Fieldbee-gps: attractive alternative electric steering systeem

Fieldbee recently launched the new Powersteer as the successor to the MDU (mechanical drive unit). The latter can be recognized by the large gear that you clamp to the handlebars. A separate steering motor drives the steering wheel via this gear to follow a line. The Powersteer is different: you replace the steering wheel with a steering wheel with steering motor from Fieldbee. With a starting price of € 4,200 a very interesting set.

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Full receiver

During our visit we see that the GPS receiver is mounted on the nose. The recently updated receiver has incorporated the ECU (the brain of the system) and the inclination sensor into the receiver. The advantage of this is that you need to move fewer separate components when transferring to another tractor. The receiver is temporarily on the nose of the tractor, and eventually has to be placed on the roof.

At the moment, the inclination sensor is not working optimally, so it should be as low as possible to the ground for better accuracy. Fieldbee is working on the software and is trying to adjust the algorithm as quickly as possible so that the sphere can be placed on the roof. Then the system will also work more accurately than it does now. The receiver clicks via a quick-release system onto an adapter plate that you can stick to the roof.

Almost as high as standard steering wheel

In the cab we find the Fieldbee Powersteer Complete steering kit. The steering wheel with double three spokes looks modern. The steering motor is located under the steering wheel. The whole stack is not much higher than a standard handlebar. This is because a standard tractor steering wheel usually stands like a fairing. The Fieldbee’s steering wheel is flat. Combined with the steering motor, it is therefore practically the same height as the standard steering wheel without the steering motor.

The complete version consists of an electric steering motor including steering wheel, wiring harness, tablet, a RAM support for the tablet with built-in trickle charger and an anti-rotation kit, with which the steering motor can push off against the dashboard. If you already have a tablet lying around, you can save € 700 by choosing the Powersteer Basic. Then you have to provide an Android tablet, tablet support and a charger yourself.

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Buying a base station quickly becomes attractive

The set we are looking at uses the correction signal of a Fieldbee base station. You can choose to receive a correction signal via MoveRTK (€ 750 per year) or the base station. You can purchase the latter once for € 1,765 and place it on a fixed point, for example on the roof of the farm. All you need is a strong 2.4 GHz WiFi signal and a power cable. The base station has a range of up to 20 kilometers and can provide an unlimited number of systems with a correction signal at the same time. The Trimble XCN1050 RV55 modem and Claas S Telematics can also process the NTRIP signal.

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Quite extensive

It is still somewhat limited in functionality. Yet you can do more with it than you think. It is now possible to drive with an accuracy of 2.5 centimeters, record AB lines and curve lines and save edits and lines. You can also keep track of crop registration in the Fieldbee app, save your machine and tractor settings and register fields.

At the moment it is not yet possible to apply machine control, such as switching sections. This is, incidentally, being worked on, and will be possible in the future as a software extension to existing and new systems.

We are pleased with the clear operation of the dust- and waterproof Android tablet. It is easy and intuitive to operate. We do miss some small practical details. For example, the steering system does not turn off when you give the steering wheel a tug. So you have to manually turn off the guidance on the screen. There is a large button on the tablet for this, but we preferred to see a slight intervention via the steering wheel to disable automatic steering.

You also cannot (yet) place separate buttons in the cabin that you use to switch the guidance on and off. With its relatively low price, the Fieldbee is very interesting for smaller companies or farmers who want to make the step to use GPS, but who are afraid of the competitors’ amounts.

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From € 4,200

You can order the simple electric Fieldbee Powersteer Basic for € 4,200 from Doorgrond, the more extensive Complete version costs € 700 more. If you want to be able to store recorded lines and plots, you will have to pay € 120 annually for a Fieldbee subscription. You also have to remove your steering wheel from the tractor before purchasing. Then you measure the diameter of the steering shaft, count the number of splines and note the socket size you used to measure the tire.

You pass on that data, together with the make and type of the tractor and then you get the correct spline bush, with which the steering motor fits on the tractor. If you want to use the set on multiple tractors, you can also repeat these steps for the other tractors.

After ordering and providing the necessary information, you will receive the steering kit at home and you can assemble it. If you don’t have to hide the cables under the upholstery, this will be done within an hour and you can drive. If you want to see as little of the cables as possible, concealing them behind the covering will take a little more time and you can count on half a day’s work. If you want to prepare several tractors for the system, you can order extra cable harnesses for € 460 each.