Trimble EZ-GUIDE 500 User Manual

RELEASE NOTES

EZ-Guide® 500 Lightbar Guidance System

Firmware Version 5.10

 Introduction

 Changes

 Field-IQ crop input control

system

 Expanded third party variable

rate controller compatibility

 GPS position quality indicator

 Krohne Liquid manure flow

meter support

Version 5.10
Revision A
March 2010
Part Number 66022-85-ENG

*66022-85-ENG*

 EZ-Boom granular fertilizer

spreading

 Upgrade procedure

Contact information

[e-mail]
www.EZ-Guide.com

Legal Notices

Copyright and Trademarks

© 2007–2010, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved.
Trimble, the Globe & Triangle logo, AgGPS, EZ-Boom,

EZ-Guide, EZ-Office, EZ-Steer, and Tru Count Air Clutch are
trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited, registered in the
United States and in other countries. Autopilot, FmX,
Rawson, and Tru Count LiquiBlock are trademarks of Trimble
Navigation Limited.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.

Release Notice

This is the March 2010 release (Revision A) of the
EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes, part
number 66022-85-ENG. It applies to version 5.10 of the
EZ-Guide firmware.

LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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Product software, whether built into hardware circuitry as
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terms, exclusions, and limitations), which shall control over
the terms and conditions set forth in this limited warranty.

Software Fixes

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to receive such Fixes to the Product software that Trimble
releases and makes commercially available and for which it
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option, forward the software Fix to the Trimble dealer for final
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products, or substantially new software releases, as identified
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and limited warranty. Receipt of software Fixes or other
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For purposes of this warranty the following definitions shall
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Update” occurs when enhancements are made to current
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If the Trimble Product fails during the warranty period for
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equivalent to new, or reconditioned parts or Product, OR
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To obtain warranty service for the Product, please contact
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contact Trimble to request warranty service at +1-408-481­6940 (24 hours a day) or e-mail your request to

[e-mail]. Please be prepared to

provide:
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The customer service representative may need additional

information from you depending on the nature of the
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This Product limited warranty shall only apply in the event
and to the extent that (a) the Product is properly and
correctly installed, configured, interfaced, maintained , stored,
and operated in accordance with Trimble's applicable
operator's manual and specifications, and; (b) the Product is
not modified or misused. This Product limited warranty shall
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or performance problems resulting from (i) the combination
or utilization of the Product with hardware or software
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NOTICE REGARDING PRODUCTS EQUIPPED WITH
TECHNOLOGY CAPABLE OF TRACKING SATELLITE SIGNAL S
FROM SATELLITE BASED AUGMENTATION SYST EMS (SBAS)

(WAAS/EGNOS, AND MSAS), OMNISTAR, GPS, MODERNIZED

GPS OR GLONASS SATELLITES, OR FROM IALA BEACON
SOURCES: TRIMBLE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
OPERATION OR FAILURE OF OPERATION OF ANY SATELLITE
BASED POSITIONING SYSTEM OR THE AVAILABILI TY OF ANY
SATELLITE BASED POSITIONING SIGNAL S.

THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY TERMS STATE
TRIMBLE’S ENTIRE LIABILITY, AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE
REMEDI ES, RELATING TO THE TRIMBLE PRODUCT. EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, THE PRODUCT,
AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION AND MATERIALS
ARE PROVIDED “AS-IS” AND WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, BY EITHER TRIMBLE OR ANYONE

2 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN ITS CREATION, PRODUCTION,
INSTALLATION, OR DISTRI BUTION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. THE STATED
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YOU.

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FOR APPLICABLE WARRANTY INFORMATION.

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Notices

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential

area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.

Properly shielded and grounded cables and connectors must
be used in order to meet FCC emission limits. TRIMBLE is
not responsible for any radio or t elevision interference caused
by using other than recommended cables and connectors or
by unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment.
Unauthorized changes or modifications could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.

