. Not enough competition, perhaps? Maybe the CUT market is simply not large enough to compete.

In my experience as a retired Navy Electronics Tech (Systems), particularly in Mine Warfare, a straight-up GPS System is accurate to placing 'you' within a few yards of where you actually 'are'. Which is fine for general navigation, including land vehicles which are controlled/steered by a human operator.

To truly narrow your position down to feet, or even inches, requires a "differential" reference (an accurately surveyed, geographical point - with a dedicated reference point transmitter of that point) to that vehicle's GPS System in order to do this. This is referred to as DGPS.

Add on top of this that, in order for autosteer to properly navigate your vehicle, the field would have to be precisely surveyed, with all fencing and obstacles pinpointed.

It's 'do-able' but the cost is prohibitive.

 

[RickB]

RTK is the most precise signal used in agriculture.

 

[kthompson]

Know there was a link to one brand and think they are the company who makes if I am correct an auto steer you could use on compact tractor I think. It had motor that turns the tractor's steering where and would flip away from wheel for manual steering.

I have a B2710 Kubota with hydro transmission. Have done a good bit of spraying with it and no issue to keep my speed steady, I just set pressure where I need it to be to run tractor at the ground speed I am running with my hydro pedal fully pressed. Works great. Where I think GPS (have no desire for auto steer on any of my tractors but don't raise a crop that needs that precision) would be most beneficial on a compact tractor would be for spraying to prevent over lap or skipping. I can imagine if you have ball field quality lawn auto steer for mowing to keep the lines straight could be neat, but with good gps you should be able to do very very well.

 

[npalen]

In my experience as a retired Navy Electronics Tech (Systems), particularly in Mine Warfare, a straight-up GPS System is accurate to placing 'you' within a few yards of where you actually 'are'. Which is fine for general navigation, including land vehicles which are controlled/steered by a human operator.

To truly narrow your position down to feet, or even inches, requires a "differential" reference (an accurately surveyed, geographical point - with a dedicated reference point transmitter of that point) to that vehicle's GPS System in order to do this. This is referred to as DGPS.

Add on top of this that, in order for autosteer to properly navigate your vehicle, the field would have to be precisely surveyed, with all fencing and obstacles pinpointed.

It's 'do-able' but the cost is prohibitive.

My understanding is that the tractor operator can "teach" the GPS the field layout to some extent. My knowledge is very limited on the subject, however.
Establishing an A-B line for the tractor to follow in subsequent passes is part of the procedure. Obstacles such as mud holes, trees etc can be steered around manually followed by auto mode to get back on line.

 

[bigdeano]

I saw many years ago a guy buried a wire around his yard at the proper spacing that guided his mower with a radio signal on the wire. If you want to follow the same path every time it would be very accurate.