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Planting/Seeding Setup

Section I: GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Section II: DESCRIPTION OF SETUP ITEMS

Section III: HOW TO CREATE A PLANTING CONFIGURATION

Section IV: HOW TO USE A PLANTING CONFIGURATION

Section I: GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Planting/Seeding mode is the method of recording the location and time of a planting or seeding operation.  Planting/Seeding setup allows configurations to be created where the display is only recording location and area of varieties (sometimes called Site Verification).  Planting/Seeding setup allows configurations to be created for variable rate planting or seeding.  Planting/Seeding setup also supports multiple product recording with split-planter configurations and simultaneous recording of fertilizer and insecticide applications.

Planting configurations supported:

• Single variety tracking (Site Verification)
• Two and Three variety tracking (Split Planter Site Verification) (Requires multiple product activation)
• Variable rate planting/seeding of a single variety using Application Rate module with Rawson system

The following operations can be performed simultaneously with planting:

• Liquid application control (requires DirectCommand)
• Fertilizer and/or Insecticide tracking (area logging only, no control)

The most common configurations are listed.  Other combinations may be possible.

Section II: DESCRIPTION OF SETUP ITEMS

What is a Configuration?

A Configuration is simply a Vehicle and Implement combination with appropriate settings for a particular field operation. Configurations provide the convenience of selecting one item at the RUN screen rather than having to select the Vehicle and Implement independently as well as and make their settings at run-time.

Configuration Tab Items:

• Configuration List shows a list of all configurations created.
• Add button initiates the Configuration Wizard to add a configuration to the list.
• Edit Name button allows renaming a configuration in the list.
• Remove button removes a configuration from the list when it is no longer needed.
• Configuration Settings button provides additional settings that are not available in the Configuration Wizard.
• Configuration Information displays information about the configuration that is currently highlighted in the list.
• Calibrate Distance button provides a wizard for calibrating a wheel/track ground speed sensor or radar gun for the highlighted vehicle.
• Speed Input Settings provides the selections for primary and secondary ground speed sources.

To make changes to a configuration, select the configuration in the list by pressing on it. The buttons and settings to the right of the list will apply only to the "highlighted" configuration.

Vehicle Tab Items:

• Vehicle List shows a list of all vehicles created.
• Add button initiates the Vehicle Wizard to add a vehicle to the list.
• Edit Name button allows renaming a vehicle in the list.
• Remove button removes a vehicle from the list when it is no longer needed. (i.e. you sold the vehicle)
• GPS Offsets button configures the location of the GPS antenna relative to the vehicle hitch.
• Vehicle Information displays the vehicle make, model, and vehicle type of the vehicle that is currently highlighted in the list.

To make changes, select the vehicle in the list by pressing on it. The buttons and settings to the right of the list will apply only to the "highlighted" vehicle.

Implement Tab Items:

• Implement List shows a list of all implements created.
• Add button initiates the Implement Wizard to add an implement to the list.
• Edit Name button allows renaming an implement in the list.
• Remove button removes an implement from the list when it is no longer needed. (i.e. you sold the implement)
• Swath Section Offsets button displays a window to configure the location of each swath section (boom sections) relative to the hitch.
• Implement Information displays the full swath and number of swath sections of the implement that is currently highlighted in the list.

To make changes, select the implement in the list by pressing on it. The buttons and settings to the right of the list will apply only to the "highlighted" implement.

Controller Tab Items:

• Controller List shows a list of all controllers created.
• Add button initiates the Controller Wizard to add a controller to the list.
• Edit Name button allows renaming a controller in the list.
• Remove button removes a controller from the list when it is no longer needed. (i.e. controller will never be used again)
• Controller Information displays the device type of the controller that is currently highlighted in the list.

To make changes, select the controller in the list by pressing on it. The buttons and settings to the right of the list will apply only to the "highlighted" controller.

Product Tab Items:

• Product List shows a list of all products created and the color that will be drawn on the variety map.
• Add button initiates the Product Wizard to add a product to the list.
• Edit Color button shows the default color for the highlighted product.  This color can be edited for on-screen mapping when logging.
• Remove button removes a product from the list when it is no longer needed. (i.e. product will never be used again)
• Product Information displays the manufacturer, type, and units of the product that is currently highlighted in the list.
• Edit Info button displays the appropriate product settings that can be edited.
• Edit Legend button shows the default legend for the highlighted product.  This legend can be edited for on-screen variable rate mapping.

To make changes, select the product in the list by pressing on it. The buttons and settings to the right of the list will apply only to the "highlighted" product.

