PF3000 Harvest & Application
Precision Farming System
PF3000
Operators Manual
PF3000
1-1
Ag Leader Technology
General
Welcome
System Upgrades
Limited Warranty
Welcome to the Ag Leader Technology family. Ag Leader Technology is
dedicated to the development of advanced, yet practical and cost-effective
tools for grain production. Above all, however, we are dedicated to meeting
your needs for support of existing products and development of product
improvements.
We want to hear from you! Feel free to call any time to discuss:
• Operational problems with your system
• Features you don’t like about your system
• Features you would like added to your system
We will do our best to ensure that you are happy with your current system
and that it is upgraded in the future to better meet your needs.
Ag Leader Technology will periodically provide free operating program
upgrades that will improve the performance of your PF3000.
To receive free upgrades and new product news, you must send in or fax
(515-232-3595) the Registration Form that is at the beginning of the
operator’s manual. Our mailing address is:
Ag Leader Technology
2202 South Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 2348
Ames, IA 50010
Internet http://www.agleader.com
Ag Leader Technology will repair or replace at no charge any component of
the PF3000 system that fails during normal service on the equipment model
that the system was intended for use within two years from the date of first
use.
Warranty is not provided for damage resulting from abuse, neglect,
accidents, vandalism, acts of nature, or any other causes that are outside the
normal, intended use of the PF3000 system.
April 2002
General
1-2
Service
Copyright Notice
Proprietary
Technology Notice
PF3000
Ag Leader Technology
Ag Leader Technology shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or
consequential damages to the dealer, end user, or third parties arising from
the sale, installation, or use of the PF3000 system.
If you have a problem with your system, call your Ag Leader Technology
dealer or call us directly at the phone number below. If we determine you
have a hardware failure, we will ship replacement hardware immediately.
Our mailing address and phone numbers are:
Ag Leader Technology
2202 South Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 2348
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-232-5363
Fax: 515-232-3595
Note: Return failed hardware to us by UPS (preferred) or US mail.
Ag Leader Technology has copyrighted (1998) the contents of this
manual and the operating program for the PF3000 system. No reproductions
of this material may be made without first obtaining the consent of Ag
Leader Technology.
The PF3000 system has patents on its design and operational features.
Copying features of this system relating to measurement and calculation of
grain flow and weight, or organization of field and load data may result in
patent infringement.
April 2002
PF3000
1-3
Ag Leader Technology
General
General
Description
Fields and Loads
Keypad
The PF3000 is a universal monitor/controller for crop production that is
GPS compatible. It can be transferred from a combine to a tractor or other
vehicles easily. In the combine it functions as a yield monitor and
accurately measures and records acres, moisture, grain weight, bushels, and
yield on-the-go. In the tractor or sprayer it connects to a sprayer or planter
controller and monitors and controls the application rate. The PF3000 also
can record data for field boundaries, tile lines or where a hybrid is planted.
The PF3000 has its own internal memory for recording field and load data.
GPS data, however, is not recorded in the internal memory, but must be
logged to a memory card.
The PF3000 must be setup and calibrated to record accurate information.
NOTE: The Grass Seed version of the PF 3000 is setup and
calibrated using the same procedures as for grain harvest. Where
there are differences between the harvest of grain verses grass seed
they will be noted.
All the information recorded by the PF3000 must be recorded in a field and
load. The operator must manually select or change the field and load on the
PF3000 during field operation. A load is used to subdivide a field into
smaller sections. The monitor load is not associated with the combine tank,
wagon, or truck load. It is recommended to use different loads for different
hybrids or varieties or field conditions (like a wet hole).
The monitor has “soft” keys which do not have labels on the keys to identify
the function of the key. The labels for the keys will appear on the display
screen next to the key. However, there are four major groups of the keys:
arrow keys, display selection keys, menu key, menu selection keys.
April 2002
General
1-4
Switch
Power
Switch
Menu
Key
Ag Leader Technology
PF3000
Display
Selection
Keys
Memory
Card Slot
Arrow
Keys
Area
Count
Arrow Keys
Menu
Selection
Keys
Figure 1: Front panel of the PF3000
The UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys on the right side of the
keypad are used to select and change a setting. The bottom LEFT and
RIGHT ARROW keys are only used to view more menu or display items.
They are never used to select or change a setting.
On the main operating screen, you will see an up and down arrow symbol
that will either be beside the field or load or to the right of one of the display
lines. This symbol indicates what item the UP or DOWN ARROW keys
will change if pressed.
April 2002
PF3000
1-5
Ag Leader Technology
Display and
Display Selection
Keys
The PF3000 has four display lines for viewing items on the main operating
screen. You can choose which items you see on the display and the position
that the items appear on the display.
To change a display item on a display line you must select the line. The four
display selection keys to the right of the display each select a display line. A
rectangular box surrounds the display line to show that it is selected.
When the display line is selected the four menu items on the bottom change
and show items you can select for display. Press a key below one of the
four display items to put a different display item in place of the selected
display item. There are more than four display items to choose for viewing.
Press the bottom LEFT or RIGHT ARROW keys to scroll to the right or left
and view other display items on the bottom.
General
Card
Symbol
Selection
Box
Up and
Down
Arrow
Symbol
When arrows present,
press bottom arrow keys
to display additional
menu or display items
Figure 2: Main operating screen
When some display items (like swath) are selected, an up and down arrow
April 2002
General
1-6
Menu Key
Ag Leader Technology
PF3000
symbol will appear on the right of the display line. This indicates you can
change the setting of the item with the UP or DOWN ARROW keys. After
you have made the change you must press the key to the right of the display
line to deselect the line.
The MENU key switches the menus on the bottom of the display. There are
two main menus that you can view by pressing the MENU key. They are
shown below.
It is recommended to display the FIELD, LOAD, MAP, and OPTIONS
menu during normal operation of the monitor, unless you are marking and
therefore need to display marks on the bottom.
Main Menus:
FIELD
LOAD
SHOW
MAP
OPTIONS
Menu Selection
Keys
CAL
SETUP
DIAG
The name above the four menu selection keys on the bottom of the display
will change depending on what you are doing on the monitor.
The bottom RIGHT and LEFT ARROW keys are used to view additional
menu or display items. If you see a right and left arrow symbol on the
display above the bottom RIGHT and LEFT ARROW keys, this indicates
you can press the bottom RIGHT and LEFT ARROW keys to view more
menu or display items. Refer to Figure 2.
April 2002
PF3000
1-7
Ag Leader Technology
Area Count Switch
The area count switch manually turns on and off area counting. When the
switch is in the up position area is counting. When the switch is in the
down position, area is not counting. The monitor will display either “AREA
ON” or “AREA OFF” on the bottom right corner of the display to indicate
the status of area couting.
General
Connectors
The PF3000 has four connectors on the bottom side of the console. The
large 25-pin connector is for power and sensor connections. The three 9-pin
ports (Port 1, Port 2, Port 3) are for connecting to a GPS receiver, planter or
fertilizer or sprayer controller or any other GPS compatible device.
25-Pin Connector
Port 3 Port 2 Port 1
Figure 3. PF3000 Connectors
April 2002
General
1-8
Grain Flow Sensor
PF3000
Ag Leader Technology
Below is an example of a grain flow sensor. Your grain flow sensor may
look different, depending on which combine model you have. On all
combines, the grain flow sensor installs on top of the clean grain elevator.
The grain flow sensor measures the grain weight in pounds as you harvest.
The clean grain paddles throw the grain, as the paddles rotate around the top
sprocket, toward the grain flow sensor. The flow sensor measures the grain
weight when the grain strikes the flow sensor impact plate.
NOTE: The flow sensor for grass seed harvest function in the same
manner as the grain flow sensor. The grass seed flow sensor differs
only in appearance.
