FAQ PS

Precision Farming: Offset Adjustments and Calibration Guide

1. Basic Checks and Setup for Offsets

Before operating, ensure the tractor profile is correctly configured to avoid guidance errors.

Tractor Profile Verification

Calibration Check: Verify the accuracy of all calibrations and the tractor profile setup.
System Requirements: Confirm RTK signal availability, a calibrated profile, and the correct deadband settings.
Manual Testing:
- Drive the tractor in one direction and return along the same line using autosteer.
- On the first pass, stop and place physical markers on the ground.
- On the return pass, stop at the markers to check for any deviation.
Adjusting the Profile: If the profile is correct, the lines should match perfectly If there is a deviation, divide the measured distance on the ground by 2 and enter this value into the profile.
Final Calibration: Perform a tilt calibration and repeat the test to confirm accuracy.

Tractor-Implement Synchronization

Operational Check: Drive with the implement in one direction, then return on the adjacent line.
Correction: Measure any resulting offsets on the ground and adjust the settings as necessary.

2. Implement Parameters: Working Width

The Working Width represents the actual area of soil processed by the implement[.

Definition: This is the distance between the center of the first section and the center of the last section or working part.
Seeders: Measured as the distance between the first and last sowing units/rows.
Cultivators/Harrows: Measured as the distance between the first and last tines or blades.

3. Operational Modes: Inter-Row, Overlap, and Line-in-Line

The expected pass-to-pass distance varies based on the specific farming operation and equipment used.

Inter-Row: For seeding, customers expect the distance between passes to equal the spacing between individual rows. This spacing typically ranges from 4 cm to 75 cm depending on the crop.

Some implements, like potato seeders, may visually appear different, but they follow the same measurement logic. We must clarify the distinction between "Section-to-Section" and "Physical" measurements.

Center-to-Center Measurement (Recommended)

Logic: If you measure from the center of the first section to the center of the last section, the system ensures the "virtual" next row in the subsequent pass is at that same distance.
Application: This "Section Width" value must be entered into the application to maintain consistent row spacing across the field.

Physical Width vs. Row Spacing

The Scenario: A client might instinctively measure the physical width between the two outermost discs/edges.
The Solution: In this case, the client must measure the inter-row spacing (distance between rows) and add it to the measurement.
Efficiency Note: It is technically easier and more accurate to simply measure the distance between the centers of the sections directly.
Overlap & Line-in-Line: For tools like grass harrows, the operator can choose "Line-in-Line" for exact edges or specify a manual overlap value in centimeters.

4. Understanding Implement Offsets

An offset occurs when the center of the implement is physically shifted relative to the center of the tractor.

Calculation: Measure the distance from the tractor's centerline to the implement's centerline.
Direction: Identify whether the offset is to the Left or Right.
Correction Logic: If an error is observed (e.g., 1.0 m), divide this value in half and enter it as the offset correction.

5. Impact on Steering Logic

To achieve full field coverage, the system must distinguish between two types of guidance lines:

Implement Lines: These are set at a constant distance to ensure uniform soil coverage.
Tractor Lines: These paths depend on the direction of travel and will have varying distances between them to compensate for the implement's offset.