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"Low Tech" Auto Steering System
Hands-free steering is gaining ground as more and more farmers discover the savings in fuel and other inputs, not to mention reduced fatigue from not trying to steer a straight line. The only trouble is that most steering systems on the market are expensive and also require that every operation be done with GPS. Scott
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"Low Tech" Auto Steering System MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous 31-3-40 Hands-free steering is gaining ground as more and more farmers discover the savings in fuel and other inputs, not to mention reduced fatigue from not trying to steer a straight line. The only trouble is that most steering systems on the market are expensive and also require that every operation be done with GPS. Scott Longlet, president, Reichhardt Electronic Innovations, Inc., says his company has a better idea.
"Our modular system gives you automatic steering with or without GPS for all field operations," says Longlet. "And you can use our set of equipment in more than one machine."
The Reichhardt system has all the basic components of more expensive systems with the exception of being able to collect and download data. The entire system can be used in up to eight vehicles once each machine is equipped with an interface with the hydraulic steering system.
Reichhardt's basic package runs about $5,200. GPS adds about $1,800. A steering motor adds another $2,000. The system is able to plug into many existing products on the market.
Longlet says the Reichhardt system really excels in fields that haven't been tilled or planted using GPS mapping/steering. Instead of GPS, it can use ultra sound or mechanical "feelers" to steer. Components can be customized for each job.
"I use GPS in my first pass tilling or planting," explains Longlet. "When seeding grain, I plug off two rows with every third pass on my 30-ft. seeder to give me a tram line for my 90-ft. sprayer. Then when I come back with my sprayer tractor, I use the ultrasonic sensor in the tramline to control the steering. I use GPS for harvest of wheat or beans and the mechanical sensor on the corn head. When shredding corn stalks, I use either ultrasound or the sensor to guide the tractor."
Regardless of which sensor component is used, the controller receives 100 readings per second for instant response. Steering is accurate at speeds from 0.5 to 30+ mph.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Scott Longlet, Reichhardt Electronic Innovations, 2357 155th Ave SE, Arthur, N. Dak. 58006 (ph 701 967-8369; info@reichhardt.com; www.reichhardt.com).
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