tedbear - 3/3/2023 07:48

It is wise to be thinking about these items. The more you mess around with the display, the more you will become familiar with it.

I have an InCommand 1200 in the planting tractor but I'm using the Steer Command Z2 working through the CAN system on the 8310R. Last year I installed Steady Steer assisted steering in my combine. I performed the calibration in both systems. It went well. Find yourself a reasonably large area with no obstacles to perform the calibration steps listed on the screen. It can be done with obstacles but is just plain easier in wide open spaces with no obstructions for the tractor or GPS. I thought I had a problem with the calibration on the tractor but it was fine. I confused myself by doing a "test" through the area where I had just done the calibration.

Maybe you can find an area to perform the calibration some cold morning when the ground is still frozen. Once calibrated you can test the steering by driving down a road, setting an AB line, turning around and engaging on it. This should point out any problems and may bring up questions so that you will be more confident when planting time comes.

You mention using WAAS and Steady Steer. This may result in some drift in the steering which would be acceptable for tillage but not quite what you desire for picture perfect straight rows. Your 7500 can be unlocked for TerraStar Pro C (a one time charge) that requires a subscription to utilize it. The subscription is available in short term or year long plans. It is rather expensive but I feel it is worth it. I purchase the yearly subscription and move the 7500 and InCommand to our Hagie sprayer and Deere combine to utilize the subscription more of the time.

As far as boundaries, they are not required although they can be very helpful. I have boundaries for some of our fields and not for others. The boundary can be created on the first pass around the outside of a field but this may be confusing the first time you do this. I wouldn't get too hung up about creating boundaries until you are more familiar with the system.

Several seed modules are available. Some deal with hydraulic or electric drives, Some work with Section Control. Some work with down force. It sounds as if you are just using the Seed Tube Monitoring Module (STTM). It needs an implement switch connected to the short stub cable on the STTM module. The implement switch must be mounted or wired so that it completes the circuit when the planter is DOWN in the planting position. Different styles of implement switches are available. Some are mounted on the planting unit itself and others on the frame. Some have two branches and you use one branch or the other. You choose the one that has the correct action for your mounting position.

Each Spring prior to planting I test my seed monitoring system. I choose my planting configuration and either lower the planter or use a jumper for the implement switch. I remove the boxes or planting units and start at Row 1 and dribble a few kernels of corn down the seed tube. The monitor system should notice these kernels and come to life. After the kernels have stopped passing by, the system should sound an alarm indicating a planting failure. If another person is in the tractor the row that was tested should come up on the display. Repeat the process with the other rows to verify that they will sound the alarm in case of a failure. Instead of using actual kernels of corn, running a seed tube cleaning brush up/down the seed tube would be equivalent. There are various settings for how "touchy" the alarms should be etc. For now, I would just leave those settings as the defaults, Later as you become more familiar with the system you may want to change them.

I believe testing your system is important especially for your first experience. There are different cables available to connect your planter monitor harness to the Seed Tube Monitoring Module. It is possible to use one that is designed for another brand. Several connecting choices use the AMP 37 pin connector. Just because you have one that mates doesn't guarantee that it is the correct cable. By performing a test on each row with a brush or actual seed should prove that your wiring and setup will work when it's time to plant.