Section III: HOW TO SETUP PLANTING/SEEDING

Create an Operating Configuration

• Press the Planting/Seeding button on the SETUP screen to open Planting setup.
• Press the ADD button on the Configuration tab to start the Configuration Wizard.

Configuration Wizard Step 1:  Select Vehicle from list.  (If the desired vehicle is not in the list, press NEW to start the Vehicle Wizard). Press NEXT.  

Vehicle Wizard for Tractor

• Vehicle Wizard Step 1:  Enter Vehicle Make and Model.  Press NEXT.
• Vehicle Wizard Step 2:  Enter Vehicle Name.  Press FINISH (returns to Configuration Wizard).

Configuration Wizard Step 2:  Select Implement from list.  (If the desired implement is not in the list, press NEW to start the Implement Wizard). Press NEXT.

• Implement Wizard Step 1:  Select Implement Attachment Method (Rear Drawbar, Rear 3-Pt Hitch).  Press NEXT.
• Implement Wizard Step 2:  Enter Full Swath Width.  Press NEXT.
• Implement Wizard Step 3:  Enter Number of Implement Sections (1-3 sections).  Make sure you enter 2 or 3 sections if you want to perform a split-planter planting operation. Press NEXT.
• Implement Wizard Step 4:  Enter Boom Section Widths.  (The default is even spacing for all sections.  To change a section width, highlight the section number and press the Number Pad button.  Note:  Section Widths must add up to equal the Full Swath Width). Press NEXT.
• Implement Wizard Step 5:  Enter Distance from Hitch to Application Point (where the seed enters with the ground).  Press NEXT.
• Implement Wizard Step 6:  Enter Implement Name. Press FINISH

Configuration Wizard Step 3:  Select Operation Type.  Select Area Logging if you plan to only track the location of where varieties are planted (no controlling of rate).  Select Rate Logging/Control if connected to a variable rate controller or planter flow meter. Press NEXT.

Configuration Wizard Auxiliary Step:  If you selected Area Logging in Step 3, then Select Planting Method - Single Variety or Split Planter.  (This step is skipped if Multiple Product feature is not activated). Press NEXT.  

Configuration Wizard Auxiliary Step:  If you selected Rate Logging/Control in Step 3, then Select Controller from list.  (If the desired controller is not in the list, press NEW to start the Controller Wizard.  Press NEXT.  

Controller Wizard for Serial Controller

• Controller Wizard Step 1:  Select Device Type as "Serial Controller". Press NEXT.
• Controller Wizard Step 2:  Select Controller Make and Model from the list of supported controllers. Press NEXT.
• Controller Wizard Step 3:  Enter Controller Name (a default name is created, edit as needed). Press FINISH.

Controller Wizard for Planting Flow Meter

• Controller Wizard Step 1:  Select Device Type as "Planting Flow Meter". Press NEXT.
• Controller Wizard Step 2:  Enter Flow Meter Calibration number in pulses per unit as provided by the flow meter manufacturer (Press the Number Pad button).  Press NEXT.
• Controller Wizard Step 3:  Enter Controller or Flow Meter Name (a default name is created, edit as needed). Press FINISH.

Configuration Wizard Auxiliary Step:  If you selected Rate Logging/Control in Step 3 and selected a serial controller in the previous step you will need to supply additional information shown below. Press NEXT.

• For Rawson Controllers enter the Nominal Rate and Percent Rate Change.
• For Flexicoil Controllers select the Controller Channel from the list.

Configuration Wizard Step 5:  Additional Application Equipment  (This step is skipped if Multiple Product feature is not activated).  Add any additional applications to the list.  This could include Fertilizer and/or Insecticide tracking or controlling.  Follow the steps of the wizard. Press NEXT. 

Note: If the planting portion was set up as a single variety planting configuration, then up to four additional products can be added.  If the planting portion was set up as a two-way split planter, then up to three additional products can be added.  If the planting portion was set up as a three-way split planter, then up to two additional products can be added.

Configuration Wizard Step 6:  Select Implement Switch (this step is skipped if using a serial controller).  Choose whether an implement switch is attached to the implement to trigger area logging status on and off.  If an implement switch is mounted, choose Standard or Reversed polarity from the list.  You can change this later from the Configuration Settings button on the Configuration tab if you initially selected the wrong setting.  Press NEXT.

Configuration Wizard Step 7:  Select Ground Speed Source.  (If GPS is selected as primary, then a Backup option is provided if GPS is lost.  Wheels, Tracks, or Radar need to be calibrated to be accurate.  The Calibrate Distance button is on the Configuration tab).  Press NEXT.  

Configuration Wizard Step 8:  Enter Name for Configuration.  (A default name will be created, but can be edited by pressing the Keyboard button).  Press FINISH.

