The farming landscape is always changing, and precision farming is leading the way to get more work done and grow bigger harvests. The key to this big change is using smart systems that make sure farm tools follow their planned path with perfect, centimeter-level accuracy, no matter how rough or hilly the field is.
We recently took our new Path Assist solution to a large field near Kępno, Poland, for a very tough test, and the results were incredible. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the tough testing we did. We'll show exactly how Path Assist successfully solves problems like the tool sliding sideways, wiggling, and struggling on steep hills, all while keeping amazing accuracy when driving in straight lines.
Getting to Know Path Assist
Path Assist is an intelligent solution specially designed to address the most common obstacles to precision in the field. Its primary function is to eliminate detrimental issues such as implement drift and side slip caused by mounting errors, sway, or terrain changes.
To keep the trailed implement maintaining a position precisely on the intended guidance line, Path Assist relies on two crucial components installed directly onto the implement itself, rather than solely on the tractor. The first is a high-precision GNSS receiver, which continuously delivers accurate positional data for the implement's actual location. The second component is an angle sensor, which detects the implement's dynamic actions, including real-time sway or side-slip relative to the tractor's path.
This combination of precise positional and angular feedback allows the in-cab FJD navigation system to intelligently calculate and execute immediate corrections, ensuring the implement follows the desired path perfectly under all field conditions.
Currently, Path Assist works perfectly with the FJD AT2 and AT2 Max navigation screens. We are testing it with our other FJD autosteering systems. Our goal is to soon help many more farmers upgrade their trailed farm implements using the super affordable yet powerful Path Assist.
Test Setup: Pushing the Boundaries of Precision
To provide a rigorous assessment of the Path Assist solution, we selected a challenging and robust equipment configuration for our field test:
- Tractor: A Massey Ferguson 6465—a powerful 4-wheel drive machine featuring a 96 kW engine, selected for its proven reliability and performance on diverse terrain.
- Implement: A substantial 7-meter-long tillage implement, representing a significant piece of machinery for the system to actively control and correct.
- FJD System: Our AT2 autosteer terminal was installed inside the tractor cab. Meanwhile, the essential components of Path Assist—the angle sensor and the dedicated GNSS receiver—were mounted directly onto the tillage implement itself via brackets. Specifically, the GNSS receiver was installed using one or two steel rods, allowing the farmer to easily adjust the height to fit their implement.
Test Details: Straight Lines, Slopes, and Low Lighting
The testing focused on three critical areas that typically cause issues for conventional farming: straight-line driving, navigating slopes, and maintaining performance under various conditions, including low light.Keeping Straight Lines: Eliminating Sway and Slip
Our first set of tests focused on simple, straight-line driving. We wanted to see how well Path Assist could spot and fix common sideways movements, like the implement side slip or sway. The results were much better than we expected.
In the test, Path Assist uses a GNSS receiver installed on the implement to constantly send its exact location to the AT2 control screen inside the tractor. At the same time, its angle sensor sends details about how the implement is moving—if it's wobbling or sliding.
The AT2 screen takes this information, combines it with where the tractor is, and uses smart computer programs to figure out the exact correction needed right away. This allows the system to steer the tillage implement dynamically to pull it back onto the correct path.
Path Assist's accuracy was amazing, staying within just 0 to 2 centimeters of the perfect line every time. This super-high precision means that with every trip across the field, the implement covers its full working width. It completely prevents messy overlaps or missed spots, greatly increasing tilling efficiency.
Conquering Challenging Slopes: The ±15° Test
One of the biggest problems farmers face is keeping their machinery perfectly straight when working on fields that are sloped or bumpy. When a heavy tractor pulls a large implement, the force of the pull and gravity itself often push the implement sideways. This sliding, called implement drift, means the implement doesn't follow the tractor's line, leading to messy rows and wasted effort.
We put this ability to the test on seriously challenging land, driving on slopes that went up or down by as much as ±15 degrees. Path Assist successfully fought against the slope's side-pull, helping the implement follow the exact path we had set perfectly. This ability is incredibly important because it is what keeps all the rows spaced evenly and makes sure the implement tills at the same depth across the entire field, whether it's flat or steep.
Even while the Massey Ferguson tractor was climbing uphill at a speed of 8 kilometers per hour, the large tillage implement stayed perfectly aligned behind it. This strong uphill performance guarantees that Path Assist can keep things totally straight and controlled, even when the machine is under heavy stress and battling gravity on steep ground. This reliable control is a huge benefit for farmers, ensuring they get the same high-quality, precise work on difficult land as they do on easy, flat fields.
Staying Steady: Day and Night Precision
Our final testing phase checked how stable the Path Assist system stayed when conditions changed, especially around sunset. This is a tricky time because the light changes, and sometimes the quality of the satellite signal (GNSS) can waver. We needed to be sure the system works perfectly all the time, not just during the day.
The results confirmed the system's toughness: even as the sun set, the guidance accuracy of Path Assist remained incredibly steady, holding tight to a precision of within 2.5 centimeters. This reliable performance, day or night, is vital for farmers. It lets them keep a consistent, high-quality pace throughout long workdays, preventing the messy, uneven rows that can cause problems during harvest and reduce the amount of crop they collect.
Test Conclusion
The tough field test of Path Assist in Poland clearly shows that it performs extremely well and is simple to use. The system proved to stay accurately within about 2.5 cm, even in difficult situations, like using a large 7-meter-long tillage implement on steep hills that went up or down by ±15°. This precise control over bumpy ground completely fixes common problems like the implement sliding sideways and rows being uneven. Ultimately, this guarantees high-quality fieldwork for improved operational efficiency and maximized yields.
Want to learn more about how Path Assist can reduce implement drift? Contact FJDynamics today, and we'll reach out to you with a customized solution as soon as possible!