CLAAS expand range of GPS tools

25 Mar 15:09

In addition CLAAS leads the way in the use of GPS to monitor and evaluate machinery efficiency.

At the Precision Farming Event CLAAS will be featuring its complete range of precision farming tools, including two new systems.

New COPILOT TS controller

On display at the Precision Farming Event, CLAAS will be displaying their new entry level steering GPS control terminal –COPILOT TS.

The new COPILOT TS shares many features of the more advanced S3 control unit, but is designed specifically for use with tractors, and will provide either steering guidance or can be upgraded for use with an automatic steering system.

COPILOT TS uses an Egnos correction signal to provide an accuracy of ±15-30cm and can be used for parallel tracking in either a straight or curved path.

The COPILOT TS unit incorporates a large touch screen display and aside from providing track management, the terminal can be used to calculate and store information, such as the area covered, and has a USB connection to the download information for further use.

TELEMATICS for foragers

With its TELEMATICS system, CLAAS leads the way in the use of GPS systems to monitor machinery and evaluate efficiency.

For this harvest, there will be nearly 200 CLAAS combines out in the field using TELEMATICS. Following this success, CLAAS has now extended availability to its JAGUAR range of self-propelled forage harvesters and the new TUCANO 480 combine range.

The greatest benefit of TELEMATICS for many customers is not only the ability it provides to monitor the combine remotely, but also the ability after harvest to study aspects such as when and where the combine unloads, to see if there opportunities to improve field efficiency and so gain valuable combining time.

Every 15 seconds the TELEMATICS system on the JAGUAR takes a 'snap-shot' of all aspects of the machine's current settings and performance, and stores all of this data within CEBIS.

Using a GPRS mobile phone connection, all this information is then uploaded every 15 minutes to a dedicated secure web server, or in the event of a signal not being available the data will be stored until a connection can be made. The operator can then access all of this information using a computer, or any web-enabled hand-held device, via a dedicated individual login.

Many recorded machine parameters can be compared using the TELEMATICS system. For instance, it is possible to monitor fuel consumption but also because TELEMATICS will record each time the knives are sharpened, the impact this will have on fuel consumption can be analysed.

By overlaying information received on Google Earth maps, it is possible to establish the location of the JAGUAR, which will be particularly useful for service support, or to monitor how a machine is progressing and so be able to inform the next customer how soon the foraging team will be with them.

Full range of guidance systems

Also featured will be the complete range of CLAAS Agrosystems steering options and guidance units. In addition to the new COPILOT TS, CLAAS also offers the S-LITE guidance unit or the CLAAS S3 terminal, which can be used for guidance or automatic steering using Egnos, Omnistar HP, the unique CLAAS BASELINE tripod based mobile signal or full RTK.

In addition to these GPS based systems, CLAAS also offers the unique CAMPILOT steering system.

This uses a 3D and colour recognition camera which is capable of following plant rows, ridges, furrows or swaths, and automatically steer the tractor to an accuracy of ±2-3cm, making the system ideal for use in vegetable or similar farming systems.

Source Claas