Automatic Guidance System For Planters And Cultivators

Automatic guidance system for planters and cultivators CULTIVATORS Cultivators (58C) 11-3-32 "It's catching on fast, especially for row-crop cultivators," says Lincoln Creek Mfg., Phillips, Neb., of its new automatic guidance system for 3 pt. or pull type planters, and 3 pi cultivators. "We convert stabilizer discs and residue cutting discs so they hinge and steer to provide automatic guidance of planting and cultivating equipment, explain Jay and Ned Groelz, manufacturers. To date, Lincoln Creek Mfg. has adapted hydraulically-actuated hinges to spring-loaded Orthman and Lilliston stabilizer discs, Buffalo discs (4630 and 4640), and Hiniker ridge-till coulters. Similar conversions for other make and model coulters are being developed, says Groelz. On cultivators, a front-mounted sensor uses a wishbone-type wand to sense the position of small corn or soybean plants. It then sends steering signals back to the hinge assembly in the steerable disc or coulter to provide automatic guidance at speeds up to 7.5 mph. "Because of its steering accuracy at high speeds, the guide system lets you cultivate close to the row with 3 pt. equipment, to use narrower herbicide bands to cut costs, and to improve cultivation results on sidehills. There's also less operator fatigue and different operators of the same machine achieve identical results," Jay Groelz points out. The system uses wand, sled, bullet or other type sensors for automatic guidance of 3 pt. or pull type planters, primarily those used for ridge-till where precise steering is required to keep on top the ridges. Dealer-installed cost of the system ranges from $2,200 to $2,600, depending on whether it's being adapted to a closed or open center hydraulic system. "Farmers can save money by installing it themselves," says Groelz. The basic kit includes a control box that mounts in the cab, a front-mounted sensor assembly with wands, a front sensor mount, an electro-hydraulic valve assembly, and two disc or coulter hinge assemblies. "We're also working on a kit that will convert Case crab steer tractor models 4490, 4690 and 4890 to automatic guidance for row-crop planting and cultivation," Groelz told FARM SHOW. "It feeds information from a wand into the electronic brain already built into the tractor, causing the rear wheels to steer left or right, as needed, to keep the cultivator guided. This kit will be inexpensive because it makes use of the electronics and hydraulics already built into these tractors. All that's needed to have automatic guidance on a planter, cultivator, sprayer or other equipment is to move the wand assembly from one implement to the other." For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Lincoln Creek Mfg., Rt. 1, Box 41, Phillips, Neb. 68865 (ph 402 886-2483)

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.