Grain Flow
Sensor
Figure 4: Grain flow sensor
April 2002
PF3000
1-9
Ag Leader Technology
Moisture Sensor
Moisture Sensor
Below is an example of the moisture sensor mounted on the side of a clean
grain elevator. The moisture sensor is installed in the elevator mount kit.
General
Elevator
Mount Kit
Figure 5: Moisture sensor
April 2002
General
1-10
Header Height
Sensor
Header Sensor
PF3000
Ag Leader Technology
Below is an example of a header height sensor installed underneath a
combine cab. The header height sensor tells the monitor the position of the
combine head so that when the head is raised on the end rows, the monitor
stops counting area.
Figure 6: Header height sensor
* * *
April 2002
Setup Overview
2-2
Important Notices
Section Contents
Using Power
Supply
PF3000
Ag Leader Technology
The PF3000 must be set up before field operation, but before you begin the
setup procedures, read the following notices:
• The PF3000 is a software upgradeable monitor. Ag Leader Technology
will periodically offer free operating program upgrades to increase the
capabilities of the PF3000. To receive the program upgrade, you
must send in the registration form found at the beginning of the
operator’s manual.
• If you plan to make yield maps on your own computer, you will need to
use a mapping program that can process files created by the PF3000.
This setup section contains instructions for the following items. The
operating modes that the instructions pertain to are also listed.
Item Operating Mode Page
Console Setup All 2-6
Card Setup All 2-8
Creating, Naming Fields and Loads All 2-12
Marker Setup All 2-17
GPS Setup All 2-19
Vehicle Setup Harvest 2-30
Grain Setup Harvest 2-34
Swath Setup Harvest 2-39
Swath Setup Site Verification 2-41
Vehicle Site Verification 2-42
Controller Setup Application Rate 2-44
Raven Controller ( with Serial Ports) Application Rate 2-44
Mid-Tech Controller Application Rate 2-49
DICKEY-john Land Manager Application Rate 2-55
DICKEY-john Seed Manager Application Rate 2-61
Rawson Accu-Rate/Accu-Plant Application Rate 2-65
New Leader Mark III/Mark IV Application Rate 2-73
Flexicoil Flexcontrol Application Rate 2-79
Hiniker 8605 Application Rate 2-85
Teejet 844 Application Rate 2-90
Flowmeter Controller Application Rate 2-95
The PF3000 console does not need to be in the vehicle to set it up. You can
use the provided power supply (plugs into 120v outlet) to power up the
April 2002
PF3000
2-3
Ag Leader Technology
console inside your home or shop.
Setup Overview
April 2002
PF3000
2-3
Setup Overview
Ag Leader Technology
Order of Keys
(Harvest Mode)
Press the MENU key until you see the following keys on
the display.
SUMMARY
Press the SETUP key to view the
following setup menu items.
All Modes
CAL
SETUP
DIAG
SETUP
OPTIONS
PRESS TO EXIT
SWATH
LOAD
GPS
MARKS
VEHICLE
MAP
GRAIN
CONSOLE
Press the bottom LEFT or RIGHT ARROW keys to
switch between and view the setup menu items
shown above.
CARD
MEMORY
April 2002
Setup Overview
2-4
Mode)
PF3000
All Modes
Order of Keys
(Site Verification
Ag Leader Technology
Press MENU key
the display.
CAL
SETUP
Press the SETUP key to view
Until you see the following keys on the
DIAG
the following setup menu items.
SETUP
OPTIONS
PRESS TO EXIT
SWATH
VEHICLE
MAP
MARKS
CONSOLE
CARD
MEMORY
Press the bottom LEFT or RIGHT ARROW keys to
switch between and view the setup menu items
shown above.
LOAD
GPS
April 2002
PF3000
2-5
Setup Overview
Ag Leader Technology
Order of Keys
(Application Rate
Mode)
Press the MENU key until you see on the following keys on
the display.