Responsible Party:
Trimble Navigation Limited
935 Stewart Drive
Sunnyvale CA 94085
Telephone: [phone]

Industry Canada Compliance Statement

This Class A digital apparatus meets the requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Avis de conformité à la réglementation d'Industrie Canada.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les

exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

European Community Compliance Statement

This product is in conformity with the protection
requirements of EU Council Directive 89/336/EEC on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
electromagnetic compatibility. TRIMBLE cannot accept
responsibility for any failure to satisfy the protection
requirements resulting from a non-recommended
modification of the product, including the fitting of non­TRIMBLE option cards.

Australia and New Zealand Class A Statement

Attention: This is a Class A product. In a domestic
environment this product may cause radio interference in
which case the user may be required to take adequate

measures.

Australia and New Zealand

This product conforms with the regulatory
requirements of the Australian Communications
Authority (ACA) EMC framework, thus satisfying the
requirements for C-Tick Marking and sale within Australia
and New Zealand.

Notice to Our European Union Customers

For product recycling instructions and more information,
please go to www.trimble.com/ev.shtml.

Recycling in Europe: To recycle Trimble WEEE (Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment, products that
run on electrical power.), Call [phone], and
ask for the "WEEE Associate". Or, mail a request for
recycling instructions to:
Trimble Europe BV
c/o Menlo Worldwide Logistics
Meerheide 45
5521 DZ Eersel, NL

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 3

Restriction of Use of Certain Hazardous

Declaration of Conformity

We, Trimble Navigation Limited,

935 Stewart Drive
PO Box 3642
Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3642
United States
[phone]

declare under sole responsibility that the product:
EZ-Guide 500 lightbar guidance system
complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,

including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Substances in Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (RoHS)

This Trimble product complies in all material respects with
DIRECTIVE 2002/95/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 January 2003 on the restriction
of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and
electronic equipment (RoHS Directive) and Amendment
2005/618/EC filed under C(2005) 3143, with exemptions for
lead in solder pursuant to Paragraph 7 of the Annex to the
RoHS Directive applied.

4 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Introduction

These Release Notes describe changes and updates for the EZ-Guide® 500
lightbar guidance system. They apply to the EZ-Guide 500 lightbar guidance
system firmware version 5.10.

Note – For on-screen instructions and term definitions, select .

Changes

The following changes are provided in the EZ-Guide 500 lightbar guidance
system firmware version 5.10:

• Field-IQ crop input control system support, see page 5

• Expanded variable rate controller support, see page 30

• Updated GPS status icon with bars, see page 31

• Liquid manure feature, see page 32

• EZ-Boom granular spreading, see page 38

Field-IQ crop input control system

With the Field-IQ™ crop input control system, the EZ-Guide 500 lightbar
guidance system can control planters, liquid strip-till tool-bars, and spinner
spreaders. It can perform automatic section control using a Tru Count Air

®

Clutch
prescription with Rawson

system and/or control seed or liquid fertilizer rates using a

™

drives.

Different functions of the solutions can be configured and controlled by the
Field-IQ system.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 5

Application main functions

Planter • Seed Section Control of up to 48 individual rows (Field-IQ section

control module(s) needed) using Tru Count air clutches.

• Seed Rate Control using up to four Rawson drives to change seed
population (Field-IQ Rawson Control Module(s) needed).

• Liquid Fertilizer Control of up to 48 individual liquid nozzles (Field­IQ section control module(s) needed) using Tru Count LiquiBlock™
valves.

Strip-till
(liquid)

Spreading • Spreading Rate Control using a Rawson Drive (Field-IQ Rawson

• Liquid Section Control of up to 48 individual spray nozzles (Field­IQ Section Control Module(s) needed) using Tru Count LiquiBlock
valves.

• Liquid Rate Control using up to 2 Rawson drives connected to
fixed displacement pumps, such as CDS-John Blue piston
pumps, to change liquid rate (Field-IQ Rawson Control Module(s)
needed).

Control Module(s) needed).

Definition of terms

Calibration
constant

Jump start Use this function if you lose a GPS signal or you want to start applying

Prime the
system

This represents the output of a granular applicator per revolution of
the drive. Use this number to fine tune the Field-IQ system to match
the actual output of the spreader.

before your implement is up to speed.

This fills the system with product in preparation for calibration.

