AgJunction’s K-Turns reduces the area required to perform a headland turn when farming
Image: AgJunction’s K-Turns reduces the area required to perform a headland turn when farming. Photo: Courtesy of AgJunction.
AgJunction has been developing auto-steering headland turns and has debuted eTurns in 2011. In addition to improving performance and tighter turning ratio, supporting effective configurations, K-Turns will offer farmers the benefit of reducing the area needed to perform a turn with their equipment, the company said.
The classic ‘keyhole turn’ needs a large headland to make a turn for the next row, while the K-Turns needs a smaller size of that headland by half and can better use the grower’s fields, increasing the amount of field available for planting.
It also provides a safer turning option for farmers with lands bordering canals, creeks and other challenging terrains.
AgJunction chief operating officer M. Brett McMickell said: “AgJunction really considers how autosteering effects the work of the farmer and the mechanics of agriculture itself.
“The K-Turns capability is about improving efficiency without overlapping to maximize utilization of the entire field. Using minimal headland space means a greater yield is possible, along with the ability to make more efficient turns and adjustments, while providing greater autonomy to be more productive.”
AgJunction M&A, IP, and general counsel vice president Bob Barjesteh said: “Owning this important technology further solidifies our patent coverage in machine steering, specifically in the area of auto headland turns.
“We also were just granted the European patent for this technology, where the K-Turns capability is even more critical to farmers because of the slightly smaller field sizes.”
The company has nearly 200 precision agriculture patents
As per AgJunction, since 2016, it has added 72 new patent matters and was issued 13 new patents. It presently holds nearly 200 precision agriculture patents and pending patents across the world.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, AgJunction offers its solutions under leading brands such as Novariant, Wheelman, Whirl, and Handsfreefarm. The company aims to bring affordable hands-free farming to all farms, regardless of the terrain or size.