Home Built Non-Mechanical Row Sensor

Home built non-mechanical row sensor CROPS New Techniques 13-3-24 "There was nothing like it on the market so I decided to build my own," says Bill Kreitzer, Gibson City, Ill., about the "non-mechanical" row crop sensor he developed to eliminate the need for mechanical "wand-type" sensors that actually feel their way along the crop, guide along a mark dug in the field, or use gauge wheels to sense along a ridge. Kreitzer is working closely with Tri-R Innovations in Gibson City to develop the sensor to work with the company's popular Robotic Driver guidance system that consists of a small rubber wheel that rubs against the steering wheel of tractors, combines and other equipment to provide automatic steering. Kreitzer says the biggest problem in developing the new system was finding the right type of electronic sensor. At first he tried distance finders from Polaroid cameras and electronic tape measures. They worked fine but wouldn't work under distances less than 12 in. He also tried sound wave, infrared, and other "electric eye" type sensors. He says he recently found one that"works great at distances as small as 1/4 in" He plans to field test the unit this summer working with Tri-R Innovations. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bill Kreitzer, 10011 N. Church, Gibson City, Ill. 60936 (ph 217 784-4646)`

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