DIY Cruise Control For Tractor Steering

2018 - Volume #42, Issue #6, Page #36

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The Wheelman autosteering system is like cruise control on a car, but for steering. Once you engage it, the tractor steers itself back and forth in the field. Grab the steering wheel, and it shuts off until you re-engage. Best of all, it’s low cost and installation is easy.
  “We wanted to make autosteering affordable and do-it-yourself,” says Doug Marinaro, Ag Junction. “The introductory price of $3,495 has everything you need except a smartphone or tablet. It takes less than an hour to install with simple tools.”
  Marinaro notes that many farmers are still unaware of the benefits of autosteering, such as increased productivity and reduced stress. The USDA estimates it saves farmers $15 per acre per year. Autosteer makes every pass count for the full width of the implement. Many farmers assume the technology doesn’t apply to their equipment or is only available through a dealer.
  “It can appear the only way to get the benefits of autosteer is to buy a large, new tractor or get an expensive retrofit on a recent model, larger tractor,” says Marinaro. “That’s not true anymore.”
  Unlike other autosteer systems, the Wheelman system can be installed on nearly any tractor, from old to new, large to small. It fits 350 different makes and models with more being added. It doesn’t even require power steering.
  Installation is as easy as removing the steering wheel and sliding the Wheelman bracket into place around the steering column. It houses a small and very strong electric motor that steers the tractor when engaged. A dashboard that includes a light bar for manual control and observation in autosteer mode attaches to the bracket. It also displays buttons for identifying the A and B points that establish the initial path that will be replicated by autosteer.
  “Wheelman is designed so you don’t even have to bend over to install components,” says Marinaro. “Simply sit down in the seat and go to work.”
  A GPS receiver and a new steering wheel are included with the Wheelman bracket and dashboard. Once they are all installed, the Wheelman is calibrated with the aid of a smartphone, tablet or other digital device. At that point, the operator can input field name, implement width and other information using their device.
  Once the base A=B contour line is established at either end of a field, the controller in Wheelman automatically establishes and displays parallel lines of implement width across the field.
  “Watching the light bar, the operator can steer the tractor to any line, engage autosteer, and the tractor will steer itself across the field,” says Marinaro. “The farmer can concentrate on monitoring the implement.”
  The entire system is designed for ease of installation, ease of use and ease of updating. A Wi-Fi chip in the controller and AgJunction’s Whirl software let it communicate with almost any digital device with the Whirl app.
  Information entered and data gathered are transmitted automatically to the device and from there to the Cloud. It can be accessed on the device or later on a desktop computer. When software needs to be updated, the device automatically takes care of it. If hardware needs to be replaced, the dashboard is simply unhooked and later replaced.
  “If there is a problem in the field, our support center can see what the Wheelman is doing and suggest solutions,” says Marinaro. “Eventually our support center will be able to proactively monitor and diagnose problems.”
  For those not yet ready for autosteer, AgJunction offers Ranger, a low cost light bar based guidance system. It is all- inclusive and can be installed in minutes. Priced at only $995, it can be used to define a field perimeter, establish an A=B line and parallel lines based on implement width. While Wheelman steers the tractor, Ranger advises you to adjust steering left or right manually to stay within 4 to 6 in. of the line.
  Wheelman and Ranger are only available direct from AgJunction via the company’s website. Currently a 1974 JD 4320 is the oldest tractor with an installed Wheelman. Marinaro is confident that will soon change.
  “We are challenging FARM SHOW readers to install it on still older tractors,” says Marinaro. “We expect guys will build their own kits with Wheelman components.”
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, AgJunction, 2207 Iowa St., Hiawatha, Kan. 66434 (ph 785 742-2976; toll free 866 888-4472; www.handsfreefarm.com).

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DIY Cruise Control For Tractor Steering TRACTORS Accessories The Wheelman autosteering system is like cruise control on a car but for steering Once you engage it the tractor steers itself back and forth in the field Grab the steering wheel and it shuts off until you re-engage Best of all it’s low cost and installation is easy “We wanted to make autosteering affordable and do-it-yourself ” says Doug Marinaro Ag Junction “The introductory price of $3 495 has everything you need except a smartphone or tablet It takes less than an hour to install with simple tools ” Marinaro notes that many farmers are still unaware of the benefits of autosteering such as increased productivity and reduced stress The USDA estimates it saves farmers $15 per acre per year Autosteer makes every pass count for the full width of the implement Many farmers assume the technology doesn’t apply to their equipment or is only available through a dealer “It can appear the only way to get the benefits of autosteer is to buy a large new tractor or get an expensive retrofit on a recent model larger tractor ” says Marinaro “That’s not true anymore ” Unlike other autosteer systems the Wheelman system can be installed on nearly any tractor from old to new large to small It fits 350 different makes and models with more being added It doesn’t even require power steering Installation is as easy as removing the steering wheel and sliding the Wheelman bracket into place around the steering column It houses a small and very strong electric motor that steers the tractor when engaged A dashboard that includes a light bar for manual control and observation in autosteer mode attaches to the bracket It also displays buttons for identifying the A and B points that establish the initial path that will be replicated by autosteer “Wheelman is designed so you don’t even have to bend over to install components ” says Marinaro “Simply sit down in the seat and go to work ” A GPS receiver and a new steering wheel are included with the Wheelman bracket and dashboard Once they are all installed the Wheelman is calibrated with the aid of a smartphone tablet or other digital device At that point the operator can input field name implement width and other information using their device Once the base A=B contour line is established at either end of a field the controller in Wheelman automatically establishes and displays parallel lines of implement width across the field “Watching the light bar the operator can steer the tractor to any line engage autosteer and the tractor will steer itself across the field ” says Marinaro “The farmer can concentrate on monitoring the implement ” The entire system is designed for ease of installation ease of use and ease of updating A Wi-Fi chip in the controller and AgJunction’s Whirl software let it communicate with almost any digital device with the Whirl app Information entered and data gathered are transmitted automatically to the device and from there to the Cloud It can be accessed on the device or later on a desktop computer When software needs to be updated the device automatically takes care of it If hardware needs to be replaced the dashboard is simply unhooked and later replaced “If there is a problem in the field our support center can see what the Wheelman is doing and suggest solutions ” says Marinaro “Eventually our support center will be able to proactively monitor and diagnose problems ” For those not yet ready for autosteer AgJunction offers Ranger a low cost light bar based guidance system It is all- inclusive and can be installed in minutes Priced at only $995 it can be used to define a field perimeter establish an A=B line and parallel lines based on implement width While Wheelman steers the tractor Ranger advises you to adjust steering left or right manually to stay within 4 to 6 in of the line Wheelman and Ranger are only available direct from AgJunction via the company’s website Currently a 1974 JD 4320 is the oldest tractor with an installed Wheelman Marinaro is confident that will soon change “We are challenging FARM SHOW readers to install it on still older tractors ” says Marinaro “We expect guys will build their own kits with Wheelman components ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup AgJunction 2207 Iowa St Hiawatha Kan 66434 ph 785 742-2976; toll free 866 888-4472; www handsfreefarm com

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