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North Central Iowa | Is your problem that the 250 (which is WAAS only) and EZ Steer not hold the line, or is it that the line moves over time (particularly after you stop and come back later)? With some patience, you should get an EZ-steer to be +/- 1" to 2" of the line the 250 thinks it should be on. This is assuming your steering is reasonably tight. I ran an EZ Guide 500 w/ EZ Steer on a 4240 for several years, did a decent job holding the line. When on WAAS for a couple years, OK most of the time, then bought a used EZ Guide 500 unlocked to RTK and ran on the Iowa CORS network for free.
If your problem is the "line" moves (eg. if still dropping the marker and the tractor seem to drift from it on the next round or is way off when you start again after filling the planter), no better steering system (integrated hydraulic, etc) will help that. That is an inherent problem with WAAS only GPS. Since you're in MO, I would see about signing up for RTK corrections from MO using their CORS system. You then need an RTK unlocked GPS receiver. A RTK unlocked EZ Guide 500 would operate vary similar to your 250. A trimble CFX-750 (also FM-750) unlocked for RTK would also work similarly and have a larger touch screen. Originally, they would have come with the required better antenna, so make sure you get that as well (Z+ or AG25). Finding either of these used and already unlocked to RTK should be relatively easy. Might be $1,500-$3,000. You can find previous postings from me and others about what it takes to get corrections into those older screens/receivers. Far as I'm aware many of Trimble's newer screens/receivers also still worked with an EZ steer, so other options. If you can find the older 750 unlocked for RTK and GLONASS satellites at a decent price, that might be the least expensive, "best" upgrade.
Newer steering mechanisms that tie to the steering wheel with ring gears do seem to be better and easier to calibrate than the EZ-steers. Ag Leader's later Ontracs (2+ and 3, I think) seem to have a decent reputation. I'm now running Ag Leader's latest Steady Steer in my plnater/sprayer tractor and it's awesome, but inexpensive it is not. Integrated steering is very good, but adding that valve to a 4440 isn't cheap, even used. And you still need a different controller and screen (I don't think the 250 can communicate with integrated steering controllers). | |
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Auto Steer for planting with a Deere 4440
