AutoPath uses the data collected from the first pass in the field, either strip-till or planting, to provide precise full-field guidance for all subsequent field passes
Rounding a curve while opening a field with an AutoPath guidance line. (Credit: Deere & Company.)
American agricultural machinery-maker John Deere has introduced a new precision agriculture application, AutoPath, for more accurate row guidance throughout the season.
AutoPath will help the producers more accurately document and follow each row of crops, said John Deere.
The application uses the data collected from the first pass in the field, either strip-till or planting, to create precise full-field guidance for all subsequent field passes such as planting, spraying, and harvest.
To precisely record the location of each row with AutoPath, the planter or strip-till implement and tractor are equipped with StarFire receivers during the first field pass.
John Deere said that the subsequent field passes are based on actual documented row location rather than a static AB Line, which may or may not represent the planted row due to implement drift on sidehills or around curves.
John Deere precision agriculture marketing manager John Mishler said: “When using AutoPath, guidance lines are automatically created from a map of crop row lines for each field.
“These mapped row lines are used to automatically create guidance lines for the entire field for all other in-field passes, such as spraying, nutrient application or harvesting operations, later in the year.
“Using this solution, operators know which rows to start on and can precisely follow the auto-generated guidance lines, regardless of the field application or machine width.
“This increases operator confidence in being on the right row and the efficiency of field operations throughout the growing season and harvest.”
AutoPath is included in John Deere Generation 4 Automation Bundle
The company said that the new precision agriculture application is included in the John Deere Generation 4 Automation Bundle and available for either the 4600 CommandCenter Integrated Display or the 4640 Universal Display.
AutoPath can be used on tractors, sprayers and combines, and can also be integrated with active and passive implement guidance systems for planters, nutrient applicators, and other field equipment.
In June this year, John Deere has added two new models of X Series Combines to its 2021 harvesting line-up to help large-scale farmers thresh, separate and clean more bushels per hour or harvest more acres per day.