Updated Robotic Driver Works In Drilled Beans, Down Corn

Updated Robotic Driver Works In Drilled Beans, Down Corn COMBINES Headers 22-1-4 Paul and Dave Kieser of Bloomington, Ill., have two combines, both of which are equipped with Tri-R Innovations' latest robotic guidance system. The system automatically keeps the combines perfectly on row during harvest. The company's latest "Robotic Driver" is designed to accurately steer combines in 15-in. rows and in drilled beans, and works especially well in down corn, says Ralph Baille, Tri-R Innovations. "We've redesigned the sensing mechanism using heavy duty plastic æwhisker' sensors that are heat-treated and shaped so they bounce right back into place. They'll take a lot of abuse. "The whiskers mount under one of the combine's snouts. For harvesting beans they mount in the middle of the head. We've downsized the control box system in the cab. It's now smaller than a cell phone. You simply press a button to activate the system. Step-ping down on the brake disengages it." The sensors send signals to a hydraulic steering valve mounted on front of the cab. There's also a sensor mounted on the tie rod on the combine's rear axle. The combine automatically steers through the field, leaving the operator free to drop the wheel while he monitors the workings of the equipment, watches for rocks, or whatever. An alarm sounds as the tractor or combine approaches the end of the field, alerting the driver to get ready to manually turn the rig around and into position for the next pass. As soon as the turn is made, it's back again to "hands off" steering as the automatic pilot takes over. "The system is easily switched from one piece of equipment to the next, such as from tractor to combine," says Baille. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tri-R Innovations, Inc., 628 S. Sangamon, Gibson City, Ill. 60936 (ph 217 784-8495).

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