Friday, 13 May 2022 13:55

Hands no longer needed for headland turns

Written by  Staff Reporters
Valtra’s SmartTurn software allows all field operations to be carried out without the driver touching the steering wheel. Valtra’s SmartTurn software allows all field operations to be carried out without the driver touching the steering wheel.

A software update for Valtra tractors combines Auto U-Pilot headland management and Valtra Guide automated steering to help deliver automated headland turns.

SmartTurn is the final piece of the puzzle that allows all field operations to be carried out without the driver touching the steering wheel.

The technology is said to improve precision, save time, fuel and prevent soil compaction. Valtra notes that the system also enables the driver to focus on the quality of work and it improves safety and accuracy in dark, foggy and dusty conditions.

Working with SmartTurn begins by defining the field boundary and headland from where the required turning radius is calibrated, according to the implement width and by turning the tractor sharply to the right and left.

The operator then chooses between the U-turn and part-field automatic turning mode. The former sees the tractor make a small U-shaped turn on the headland into the adjacent undriven way line. In the case of the latter, a smaller headland is required, as the tractor turns back into the third, fourth or further way line.

Available now for fifth generation N and T Series tractors, the software update will be available for fourth generation models and for other fifth generation models later this year, without the need for any mechanical modifications to tractors equipped with Valtra Guide.

In other Valtra news, until now Valtra tractors have only been able to offer section control, working in conjunction with ISOBUS-compatible machines such as sprayers, to divide the working area into 24 or 36 sections.

But now the company’s latest version increases this to as many as 96 sections. Meanwhile, its MultiBoom feature makes it possible to simultaneously control up to three different booms automatically.

Valtra says this makes the system ideal for controlling the likes of ISOBUS-compatible seed drills, sprayers, fertiliser spreaders and row crop cultivators. The sections on the new version can also be controlled by separate feeders in one, two or three consecutive rows.

Alternatively, operators can automate control of one implement at front of the tractor and the other at the rear.

Using a seed drill as an example, fertiliser can be spread in the first feed system, seed in the next and starter fertiliser or small seed in the third.

“Depending on the implement, the seed and fertiliser hoppers are often divided between two or more sections,” the company claims. “Section control 96 can command each of these sections and feeders with centimetre accuracy.”

Operated from the touchscreen on the SmartTouch armrest, the interface is similar to the existing one. It requires the tractor to be equipped with auto guidance and ISOBUS implement control.

Users of fourth and fifth generation Valtra tractors with section control 36 will have free access to the new features once their tractor software is updated at the next scheduled maintenance.

Those using section control 24 can purchase an upgrade to the new version, which is available now for fifth generation Valtra tractors.

More like this

Revamp for Valtra's A Series models

Valtra has recently announced upgrades to the fifth generation A Series, offered to the New Zealand market in the four cylinder, A105 and A115 models, each delivering the maximum horsepower indicated on the side panels.

Featured

Rural contractors call for overhaul of ag vehicle rules

Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.

NZ seeks certainty on US tariff, says McClay

Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter