Ag Leader EZ-Guide 500 Started Guide
Version 4.00
Revision A
January 2009
Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................................................1
Legal Notices.................................................................................................................................................1
About the EZ−Guide 500 System..................................................................................................................1
Related Information.......................................................................................................................................1
Technical Support..........................................................................................................................................2
About the Lightbar...................................................................................................................................................3
What's in the EZ−Guide 500 Box..................................................................................................................3
Parts of the Lightbar.......................................................................................................................................4
How the Buttons Work..................................................................................................................................5
Optional Accessories......................................................................................................................................7
Upgrades........................................................................................................................................................7
Fuse Information............................................................................................................................................7
Pinout Information.........................................................................................................................................8
Installation.................................................................................................................................................................9
Step 1: Installing the Lightbar Mount............................................................................................................9
Step 2: Installing the Antenna........................................................................................................................9
Step 3. Attaching the Lightbar Cables...........................................................................................................9
Step 4: Turning on the Lightbar...................................................................................................................11
Connecting a Coverage Switch....................................................................................................................11
Getting Started........................................................................................................................................................14
Quick Start Wizard.......................................................................................................................................14
Items on the Main Guidance Screen............................................................................................................15
View Modes.................................................................................................................................................16
Panning.........................................................................................................................................................16
User Modes..................................................................................................................................................17
Changing the User Mode.............................................................................................................................17
Changing the Backlight Brightness..............................................................................................................18
Changing the LED Brightness.....................................................................................................................18
Getting GPS Corrections..............................................................................................................................18
Easy Mode Guidance..............................................................................................................................................20
Introduction to Guidance.............................................................................................................................20
Following Guidance.....................................................................................................................................21
Guidance Patterns........................................................................................................................................22
Getting Guidance.........................................................................................................................................33
Coverage Logging........................................................................................................................................36
Creating straight sections on Headland or Curve swaths.............................................................................36
Pause / Resume Icon....................................................................................................................................36
Advanced Mode Guidance.....................................................................................................................................38
Resetting Guidance......................................................................................................................................38
Creating a New Field or Line.......................................................................................................................38
Adding an AB Line......................................................................................................................................42
Implement Setup..........................................................................................................................................44
Selecting (Loading) an AB Line..................................................................................................................45
i
Table of Contents
Advanced Mode Guidance
Selecting (Loading) a Field..........................................................................................................................47
Advanced Mode Additional Information..............................................................................................................52
Views...........................................................................................................................................................52
Night Mode..................................................................................................................................................52
Nudge...........................................................................................................................................................53
Configuring the Lightbar.............................................................................................................................55
Driving on Large Fields...............................................................................................................................57
Driving Tight Turns.....................................................................................................................................57
Adding a Time Delay to Coverage Logging................................................................................................58
Configuring Coverage Logging...................................................................................................................58
Setting the Look Ahead Value.....................................................................................................................59
Enabling Speed Pulse Output (Radar).........................................................................................................59
Recording events..........................................................................................................................................60
Restoring the Default Lightbar Settings.......................................................................................................60
Advanced Mode GPS Corrections.........................................................................................................................61
Configuring the GPS Corrections................................................................................................................61
Configuring the GPS Limits........................................................................................................................65
Configuring NMEA message output............................................................................................................66
External Receiver Support...........................................................................................................................68
Advanced Mode Data Management......................................................................................................................71
USB Drive Compatibility.............................................................................................................................71
Getting Data from the USB Drive................................................................................................................72
Importing Data from the AgGPS FieldManager Display............................................................................73
Sending Data to the USB Drive...................................................................................................................73
Clearing Storage Space................................................................................................................................74
Deleting coverage logging...........................................................................................................................75
Exporting Diagnostic Logs..........................................................................................................................75
Field Name Structure...................................................................................................................................75
Default Field Names....................................................................................................................................76
Naming a Field.............................................................................................................................................76
System Configuration Files..........................................................................................................................77
Summary Report..........................................................................................................................................78
Viewing/Editing Data with Office Software................................................................................................79
Upgrading Firmware....................................................................................................................................80
Upgrading Lightbar Functionality...............................................................................................................82
Mapping...................................................................................................................................................................83
Introduction to Mapping..............................................................................................................................83
Mapping Features.........................................................................................................................................83
Recording Position.......................................................................................................................................85
Warning Zones.............................................................................................................................................86
Displaying Feature Information...................................................................................................................87
Deleting Features.........................................................................................................................................88
ii
Table of Contents
Obtaining Information from the Lightbar...........................................................................................................90
The About the EZ−Guide Screen.................................................................................................................90
Information Tabs..........................................................................................................................................90
Status Screens..............................................................................................................................................90
Warning Messages.......................................................................................................................................91
Troubleshooting...........................................................................................................................................91
EZ−Boom 2010 System...........................................................................................................................................93
EZ−Boom Features......................................................................................................................................93
Refilling the Tank........................................................................................................................................94
EZ−Boom Flow Calibration.........................................................................................................................95
Manual Override..........................................................................................................................................95
Swath Control Menu....................................................................................................................................96
Spraying Pivots............................................................................................................................................96
Prescriptions............................................................................................................................................................97
Introduction to Prescriptions........................................................................................................................97
Importing Prescriptions................................................................................................................................97
Loading a Prescription.................................................................................................................................98
iii
Introduction
Legal Notices
(c) 2007−2009, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved.
Trimble, AgGPS, EZ−Guide, and EZ−Steer are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited, registered in the
United States and in other countries. Autopilot, Autoseed, FreeForm, OnPath, and SiteNet are trademarks of
Trimble Navigation Limited.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This product is covered by the following patents: 5,311,149, 5,369,589, 5,987,383, 6,252,863, 5,402,450,
5,493,588, and 6,463,374. Other patents pending.
For Limited Warranty information, refer to the EZ−Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes.
About the EZ−Guide 500 System
The EZ−Guide 500 system is a GPS guidance system for agricultural vehicles. It helps you drive the vehicle more
efficiently by reducing skips and overlaps in the field.
The system includes the following features:
a color LCD screen•
a lightbar with 31 LEDs•
an internal GPS receiver•
multiple field patterns for different field layouts•
Related Information
Sources of related information include the following:
1
Help − the lightbar has built−in, context−sensitive help that lets you quickly find the information you
•
need.
Quick reference card − the quick reference card describes the most common features of the lightbar.•
Technical Support
If you have a problem and cannot find the information you need in the product documentation, contact your local
reseller. Alternatively, go to the EZ−Guide website at http://www.ez−guide.com/.
2
About the Lightbar
What's in the EZ−Guide 500 Box
The standard components of the EZ−Guide 500 system are shown below.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 EZ−Guide 500 documentation CD
2 Quick Reference Card
3 RAM mount
4 Antenna mount plate
5 Power cable (P/N 62817)
6 Power connector cable (P/N 62818)
7 EZ−Guide 500 lightbar
8 Antenna cable (P/N 50449)
9 Antenna
When you unpack the box, inspect all contents for visible damage, such as scratches or dents. If any components
appear damaged, notify the shipping carrier. Keep the shipping and packaging material for the carrier's inspection.
3
Parts of the Lightbar
The following figures show the front and back of the lightbar.
ITEM DESCRIPTION ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Action icons 4 Down button
2 OK button 5 Function buttons
3 Up button 6 LEDs
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 USB port
2 Serial (COM) port
3 Antenna port
4 RAM mount fixture
5 Power socket
6 Extension (AUX) port
7 Escape button
4
How the Buttons Work
On the front of the lightbar, there are six buttons. The buttons on the left and right sides of the lightbar work in
different ways.
Action buttons (on the right of the screen)
On the main guidance screen:
Press or to scroll through the action icons.•
Press to select the highlighted icon.•
The following icons may appear to the right of the guidance screen:
ICON DESCRIPTION ICON DESCRIPTION
Reset guidance Nudge left
Set Point A Nudge right
Set Point B Pause guidance
Start headland Resume guidance
Complete headland Change zoom scale
Pause swath recording
Resume swath recording Change view mode
Currently recording FreeForm curve (press to stop)
Not currently recording FreeForm curve (press to start) Shift AB Line
Display point, line and area mapping icons
Note: Action icons appear only when they are appropriate. They are not all visible at all times.
The following action icons may appear on the right of a configuration screen:
ICON DESCRIPTION ICON DESCRIPTION
Go to main
Configuration menu
Next FreeForm
segment
Display panning
icons
Increase value / up to next option Proceed to next screen
Decrease value / down to next option Accept settings
5
In setup screens, the icons match the buttons beside them.
Function buttons (on the left)
Beside each function button, there is an icon. When you press the function button, you select the feature that is
shown on the icon.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Coverage logging icon
2 Middle function button
The following function icons may appear beside the buttons on the left of the screen:
ICON DESCRIPTION ICON DESCRIPTION
Display information tab window Cancel changes
Turn on coverage logging Go up one menu level
Turn off coverage logging Return to guidance screen
Zoom in Move back one screen
Zoom out Display Help
Escape (ESC) button
Press the Escape button on the back of the lightbar to cancel out of screens and to move up menu levels. See Back
of the Lightbar.
Getting help
6
The EZ−Guide 500 lightbar has built−in help that explains how to use the current screen. To access the help, press
the function button:
Optional Accessories
ITEM DESCRIPTION
There are two antenna options for the EZ−Guide 500 lightbar:
− Ag15 antenna for autonomous positions and free WAAS and EGNOS DGPS corrections
Antenna
− Z+ high−accuracy antenna for OmniSTAR XP/HP or RTK corrections
Caution: Do not use the patch antenna from the EZ−Guide 250 lightbar with the EZ−Guide 500
lightbar. The patch antenna uses a different voltage to other EZ−Guide antennas and the
EZ−Guide 500 lightbar will damage it.
Remote
keypad
With the optional remote keypad installed, you can control the lightbar without having to reach to
it. The six buttons on the keypad mirror the six buttons on the front of the lightbar.
Upgrades
The EZ−Guide 500 lightbar guidance system can be connected to:
the EZ−Steer® assisted steering system•
the AgGPS® Autopilot(TM) automated steering system•
the EZ−Boom(TM) 2010 automated application control system (when the lightbar has firmware version
•
2.00 or higher)
a serial variable rate controller•
Fuse Information
The EZ−Guide 500 lightbar has two fuses:
FUSE LOCATION DESCRIPTION
In cigaretter lighter connector of power connector cable (P/N 62818) 30 A glass cartridge fuse.
In fuse holder on power cable (P/N 62817) 10 A spade fuse.
7
Note: Both fuses can be replaced by the user.
Replacing the 30 A fuse
Locate the cigarette lighter plug holder on the end of the cable.1.
Unscrew the end cap where the spring−loaded pin protrudes. Be careful not to lose the pin after removing
2.
the end cap.
Remove the old fuse.3.
Insert the new fuse and then screw the end cap back onto the plug.4.
Replacing the 10 A fuse
Open the cap on the fuse holder.1.
Pull out the old fuse.2.
Insert the new fuse.3.
Close the cap on the fuse holder.4.
Pinout Information
The DE−9M (serial port) on the EZ−Guide 500 lightbar has the following pinout information:
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Event out to keypad (to signal audio alarm)
2 RS−232 Rx
3 RS−232 TX
4 External switch input
5 Data ground
6 Keypad data input
7 Keypad clock
8 External output (radar pulse)
9 Keypad power
8
Installation
Step 1: Installing the Lightbar Mount
Select a place in the cab for the lightbar. There must be a mounting bar available for attaching the RAM
1.
mount.
Sit in the driver's seat and hold the lightbar in the place that you selected, make sure that you can access it
2.
comfortably from there.
Step 2: Installing the Antenna
Note: To minimize any interference to the GPS signal, make sure that the GPS antenna is at least 1 m (3 ft) from
any other antenna (including a radio antenna). You may experience interference if you operate the vehicle within
100 m (300 ft) of any power line, radar dish, or cell phone tower.
Installing the Z+ high accuracy antenna
Find the mounting location for the antenna at the front of the vehicle roof.
Screw the antenna mag mount onto the antenna.1.
On the mounting plate, remove the protective covers from the adhesive strips.2.
Attach the mounting plate to the vehicle roof with the adhesive strips. Ensure that the mounting plate is
3.
centered along the vehicle roof.
Connect the antenna cable to the antenna.4.
Place the mag mount (with antenna) directly onto the mounting plate of the vehicle.5.
Route the other end of the antenna cable into the cab.6.
Installing the Ag 15 antenna
Find the mounting location for the antenna at the front of the vehicle roof, centered from left to right.