6 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Field-IQ master switch box

c

de

f

g

d

e

c

Item Position

Increment/decrement switch

c

Rate switch Rate 1, Rate 2, Manual Rate

d

LED indicator

e

Automatic/Manual section

f

switch

Master switch Off, On, Jump Start position.

g

You can switch from Automatic to Manual mode while
traveling.

Use the jump start function if you lose a GPS signal or
you want to start applying before your implement is up
to speed.

Field-IQ 12-section switch box (optional)

Item

LED indicator

c

Section switches

d

Space to write which row the switch controls.

e

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 7

Enabling the Field-IQ system

1. From the main guidance screen, select the icon and then press .

The Configuration screen appears.

2. Make sure that the user mode is set to Advanced.

3. Select Application Control / Controller Settings / Field-IQ:

4. Select an application controller mode. The options are:

– Row Crop Planting, see Setting up Field-IQ planting, page 8

– Liquid, see Setting up Field-IQ liquid application, page 13

– Granular, see Setting up Field-IQ granular application, page 19

– Spreading, see Setting up Field-IQ spreading, page 24

Setting up Field-IQ planting

Entering implement measurements

1. In the Controller Type screen, select Field-IQ and then select Row Crop
Planting.

2. Complete the Setup wizard to enter the implement measurement values:

– Number of Rows

– Row Spacing

– Implement Mount Type

8 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

– Hitched / 3pt

– Drawbar

– Forward/Back Offset

– Capacity

Setting up the Rawson control modules

1. Use the module serial numbers to indicate where each module can be
found on the planter:

2. Enter the width of each section.

The Rawson Control Module Review screen is informational and shows the
serial number and width of each module:

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 9

Setting up the Field-IQ section control modules

1. Using the module serial numbers, indicate where each Field-IQ module
can be found on the planter:

2. Enter the number of sections each controller module will control.

3. Select the boom switching mode:

– Liquid Boom

– Tru Count

The Section Switching Module Review screen is informational and shows
the serial number and width of each module:

4. Enter the width of each section.

10 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Performing the Field-IQ hydraulics test

1. Enter the target RPM.

CAUTION – When you turn the master switch on, parts of the implement will

C

move.

2. Turn the master switch on. The hydraulics test begins:

3. Turn the master switch off once the test is complete.

Note – If the motors did not achieve the desired RPM, you must alter the hydraulic
setup. Refer to the Field-IQ Installation Instructions or Rawson Installation
Instructions.

Calibrating the Rawson control modules and rate controller

1. Enter the jump start speed. This setting controls the speed to be used
when the Field-IQ master switch is put in the jump start position.

2. Enter the number of seeds per disk for your planter.

3. Do one of the following:

– If you know the gear ratio for your implement, enter it into the

Calibrate Rate Controller screen.

– If you do not know the gear ratio for your implement, use the gear

ratio calculator.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 11

4. Enter the calibration constant. In the planting application, the calibration
constant defaults to 1. When you have completed the seed drop test
(Step 7 through Step 9), you may need to adjust this value.

5. Enter the target rate, target speed, and number of revolutions.

Note – The higher the number of revolutions the more accurate the calibration;
Trimble recommends 5 to 10 revolutions.

6. To prime the system, select

Yes.

7. To begin calibration, turn the master switch on.

The Calibration Progress screen is informational and indicates the status
of the calibration:

8. Turn the master switch off.

9. Count the number of seeds dropped from one row unit and then enter the
number.

10. If required, adjust the Verify Rate and Speed Range. The system
automatically calculates the fastest and slowest speed that will allow you
to successfully achieve these numbers.

11. The next two screens are informational and show the operating speed
ranges for your target rates.

Note – If speed limits are not within the required range, alter the gear ratio.

12 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

12. In the Apply Calibration screen, do one of the following:

– Select Yes to apply the calibration data from the current rate

controller to the remaining rate controllers.

– Select No to calibrate each controller separately.

