Kelsey Favor walks through setting up John Deere AutoPath for spraying and side dressing. The video covers equipment needs, setup steps, software options, and field operation tips for the growing season.
Hi, I'm Kelsey Favor, Product Marketing manager for Autopath. In this video we'll talk about using Autopath for application.
This guidance tool makes it simple to.
Start spraying or side dressing easily and accurately. Autopath uses the documented location of actual planted crop rows, which we refer to.
As the source operation.
Autopath will then create guidance lines for the entire field, including headlands. No more decoding which guidance lines to use, swapping tracks or having to manually steer if plan or drift occurred.
To use Autopath for application operations, you'll 1. A setup file from a documented planting source operation. This is the fuel for Autopath to follow where the actual crop rows are to 2. A Starfire 3000 or newer receiver with SF3 or RTK correction signal. The correction signal needs to be the same as the source operation. 3. A compatible John Deere or Hegi Sprayer or John Deere Tractor with pull behind applicator. For a full list of compatible machines, check out the video description 4. A 4640 display or 4600 command center with a V2 server. The display must be equipped with an automation 4.0. X activation or subscription. The first setup step for using Autopath is creating a setup file and Operations center. There are two things we should verify before we begin. First, we need to go into Organization Preferences, select the Settings tab and turn on Autopath. Next, we'll verify our source data. Autopath uses the same data as the analyze tools to help generate guidance lines, so we need to verify the documentation data. Data accurately represents the field before proceeding. Now that we have verified our field is showing correctly, let's go to the setup file creator and get started. Starting on the LAN tab, select the autopath Guidance filter. This filters the list so that only fields that contain Autopath source data are displayed. Mark the checkbox next to the fields you would like to include in the setup file. Underneath the field name you will see source operations shown in the field list. Select a source operation. Use the Select Source Operation drop down menu to automatically select source operations for each field in bulk. For example, if you select the most recent seeding button, this auto selects the most recent seeding source operation for the full list of fields. In the rare instance that the planting source operation was recorded over more than a 10 day time period, the source operation data will not be merged and multiple setup files will be required for that field. Now that we have completed the autopath specific steps, we'll finish creating the file. To complete Autopath setup, the setup file must be imported onto the display. The setup file can be sent wirelessly from the operations center or uploaded via USB Autopath Row data will increase the size of the setup file, so depending on the number of acres, a USB may be the fastest transfer method. Access the file manager through the menu and System tab or by accessing the autotrack Guidance app. Selecting Set, Track, New Track and import Autopath. Then define the client farm and field and ensure the operation type is set to application. Select Autopath as the track type on your tractor or sprayer. Install a Starfire 3000 or newer receiver with SF3 or RTK and complete complete a TCM calibration. The advanced calibration is preferred when possible. If operating a pull behind applicator, set up a virtual implement profile in the Work Setup page, ensuring that all implement dimensions are measured and entered correctly. You're now ready to use Autopath. Here are a few tips and tricks for using it. A best practice with our technology, not just Autopath, is to update to the latest software before starting in the field for the season because we're always releasing new features to improve your experience and efficiency. You can do this over the air from the display download from our website linked in the video description or talk with your John Deere dealer. There are two line generation methods available in 21. One software which was released in November 2020. The optimize for Fewest Passes option provides complete coverage with the fewest number of passes. Follow Source Operation Passes creates guidance lines that follow the source operation machine. The sprayer would follow where the planter or tractor drove to reduce the number of tire tracks and compaction in the field. Autopath allows track shifting to correct tracking errors. Users with 22.1gen4 software will have the ability to shift up to 12 inches. If the 12 inches of shift have been used up and the direction of travel or heading angle changes, the shift will become available again to allow continued correction around curves or in headlands. Users running 21.3and older Gen 4 display software from January 2022 or earlier are limited to 6 inches of Shift that don't take direction into account. Once the 6 inches of shift are used, they cannot be rest. There are also a few machine specific considerations for spraying. A few things to think about Sprayers with on center nozzles if you are using a sprayer with an on center nozzle, set the track spacing to boom width rather than machine width. This should be a standard width. For example, set the track spacing to 120 foot boom rather than 121 foot 3 inch boom. Sprayers with adjustable Tread Spacing when using a sprayer with adjustable tread spacing, it's important to note that Autopath cannot compensate for changes to tread spacing to keep the sprayer from driving over crop rows. If an even number of rows between sprayer tires, Autopath will place the guidance line in the center of the middle two rows of the track spacing. This will keep the sprayer from running over crop. If the sprayer tread is set to an odd number of rows between sprayer tires, the guidance line will be placed on the center crop row of each pass and the sprayer may drive over crop rows. If you are doing a post planting sidedress application, a few things to consider Implement Guidance Active implement guidance is recommended because it keeps the tractor and implement on the intended guidance line to reduce implement drift. Auto track implement guidance or passive guidance where the tractor drives offline to keep the implement online should not be used because the tractor may drive over standing crop track spacing. When doing inter row side dressing and standing crop while using a bar with an odd number of rows or shanks, consider the effective working width of the implement for your tract spacing. For example, a field planted with a 16 row 30 inch planter may be followed by a 15 row 30 inch sidedress bar. The sidedress bar is still covering a 40 foot width. Autopath does require a virtual implement to be set up rows defined. In this case, the siderest bar virtual implement should be entered as a 16 row 30 inch implement to reflect the effective working width of the tool. This will keep the tractor tires and the applicator knives in the correct place.
Now that you've properly set up Autopath, you're ready to start spraying or side dressing easier than ever before. Don't forget that Autopath is a great tool to use throughout the growing season and can make using guidance while cultivating or harvesting easy as well. Thanks for watching.
