John Deere’s proven multi-brand satellite guidance system is now available as a more fully integrated solution for other makes of tractor and older John Deere models.

New AutoTrac Controller will be featured on the John Deere stand at Cereals 2012 in June, as part of the company’s AMS (Agricultural Management Solutions) precision farming display. It provides non-John Deere and mixed fleet users in particular with the same benefits and advantages as the established AutoTrac automatic steering system.

These include less operator fatigue; consistent accuracy, with reduced overlaps and misses leading to increased productivity and machine efficiency; less wear and tear on equipment; and typical fuel savings of 10 to 15 per cent. Experience with AutoTrac has shown that automatic guidance can achieve savings of between £6000 and £10,000 a year on a 500ha arable farm, for example.

AutoTrac Controller provides fast line acquisition and can be used at all accuracy levels, including the free StarFire 1 signal (30cm), StarFire 2 (10cm) and StarFire RTK (2cm). It operates with John Deere’s AMS GreenStar 2 1800 and GreenStar 3 2630 displays plus the StarFire iTC and 3000 satellite receivers to provide improved accuracy and repeatability, compared to other universal steering systems. It is also compatible with John Deere’s iGuide automatic implement guidance and GreenStar documentation systems.

AutoTrac Controller needs to be fitted by a John Deere dealer, which may take one or two days depending on the level of modification required. Currently it can be fitted to selected John Deere 6000/6010 and 7000/7010 Series tractors plus Fendt Vario, Case IH Steiger and Case IH MX Magnum models – further information on approved platforms can be found at the www.StellarSupport.com website.