On the mounting plate, remove the protective covers from the adhesive strips.1.
Attach the mounting plate to the vehicle roof with the adhesive strips. Ensure that the mounting plate is
2.
centered along the vehicle roof.
Connect the antenna cable to the antenna.3.
Place the antenna directly on the mounting plate. The three magnets embedded in the bottom of the
4.
antenna will hold it in place.
Route the other end of the antenna cable into the cab.5.
Step 3. Attaching the Lightbar Cables
The lightbar with the basic antenna and power configuration:
9
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Antenna (P/N 60600−01 for DGPS or P/N 57200−00 for OmniSTAR/RTK)
2 Antenna cable (P/N 50449)
3 Remote keypad (optional − P/N 66030−00)
4 Power cable (P/N 60198 or P/N 62817)
5 Power connector cable (P/N 62818)
6 To power (cigarette lighter)
7 EZ−Guide 500 lightbar (reverse)
Connect the power cable to the power port on the back of the lightbar.1.
Note: Ensure that the power cable points straight into the back of the lightbar − not at an angle.
Connect the antenna cable to the antenna port.2.
Tighten the cable connector until it is fully secure.3.
Connect the other end of the power cable to the vehicle cigarette lighter. The lightbar turns on.4.
Caution: Do not disconnect or connect any cables or connect the EZ−Steer 500 system while the lightbar is
running. To connect or disconnect cables, first turn off the system.
10
Step 4: Turning on the Lightbar
To turn on the lightbar, plug the power cable into the cigarette lighter:
If the cigarette lighter is wired through the vehicle ignition, insert the key and turn on the vehicle ignition.
•
The lightbar receives power and turns on.
If the cigarette lighter is not wired through the vehicle ignition, the lightbar receives power whenever the
•
cable is plugged in. The lightbar draws some power even when it is turned off, so disconnect the lightbar
from the power source if the vehicle will be unused for an extended time to avoid draining the vehicle
battery.
Turning off the lightbar
To turn off the lightbar, unplug the power cable from the cigarette lighter.
Connecting a Coverage Switch
Connect an interface cable to the lightbar.1.
Attach the female WeatherPack connector (supplied) to the wires of a switch (not supplied).2.
Configure the switch on the lightbar.3.
Caution: Ensure that you do not supply either wire with power. If necessary, use a relay to isolate the lightbar
from the power source.
Connecting an interface cable to the lightbar
The coverage switch requires one of the following external interface cables with a 3−pin WeatherPack connector:
External interface cable (P/N 52033)•
External interface cable (right angle connector) (P/N 62749)•
Attaching a female WeatherPack connector to the switch wires
Strip about 1 cm (0.4 inches) of insulation off the switch wires.1.
Thread each switch wire through a cable seal:2.
Crimp terminal connectors to the ends of the wires with an appropriately−sized crimp tool or pliers and
3.
then solder the terminal connectors to the wire to ensure a secure connection:
11
Insert the wires with terminal connectors and the cable seals into the appropriate holes on the female
4.
WeatherPack connector:
Ground wire − Connector hole B♦
Switch wire − Connector hole C♦
Caution: Ensure that you do not supply either wire with power. If necessary, use a relay to isolate the
lightbar from the power source.
Plug the female connector into the male connector on the interface cable:5.
Enabling the switch on the lightbar
From the main guidance screen:
Press until you have selected the icon.1.
Press . The Configuration screen appears.2.
Make sure that the User Mode field is set to Advanced.3.
12
Select System / Guidance. The Guidance screen appears:4.
Select Coverage Logging and then press . The Coverage Logging screen appears:5.
Press until you have selected Switch and then press .6.
In the Coverage Logging Input screen, select one of the two options:7.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Active Low
Active High
Note: If necessary, set the user mode back to Easy.
When the switch is closed, the two pins should be crossed and the coverage will be recorded.
When the switch is open, the two pins will not be in contact and the coverage will not be recorded.
When the switch is open, the two pins will not be in contact and the coverage will be recorded.
When the switch is closed, the two pins should be crossed and the coverage will not be recorded.
13
Getting Started
Quick Start Wizard
When you turn on the lightbar the Welcome to EZ−Guide 500 screen appears automatically:
Press . The Quick Start Wizard appears.
