No guidance? No worries. John Deere have announced the release of a universal after-market steering kit, aimed at providing the benefits of integrated precision guidance, without the hassle or cost.
On release, John Deere precision agriculture marketing manager John Mishler said the AutoTrac Controller 300 can be customised to a range of brands, ages and types of agricultural machines, as long as they are fitted with hydraulic steering from a single source and have at least four wheels.
"We know that not all farmers operate new John Deere machines factory equipped with AutoTrac," he said.
"This solution is compatible with many newer Deere vehicles not already equipped with AutoTrac, as well as older machines and other equipment brands.
"It integrates with a John Deere precision agriculture display and StarFire receiver for a complete guidance system and a consistent John Deere Precision Ag experience across the entire fleet."
Mr Mishler said the controller is available as a dealer-installed kit and uses proven hydraulic and electrical components that provide quick guidance line acquisition with the feel and function of a fully integrated system.
"The benefits of AutoTrac are well-known - reduced skips and overlaps resulting in lower input costs for fuel, seed, fertiliser, and crop protectants," he said.
"Now almost any producer can add guidance to their machines without having to trade vehicles, or more easily add it to non-Deere or smaller tractors to reap the productivity, accuracy and efficiency benefits precision guidance provides.
"More importantly, customers can customise automated steering to the level of precision they choose based on their specific requirements, resulting in a package that best fits their operation without having to learn multiple user interfaces."
Mr Mishler said the AutoTrac Controller 300 was an economical guidance solution for a wide variety of non-guidance equipped machines with single-point steering, including utility and row-crop tractors in 2WD, 4WD and articulated configurations.
He said the company planned to expand beyond tractors to other machines later this year.