New Products
AutoFarm hands-free steering: easy to install, use
The new easy-to-install OnTrac2 GPS Assisted Steering System from AutoFarm makes hands-free steering affordable.
It works with two-wheel and four-wheel drive tractors, combines, sprayers and spreaders and off ers Lock ‘n Roll convenience, says Joe Robertson, the company’s communications manager.
“OnTrac2 installs without removal of the steering wheel. Just lock the unit on the vehicle steering wheel and roll to perform tillage, spraying, spreading or harvesting operations with greater accuracy, covering more ground faster and more efficiently.”
Used in combination with the AutoFarm Envizio Pro touch-screen display, OnTrac2 works straight A-B lines, contours, headlands or pivot circles, reducing skips and overlaps to save fuel, fertilizer, chemicals and time. At the same time, it reduces operator stress and fatigue, adding to efficiency.
With its unique split-gear design, On- Trac2 simply clamps on and off the steering wheel for fast, easy installation and quick transfer across vehicles. This off ers several advantages over other types of assistedsteering systems, Robertson says.
Fast, simple installation: OnTrac2 eliminates the need to remove the steering wheel when installing the unit. Instead, a sectioned ring gear bolts to the steering column; then, the mechanical drive unit, opens like a handcuff to slip around the steering column and lock onto the ring gear.
The gears in the drive mechanism mesh with those in the steering wheel ring gear to control steering. With optional switch kits (extra steering wheel ring gears), no tools are required to transfer these components to other vehicles.
Reliable operation: Other assisted steering systems rely on friction between a drive motor and the steering wheel to control steering. This can lead to performance loss caused by slippage of the friction motor on the steering wheel. Catching or pinching of operators’ fingers can also occur between the friction motor and steering wheel.
There’s no such slippage with the positive gear design of the OnTrac2 GPS Assisted Steering System, Robertson notes.
“It provides high-torque positive drive for optimum turning power and steering accuracy. This is the kind of control you need for the most demanding agricultural vehicles.”
The OnTrac2 steering is activated by pushing a button on the receiver screen. To override this system, you just turn the steering wheel by hand. This action physically uncouples the drive unit from the steering wheel.
Quiet running: Unlike friction-drive systems, the positive, electro-mechanical drive of OnTrac2 is whisper quiet while in operation.
Two options add to the versatility of the OnTrac2 system:
A single drive mechanism can be used with multiple vehicles by equipping each with an optional Switch Kit, which is another ring gear that is installed on the steering wheel. Then, converting each vehicle to GPS-assisted steering is as simple as moving the drive mechanism, along with the GPS receiver-monitor, from one machine to another.
The optional Remote Engage allows the driver to engage and disengage assisted steering using a foot pedal instead of touching the display screen on the GPS receiver.
OnTrac2 Mechanical Drive Unit with ring gear, electronic control unit with tilt compensation universal mounting kit, and cabling harness specifi c to the Envizio Pro controller is priced at $3,695.
The price of the Envizio Pro display or controller with integrated WAAS/EGNOS receiver is $3,795.
Switch Kits for fast, easy transfer (without tools) across vehicles, including ring gear and MDU2 to ECU2 cabling, is $695 per kit.
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the International Agri-Center and Farm Press when reprinting this item.
AUTOFARM ONTRAC2 GPS ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM |
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| COMPANY: | Novariant - Autofarm |
| CONTACT: | Joe Robertson, Manager of Communications |
| ADDRESS: | 45700 Northport Loop East Fremont CA 94538 |
| WEBSITE: | www.novariant.com |
| E-MAIL: | joe.robertson@novariant.com |
| PHONE: | (510) 933-4849 |
| BOOTH SPACE: | Ride & Drive Lot 5 |
| New Products Pavilion: | GS20A |
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