Operators in the agricultural sector now have a broad range of cutting-edge technology solutions available to produce more and more with less effort, maximising resources and reducing consumption and waste. Work becomes more profitable as hourly costs drop – this is a key factor for farm owners and contractors.

Technological innovation has revolutionised the way we work in the fields, making it possible to manage field operations more quickly and effectively.
Automation has enhanced precision and performance in many areas while lessening the fatigue and stress experienced by the operator, who can keep all machine and equipment movements under control from the in-cab monitor.
Technology offering keeps growing and makes available cutting-edge features to meet the needs of the most demanding farmers.
The tractor cab has now become a full-fledged on-board computer: machine and equipment can be operated from a single touchscreen display which lets you to trace the best path for the operation thanks to the satellite geolocation tools and exchanges information with the equipment and collecting data that can also be managed remotely.

The world of agriculture is evolving rapidly as new technologies are introduced and made available to operators. But what are the most significant innovations and what specific advantages do they offer to operators in the agricultural sector?

Isobus

A key step to introducing new technologies for tractors was the implementation of Isobus, the protocol that lets the various agricultural machines 'speak’ with each other.

What is Isobus?

Isobus is a standardised protocol developed in agreement with leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery to solve compatibility issues. It is a sort of universal language that enables tractors, software and equipment to communicate even when they are of different makes.
This way, data and information can be exchanged via asingle control console installed in the tractor cab. The operator can control machine and equipment from the cab, and they exchange data continuously to create an interconnected system.

The advantages of Isobus

Connecting different pieces of equipment to a tractor could pose problems until recently. You would need as many control devices as there were pieces of equipment to be connected. As new technologies were introduced, the sheer number of control units in the tractor cab would become difficult to manage, not to mention the wiring harnesses.
Isobus lets you manage all activities from a single display:

• control Isobus certified equipment, such as seed drills, threshers, sprayers and maximise efficiencyas needed;
• use the data exchanged in real time to plan a broad range of operations, such as regulate the flow rate, opening and closing of the spraying sections so as to increase accuracy and avoid overlap.

Learn more about ISOBUS.

Satellite-assisted guidance

The introduction of satellite receivers in tractors was a ground-breaking innovation: it finally made possible to map the fields to be worked with a very high degree of accuracy. The implementation of integrated devices and software opened up a broad range of applications, including satellite-assisted guidance.

What is satellite-assisted guidance?

Satellite-assisted guidance provides the operator with a set of drive assist devices. Satellite receivers enable you to map the field and use special software to visually plot the most effective path to travel to finish the job faster, saving time and fuel.
In addition, satellite guidance can be supplemented with automated steering systems that reduce the effort of driving the tractor so that the operator is free to focus on other aspects of the job such as controlling the equipment.

Advantages of satellite guidance

Satellite guidance enables you to work at your best and maximise results: reduce production costs while increasing operation efficiency.
The benefits are many:

• Operations become easier and faster: assisted driving enables you to calculate the fastest and most effective paths, while automated steering helps you handle the most complex manoeuvres.
• This will help you reduce the consumption of fuel, crop protection chemicals and fertilisers and save seed.
• As if easer and faster were not enough: theoperations also become more precise. McCormick satellite guidance is capable of achieving a  degree of accuracy down to 2 cm to avoid overlap and gaps.
• Operator comfort and working conditions are improved : satellite guidance reduces the effort of driving and operators can focus their attention on the equipment. A single displayallows you to monitor both the tractor and the equipment.
• The next operations benefit from the same advantages:the data processed by the software can be stored and retrieved later to maintain the same degree of accuracy.
• Greater efficiency meanslower environmental impact. Fuel savings reduce emissions and soil compaction, and eliminate the waste of fertilisers and herbicides.

To bring you the best that the market has to offer, we at McCormick chose to rely on Topcon, a standard-setting player in the field of precision farming with cutting-edge technology solutions with an intuitive interface, quick and easy to learn and use.

Find out more about the satellite-assisted guidance and automated steering systems

Fleet Management

Managing a fleet of tractors is a challenging task. Monitoring movements, consumption, servicing, the work carried out daily and monthly, making forecasts for the next operations in order to optimise costs and returns are all tasks that require continued focus.
This is why we have developed the new technologies that made it possible to implement McCormick Fleet Management and enable you to monitor your fleet’s operations in real time.

What is Fleet Management?

Fleet Management is a telematic system that enables you to remotely control fleet position, operations performed and much more information, all in real time, in order to optimise the performance of machines and equipment.
With the integration of geolocation systems and data collection software, tractors and equipment are capable of transmitting and storing a large amount of data which can be viewed and collected from a monitor, while comfortably sitting in one’s office.

Advantages of Fleet Management

The Fleet Management system enables you manage your fleet more easily and efficiently:

• You can monitor the fleet in real time checking machine movements on a single map.
  You canview the information on tractor operations: speed, engine rpm, work progress, hourly consumption, average consumption, and a lot of other data.
  In addition, you can outline the area of clients’ fields very accurately and store the data relating to operations for the next passes.
• With Fleet Management you can analyse the data you collected to quantify operating data and make plans to optimise resources.
  You will also be able to measure the hours spent by each tractor in a field to determine the productivity of individual machines and the effort required by operations and use this information to make forecasts for the future and set up work schedules.
• You also get the opportunity to use remote diagnostics and servicing. The data on machine condition help you do areal-time tractor check up, so that service can be provided quickly and as needed.
  You will be able to extend tractor lifeand improve the performance of your machinery fleet.

McCormick Fleet Management provides valuable support for fleet management and gives you immediate, full control over your tractors, enabling you to track work progress, evaluate performance, plan tasks, identify and resolve potential machine problems.

Learn more about Fleet Management

Always at the forefront in tractor technology solutions, McCormick helps you improve your work by responding to your needs.

Contact your dealer and find out how we can help you work better.