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January 18, 2002

Tech Tips
GreenStar AutoTrac debuts

Farmers spend countless hours in the seat of a tractor, and make thousands of adjustments while steering to keep the tractor in the row and moving in a straight line. Imagine how much easier it would be to operate if the tractor could steer itself when heading down the field.

This is now a reality with the introduction of the GreenStar AutoTrac assisted steering system. John Deere has developed a user-friendly tracking system that greatly reduces the amount of time an operator needs to spend steering the tractor.

Based on the Parallel Tracking platform introduced last year and designed exclusively for John Deere equipment, AutoTrac uses the StarFire position receiver and dual frequency differential corrections to accurately steer the tractor down the field. After setting the initial pass (Track 0), an operator simply presses a button on the CommandARM and AutoTrac will steer the tractor.

"The operator must still turn at the end of each pass and around any obstacles in the field," says Steve Robisky, product manager, John Deere AMS. "But the effort to steer the tractor in a straight-line is virtually eliminated."

Studies demonstrate that steering a tractor is a stressful function that contributes to operator fatigue. AutoTrac relieves some of this stress, helps the operator make more accurate passes, and allows for increased comfort during the long hours of tractor operation.

"Other benefits include increased crop yields because of reduced compaction," says Robisky. "AutoTrac allows for planned traffic patterns to get the most efficient passes along a predetermined route. Because of this efficiency, more work can be done in a shorter period of time, and there is greater accuracy with agronomic inputs such as fertilizer and herbicides."

AutoTrac also helps maximize tillage by better utilizing the full implement width, thereby reducing fuel consumption and allowing for faster field speeds. Because the operator is less fatigued and less busy with steering, he or she has greater awareness of machine functions and has a more comfortable working environment.

Other features of the new AutoTrac system include shift track that allows an operator to move the position of the "track" to the right or left in small increments, about an inch. It also allows the operator to match the location of the "track" to the vehicle with a press of the button on the GreenStar display. This greatly reduces setup time in the field and increases the accuracy of field operation. An exclusive turning view provides an aerial view (on the display monitor) of the tractor, while turning, that guides the operator back into the next pass quickly and easily. A mark point (or return to marker) feature enables the operator to store up to five points or locations; with the push of a button, the system reverts to the aerial view of the vehicle and guides the operator back to the marked area of choice.

"GreenStar AutoTrac uses satellite technology for differential correction and is a very cost-effective system that eliminates the need for base stations," explains Robisky. "Unlike the Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) systems currently on the market, AutoTrac has an unlimited coverage area because of the worldwide StarFire network. It is not limited by line-of-sight visibility from a base station."

AutoTrac is exclusively designed for John Deere equipment and is available for 8000 TEN Series Track and 9000 Series Track tractors on a limited-build basis only. Full availability of GreenStar AutoTrac for all current track tractor models will be August 2002. Future releases of AutoTrac will be available on John Deere wheeled vehicles as well.

For more innovative solutions from Deere, visit www.JohnDeere.com.