Auto-steer.

[Michael]

Looking at purchasing some new auto-steer equipment for the farm.  We have narrowed it down to the E-Z steer system from Trimble and the Outback system.  Many features from both and would like to couple with the Farm Works software that we currently use.  We would like to use auto-steer for tractor ops. and harvesting.  Being able to move from tractor to tractor is key for us and looks like both systems can be moved.  What do you run?  Anyone use these systems?  What are your thoughts?

[Jonathan Dansel]

We have run Outback for the last 4 years...has got the job done but haven't been 100% satified until recently when they came and updated our software and put the new X-Drive in....Wow..much better accuracy.  We have always used the little portable base unit RTK system with them and it has been okay but will be much better with the new X-Drive in our MX285.  We are stip tilling now with a 8520 set up with Green Star SF2 signal and it is better than our old Outback RTK setup...the X-Drive should have cured our problems though as we will run the planter and Outback system behind the Deere SF2 strips....anxious to see how it matches up.  Outback is pretty dang affordable, we have 2 tractors on the place set up on Outback with the S3 monitors and RTK ready for what the 8520 cost to set up with Green Star. I have also run Trimble just a little in my cousin's tractor and i liked it alot as well...idk now outback compares to Trimble on being user friendly, but the Outback system i think is VERY easy to run compared to Deere...Deere seems like there are a thousand things to figure out but part of it i'm just not used to it...only about 700 ac. under my belt strip tilling with it, so i will give it some time!  Just like i hated running that 8520 after running our MX tractors...but now i probably like it better.  As far as moving stuff around on different tractors i think that would be easy with the Outback system..we don't each tractor is completely set up but as long as you were wired up you could move the S3 monitor from one tractor to another really easy. The best thing about Outback is there is no annual subscription to anything..i think Trimble and Deere is probably about $1500/yr or more.

[Michael]

Thanks.  The Outback is great with no annual subscription and with wanting to go RTK in the future (or now), it will work better than Trimble.  We just don't like having that wheel/motor on the steering wheel then having to move it out of the way to do manual steering.  However, its easier to move around.

[pooboynotiller]

if your interested in a used trimble ezguide 500 with ez steer and ez boom with foot control let me know.  I already have one and bought a sprayer and it came with one as well.  Think it has about 200 hours on it, but can't remember for sure.  Friend me if you want more information.  Thank You

[Adam]

what $ range pooboynotiller?

[pooboynotiller]

they tell me its worth 5000.00 it has the t2 terrain box also

[pooboynotiller]

I understand michael for the better accuracy for rtk. I use the free signal which works very good for what I do

[Matt Folsom]

I got a system thru Ravens for our 8400's.  It is full hydro control no add on wheels.  I got what ravens calls the Envzio Pro console and the 3D smartsteer control.  I did not need a yaw or tilt sensor because they are built into the node.  I had to install it all myself but that was my choice to save a little money.  I paid $18,000 for the sytems thru the local CAT dealer before I left my job.  I think if you came in off the street they would cost about $22,000.  The reason I went with ravens was with a $25 harness i can connect it to the old 660 boxes we already had to control the manure tanks and sprayer.  I did not have to convert the equipment to a can style control system.

[Matt Folsom]

How bout auto steer for the truck driving acroos I70 in Kanas today and it seems I could just set the cruize and auto steer and the old truck would know right were to go.

[Jim Emerick]

outback has not worked out real well in my area. could be the dealers though. a lot of people in my area are going with the agleader paradyme system. they say it has better accuracy, less signal loss and is fairly simple to use. i do know agleader is cheaper than john deere rtk.

[Christopher Hart]

I have a Trimble 750 with an easy steer...

I think it works great. I made a plate for the floor of each tractor with bolts already welded on and I bought an easy steer bracket for each tractor. I can move the whole set up in 15 minutes.

I use the free waas signal and it has always been very accurate.