Setting up Field-IQ liquid application

Entering implement measurements

1. In the Controller Type screen, select Field-IQ and then select Liquid.

2. Complete the Setup wizard to enter the implement measurement values:

– Number of rows

– Row spacing

– Implement Mount Type

Hitched / 3pt
Drawbar

– Forward/Back Offset

– Capacity

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 13

Setting up the Rawson control modules

1. Use the module serial numbers to indicate where each module can be
found on the planter:

2. Enter the width of each section.

The Rawson Control Module Review screen is informational and shows the
serial number and width of each module:

14 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Setting up the Field-IQ section control modules

1. Using the module serial numbers, indicate where each Field-IQ module
can be found on the planter:

2. Enter the number of sections each controller module will control.

3. Select the boom switching mode:

– Liquid Boom

– Tru Count

The Section Switching Module Review screen is informational and shows
the serial number and width of each module:

4. Enter the width of each section.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 15

Performing the Field-IQ hydraulics test

1. Enter the target RPM.

CAUTION – When you turn on the master switch, parts of the implement will

C

move.

2. Turn on the master switch. The hydraulics test begins:

3. Turn off the master switch once the test is complete.

Note – If the motors did not achieve the desired RPM, you must alter the hydraulic
setup. Refer to the Field-IQ Installation Instructions or Rawson Installation
Instructions.

Calibrating the Rawson control modules and rate controller

1. Enter the jump start speed. This setting controls the speed to be used
when the Field-IQ master switch is put in the jump start position.

2. Do on of the following:

– If you know the gear ratio for your implement, enter it into the

Calibrate Rate Controller screen.

– If you do not know the gear ratio for your implement, use the gear

ratio calculator.

16 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

3. Enter the pump constant. This is the amount of liquid pumped in one
revolution. See the pump manufacturer's instructions for this value:

Note – Leaving the value at 0 prompts the system to auto calibrate.

4. Enter the target rate, target speed, and number of revolutions.

Note – The higher the number of revolutions the more accurate the calibration;
Trimble recommends 5 to 10 revolutions.

5. To prime the system, select

Yes.

6. To begin calibration, turn the master switch on.

The Calibration Progress screen is informational and indicates the status
of the calibration:

7. Turn the master switch off.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 17

8. Perform the calibration three (3) times. Enter the average amount of
liquid dispensed for the three calibration tests:

9. In the Calibration OK? screen, do one of the following:

– Select Yes to end the calibration.

– Select No to return to the Pump Constant screen.

10. If required, adjust the Verify Rate and Speed Range. The system
automatically calculates the fastest and slowest speed that will allow you
to successfully achieve these numbers.

11. The next two screens are informational and show the operating speed
ranges for your target rates.

Note – If speed limits are not within the required range, alter the gear ratio.

12. In the Apply Calibration screen, do one of the following:

– Select Yes to apply the calibration data from the current rate

controller to the remaining rate controllers.

– Select No to calibrate each controller separately.

18 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Setting up Field-IQ granular application

Entering implement measurements

1. In the Controller Type screen, select Field-IQ and then select Granular.

2. Complete the Setup wizard to enter the implement measurement values:

– Implement Width

– Implement Mount Type

Hitched / 3pt
Drawbar

– Forward/Back Offset

– Capacity

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 19

Setting up the Rawson control modules

1. Use the module serial numbers to indicate where each module can be
found on the planter:

2. Enter the width of each section.

The Rawson Control Module Review screen is informational and shows the
serial number and width of each module:

20 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Setting up the Field-IQ section control modules

1. Using the module serial numbers, indicate where each Field-IQ module
can be found on the planter:

2. Enter the number of sections each controller module will control.

The Section Switching Module Review screen is informational and shows
the serial number and width of each module:

3. Enter the width of each section.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 21

Performing the Field-IQ hydraulics test

1. Enter the target RPM.

CAUTION – When you turn on the master switch parts of the implement will

C

move.

2. Turn on the master switch. The hydraulics test begins:

3. Turn off the master switch once the test is complete.

Note – If the motors did not achieve the desired RPM, you must alter the hydraulic
setup. Refer to the Field-IQ Installation Instructions or Rawson Installation
Instructions.

Calibrating the Rawson control modules and rate controller

1. Enter the jump start speed. This setting controls the speed to be used
when the Field-IQ master switch is put in the jump start position.

2. Enter the density of the material to apply.

3. Do one of the following:

– If you know the gear ratio for your implement, enter it into the

Calibrate Rate Controller screen.

