Universal 300

The AutoTrac Universal 300 steering kit is a mobile guidance solution that brings additional productivity to farming operations throughout the growing season.

The AutoTrac Universal 300 is compatible GreenStar™ 2 1800 and 2600 Displays, GreenStar 3 2630, and Gen 4 4240 and 4640 Universal Displays. It is compatible with StarFire™ 6000 and StarFire 3000 Receivers. The AutoTrac Universal 300 is not compatible with the original GreenStar display.

AutoTrac Universal 300 is approved on over 600 different equipment platforms and is compatible with many agricultural vehicles with steering systems in good mechanical condition.

The benefits of the AutoTrac Universal 300 over the AutoTrac Universal 200 include:

• Improved on-track line performance
• Weather-resistant design (open station approved)
• Faster line acquisition
• Improved diagnostics
• Easy-to-use calibration for quicker setup

Move AutoTrac™ Universal 300 steering kit between machines depending on the season

With the portable AutoTrac Universal 300 steering kit, producers can leverage their investment in AutoTrac across many different machines throughout the growing season, providing year-round payback on this investment. Moving from machine to machine is easier than ever with the updated calibration procedure that eliminates many steering setting adjustments.

 

NOTE: AutoTrac Universal 300 has a different algorithm and requires calibration. Entering the same settings as found in the AutoTrac Universal 200 could result in poor performance.

Selecting the right correction signal

As equipment gets larger and margins tighter, accuracy of in-field operations and input placement is more critical than ever.

When making a pass in a field, traveling from one end of the field to another, the position accuracy of the return pass is critical. Pass-to-pass accuracy means the planter guess rows will be accurate and subsequent passes are less likely to result in crop damage.

Repeatability defines how accurately the receiver calculates its position over a relatively long time window.

Reduce operator fatigue and time spent in each field

AutoTrac™ assisted steering system greatly increases operator productivity by maintaining consistent accuracy and efficiency. Operators remain more alert while they are in the field and are able to focus on implement settings and varying field conditions. AutoTrac also allows operators to confidently create evenly spaced rows past sunset, as well as in rain, dust, or fog.

AutoTrac also improves operator comfort as the operator has time to concentrate on implement tasks.

Reduce soil compaction and passes

Reduce compaction with AutoTrac™ guidance system

As tractors and field equipment become larger and heavier, there is a growing concern about soil compaction. Heavy equipment and tillage implements can cause damage to the soil structure. Soil structure is important because it determines the ability of a soil to hold and conduct water, nutrients, and air necessary for plant root activity.

By using AutoTrac, operators can optimize the number of passes and reduce compaction. Additionally, the operator can confine traffic between certain rows and avoid compacting the row area.

AutoTrac allows producers to use the same traffic lanes year after year, sacrificing a small portion of the field in favor of having no wheel traffic in the majority of the field. Restricting traffic to specific lanes also provides a firm soil surface for more efficient tractor operation.

Without using AutoTrac during field operations, there is tendency for passes to overlap. Each pass over a field under poor conditions can cause significant damage to the soil.

Use many tracking options for any field

AutoTrac™ guidance steering system allows operators to use tramline management more effectively, minimizing soil compaction. Additionally, AutoTrac allows the machine operator to select from a variety of guidance modes including straight track, AB curves, adaptive curves, circle track, boundary fill, machine access, and swap track. These tracking options allow the operator to select the track best suited for the field and conditions reducing the number of passes needed to cover the field.

Curve track

Curve track

The curve track mode helps operators by automatically steering curved guidance lines on terrain that does not allow for straight track to be used (rolling hills or contours).

When running with curve track, keep in mind these basic principles:

• Straight track is more accurate than curve track.
• A machine with an integrated AutoTrac steering kit is more accurate than a machine with the AutoTrac Universal steering kit.
• Slower speeds are more accurate than faster speeds.
• Gentle curves are more accurate than tight turn radius curves.

Two different modes can be used depending on the type of curves that need to be created: adaptive curves or A/B curves.

Adaptive curve track

This track allows the operator to record a manually driven curved guidance line. Operators using a GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display have the ability to record and utilize multiple adaptive curves per field. This feature is especially useful as operators maneuver around terraces or irregular, constantly changing fields. Adaptive curve mode also has the ability to connect line segments when documentation is selected as the recording source. Self-propelled forage harvester or combine operators may find this functionality useful if they need to quickly raise their header for any reason.

A/B curve track 

This track allows the operator to set a curved line in a field with two end points (A and B) and will generate guidance lines parallel to the initial track in either direction.

The line stays the same across the field, and an operator can use skip track.

Field obstacles

Even if an operator drives around an obstacle in the field, the next pass follows the original track line.

Activate Gen 4 display software remotely

Over-the-air activations were enabled with the 18-1 software update to the Gen 4 displays. With that software update or newer, a John Deere dealer can send activations to a Gen 4 display without leaving the office. Over-the-air activations also eliminate the need to manually enter long activation codes like was done previously. This also eliminates multiple trips between the cab and the farm office to enter codes and verify completion.

NOTE: Over-the-air activations requires a current JDLink™ Connect subscription and Mobile Telematics Gateway (MTG). Planter and platform activations and subscriptions cannot be updated over-the-air.