Topcon Positioning Group, a leading innovator in precision agriculture technology, has unveiled its latest offering: the Value Line Steering solution. This retrofit autosteer package is designed to enhance the efficiency and precision of farming operations, catering to a global audience. The system comprises a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, an electric steering wheel controller, a touchscreen console, and Horizon Lite software, providing farmers with a comprehensive toolkit to optimise their fieldwork.
The Value Line Steering solution is currently compatible with front-wheel-steer tractors, with plans to extend support to rear-wheel-steered machines such as harvesters and windrowers in the near future. This flexibility allows farmers to tailor the system to their specific needs, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of agricultural machinery. Additionally, the system offers a choice of correction services, including local, satellite-based, or RTK options like Topcon’s Topnet Live, enabling farmers to select the precision level that best suits their operations.
One of the standout features of the Value Line Steering solution is its intuitive, user-friendly design. The system includes an on-steer keypad for quick access to frequently used functions and integrated Horizon OS software for streamlined operation. This focus on usability ensures that farmers can easily optimise the system’s capabilities, reducing the learning curve and maximising efficiency.
Installation of the Value Line Steering solution is straightforward and designed for portability. Users simply replace the existing steering wheel with the Topcon XW-1 electric steering wheel and mount the touchscreen console in the cab using a RAM mount. The GNSS receiver offers flexible installation options, including swap plates and 3M tape for secure placement. The system is compatible with both pre-installed and factory-fitted vehicle components, although it will override the existing steering system. This portability makes it easy to transfer the system between vehicles, enhancing its versatility and convenience.
The Value Line Steering solution supports a wide variety of steering patterns, including straight, curved, or mixed paths, as well as pivot, steer-to-boundary, and GuideLock – which prevents overlap by generating guidance lines based on the last pass. Headland turns are also included, enabling automatic turning at the end of rows. The system supports GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BEIDOU, and QZSS satellite networks, with additional PPP support for RTK subscribers. This comprehensive range of features ensures that farmers can navigate their fields with precision and efficiency.
Touchscreen terminals are available in a 10-inch (25.4 cm) version for the EMEA market, and both 10-inch and 7-inch (17.78 cm) versions for other regions. The display is waterproof and rated for durability, ensuring it can withstand the rigours of agricultural environments. The system also supports ISOXML data and is fully ISOBUS compatible, further enhancing its integration with existing farm equipment.
A GNSS connection is included as standard, with enhanced reliability for users with RTK and SkyBridge. The RTK correction is automatically backed by a Precise Point Positioning (PPP) satellite service, ensuring seamless signal switching and maximum accuracy even during connection drops. The autosteer can be activated using a button on the tractor armrest or joystick when optional accessories are added, providing farmers with convenient control options.
Support for Virtual Section Control – used to manage sprayers, seed drills, and similar implements – is currently undergoing validation, with plans to make it available as a standard feature soon. This additional functionality will further enhance the system’s capabilities, allowing farmers to manage their implements with greater precision and efficiency.
The main components of the system include the console, GNSS receiver, electric steering wheel, and cable kit, with an optional modem for RTK functionality. Prices start at €6,000 (approximately US $7,000), making the Value Line Steering solution an accessible option for farmers looking to enhance their precision agriculture capabilities.
The global launch of the Value Line Steering solution represents a significant step forward in the field of precision agriculture. By providing farmers with an intuitive, user-friendly, and versatile autosteer package, Topcon Positioning Group is empowering agricultural professionals to optimise their operations and achieve greater efficiency and precision in their fieldwork. As the demand for sustainable and efficient farming practices continues to grow, innovations like the Value Line Steering solution will play a crucial role in shaping the future of agriculture.