Auto-Steer Plus
Flexibility and accuracy are the hallmarks of the System 350.
Today’s auto-steer systems are about much more than steering.
The System 350 guidance system from AGCO Corporation’s Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS) is one of the most advanced automatic steering systems on the market. Yet, envisioning it as simply a steering system is definitely selling it short. In reality, it’s an auto-steering, mapping and data-recording system, as well as planter controller complete with both variable rate and auto-section control.
“The System 350 auto-steer technology certainly reduces expensive swath overlap and collects valuable information that can help increase work efficiency and reduce input costs,” says David Swain, manager, ATS Marketing, North America. “The steering system features full-terrain compensation, including boundary and end-of-field recognition features, as well as superior line acquisition and holding capabilities.
“However, it takes those benefits to an unprecedented level to further increase productivity and make it even easier to manage field-by-field information, including area applied, speed, row number, etc.,” he adds.
Allen Schrag, a corn, soybean and wheat producer who farms near Hesston, Kans., agrees. “I’ve had an auto-steer system on one tractor for almost 10 years now,” he explains. “But auto-steer has evolved a lot in the last 10 years.
“The first thing people comment about with auto-steer is the reduced amount of fatigue … and that is a real benefit,” Schrag adds. “But the biggest thing for me is that there is so much going on with today’s equipment that you really need to be monitoring it and making sure it is working at the proper level. The System 350 does all that and more.”
At the core of the System 350 is an all-in-one control console, named the X30, that provides multiple options for input and output of valuable field-by-field information. The 12.1-inch, multi-touch-screen console also allows the operator to store and use the data to create detailed job summary reports for tracking and multiyear analysis.
“Since the X30 terminal supports industry standard ISOBUS 11783, it also permits direct control of certain machine functions, such as variable-rate seeding,” Swain explains. Best of all, the X30 terminal is extremely easy to use, thanks in part to mini-view windows with drag and drop positioning; interactive keypads with expandable menus; and simple, icon-based setup.
“I was probably as proficient on the X30 after 24 hours as I was on my other systems after a full season,” Schrag comments. “Plus, with the X30, you have one screen for everything, instead of having three or four monitors in the cab or having to scroll through two or three screens to get to the desired page.”
Producers who require centimeter (RTK) accuracy need only plug an RTK Snap-in Module into the System 350 AGI-3 receiver to receive data from a Topcon HiPer AG mobile base station or a US GSM cell modem. The System 350 also can be easily moved from one vehicle to the next for maximum return on investment and unprecedented flexibility.