– If you do not know the gear ratio for your implement, use the gear

ratio calculator.

4. Enter the calibration constant.

5. Enter the target rate, target speed, and number of revolutions.

22 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Note – The higher the number of revolutions the more accurate the calibration;
Trimble recommends 5 to 10 revolutions.

6. To prime the system, select

Yes.

7. To begin calibration, turn the master switch on.

The Calibration Progress screen is informational and indicates the status
of the calibration:

8. Turn the master switch off.

9. Enter the weight of the material that was dropped by the spreader.

10. If required, adjust the Verify Rate and Speed Range. The system
automatically calculates the fastest and slowest speed that will allow you
to successfully achieve these numbers.

11. The next two screens are informational and show the operating speed
ranges for your target rates.

Note – If speed limits are not within the required range, alter the gear ratio.

12. In the Apply Calibration screen, do one of the following:

– Select Yes to apply the calibration data from the current rate

controller to the remaining rate controllers.

– Select No to calibrate each controller separately.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 23

Setting up Field-IQ spreading

Entering implement measurements

1. In the Controller Type screen, select Field-IQ and then select Spreading.

2. Complete the Setup wizard to enter the implement measurement values:

– Implement Width

– Implement Mount Type

Hitched / 3pt
Drawbar

– Forward/Back Offset

– Capacity

24 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Setting up the Rawson control modules

1. Use the module serial numbers to indicate where each module can be
found on the planter:

2. Enter the width of each section.

The Rawson Control Module Review screen is informational and shows the
serial number and width of each module:

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 25

Setting up the Field-IQ section control modules

1. Using the module serial numbers, indicate where each Field-IQ module
can be found on the planter:

2. Enter the number of sections each controller module will control.

The Section Switching Module Review screen is informational and shows
the serial number and width of each module:

3. Enter the width of each section.

26 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Performing the Field-IQ hydraulics test

1. Enter the target RPM.

CAUTION – When you turn on the master switch, parts of the implement will

C

move.

2. Turn on the master switch. The hydraulics test begins:

3. Turn the master switch off once the test is complete.

Note – If the motors did not achieve the desired RPM, you must alter the hydraulic
setup. Refer to the Field-IQ Installation Instructions or Rawson Installation
Instructions.

Calibrating the Rawson control modules and rate controller

1. Enter the jump start speed. This setting controls the speed to be used
when the Field-IQ master switch is put in the jump start position.

2. Enter the gate height, gate width and spreader belt length per revolution.

3. Enter the density of the material to apply.

4. Do on of the following:

– If you know the gear ratio for your implement, enter it into the

Calibrate Rate Controller screen.

– If you do not know the gear ratio for your implement, use the gear

ratio calculator.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 27

The spreader constant calculates automatically. You can adjust the value
if required—follow the on-screen instructions:

5. Enter the target rate, target speed, and number of revolutions.

Note – The higher the number of revolutions the more accurate the calibration;
Trimble recommends 5 to 10 revolutions.

6. To prime the system, select

Yes.

7. To begin calibration, turn the master switch on.

The Calibration Progress screen is informational and indicates the status
of the calibration:

8. Turn the master switch off.

9. Enter the weight of the material that was dropped by the spreader.

10. If required, adjust the Verify Rate and Speed Range. The system
automatically calculates the fastest and slowest speed that will allow you
to successfully achieve these numbers.

28 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

11. The next two screens are informational and show the operating speed
ranges for your target rates.

Note – If speed limits are not within the required range, alter the gear ratio.

12. In the Apply Calibration screen, do one of the following:

– Select Yes to apply the calibration data from the current rate

controller to the remaining rate controllers.

– Select No to calibrate each controller separately.

Using the Field-IQ system

1. From the main guidance screen, select and then create a new field or
select an existing field.

2. Select the Refill icon to:

– adjust the current bin volume

– select the refill method

– refill bin now

3. Select the Refill icon to adjust:

– Swath Control Setup

Select Liquid Boom when using Liquiblock valves, or select Tru Count
no Inverter when using Tru Count clutches. (Use the following screens
to configure the Boom Switching Mode.)