The wizard has several setup screens that enable you to configure important settings before you begin driving.
During the Quick Start Wizard, you can press the function button to exit at any point. The system uses any
settings you have entered; for any settings that you have not yet entered, the system uses the settings from last
time.
The first time that you run the lightbar, complete the whole wizard.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Quit the wizard
2 Built−in help
3 Skip the wizard and begin driving
To adjust a setting:
14
Press or to select the correct value.1.
Press to enter the selection and proceed.2.
You can select whether or not the Quick Start Wizard appears next time you turn on the lightbar. If you choose to
hide the wizard at startup, the lightbar skips the wizard and starts on the main guidance screen.
To alter these settings after startup, run the Quick Start Wizard from Configuration / Quick Start Wizard.
Once you complete the Quick Start Wizard, the main guidance screen appears.
Items on the Main Guidance Screen
ITEM NAME DESCRIPTION
There are two status text items on the main guidance screen. The item on
1 Status text
2 Action icons How the Buttons Work
3
4 USB status icon
5 Function icons How the Buttons Work
6 GPS quality icon
Tips / Message
panel
the left shows the distance that the vehicle is from the guidance line. The
item on the right shows the current vehicle speed.
The Tip / message panel explains the icon functions and shows driving
tips.
Show the status of the USB drive:
Green − the drive is installed and ready
Orange − the drive is installed, but still loading
Red − the drive has been disabled due to an error
Shows the quality of the GPS signal:
Green − the signal is within the appropriate bounds
Yellow − there is a signal, but it is outside the lightbar's quality tolerance
settings
Red − there is no signal
15
View Modes
There are two views when you are driving in the field:
PERSPECTIVE MAP VIEW PLAN MAP VIEW
A 3D view of the field A bird's eye view of the field
By default, the view switches from plan view to perspective view when you enter the field.
You can change the view mode in Advanced mode.
Panning
On the EZ−Guide 500 lightbar, you can pan (move) the screen around to better see parts of the field, for example
to check for skips in application coverage or the location of point, line and area features.
Note: The vehicle must be stationary when entering panning mode.
To enter panning mode, select the icon and press . A new set of panning icons appears on the right of the
screen.
Note: The map is always displayed North−Up in panning mode.
To move the screen, select one of the arrow icons on the right of the screen and press . The screen moves in
the direction of the arrow. Repeat with the same arrow or change arrows as many times as necessary.
To zoom in or out on the screen, use the buttons on the left of the screen.
16
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Zooms to the extents of the field. This includes the field boundary (if present), coverage logging
and any mapped features.
Zooms in
Zooms out
Note: To ensure all coverage logging is shown, turn off coverage logging before entering panning mode.
Otherwise, the coverage polygon currently being recorded will not be shown in panning mode.
User Modes
The EZ−Guide 500 lightbar guidance system has two user modes:
MODE DESCRIPTION
Limited to accessing the most simple features
Easy
Advanced The user can access all of the settings.
Fewer action icons are available
Simplified driver options (for example, creating a guidance line is easier)
Use Easy mode if you want to select a swath pattern and quickly begin driving.
Changing the User Mode
To change between Easy mode and Advanced mode:
Select Configuration / User Mode. The User Mode screen appears:1.
Select Advanced or Easy and then press . The main guidance screen reappears, with the lightbar in
2.
the selected mode.
17
Changing the Backlight Brightness
To change the strength of the screen backlight, select Configuration / Backlight.
Changing the LED Brightness
To adjust the brightness of the LEDs on the lightbar, select Configuration / LED Brightness.
In bright sunlight, increase the brightness to make the LEDs more obvious.•
In darker conditions, for example driving at dusk, you can lower the brightness settings so the LEDs are
•
less intense.
Getting GPS Corrections
By default, the EZ−Guide 500 lightbar is configured to receive the following free corrections:
REGION CORRECTION
North America WAAS
Europe EGNOS
These corrections provide 15 cm−20 cm (6 in−8 in) pass−to−pass accuracy.
To change the GPS corrections (for example, to configure RTK or OmniSTAR VBS/HP/XP), select
Configuration / GPS Setup / GPS Correction Source.
External Receiver Support
The EZ−Guide 500 lightbar can recieve GPS positions from TSIP−compatible recievers. This enables you to use
any of the correction types available on your receiver, including OmniSTAR, Beacon, and RTK.
