On The Fast Track

As the technology-and those who use it-advance, planter markers and foam markers are taking a backseat, and in some cases, disappearing. "Right now, we're in a transition phase where you'll see custom applicators with GPS steering and foam markers or planters with auto-steering and markers," says Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist. "I worked with several farmers last spring who planted their fields without ever unfolding the markers on their planter. The next new planter they purchase will probably not have markers at all."

This report continues Farm Journal's coverage of the latest developments in the ever-changing auto-steering arena. Outback, the brand in the market that helped drive a move to lower-cost options, is keeping a close eye on list prices and expanding its product line. The Outback S2 is the latest entry.

"The Outback S2 is like a turbo-charged [Outback] S1," says Bill Burdick, vice president of sales for ground agriculture products at Hemisphere GPS, which bought Outback in 2005. "The system has six improved features." At the top of the list is a 50% improvement in accuracy for the submeter system. Beyond the accuracy, add faster startup, quicker GPS acquisition, built-in radar-simulated groundspeed input, the ability to upgrade and improved update rates to the list.

The key to the extra accuracy and speed is the new Crescent receiver technology used in the system. The receiver is supplied by Crescent, which is a sister division of Hemisphere GPS. "The S2 can process twice as much-10 Hz versus 5 Hz," Burdick adds.

The Outback S2, which lists for $2,899, can be partnered with the Outback eDrive that lists for $3,990. Bundling price breaks are also available. In late March, look for Outback to offer Baseline, a new portable differential correction system. The heart of the setup is a tripod with a receiver on it with it's own frequency. A rover radio in the tractor or other vehicle collects the signal and uses it to transform the Outback S2 into a decimeter system with greater accuracy.

The tripod can be moved from field to field and can supply unlimited rover radios. No subscription fees are required; the only cost is for the system itself, which lists for $3,990.

"To maximize the potential of the technology, you really want to pair Baseline and the Outback S2 with eDrive," Burdick adds. In Outback's sister division at Hemisphere GPS, watch for Crescent to roll out the A100 smart antenna in March. The all-in-one unit, which wraps a GPS antenna and receiver into one enclosure, is compact and easy to move from one vehicle to another. The antenna will list for $1,795.

The company is also releasing a mini lightbar and the MasterLink portable differential correction system (similar to Baseline). The tiny lightbar will attach to the windshield with suction cups and list for $550.

Ag Leader makes it possible to take charge of granular applicators and in-field report creation with the Insight DirectCommand system. The setup performs fixed-rate and prescription-map control for up to five products at once. It works with spinner spreaders, strip-till toolbars and air carts that use motorized servor or hydraulic valves.

The system's application report feature makes it easy to meet product application and restricted-use pesticide record-keeping needs. You enter the temperature, wind speed, Environmental Protection Agency number and soil condition, and the Insight display does the rest. It creates a report as a PDF file on a memory card-including a map with a legend, total volume/area applied, as well as other system- and user-supplied data.

When the Insight DirectCommand is partnered with a sprayer, the AutoSwath feature automatically shuts off individual boom sections as the sprayer enters and exits previously applied areas. That's made possible by Insight's ability to record multiple sub-boundaries within a field-to map out waterways and terraces. In addition to spray booms, the feature works equally well with spreaders, strip-till toolbars and air carts.

Ag Leader's EZ -Steer assisted-steering systems and the EZ-Guide Plus lightbar guidance system now have T2 Terrain Compensation technology available as an option. The T2 technology greatly improves accuracy and performance on slopes, rough terrain and sudden heading changes. Steering performance improves with 70% less wheel movement. The technology works with new and existing systems.

(Source: AgWeb)