Project Members John Billingsley Murray Schoenfisch David Jones Jason Stone Danny Dusza Funding Source NCEA Tactile guidance system for tractors to follow a furrow The unit provides the cheapest form of vehicle guidance available for agriculture and as such expands the opportunities for providing the productivity benefits associated with agriculture into broad acre agriculture as well as high margin irrigated cropping systems. The product has been well received by the market place following its release by Agri-Dry Rimik last year. The company is now focusing on extending its application and functionality. Trimble have been unable to provide objective evidence of the accuracy of this device. The data available will be a valuable marketing tool for Trimble but more importantly will provide a basis for the development of strong and on going relationship with Trimble.
Testing is complete with the report presented to the client.
As well as providing Trimble with valuable marketing information the job provided our staff with invaluable experience in the use of this equipment. It is hoped that the technology can be developed for release in agriculture to enhance the use of this exciting tool. Trials competed so far show the performance of off the cheaper off the shelf units can be dramatically improved by altering standard software installations. A device has been manufactured for field testing this year and will provide the practical feed back on whether there is a cheaper solution to this problem available. These kits include all hydraulic components, wheel angle sensors and installation instructions to allow electronic control of the tractors steering system.