The following TSIP−compatible recievers are supported by the EZ−Guide 500 lighbar:
Trimble Case IH Ag Leader New Holland
AgGPS 252 AFS 252 GPS 5100 NH 252
AgGPS 332 − − −
To enable TSIP messages as the correction source:
Connect the receiver to the lightbar and then turn them on.1.
Select Configuration / GPS Setup.2.
Change the GPS Correction Source option to Ext. TSIP.3.
Select Continue and press . The Connecting to External Receiver screen appears. The lightbar
4.
connects to the TSIP receiver. The message Connection Established appears.
Press . The External DGPS Source screen appears, showing the available corrections on the reciever.5.
18
Select the appropriate correction source and then press . The wizard for that correction type appears.6.
Note: When the lightbar is receiving GPS positions from the TSIP−compatible receiver, additional entries appear
on the Info tab.
19
Easy Mode Guidance
Introduction to Guidance
The EZ−Guide 500 lightbar uses onscreen lines, either straight or curved, to guide you. These are called the
guidance lines. The most simple form of guidance line is a straight AB Line. To create an AB Line, you define a
start point (the A point) and an end point (the B point). Once you define the A and B points, a straight line is
drawn between them. This is your master line.
When you define the first guidance line, the lightbar copies it to create additional guidance lines.
Distance between guidance lines
When you begin to define the line, you specify the width of the implement attached to the vehicle. This width is
used to calculate the distance between the guidance lines. If you do not want the guidance lines to be exactly one
implement width apart, you can set an overlap or skip.
Headlands
You can record a headland boundary and get guidance to it, or you can work without a headland.
Onscreen appearance
When the main guidance screen shows the perspective view, the lines are tagged with flags that describe them.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
20
The master line that you created, and that the swaths are based on.
The A (start) and B (end) point on the master line.
The first swath to the left of the master line. (The direction "left" is relative to the direction the
master line was drawn, not the vehicle's current position).
The current swath and tag are orange.
Note: On a Pivot pattern, the swaths are numbered out from the center, not from the initial
swath.
The second line to the left of the master line.
Following Guidance
The lightbar displays guidance in two places:
On the LEDs•
On the screen•
Guidance on the LEDs
The term LED refers to the row of 31 Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that are located above the screen. The LEDs
that are lit up show the position of your vehicle relative to your intended guidance line. As your vehicle position
changes in relation to the guidance line, the lit LEDs move left or right. Use the lightbar to obtain accurate
guidance, if an implement offset or implement draft is set, or for fine guidance on straight swaths.
VEHICLE POSITION LIGHTBAR APPEARANCE
Vehicle is directly on the guidance
line
The three center LEDs (green) show that the vehicle is online.
Vehicle is off the guidance line
The lit LEDs have moved right. This shows that the vehicle is offline to
the left.
Note: This assumes that the LED Mode is set to Chase (the default). If
the LED Mode is set to Pull, the LEDs move left when the vehicle is
offline to the left.
Guidance on the screen
The lightbar screen shows the position of your vehicle in the field, the guidance line, and the offline distance, so
you can tell how much you need to correct your position.
21
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Offline distance
2 Guidance line
3 Vehicle position
Guidance Patterns
The EZ−Guide 500 lightbar has seven guidance patterns so you can create guidance to suit your field layout.
Straight AB
A Straight AB is the most simple form of line. Use a straight AB Line when you do not need to define headlands
and you want to drive the field in parallel straight lines.
To create a straight AB Line, define a start point (A) and an end point (B). The Straight AB Line then appears as a
straight line between the two points.
PATTERN EXAMPLE
Note: When the vehicle is on a guidance line, the line extends 1 km (0.6 miles) before Point A and 1 km beyond
Point B. This makes it easier to see where the next swath is, and to get online after the turn.
Mapping an AB Line
22
Drive to the start point of the master line.1.
Set the A point:2.
Press or until you have selected the icon.a.
Press . The A point is set.b.
Drive to the other end of the line.3.
Ensure that the icon is selected and then press . The master AB Line appears.4.
Turn left or right for the next swath. As you move toward the next swath, it appears on the screen and
5.
turns orange to show that it is selected.
A+ Line
An A+ line is also a straight line. It is defined by a single point on the line (the A point) and the heading of the
line.
