John Deere AMS introduces two new precision guidance products in time for the 2010 planting season: iSteer™, an active implement guidance system, and a new StarFire™ 450 RTK radio system for enhanced RTK signal coverage. These latest additions to the company’s suite of precision guidance products give producers increased accuracy in field operations and applications when used as part of a John Deere GPS GreenStar™ system. The John Deere iSteer system is an active implement guidance solution that increases repeatability and accuracy of the implement in straight-track applications. It’s ideal for producers who demand increased accuracy at the point where seed, fertilizer or other inputs enter the ground. «iSteer consists of an implement receiver and hydraulic implement steering system that enables the implement to automatically correct its position in the field independently of the tractor’s A/B line position,» says Holli Brokaw, AMS product manager. «Producers can select the active implement steering system that best fits their implements and needs.» The iSteer system provides simple, single-point implement control through the SCV to engage the guidance or disengage the system for manual implement steering. And, operators can use the SCV to manually turn the implement right or left on demand, which is beneficial for tight headland turns, entering/exiting fields and other precise applications. iSteer is completely integrated with approved John Deere tractors and requires a StarFire iTC RTK system to operate. «The iSteer system is ideal for strip-till operations, standing row crops, bedded crops and other applications that require precise implement positioning,» Brokaw adds. «iSteer reduces overall input costs and improves productivity when cropping practices demand multiple passes through the field.» The new StarFire 450 RTK radio from John Deere is designed to work on a vehicle or as a base station to increase RTK signal coverage and maintain operational accuracy in areas with rolling terrain and/or in dense foliage conditions. The StarFire 450 RTK radio features include a 2-watt radio with LED diagnostic lights and optional magnetic rover antenna for mobile use. For installation on tractors and other vehicles, the StarFire 450 RTK radio is paired with the StarFire iTC and GreenStar 2 1800 or 2600 displays. For base station applications, the 450 RTK radio can be used with the iTC receiver. An optional in-line 50-watt amplifier and high-gain fiberglass antenna are available for base station use. «The 450 RTK radio provides significant signal improvement advantages in flat areas with dense foliage and has shown to hug the hills better in rolling terrain,» says Brokaw. «Using the lower frequency radio can reduce overall RTK network costs and it can be used in conjunction with existing base stations that have the 900 MHz systems for improved RTK performance.» A single base station can utilize both a 900 MHz radio and a 450 RTK radio. The tractor set-up determines what frequency will be used as the 900 MHz at the base station will communicate with the 900 MHz rover configuration and the 450 RTK radio at the base station will communicate with the 450 RTK radio rover configuration. Both the iSteer active implement guidance system and the StarFire 450 RTK radio are available this spring from your John Deere dealer