John Deere launches new ‘bolt-on’ application controller

With the new upgraded John Deere AIG, “producers no longer have to worry about the final crop quality as both the machine and implement are operating on the A-B line,” says Wayne Spaumer, Product Specialist for Precision Agriculture, Sub-Sahara Africa at John Deere.

Moreover, AutoTrac assisted steering system paired with AIG allows operators to be more productive by allowing them to focus on tasks other than steering, says John Deere.

Execute optimum passes

According to the manufacturer, using AutoTrac and AIG together greatly reduces the strain on the operator because the system accurately guides the implement to execute optimum passes, or accurately distribute seed or fertiliser by placing, “industry-leading implement control at the operator’s fingertips,” says Spaumer.

Travel off guidance lines

In addition, passive AutoTrac Implement Guidance allows machinery to travel off guidance lines, “meaning that no steering mechanism is needed to keep the implement on the intended path,” says Spaumer.

John Deere says this system is optimal for first-pass applications like pre-season nutrient dressing, tillage, planting and seeding, or strip-tilling and should lead to better crop quality and improved yield.

Other operator benefits of John Deere’s enhanced AIG include:

• Closer monitoring of parts, enabling proactive – rather than reactive – maintenance.
• Freeing the operator to look for obstacles such as rocks, washouts, or holes caused by broken tile lines.
• The ability to turn the implement steering mechanism manually in tight spaces through simple fingertip controls.

All of these benefits result in, “more uptime for the equipment – and an operator who is more alert throughout the day,” says Spaumer.

Precise seed placement

Risk is also minimised when seed is planted with AIG, claims John Deere. Precise seed placement is to provide a straighter path for subsequent passes throughout the season. Compaction and crop disturbance are to be reduced as AIG keeps the implement and tractor on the same guidance path.

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With the new upgraded John Deere AIG both the machine and implement are operating on the A-B line. – Photo: John Deere

New hardware versions

Recently, both the John Deere Application Controller 1100 and Application Controller 1120 were replaced with a new version of the hardware.

Key improvements to Application Controller 1100 include:

• Automation of machine guidance as well as hydraulic controls, unlocking multiple solutions via a StellarSupport portal activation.
• The ability to perform land levelling and distance-based operations through automated hydraulic control enabled by iGrade and Distance Trip.
• Location and precise tracking of implements via John Deere AIG and Plow Steer.
• Removal of the need for external valves.

Key changes to AIG enables:

• Plow Steer to adjust plow width, maintaining a selected centre point between guidance lines.
• Vision cameras and specialty hitch designs to move cultivators in row crops.

Key changes to iGrade and Distance Trip include iGrade compatibility with up to 3 scrapers with elevation and slope control.

Up to 10 user-defined patterns

The John Deere enhanced AIG also enables Distance Trip to create headland furrows in ditch irrigation, equidistant post holes for fencing operations, and plot-based alignments for seeding and spraying operations based on segment length.

The new functionality also, “provides up to 10 user-defined patterns with associated reference points including grid (90-degree, equilateral triangles, alternating rows, integrated angels), parallel lines, fence posts and plot pattern,” says Spaumer. Patterns may also use, “manually entered guidance line track spacing to synchronise application controller spacings,” he adds.

Record harvest information

Furthermore, yield documentation enables producers to record harvest information from on-machine weight-based, harvesting operations. Typical uses include harvesting potatoes, onions, and beetroot. Thereafter, “data can be easily transferred to John Deere Operations Center via Wireless Data Transfer (WDT), JDLink or USB for further analysis around yield and agronomic impacts for nutrient removal and residue levels,” explains Spaumer.

AIG is available for all John Deere and non-John Deere tractors with either an open or closed-centre hydraulic system, “by merely adding an external suction control valve (SCV) and SCV switch available at any John Deere dealer,” concludes Spaumer.