Printable VersionAuto-Guide™
Enjoy unprecedented levels of control and accuracy with Auto-Guide™, the highly advanced but simple-to-use automatic steering system from AGCO’s Advanced Technology Solutions group.
Auto-Guide™ uses satellite navigation to steer tractors, combines and other vehicles, removing much of the tedium of field operations and leaving the driver free to focus on equipment and performance. Auto-Guide™ ensures optimum and precise use of the implement or cutting table working width.
Among the many benefits of hands-free operation is the immediate and tangible return on investment that the system provides. This is achieved in a number of ways:-
- Eliminating overlaps/underlaps
- Savings in fuel, time and costs
- Improved accuracy of applications
- Reduced implement and machinery wear
- Operator fatigue much reduced
- Reduced compaction with fewer tracks
- Controlled traffic farming
- Better crop establishment
Auto-Guide™ will help to maximise productivity and cut costs in all operations, while hands-free steering means the operator can focus attention on optimising settings and monitoring work more closely, improving work quality and further boosting productivity.
How it works
Auto-Guide™ uses signals transmitted by the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine a vehicle’s position.
As the signals from the 24 orbiting satellites are only accurate to +/- 15 metres, the guidance system needs an additional ‘differential’ GPS signal to provide greater accuracy.
An antenna mounted on the vehicle’s roof picks up the GPS signals and transfers them to a receiver connected into the CAN-BUS network on the tractor, combine, spreader or sprayer. This is then connected either to the Auto-Guide™ terminal or Console I or II in the cab, which is used to set up and control the Auto-Guide™ system. Software in the system determines the vehicle’s current position and checks whether this is on the pre-set path, before sending signals to the steering mechanism to make any necessary adjustments.
Easy to set up
Auto-Guide™ works on the concept that every pass will be parallel to the first, so the initial task is to ensure that the first pass itself is straight.
At the start of the first pass, the Auto-Guide™ marker button is pressed, setting point A. The tractor is then driven to the far end of the field and the marker button is pressed again to set point B. Auto-Guide™ then joins the two points with the shortest distance – which, of course, is a straight line.
The system can then be activated by pressing the Auto-Guide™ control button to engage guidance. The steering wheel can then be released. Auto-Guide™ disengages when the operator resumes control for the headland turn, then locks on to the next run.
Transferable System
The Auto-Guide™ system is easily transferred to other vehicles with the Top Dock (see below) installed on the cab roof, provided they have been fitted with the ‘Auto-Guide™ Ready’ system.
This provides the basic system and consists of a CAN-BUS-operated proportional steering valve, wheel angle sensor, hydraulics and electrical harness. Automatic steering is then available to the entire farming operation.
Advanced Top Dock
The Auto-Guide™ Top Dock is the heart of the guidance system and has been designed to be fully transferable between vehicles, so only one is required.
The Top Dock houses the GPS antenna, the GPS receiver and steering controller, and the Dynamic Measuring Unit (DMU).
The GPS antenna and receiver utilise the standard L1 and L2 GPS signals, but in order to provide the varying degrees of accuracy required for tillage and application operations, the system employs OmniSTAR differential correction signals. Where the ultimate in accuracy is required, such as for row crop operations, the Auto-Guide RTK mobile base station is available.
DMU - Enhanced accuracy
The six-axis Dynamic Measuring Unit uses an ‘electronic gyroscope’ to determine the vehicle’s position and movement.
It constantly monitors side-to-side movements (roll), whether the vehicle is tipping forward and back (pitch) and the direction of travel (yaw).
It uses this information to boost precision by accounting for any antenna movement or offset caused by working on slopes, uneven terrain or hillsides.
Select the degree of accuracy required
According to the nature of the operation being undertaken, choose the appropriate specification:-
| Accuracy Level | Typical Operations | Correction Service | Pass-to-Pass accuracy* |
| Sub-meter | Tillage | OmniSTAR VBS | +/- 20cm |
| Decimeter | Application/Seeding | OmniSTAR HP | +/- 5cm |
| Centimetre** | Row crop/Bed Forming | RTK Base | +/- 2cm |
*Auto-Guide™ accuracy is dependent on good satellite coverage and the effect of additional errors induced by factors such as operating conditions and implement set-up.
**The manufacturer or supplier cannot guarantee centimetre-accuracy in all markets. Import and use of the equipment for centimetre-accuracy may require special additional permits in some countries. Obtaining of such permits and any related costs are the direct responsibility of the customer.
Upgrading
Upgrading Auto-Guide™ to greater accuracy is very straightforward, with no need to replace existing equipment.
Quick Start
A powerful feature of Auto-Guide™, known as ‘position seeding’, enables settings to be memorised before shutting down, ensuring a speedy start-up the following day.
You Choose the Pattern
Whatever the farming system, Auto-Guide™ can effectively steer the tractor in parallel straight lines, around curves or in a centre pivot pattern.
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