CAL
Press the SETUP key to view the
All Modes
SETUP
DIAG
following setup menu items.
SETUP
OPTIONS
PRESS TO EXIT
APP.RATE
CONFIG
CONSOLE
Press the bottom LEFT or RIGHT ARROW keys to
MARKS
MEMORY
CARD
GPS
switch between and view the setup menu items
shown above.
* * *
LOAD
MAP
April 2002
Console Setup
2-6
Changing a Setting
PF3000
All Modes
Ag Leader Technology
Introduction
The console settings are general settings that apply to all operating modes
and uses of the PF3000.
Console Setup
Screen
To view the console setup screen press the:
MENU key
SETUP key
bottom RIGHT ARROW key
CONSOLE key
Example of console setup screen:
CONSOLE SETUP
Operating Mode GRAIN HARVEST
Month/Day/Year 08/15/1998
Time 1:15 PM
Serial Number 980034
Box Cal 770
Voltage Cal 490
GPS Check Sum ON
Field Marker Input INTERNAL
EDIT
ACCEPT
EXIT
CANCEL
Step Action
1 Use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys to select the item you want
to change. The item is selected when a black filled rectangular
box surrounds the entire line.
2 Press the EDIT key and then use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys
to change the number or setting.
3 Once you have changed a setting press the ACCEPT key. Press
the EXIT key once you have made all the settings.
April 2002
PF3000
2-7
Voltage calibration
Console Setup
Ag Leader Technology
Adjust Display
Brightness
Operating mode
Operating Program
Firmware
Serial number,
Box calibration,
GPS Check Sum
Field Marker
To adjust the display back lighting, scroll down to "Display brightness" and
press EDIT key. Use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys to adjust the screen
brightness and press the ACCEPT key.
The PF3000 has the following operating modes: Grain Harvest, Grass Seed
Harvest, Cotton Harvest, HarvestMaster™, Application Rate and Site
Verification. Upon changing the operating mode you should make sure all
setup items for that operating mode are correct.
To switch modes, you must install that modes operating firmware. The
exception is Site Verification Mode. Site Verification is available with all
other modes. See "Updating Operating Program" instructions in the
Operation Section of this manual to load different firmware. All firmware
versions are on the CD that that came with the monitor or on the web at
www.agleader.com.
The serial number, box calibration number and voltage calibration number
can be found on the bottom side of the monitor. These numbers should be
set correctly from the factory.
GPS Check Sum setting is used to enable or disable data string error
checking. Normally set to ON.
If you are... Select
Marking field points with the PF3000’s internal
marker selection keys.
Marking field points with an external Ag Leader
Field Marker.
All Modes
INTERNAL
EXTERNAL
* * *
April 2002
Card Setup
2-8
PF3000
All Modes
Ag Leader Technology
Introduction
If you are using the GPS receiver, all the GPS data must be logged to a
memory card. If you are not using a GPS receiver, you do not need a card.
The memory card must be formatted with a DOS format. Cards rarely need
to be formatted since they are usually DOS formatted before they are
shipped. If formatting is required, format the card in your PC before using.
IMPORTANT:
You must copy memory to every log file you create and log to before
you read the card into your computer.
Card Setup Screen
To view the card setup screen press the:
MENU key
SETUP key
CARD key
Example of card setup screens:
CARD SETUP
Logging Device MEMORY CARD
Logging Interval 1 second
Log file 98081501.YLD
CARD FILES
EDIT
ACCEPT
COPY TO SHOW ALL
EXIT
CANCEL
FILES ON CARD
FILE NAME SIZE LAST MODIFIED
98081502.YLD 130 KB 08/15/1998
98081501.YLD 128 KB 08/15/1998
98073001.YLD 130 KB 07/30/1998
FILE ERASE
OPTIONS ALL
EXIT
April 2002
PF3000
2-9
Changing a Setting
Card Setup
Ag Leader Technology
All Modes
FILES OPTIONS
File Name 98081501.YLD
File Size 132640 bytes
Last Modified 13:42
Date 08/15/1998
COPY TO RESTORE ERASE
FILE FILE FILE
EXIT
Step Action
1 Use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys to select the item you want
to change. The item is selected when a black filled rectangular box
surrounds the entire line.
