Article taken from the CPM
Telemetry, auto-steering and crop-sensing technology are all part of a series of upgrades for precision farming technology from Claas for next year, with a new ISOBUS control upgrade to its S10 terminal also now available.
For those requiring an RTK steering-correction signal and who cannot get - or do not wish to sign up to - a fixed correction signal network, the firm has launched a new Field Base portable transmitter. This eliminates the need to rely on fixed-mast networks and means the system can be used wherever the associated equipment is working.
Field Base incorporates a two-frequency receiver picking up satellite signals from both the IS GPS satellite network and the Russian GLONASS system, to ensure a high level of reliability, says Claas. Maximum deviation is claimed to be 2-3cm, and depending on topography the system can achieve a reliable signal range of 3-5km. If permitted by statutory regulations, an even greater range can be achieved through using external radio technology.
Set-up time is claimed to be just a few minutes, and Field Base is suited to use with a range of manufacturer steering systems and by an unlimited number of machines within range without any licensing fee requirements, says Claas.
While it was previously capable of managing a range of ISOBUS functions, the S10 now includes 'Section Control' and 'Task Management' functionality, says Edward Miller, Claas precision farming specialist, and these updates can be added to existing S10 terminals.
""The Section Control facility can be used not just with sprayers, but also with fertiliser spreaders and drills, with automatic switch-off eliminating overlaps and individual adjustment options available for working awkward-shaped areas," he explains.
""Task Management is something we see as being of particular benefit to larger farms and contractors, with Basic and Geo options. It's possible to 'create' jobs on the farm office PC and then transfer them to the tractor, where any adjustment to the task can be made if necessary. With the Geo option, users can create georeferenced job data such as a planned variable rate application map, or recording of an as-applied map.""
As an example, says Mr Miller, the S10 ISOBUS terminal can be used in conjunction with the Isaria Crop Sensor - the front-mounted boom-type sensor that measures biomass reflection levels to determine optimum nitrogen requirements.
Previously shown in the UK at Cereals, Isaria uses two sensor heads each incorporating four LEDs that enable the system to be sued at night-time as well as in daylight. These are combined with an optical sensor and a distance sensor to regulate the distribution from the spreader on the rear of the tractor. Claas says this real-time measurement means there's no need for any manual calibration or agronomic input.
Claas dealer service engineers specialising in its EASY precision farming technology are able to support the Isaria system, and the firm is also working with Agrovista to provide agronomic backing for the product and its capabilities.
""This gives Isaira Crop Sensor users access to Agrovista's agronomic knowledge and software, including the MapIT Pro data management system, which is part of the cloud-based real-time AXIS data hub. In addition to creating yield potential maps from field knowledge, the collaboration between Agrovista and Claas means yield data from our combines can be seamlessly imported into the cloud-based software to make it easily accessible from anywhere and from multiple platforms.""
On the telemetry front, Claas continues to refine its Telematics package, with Basic and Professional versions now offered according to requirements and budget. These are available on Lexion and Tucano combines, Jaguar forage harvesters and all tractors from the Arion range upwards.
The key difference between the two is that, while the Basic version provides real-time and recorded information on position, status and service issues, Telematics Professional offers unlimited data history to allow comprehensive data analysis for operation optimisation.
Automatic documentation is optional to both systems. Once a field boundary has been loaded and the field created and named when a Telematics-equipped machine begins working in a field, then the system starts a job and automatically records working and performance data. Meanwhile, Claas says it is continuing to work with implement manufacturers including Amazone, Fliegl, Grimme, Horsch and Lemken, on its TONI (Telematics ON Implements) system, to make the documentation and utilisation of teh data from implements more widely available.