PATTERN EXAMPLE
When you choose to create an A+ line, you enter the heading.
The default heading is the same as the previous AB Line. This pattern is useful for when you need guidance
exactly parallel to the last AB Line, for example when:
driving adjacent fields•
mapping the AB Line on a road down the side of the field•
skipping an access road in a field•
The A+ line extends 1 km (0.6 miles) before and after the A point.
23
Mapping an A+ line
Drive to the start point of the master line.1.
Set the A point:2.
Press or until you have selected the icon.a.
Press . The A point is set. Because you have already set the line heading, your master AB
b.
Line appears on the screen.
Follow the AB Line for guidance down the first swath.3.
Turn left or right for the next swath. As you move toward the next swath, it appears on the screen and
4.
turns orange to show that it is selected.
Identical Curve
The identical curve pattern records your exact route between the A and B points, instead of a straight line.
All of the guidance lines will match the master curve, regardless of where the vehicle has driven. Use the curve
pattern when you want to work the field with gentle curves.
PATTERN EXAMPLE
Mapping an identical curve
Drive to the start point of the curve.1.
Set the A point:2.
Press or until you have selected the icon.a.
Press . The A point is set.b.
Drive the initial curve.3.
Ensure that the icon is selected and then press . The master line appears on the screen.4.
Turn left or right for the next swath. As you move toward the next swath, it appears on the screen and
5.
turns orange to show that it is selected.
Adaptive Curve
The adaptive curve pattern is similar to the identical curve pattern. It provides guidance along a curve. However,
the adaptive curve pattern updates guidance after each swath to take into account any deviations you made.
It continually records your path and provides guidance that matches the last path you drove.
24
PATTERN EXAMPLE
There are two ways to define adaptive curves:
Set the A and B points•
Set the A point and perform a U−turn onto the next swath (which is automatically detected)•
The method that you use depends on the Auto U−Turn detection setting.
Changing the Auto U−Turn detection setting
Note: To change the Auto U−turn detection, the lightbar must be in Advanced mode.
Select Configuration / System / Guidance. The Guidance screen appears.1.
Adjust the Auto U−Turn detection setting.2.
Mapping an adaptive curve
There are two ways to use the adaptive curve pattern:
Automatically: Set the Auto U−turn detection option to On and then perform a U−turn to generate each
•
new swath.
Manually: Set the Auto U−turn detection option to Off and then set the B point at the end of each swath to
•
generate the next swath.
Adaptive curves with automatic turn detection
Drive to the start point of the curve.1.
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Set the A point:2.
Press or until you have selected the icon.a.
Press . The A point is set.b.
Drive the initial curve.3.
At the end of the first curve, perform a U−turn. The system detects the turn and generates the next swath.4.
Adaptive curves with manually defined swaths
Drive to the start point of the curve.1.
Set the A point:2.
Press or until you have selected the icon.a.
Press . The A point is set.b.
Drive the initial curve.3.
At the end of the first curve, select the icon to set the B point. The system generates the next swath.4.
Continue to drive the swaths, setting the B point at the end of each one.5.
Using the adaptive curve pattern to do rowfinding
In Advanced mode, select Configuration / System / Guidance and then set the Auto U−Turn detection
1.
option to Off.
Reset guidance:2.
Enter the width of the implement.a.
Create a guidance line based on the adaptive curve pattern.b.
Set the B point at the end of each row.3.
Turn the vehicle toward the next swath. When the vehicle is halfway through the turn, guidance along the
4.
next swath appears.
Curve smoothing
By default, curves are smoothed by the EZ−Guide 500 for improved guidance and autosteering. You can disable
curve smoothing on tight turns (curves that have a radius of less than 3m (10ft).
CAUTION: If you disable curve smoothing, the EZ−Steer 500 system or the AgGPS Autopilot system may not
be able to autosteer around the tighter turns. Be careful when you disable curve smoothing.
To disable curve smoothing:
Set the lightbar to Advanced mode.1.
Select Configuration / System / Guidance / Minimum Turn Radius Mode.2.
Select Disabled.3.
Pivot
Use the Pivot pattern on fields that are irrigated using a center−pivot. With this pattern, you can drive concentric
circles around the center−pivot.
PATTERN EXAMPLE
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