2 Press the EDIT key and then use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys
to change the number or setting.
3 Once you have changed a setting press the ACCEPT key. Press
the EXIT key once you have made all the settings.
Logging Device
If you are using the GPS receiver with the PF3000 you must use a memory
card to save the instantaneous GPS data.
If you... Select
NOTE: In Application Rate mode, if the PF3000 is controlling application
Do not have a GPS receiver. NONE
Do have a GPS receiver. MEMORY CARD
rate, but you don’t want to log actual rate to card set to NONE.
Logging Interval
This setting determines how often the GPS information is saved to the
memory card. It also affects how large an area each GPS record will
represent on a map and how many logging hours are available before the
memory card becomes full.
There are three possible settings for the logging interval.
1, 2 or 3 Seconds
3 mph
5 mph
.
The recommended setting is either two or three seconds.
Distance Traveled (ft)
1 sec 2 sec 3 sec
4.4 8.8 13.2
7.3 14.6 21.9
April 2002
Card Setup
2-10
PF3000
All Modes
Log File
Ag Leader 32MB ATA
Logging Hours Available/Logging Interval
1 sec 2 sec 3 sec
400 800 1200
Ag Leader Technology
Flash Card
NOTE: The logging hours available can vary from the numbers shown above
due to the number of separate files that can be stored on the card.
The PF3000 requires a log file to store data on a memory card. The log file
will always have a “.yld” extension and be named with the date the file was
created. Example: 98081502.yld, second file created on 08/15/98.
IMPORTANT: You must copy memory to every log file you create and
log to before you read the card into your computer. The monitor
automatically copies data to the log file every time it is shut off.
Using the Ag Leader ATA FLASH card a new log file must be created for
each day. You can not add to an old log file after a new file has been created
but you can store multiple log files on one card.
In order to log instantaneous GPS data or copy field and load data to a
memory card, a log file must be selected. Every time you turn on the monitor,
the monitor will prompt you to select or create a log file. Refer to the steps
below to select or create a log file after the monitor has been turned on.
Step Action
1 Select Log File and press the EDIT key.
2 Select a log file or press CREATE FILE key to create a new log file.
3 With the desired file selected, press the ACCEPT key.
NOTE: After you read all the log files on your card into your computer (and
make backup copies of files), it is recommended to erase the log file(s) on the
card.
April 2002
PF3000
2-11
Card Setup
Ag Leader Technology
Copying Data to
Log File
To copy memory to log files that are not set as the current log file, press the
SHOW FILES key and select one of the log files. Press the FILE OPTIONS
key and press the COPY TO FILE key. At the card setup screen, press the
COPY TO CARD key to copy memory to the file set as the log file (this is the
same copy to card function that automatically occurs when monitor is shut
off).
Restoring from
File
You can restore field and load data into the monitor’s memory from a log file
on a memory card.
IMPORTANT: It is dangerous to restore memory from a card because
the current data in the monitor will be replaced with the data on card.
Step Action
1 Press the SHOW ALL FILES key. Select the log file and press the
FILE OPTIONS key. Press the RESTORE FILE key.
2 Press the RESTORE key again if you really want to restore the data.
3 Press the EXIT key once you are finished.
Erasing File
You can erase individual log files from a memory card
Step Action
1 Press the SHOW ALL FILES key. Select the log file and press the
FILE OPTIONS key. Press ERASE FILE key.
2 Press the ERASE key again if you really want to erase the file.
3 Press the EXIT key once you are finished.
* * *
All Modes
April 2002
Creating, Naming Fields, Loads
2-12
PF3000
All Modes except App Rate
Recommendations
All the information recorded by the PF3000 must be recorded in a field and
load. The field and load that the monitor is set on is located on the top line
of the display on the main operating screen.
