By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

AUBURN, Ill. — Long before the National Farm Machinery Show comes around Tom Elmore of DICKEY-john, an Auburn, Ill. company, has been busy preparing for the launch of their new product add-on called the AutoSwath Control.

This new add-on is part of DICKEY-john’s precision ag technology that reduces planting overlap. The benefits of this add-on is that it will result in increased cost savings for planting applications. It will eliminate wasted seed and optimizing yields.

“This is a product add-on to our current IntelliAg system,” Elmore shared. “It is an ISO 1183 modular electronic control.”

The IntelliAg system automatically enables and disables individual planter sections utilizing a GPS signal as previously planted areas are approached. The IntelliAg system can be used in a variety of situations.

“It controls planter, fertilizer, liquid spray and anhydrous ammonia variables,” Elmore explained. “The AutoSwath can automatically turn rows off in overlap conditions.”

He used planting near waterways as an example of when the AutoSwath system would be useful. While other companies have similar systems on the market, Elmore said, “We wanted to ensure that it was ready before releasing it.”

With a history of quality control, this is no surprise. The company said the AutoSwath Control system has a dedicated terminal that displays field coverage maps for real-time viewing of the planting operation without interruption of application rate and seed monitoring information.

The AutoSwath terminal is a full-color display for easy identification of external boundaries, areas planted and areas left to plant. A manual feature allows the operator to manually override planter sections in the event of a lost GPS signal or in special conditions.
A Run In Overlap feature lets the operator set a delay for section shutoff when a planted area is crossed. A Run Out Overlap feature turns sections on before reaching a non-planted area. AutoSwath Control was developed in partnership with Harrison Ag Technologies, of Mobridge, S.D., and uses their swath control engine.

This is not the only new product introduced by this company. DICKEY-john introduced several “world firsts” including the first successful planter monitor, first grain moisture analyzer, first agricultural Doppler radar velocity sensor, first high accuracy seed sensor, and first electronic planter monitor.

DICKEY-john produces precision agricultural technology. Its product line is sold worldwide and includes monitors, controllers, auto steering, grain analysis computers, moisture testers and ground speed sensors.

For more information about the company and a chance to see the new AutoSwath product demonstration, visit DICKEY-john at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 10-13, at booth No. 540 or visit www.dickey-john.com