The Configuration that was just created has been added to the Configuration List.  Highlight the Configuration to verify the Configuration Information.  The Vehicle tab will show the Vehicles that have been added.   The Implement tab will show the Implements that have been added.

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Set Vehicle GPS Offsets

Set the location of the antenna relative to the vehicle under the GPS Offsets button on the Vehicle tab.

For Tractor, ATV, Pickup Truck

Under the Antenna tab of the GPS Offsets window, enter the following distances:

• Enter the distance from the rear axle of the vehicle to the antenna.  Select the direction whether the antenna  is IN FRONT of the rear axle or BEHIND it.
• Enter the distance from the centerline of the vehicle to the antenna.  Select the side of the vehicle the antenna is on relative to the centerline of the vehicle (facing forward).  (LEFT or RIGHT)
• Enter the height from the ground to the antenna

Under the Hitch tab of the GPS Offsets window, enter the only the distances that apply:

• Enter the distance from the rear axle to the rear drawbar
• Enter the distance from the rear axle to the rear 3-point hitch
• Enter the distance from the rear axle to the front drawbar
• Enter the distance from the rear axle to the rear 3-point hitch

It is recommended that you mount the GPS antenna in the same position for a given vehicle each time it is transferred from another vehicle.

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Configuration Settings:  Press this button to see detailed information about the configuration and access additional settings.  When the Configuration Settings window is displayed the list on the left shows all the equipment in the configuration.  Highlight the equipment to show details on the right.  Press the Edit Settings button to access the Equipment Configuration Settings.

Speed Input Settings:  Provides a method to change the Ground Speed Source. 

• Ground Speed Source: Changing the source is allowed after a configuration is created, but it is recommended to change between operations.

Calibrate Distance:  Pressing this button launches the Speed Sensor Calibration wizard.  Follow the steps provided in the wizard.

Section IV: HOW TO USE A PLANTING CONFIGURATION

RUN

RUN Step 1:  Select Field and Operation.

• Step 1a:  At the RUN screen, Press FIELD.  The Field Operations Wizard will be displayed.  Select the desired Grower, Farm and Field from the pull-down selection.  Press NEXT
• Step 1b:  Select the Planting Configuration from the Operating Configuration pull-down selection. Press NEXT
• Step 1c:  Select the appropriate Product for each Equipment Configuration. Press FINISH.

RUN Step 2:  Select Region.  The Region Selection window will be displayed to confirm the creation of the first Region.  When starting a new operation the Region selection defaults to Region <1>.  The Region name can be edited before pressing ACCEPT.

RUN Step 3:  Start logging.

Variety Logging

• With Implement Switch:  If an Implement Switch has been installed and properly set up, lowering the implement will trigger the display to start logging.  To stop logging, raise the implement.
• Without Implement Switch:  The "Planting" control tab below the map provides and AREA On/Off button  on the lower-right which allows manual control of area logging.  Press the button to toggle it between OFF and AUTO.  When set to AUTO the status indicator above the button changes to green - you are logging.  When set to OFF, the status indicator changes to red - you are not logging. 
• When using and implement switch, set the button to the AUTO state.  The status indicator will change between green and red to reflect implement position and area logging status.  You can override the area logging status to OFF in instances when you wish not to log when the implement is down.

Variable Rate Logging

• With Implement Switch:  If an Implement Switch has been installed and properly set up, lowering the implement will trigger the display to start logging.  To stop logging, raise the implement.
• Without Implement Switch:  The "Planting" control tab below the map provides and AREA On/Off button  on the lower-right which allows manual control of area logging.  Press the button to toggle it between OFF and AUTO.  When set to AUTO the status indicator above the button changes to green - you are logging.  When set to OFF, the status indicator changes to red - you are not logging. 
• When using and implement switch, set the button to the AUTO state.  The status indicator will change between green and red to reflect implement position and area logging status.  You can override the area logging status to OFF in instances when you wish not to log when the implement is down.

Note:  For additional record-keeping flexibility, you can create different Regions within the field for this planting operation.  Press the REGION button and press the NEW button to create another Region.  Press ACCEPT to start a new region after you have entered an optional name.

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Display Items

• Rate (variable rate operations only)
• Area
• Area Per Hour
• Ground Speed
• Distance

Swath Control

On-Screen Map

Variable Rate Mapping - The default legend is a variable rate legend as defined in the Planting/Seeding setup product list.  The legend can be toggled to show the variety map as described above.

Summary Screen

The Summary screen displays a tabular report for a field operation.  The Summary screen can be displayed during data collection to provide a list of each Region total as well as the Field total.  The Summary screen can also be used to review different fields after an operation is completed.