Combines GTA Suite and Fieldstar

I thought of that when I was posting above. I tend to think, in this day and age, there just might be enough farm kids with computer backrounds that just might be the ticket for a position like this - kids who like technology, yet want to work with farm equipment and just might be willing to do this job for $25 - $30 grand. Most of this computer stuff all works the same - and most of the time, if a problem occurs, it's simply a matter of finding the problem and replacing a component. The "right guy" would not need to know programming - just troubleshooting and setup. Comprehensive knowledge of computer operations would be needed however, and the typical wrench turner doesn't like messing with computers and electronics. I think it might be easier than you think to find people like this. I do agree with you that AGCO wants to run with the big dogs in this area, but hasn't learned how to pee on the big bushes yet! They just recently got someone to put together a decent website for the corporation - but are still lacking compared to the red and green sites. Marketing and technology are the two areas that AGCO really needs to step it up in order to really compete - the equipment can compete, but farmers need to be informed of this and have the support to make it work right so the end buyer can feel confident that they can make this stuff go. Perhaps a different direction that AGCO could pursue, if dealers are unwilling or unable to staff a tech person would be to put tutorials right on the internet. Videos explaining troubleshooting and operation of Fieldstar, for example, available anytime day or night. Don't want to drive back home, log onto the net to figure something out with FieldstarIJ Right now, you may have a point. But in a year or two, I can pretty much guarantee that most new cell phones will have a full-fledged web browser built right into them. The iPhone is there already and everyone else will implement this into their new phones in order to compete. Problem with FieldstarIJ Grab your phone, click on the bookmark to AGCO's tutorials, and away you go. Take it one step further and incorporate something right into Fieldstar to log into AGCO's servers via cell phone signals to troubleshoot automatically. Something like this has potential to tell you when something is wrong and how to fix it before you even knew there was a problem! The possibilities are endless - they just need someone pushing to get to that point. Several months ago, I was searching around the U.S. Patent site and Deere had already filed a patent on a system for combines that would track machine operation. When a problem occurs, the system would diagnose, determine the solution, and would automatically order parts via a satellite system. Imagine having your Tattletale beeper go off - and your combine already figured out the problem and ordered the parts for you before you brought it to a screeching halt. A lot of farmers probably wouldn't want something like this at this point, but I think they are gearing up for the day when most combine operators are "drivers" and not "operators". BTO could then hire low paid employees (illegalsIJ) to run equipment, sit back in their offices, and let the system work. The money saved on labor would probably more than offset the cost of parts getting ordered that may not be needed if an experienced, but highly paid person were operating the machine. The trend is definitely going in that direction - autosteer, automatic adjustments of combine settings, automatic adjustment of ground speed based on crop flow through the machine, etc are all pointing toward the day that the only requirement for the person in the cab is a pulse (and low expectations for income lOl!!).

I tend to think that eventually, all of this yield mapping and rate control technology will become standardized between the manufacturers the same as the 3 point hitch and hydraulic couplers eventually did. Farmers will insist on this as more and more operators adapt this technology into their operations. Of course, Deere will have to be the oddball and wait 40 years before adopting the "standard" like they did with the Pioneer coupler, but the Green Undie Gang likes to run all green anyhow.... AGCO using Dickey John is a smart move since they seem to make a great deal of Ag Electronics that most companies have incorporated into their lines already.

Just twist on the topic! I know lot of guys like to get yield data! I'm one for that as well like my gadgets! But! has any of your Ag Uni's done a comprehensive Rain fall analysts of the distribution of rain_snow fall across a large field (300 acres Plus) We did a farmers one across 400 hectare with thirteen rain gauges, and got a 22% variation of rain fall over the 1000 acres!!!! How can a yield monitor give any useful information with a variance like thatIJ I agree that auto steer and other electronic Ag gadgets need to have a standard of some sort and Canbus "was" meant to be it! Rolf

Rolf should had added that was over a period of about 6 months during our winter rainfall growing season. Rainfall in each gauge was measured on the same day each week. Kept ROM fit, hiking across the 1000 acre [ 400 hectares ] field to each gauge. [ Should do it again as ROM has got fat, slack and happy! ]

Thanks guys for adding to my post. Good to know I'm not the only one. As far as this "technology" support goes, I'll say I don't need someone at my local dealer 24_7. But much like Ag leader, I need to be able to call a human being from AMERICA that SPEAKS ENGlISH and understands how combines and all the assorted electronics involved with yield monitoring and GPS work. Hiring a computer savey person from town will do me no good when I tell him that the moisture level of my soybeans has changed 4% since noon and when I run the lights at night lowering my alternater output, my yield monitor settings are affected and how do I fix it. Do you see the problem hereIJ Online help is useless because I'm not going to stop combining to go on line. let me talk to someone that knows the combine and yield system. Part of their training should be to run the machine for a few weeks. Send them on the wheat run. 90% of my difficulty with service is the dealer, parts man, service tech doesn't know their own equipment. Not really their fault because they never run it. let your mechanic slug a combine with soybeans on a 90 degree day and he will learn quick. As a dealer, tell me as a customer what you learn at your dealer meetings. I realize some things need to be kept from the competition but I need to know up front. When I'm broke down and you tell me "Oh yeah. They've been having trouble with those", I'm mad right now. Tbran, why do you need my serial numberIJ

tbran wants your serial number cus he is a dealer and is very helpful on this site and knows these machines like the back of his hand form his comments i think anyway he is probably going to look if there is a special update kit or such available dairyfarmer

key word 'happy'

Hello Tom, I know of 2 local Gleaner_Massey dealers who've "combined" (no pun intended) thier demand for having a knowledgeable "geek" on staff and hired such an individual "on contract". Aside from this individual having his own software consulting practice, he provides "on-the-farm" setup and troubleshooting for each dealers respective customers and ONlY thier customers. In a case where the setup is part of a sale or warranty issue, the dealer pays the consultant direct, otherwise, the consultant bills the customer and the dealer guarantees payment if the farmer fails to remit payment. This arrangement not only relieves his machanics during peak-demand, but also eliminates the dealer from having to even deal with these "tech-issues" at all. The dealer's only additional financial obligation is the cost in training the consultant.

for help, no promises, but think you will be pleased. Email would help.