Needing help + advice before I buy everything I need

Operations/Getting Started
1

Hi all,
Firstly, thanks for all the effort you have all gone to in creating this project! I’ve been following and consuming AoG content and podcasts etc in the tractor for a couple months now - and I am determined to get myself set up with this in one of the tractors.

So far, I have bought a toughpad. And that’s about it. It has AOG installed and I’ve looked it over etc and look forward to running it.

However…

I feel I have just taken in too much info and cannot find (despite hours of trawling and searching on the forum) anything that really makes me think “Yes, that’s what I need to get”.

So, I was hoping some of you may be able to help me in outlining exactly what I need to purchase.

For reference, We are on a 250ac arable farm in North Yorks producing combinable cereals and beans on rotation, alongside grass for silage and grazing. The ground is up and down, so from what I have read, I think an RTK base station isn’t really appropriate. We do have good enough 4G/5G in the fields though (99% of the time).
I would like to eventually get autosteer installed with implement control - however, would like to sort this next year when we have more time to get it sorted. FYI - I plan to use the steering wheel motor and gear design to start with due to costs - then look at the hydraulic side of things.

For now, I would really like to have a standard tablet with GPS + RTK corrections (when I need them), just for driving around and working the land. I would also like to have the ability to use implement controls etc - as I figure I can play with these manually etc until I get the autosteer installed.

I think (please correct me if I’m wrong) I need:

simpleRTK2B – Basic Starter Kit
1x AIO v4.5 board (with all the components assembled with PCB company)
Q - Do i need to purchase the teensy etc for this - or anything else?

Extras: I figure I will also need:
some Arduinos (is there a version that is most suited? I have some already)
Rasp Pi 4 4GB (already owned - I also have plenty of ESP32 boards of various versions)
I would also appreciate a link to the steering sensor to purchase in preparation for autosteer.

I am also unclear about RTK corrections… Do I just use my phone as a hotspot for this to something else, like the Rasp Pi - or - are they coming from an app on my phone?

Apologies as I am sure this info is somewhere on the forum, I just haven’t really been able to track it down. If there are any details I have missed out, please ask

Thanks again for your time and advice!

2

To run a lightbar guidance all you need is the tablet and the link you posted up
Then connect rtk to the tablet via hotspot providing your within range of a base station
I personally wouldn’t bother with the motor and gears aetup, spend a little bit extra and fit the keya motor or the hydraulic valve to start with imo
Yes you will need the v4.5 aio pcb fully assembled for when you want autosteer.
If its a one off id suggested you buy a pre built one. Theres a few of us in the uk that can provide one for you.
What tractor are you putting it on

3 Likes
3

Thanks for the info del_boy.

Its potentially a one off, but wouldn’t mind the “fleet” all fitted and just take the toughpad from machine to machine. We’re a two person operation… One old boy and me.

Ideally, I’d like to put it in the Case 140 and 185. I’d also be keen to put fit it to our NH combine and SAM sprayer. All later down the line ofcourse.

You say that I would need the PCB when ready for autosteer… am I right in thinking from that, that I don’t need the PCB to get started? Or is that just a misunderstanding?

I would be interested in buying the kit tbf. At least to get me started and show the boss what can be done for minimal cost compared to our current case gps (rebranded Trimble).

Another question… when I have played with getting the PCB ordered to see the cost of that, it shows as £200+ for 5 QTY of boards. Is that the min purchase? Ideally, as above. I’d like to put minimal investment into the demo version until fully ready to commit.

I would also like to incorporate the GPS side of things into a rover with OWL (open weed locator) at a later date, so any input on that side of things you may be able to provide would be much appreciated.

Thanks again

4

Also, our nearest rtk base stations I have seen online are Thirsk and Danby Whisk.
Unsure if these are even suitable; you may be able to provide some clarification on this.
Thirsk Base Station

5

You can just use the f9p and tablet for manual guidance
The pcb after you but it then needs components added, gps teensy and imu for autosteer to work.
If your within 30km of a base you’ll be fine.

2 Likes
6

Thanks Del Boy

I’ll get the F9P ordered this weekend and go from there

1 Like
7

That’s the best place to start. Plug it into your tablet with a USB cable, set the com port, configure your rtk, and you will have an rtk lightbar all in about 10 minutes. I sprayed with that exact setup for quite a while. Once you get familiar with that you can proceed from there. And you can use your f9p when you decide to go ahead with your PCB build

1 Like
8

Much appreciated for the further confirmation.
The old boy pretty much just uses our existing Case (Trimble) FM-750 for setting up tramlines and looking for overlaps etc when tedding etc. So he will be fairly happy with familiar workflows to start with.