Fields
You should at least create all the fields and name them before you begin to
use the PF3000. The monitor will use the same set of fields you create for
each operating mode (harvest mode, application rate mode, site verification)
of the monitor. You can create and name your fields using any operating
mode. You should choose field names that you can use year after year.
Loads
It also recommended to create and name loads within fields before you use
the PF3000. Each operating mode of the PF3000 will have its own set of
loads for each field.
Definition:
Load: A load is used to subdivide a field into smaller sections. The
NOTE: If using Application Rate Mode, refer to the Controller
Setup instructions on how to create and change fields. Refer to this
section for how to name fields and loads.
monitor load is not associated with the combine tank, wagon, or
truck load.
Ag Leader Technology
Load
Field
April 2002
PF3000
2-13
Creating and
Creating, Naming Fields, Loads
Ag Leader Technology
All Modes except App Rate
Step Action
Naming Fields
1
Press the MENU key until the following is displayed on
the bottom of the display.
FIELD
LOAD
SHOW
MAP
OPTIONS
F1: DG
2 Press the FIELD key twice to view the screen below.
ACTIVE FIELD
F1:
PRESS TO EDIT NAME
SELECT GRAIN
SOYBEANS
ACCEPT
Step Action
3
Naming Field
With the line displaying the field number selected (rectangular box
surrounds line), press the RIGHT ARROW key to move the cursor to
the right to enter a name. Use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys to scroll
through letters, numbers and other characters. After you have set the
character, move the cursor to the right by pressing the RIGHT ARROW
key and set a new character. You can enter up to an 8-character name.
Press the ACCEPT key once you have entered a name.
4
Setting Grain (harvest mode) or Site Type (Site Verification Mode)
To set the grain or site type for the field you must select the line
displaying the grain or site type. Press the key to the right of the line
displaying the grain or sit type to select the line. Use the UP or DOWN
ARROW keys to set the setting. Press the ACCEPT key twice, once to
accept the grain or site type, once to accept the field.
CANCEL
April 2002
Creating, Naming Fields, Loads
2-14
PF3000
All Modes except App Rate
Step Action
5
NOTE: You can have more than one grain or site type in a field.
To enter more than one grain or site type, press the FIELD key twice so that the
field is displayed in large text. Select the line displaying grain or site type and
change the setting. Press the ACCEPT key twice, once to accept the new grain
or site type and once to accept the field. The monitor will create a separate set
of loads (which are renumbered beginning with load one) for each grain or site
type in a field.
L3 L3
Grass Seed types
ANNUAL RYE
PERENNIAL RYE
FESCUE
ORCHARD GRASS
CRIMSON CLOVER
MEADOW FOAM
WHITE CLOVER
BENT GRASS
Creating Fields
Press the UP ARROW key to scroll through all the fields. Once you
scroll past the last field, “Create New Field” will be displayed. Name
the field and set the grain or site type, then with “Create New Field”
displayed above the field number press the ACCEPT key to create the
new field.
6 Repeat Step 5 and create and name all your fields.
Example of load organization when two grain types are in one field in
harvest mode:
F10 L1 F10 L1
Corn Soybeans
L2
Harvest grain types
SOYBEANS
CORN
WHEAT
OATS
RYE
BARLEY
SORGHUM
POPCORN
EDIBLE BEANS
CORN 2
CANOLA
RICE
SUNFLOWERS
CORN 3
CORN 4
OPT GRAIN 1
Ag Leader Technology
L2
Site Verification types
PLANTING 1
PLANTING 2
PLANTING 3
SPRAYING 1
SPRAYING 2
SPRAYING 3
FERTILIZER 1
FERTILIZER 2
FERTILIZER 3
OPT SITE 1
OPT SITE 2
OPT SITE 3
OPT SITE 4
OPT SITE 5
OPT SITE 6
OPT SITE 7
April 2002
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