For farmers practicing strip-till, keeping equipment on the guidance line is critical to success. Implement steering—whether active or passive—plays a vital role in making sure seeds are placed accurately in the strip. Here are three key things every farmer should know about implement steering when considering it for strip-till and beyond.
1. Implement steering is foundational for successful strip-tilling.
Implement steering is one of the most important tools for strip-till. When the strip-till bar or planter drifts off the guidance line, it can undermine the efforts of creating the optimized seed zone.
“Seeds planted outside the strip result in lost yield potential and other challenges related to residue management,” says Logan Handsaker, Ag Leader Product Sales Specialist. “Implement steering helps prevent that by keeping equipment on track, even on variable terrain or curves.”
Simply put: Implement steering helps ensure your crop gets the best possible start.
2. Active vs. passive implement steering: Both have a place.
There are two types of implement steering solutions: active and passive. Both are designed to help keep the implement in the right place, but each comes with its own advantages.
Active implement steering offers the fastest response by physically shifting the implement using mechanical systems to reduce position errors quickly.
“While this quick and immediate responsiveness is needed in some situations, active systems require more involved setup, heavier mechanical components, and added maintenance,” Handsaker says.
Passive implement steering offers a simpler, more cost-effective option. It’s easier to scale passive systems across multiple implements—such as your strip-till bar, planter, or side-dress bar—making it a flexible, turnkey solution for the whole farm.
“While passive systems aren’t as responsive as active steering, they offer a simpler, effective solution,” Handsaker says. “Ag Leader’s RightPath is a passive implement solution that helps keep the implement on the guidance line, delivering agronomic benefits and making future passes with autosteer much smoother for the farmer.”
Importantly, both systems are reactive. While neither can perfectly eliminate implement drift in all situations, they both significantly improve alignment compared to going without steering assistance.
Related Article: Ag Leader announces RightPath™ to solve implement drift problem
3. Implement steering protects your strip-till investment.
Strip-till isn’t for everyone—it takes patience, learning, and commitment to fine-tune the system for your farm. But when it works, the agronomic and yield benefits can be substantial.
“One of the biggest threats to realizing these benefits is misalignment; If the planter misses the strip, seed placement suffers and so do results,” Handsaker says.
Implement steering, particularly passive steering, helps mitigate this risk. By keeping both the strip-till bar and planter close to the guidance line—even across curves and uneven terrain—implement steering gives seeds a much better chance of landing exactly where they should: in the strip.
“Whether you choose active or passive implement steering, both options help strip-till farmers protect their investment, reduce stress, and improve outcomes,” Handsaker says. “The right steering system can be the key to unlocking the full potential of your strip-till operation.” •
About Ag Leader. A recognized pioneer in the industry, Ag Leader was founded in 1992 and offers a complete line of proven precision farming technology that is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with a farmer’s existing machinery. The company is family owned and operated and solely focused on precision farming technology. Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, Ag Leader is a global company that continues to innovate and automate tasks that optimize field activities across every season.