– Boom Switching Mode

Select Liquid Boom when using Liquiblock valves, or select Tru Count
no inverter when using Tru Count clutches.

– Boundary Switching Overlap

4. Select Application Setup to:

– Turn rate control on or off.

– Adjust target rate 1.

– Adjust target rate 2.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 29

– Adjust the rate increment.

– Turn rate snapping on or off.

– Adjust the jump start speed.

5. Select Boundaries to select:

– Enabled

– Disabled for This Field

– Disabled for All Fields

Expanded third party variable rate controller compatibility

The EZ-Guide 500 system now supports the following variable rate controllers:

• Amazone Amatron+

• LH Agro LH5000

Variable rate functionality can only be accessed when the user mode is set to
Advanced. When a compatible rate controller is connected, the EZ-Guide 500
system uses a prescription map to send application rate commands to the
controller. Once this happens, the controller changes to the appropriate rate,
as instructed by the lightbar.

These variable rate controllers connect through the COM connection on the
EZ-Guide 500 lightbar guidance system.

This function requires the variable rate unlock.

30 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

GPS position quality indicator

You can now select the level of GPS quality that you want the system to use.
This gives you the option of extending your operating hours by running the
system when GPS satellites are less available and possibly providing lower
position quality. Alternatively, you can select the best level of quality in order to
achieve the maximum accuracy for each correction type.

The bars on the GPS position quality indicator represent the overall quality of
the position. The quality is determined by factoring satellite availability,
health, and a calculated accuracy estimate. The more green bars shown, the
higher the level of GPS position quality.

A black bracket under the GPS signal bars indicates the quality level you
selected:

Bars Option Select ...

Favor Accuracy For operations that require the highest accuracy, such

as row crop planting or strip-till applications.

Note – Trimble recommends this option for the best
pass-to-pass and year-to-year repeatability. This option
is equivalent to the quality level of previous versions of
the EZ-Guide firmware.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 31

Bars Option Select ...

Balanced Quality To trade potential accuracy for a slight increase in

production time.

Favor Availability To extend production time further, with more

potential for reduced accuracy.

Note – This option sometimes trades some accuracy
for more availability or runtime. This option may still
achieve the highest level of accuracy that is applicable
for your correction source. If you select this option
when using RTK corrections, the system may use
positions that are greater than 1'' pass-to-pass
accuracy.

To adjust the GPS position quality indicator, go to Configuration / SBAS,
OmniStar, or RTK.

Krohne Liquid manure flow meter support

The EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System now supports the Krohne
liquid/slurry electromagnetic flow meter for as-applied mapping of manure
applications.

You need an EZ-Guide 500 to Krohne interface cable (P/N 78369) to connect
the two devices.

Liquid manure application, tracking, and reporting

The EZ-Guide 500 lightbar guidance system now allows you to generate liquid
manure handling records to satisfy regulatory requirements. Use this option to
easily track the location of the area covered, along with the volume per area
and other important data points.

When this feature is enable and connected to a flow meter, the EZ-Guide
system records the actual rate from the flow meter that is being applied for
each field. These values will then appear as an as-applied coverage map in the

32 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Summary Report for that field. When you are finished, you can transfer the
Summary Report to a computer through a USB connection or import the field
data into the EZ-Office

®

software.

Setting up Krohne support

Before setup, the guidance screen appears as follows. Note that there is no
application bar:

1. Make sure that User Mode is set to Advanced.

2. Go to the Application Control option and from the Application Control
menu, select Controller Settings.

3. Select Liquid Manure:

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 33

4. Enter the pulses per gallon that the flow meter outputs—for more
information, refer to the flow meter's configuration display or the user
documentation. A common measurement is one pulse per gallon:

The system is now configured to read information from the flow meter.
Read the information on this screen before continuing:

5. Select Ta rg et Rat e. The target rate is the rate you want to achieve through
varying the speed of the vehicle or through altering the pump pressure or
volume:

34 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

6. Scroll up or down to achieve the required rate and then select OK:

7. Confirm that the screen shows the correct rate. Press the
return to the guidance screen:

I button twice to

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 35

The guidance screen now shows the application bar at the bottom:

T = target rate

A = actual rate. Reported
in gallons per acre when
vehicle is moving

F = flow rate. Reported
in gallons per minute when
vehicle is stationary.

