GPS for Mulching

[DirtyWorks]

I am sure its been told before but what GPS system is the best for my line of work? I need to be able to cut property lines fairly accurate without being able to see from start to finish. I would like to be able to read the landowners plot, put my machine on a "start here" flag and go in a straight line to a known coordinate. I have had a few calls recently from developers/speculators who would like me to divide their several hundred acre property up with cut lines like they draw on the paper. Is this posible? So far I have gotten by with just my compass and a map. I flag it first on foot with a machette and go back and cut. There has to be a better (affordable) way. I like the way the agriculture gps's have a bank of directional lights keeping you on course in a large field. I would prefer to be able to enter customer supplied coordinates if possible to avoid me going on foot at all. If the landowner supplies me with the prints a few days ahead I could load all the points up and even print a arial up on google earth with cuts highlited. I guess I would like around 1 meter accuracy.

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

I would say that the ag GPS systems will do what you want to do. All you are after is coordinating X + Y positions on a grid. The construction GPS systems are more sophisticated because they can control X + Y + Z (elevation) coordinates. Therefore, they are a lot more money.

I rode in a CaseIH Magnum ag tractor with the Trimble system integrated into its steering. The operator had his hands resting on the arm rests while the tractor drove. The Trimble system was extremely accurate, to the point where I'd guess that the hitch pin did not deviate more than an inch off of the line. Impressive. You could probably get by with a system less sophisticated than that.

I would check out Trimble's Precision Agriculture website for the name of your closest ag dealer.

 

[WarrenF]

I would say that the ag GPS systems will do what you want to do. All you are after is coordinating X + Y positions on a grid. The construction GPS systems are more sophisticated because they can control X + Y + Z (elevation) coordinates. Therefore, they are a lot more money.

I rode in a CaseIH Magnum ag tractor with the Trimble system integrated into its steering. The operator had his hands resting on the arm rests while the tractor drove. The Trimble system was extremely accurate, to the point where I'd guess that the hitch pin did not deviate more than an inch off of the line. Impressive. You could probably get by with a system less sophisticated than that.

I would check out Trimble's Precision Agriculture website for the name of your closest ag dealer.

Many farmers out here have gone to the GPS Systems for bedding out fields. The farmer who leases my ground had one field they had bedded out for potatoes. The rows were a half mile long. With GPS....the guess row was at most a quarter of an inch "off." Imagine driving that straight for that long of a run....with just your eye.

They are very impressive!!!

 

[DirtyWorks]

thanks guys
I looked at Trimble but only saw that it could do "patterns" in a field. I will do more research on them to make sure they can do point to point. Any other suggestions? We even thought of putting one person at the end point and shooting a flare into the sky for a reference

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Most of our AG systems do A->B lines where you mimick a previous pass. You'd probably do best with a hiking system where you have way points to cover.

 

[jmfox]

Is there a link with specifications for the Trimble sytem mentioned above?

jmf

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Here is a link to Trimble's Ag page: Trimble - Agriculture

A link to Trimble's AgGPS Automatic system: Trimble - AgGPS Autopilot

 

[Landwise]

I started a post like this a few months ago. No decision yet, as I am running into the whole visibility issue. I am trying to go sub meter constant, but as we work under a canopy, it is hard to get accuracy. Be prepared to spend some big bucks for accuracy. so far, looking like $4000.00 plus....

 

[Gamma]

I've read some articles about guys in Canada that do some kind of 'boundary' clearing for the oil companies I believe, and they use super duper accurate GPS receivers to guide them. There was mention in what I was reading that they have to be very precisely on the boundary when they mulch, they can't stray off even a foot or so. So whatever type of GPS receivers they use may be what you're looking for.

 

[jmfox]

I started a post like this a few months ago. No decision yet, as I am running into the whole visibility issue. I am trying to go sub meter constant, but as we work under a canopy, it is hard to get accuracy. Be prepared to spend some big bucks for accuracy. so far, looking like $4000.00 plus....

CONSISTENT real time sub meter accuracy is quite an accomplishment. Which unit are you looking at?

jmf

 

[Landwise]

Trimble and topcon. Handheld units with some type of correction, depending on manufacturer.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Been looking @ OmniStar so far. $1500 per year plus equipment to get within 1-2 inches. guess it is what I will try.

 

[jmfox]

Been looking @ OmniStar so far. $1500 per year plus equipment to get within 1-2 inches. guess it is what I will try.

Which one are you looking at?

jmf

 

[Landwise]

Another one is truckbase.

I have had a hard time overcoming the "canopy". I do a lot of work for surveyors, and they have the same problem. If you can start off in a clear area, and need to run a straight line, then you can use the GPS and a marine compass. When you have to make turns under dense canopy, the GPS becomes useless. I am trying to come up with an air actuated extension pole, that will let me stop and get a lock on current position, or maybe back up and extend the pole, then travel forward to get directional info.

The ultimate (If you had an unlimited budget) would be to set up a gps loaded radio triangulation system, with three points around the job.....but I think i will try to come up with another idea that doesn't cost soo much.

There are a few companies now offering gps l1 + glonass sat intergration. That gives you more available sats that may help penetrate the canopy.

I am trying to set up a few real world demo. One of my survey companies is willing to come out with their centimeter acurate equipment and lay some lines on my property. Then we will cut those lines with equipment from all of the vendors, and see who can maintain accuracy.

 

[Landwise]

If you are bored, or are a techno weinie like me, here is an excelent article on GPS in forestry situations.

http://academic.sun.ac.za/forestry/precision/hambergergps.pdf