John Deere introduced GreenStar AutoTrac assisted-steering for wheeled tractors
Deere & Company -Imagine a satellite guidance system that automatically steers your tractor through the field, safely and comfortably. You're able to travel faster, to make more accurate tillage or spraying passes, and to eliminate the stress of making constant steering corrections. You save fuel, and gain more efficiency from your tractor and implements.
This is a reality with GreenStar AutoTrac assisted steering, introduced last year, but only available on John Deere 8000, 8010, 8020, 9000, and 9020 Series track tractors. This technology has proved so successful that now it is available on 8020 Series MFWD and Independent Link Suspension (ILS) wheeled tractors.
"Based on the popular Parallel Tracking platform," says Geremy Larson, senior marketing representative from John Deere Ag Management Solutions, "GreenStar AutoTrac is an assisted-steering system that uses the three common components: GreenStar display, mobile processor, and StarFire position receiver with SF2 differential correction subscription."
This assisted steering system is extremely accurate (within 4-inches pass to pass accuracy) and guides the tractor in a straight line down the row. The operator still turns the tractor at the end of each pass, and must also steer around obstacles such as trees, ditches, and waterways.
"AutoTrac offers producers many benefits," says Larson. "They cover more acres in less time, reduce overlap on implements and sprayers, reduce fuel consumption, and operate at faster field speeds. Their productivity increases, while they experience less operator fatigue for more comfortable working conditions."
In order for GreenStar AutoTrac to work on wheeled tractors, an electro-hydraulic steering system is required. A field-installed kit will be available for 8020 Series tractors with MFWD or ILS. The component locations and designs are already engineered into these tractors, and installation of AutoTrac is fully compatible. GreenStar AutoTrac can also be ordered factory assembled on 8020 MFWD or ILS tractors.
"With the introduction of GreenStar AutoTrac for 8020 wheeled tractors," says Larson, "more operators will be able to use this system to improve overall productivity in their farming operation."