36 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

Application bar

c

d

e

Item Description

Flow/application indicator The wheel spins when flow meter pulses are detected.

c

Boom section status indicator Change color to show the current state of each boom

d

Auto/manual switching

e

indicator

section:

• Green: The boom section is enabled and applying
product.

• Orange: The boom section is enabled but not
currently applying.

• Red: The section is off (no flowmeter pulses
detected).

Shows which switching mode the controller is in.

• When the system is in manual switching mode, the
indicator is gray.

• When the system is in automatic switching mode,
the indicator is in color.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 37

EZ-Boom granular fertilizer spreading

The EZ-Guide 500 lightbar guidance system now supports granular fertilizer
application with the EZ-Boom system. Using a rate sensor and a Servo or
PWM control valve, you can control a single product on a pull-type or
self-propelled spreader.

The granular spreading feature allows you to select a jump start speed to
compensate when operating under a low GPS signal.

This feature is available from Controller Settings / EZ-Boom.

Upgrade procedure

Installing additional language packs

CAUTION – Do not add language packs to the lightbar when the internal

C

memory is nearly full (less than 15 hours remaining). To free up internal memory,
save all of the data to a USB drive and then copy the data on the drive to an
office computer. Delete the field data from the internal memory. Install the
language packs and then, if necessary, use the drive to replace the field data in
the lightbar’s internal memory.

A number of language packs are available as a web release. Language packs are
loaded onto the lightbar from a USB drive:

1. Transfer the required language pack (.lpf file) from

www.ez-guide.com to an office computer.

2. Copy the language pack to a USB drive and then insert the USB drive into
the USB port on the lightbar. Make sure the files are copied to the root of
the USB drive, not to any folders on the USB drive.

3. Turn on the lightbar.

38 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

4. Select the main guidance screen and then wait for up to 1 minute. The
language pack is automatically detected:

5. Press  to load the language pack(s).

Once the language pack is installed, the language selection screen
appears.

6. Select the language you require:

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 39

Upgrading the firmware

CAUTION – Do not upgrade the lightbar’s firmware when the internal memory is

C

nearly full (less than 15 hours remaining). If you do, the lightbar may lose your
current settings. Before upgrading the firmware, save the lightbar’s settings and
the data to a USB drive and then transfer all of the data on the drive to an office
computer. If necessary, use the drive to replace the field data in the lightbar’s
internal memory after the upgrade is complete.

Note – Before upgrading to version 5.10 of the EZ-Guide 500 system, make sure

™

that you are using the AgGPS Autopilot
or later.

Before you begin to update the firmware in the lightbar, check which firmware
version is currently installed:

1. Select Configuration / About the EZ-Guide.

2. Check the Vers ion number:

automated steering system version 4.52

This is the firmware version. If the number is 4.05.xxx.x, you have firmware
version 4.05. If the number is 5.10.xxx.x, you already have firmware version 5.10.

To upgrade the lightbar to version 5.10:

1. Download the firmware version 5.10 upgrade file from www.EZ-

Guide.com to your office computer.

2. Extract the contents to the USB drive. Make sure the files are copied to
the root of the USB drive, not to any folders on the USB drive.

3. Insert the USB drive in the lightbar.

40 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes

4. Turn on the lightbar.

When the USB drive is detected, the lightbar runs the upgrade wizard
automatically.

If you currently have firmware version 4.05 or earlier, the firmware version

5.10 upgrade file appears:

CAUTION – Do not turn the lightbar off while the firmware is being updated.

C

This could render the lightbar inoperable.

5. Select the EZ-Guide firmware .img file and then press . The wizard

installs the monitor file and the firmware version 5.10. When the
firmware is installed, the lightbar restarts.

The lightbar firmware is upgraded to version 5.10.

Note – When upgrading to this new firmware, the previously set SNR and
Elevation Mask GPS settings remain active until you next turn off and then turn
on the lightbar.

EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes 41

42 EZ-Guide 500 Lightbar Guidance System Release Notes