Feb 15, 2008 12:00 PM, By Karen McMahon and Jodie Wehrspann

ISOBUS

Anyone shopping for new farm equipment should by now be aware of this acronym. It is loosely used to indicate compliance with the International Standard Organization (ISO) 11783 standard that allows different brands of electronic devices on farm equipment to easily communicate with each other through one common connection.

Farm machinery manufacturers have been working on this standard since 2001. But it wasn't until recently that consumers started to see the results of this industry-wide effort. A record number of companies launched ISOBUS equipment in 2006, according to William Rudolph, North American ISOBUS Implementation Taskforce and TeeJet technical director. Expect to see even more companies offering products that meet this standard.

Here are some tips from Rudolph to ensure you buy up-to-date electronic equipment:

1. When you purchase your next tractor, make sure it is ISOBUS compatible.

2. Purchase ISOBUS-compatible implements that come with an ISOBUS monitor (if you don't already have one).

3. Purchase an ISOBUS monitor in conjunction with your first ISOBUS-compatible implement so you can use the same monitor with future implement purchases.

Visit this Web site for a list of manufacturers of ISOBUS-compliant devices: http://www.isobus.net/isobus_E.

Implement steering

In the past, the only wheels worthy of automated steering were those on a tractor or combine. But what about the wheels on the implement? Farmers who farm hillsides can attest that it is hard to keep their implements following in the exact same path as the tractor. The new implement steering systems keep implements on course by putting sensors and actuators on the implement wheels so they follow exactly in line with the tractor that is pulling them. The fastest payback for this technology comes from using it in applications where accuracy is important, such as strip-tillage and drip irrigation. However, the adage in the industry is “accuracy is addictive.” Once farmers get a taste of it, they won't want to give it up regardless of the payback.

Internet in the cab

Growers don't have to forsake the cyber world just because they are in the field. Raven Industries proved this by launching a Viper with Internet access. The new task controller is the first to bring cyber digital waves to corn and soybean fields across the Midwest. The company uses the same card technology that is in a cell phone for the Viper. Or growers may use a USB WiFi adapter. Expect other companies to piggyback on the same technology, bringing competition into this new field.

Joint ventures

Agricultural companies have teamed up in joint ventures to become more competitive in a dog-eat-dog world. They chose partner companies with different strengths to produce a better product. Seed and chemical companies started this model, and now electronics and iron makers are following. Here are some of the partnerships that have occurred in the past few years:

Dickey-john/Trimble
Ag Leader/Kinze
AutoFarm/Raven Industries
Case IH/Trimble
Redball/Wil-Rich
CNH Global/Shanghai Tractor & Internal
Combustion Engine
Monsanto/Dow AgroSciences (8-stack hybrid)
Pioneer Hi-Bred/Syngenta (germplasm)
DuPont/Beijing Weiming Kaituo Agriculture
Biotechnology (gene discovery)Monsanto/Valent (rewards program)
Bayer CropScience/Soygenetics
Bayer CropScience/Stine Seed
Monsanto/BASF
DuPont/Syngenta (Greenleaf Genetics)
AGCO/Beeline
Leica Geosystems/Rinex Technology

Krutz, Gary

Professor Gary Krutz was tired of having to replace tires on his daughter and son-in law's car after 10,000 miles of use. So Krutz and graduate research assistants at Purdue University developed a “smart” tire that senses problems before it goes flat or loses air.

Krutz says traditional tire sensing systems detect low air pressure or unbalanced pressure between tires but fall short of alerting drivers of problems unrelated to improper inflation. The smart tire uses the concept that the entire tire is the sensor. Measurements are taken on the tread and the layers beneath it to detect damage caused by cuts, punctures, manufacturing defects, rubber hardening, over-deflection, impact, or improper mounting or repair. Signals are sent to on-board computers for processing.

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