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Leesburg, Ohio | Probably can't go wrong with either Deere or Trimble. I would strongly recommend an integrated valve system for planting use instead of the Universal or steering wheel motor type. We have had both. Accuracy for both can be close to the same. However, in our experience, the ease of reliable line aquisition is far, far better with the integrated system.
We have an 8420 with the integrated system and GS2, and love it. Planted, sprayed with it this year.
We also have the same system on an 8300. Works the same as the 8420 now, but when we first put the system on the 8300 last spring, it had the ATU (steering wheel) system. Accuracy was fine, but it would NOT aquire the line until it was 50 to 100 yards down the row from the ends. If we punched the resume button any sooner, it would immediately and violently go 3 feet offline EVERY time. No one at deere, even factory engineers, could fix it. Had the integrated valve installed on the 8300 at the local dealer, and everything works sweet, just like the newer tractor.
We have had several years experience with Agleader Ezsteer and Outback eDrive. Good systems for what they are designed to do, but cannot compare to the fully integrated GS system. We still use them all, but the GS's are far better for us, as far as ease of use, capabilities, and reliability.
We can make about a half-turn on the ends with the GS2's, hit the resume button, and it will reliably complete the last half of the turn on the ends for us, find the correct row center, and smoothly line up the equipment we are pulling to start the next pass. We have now used the GS2's for guidance on primary tillage and strip till, and guidance, rate control, and swath control in planting and spraying. Plan to use them next year for all the above, plus variable rate seed and N, and guidance for side dressing N, and combine guidance. | |
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Hooked on auto steer...need suggestions with next purchase!
