John Deere introduced AutoPath precision ag technology in the fall of 2020. We were able to demonstrate this technology to several growers in Northern IL and SW Wisconsin this spring and they were all very impressed with how well it performed especially on fields that curve and angle. AutoPath works by placing a John Deere GPS receiver, either a SF6000 or SF3000, on the rear implement most likely a planter, and recording this first pass, or source pass and using this as the baseline for the remaining passes during the growing season and harvest.
There are a few requirements for running AutoPath, like a Gen 4 Display, either a Version 2 4600 armrest display or 4640 monitor, Automation 4.0 Software on the display, SF3 or RTK Guidance on the Tractor, Sprayer, Combine. SF1 level of accuracy will not work with AutoPath.
The biggest benefit that we saw during our demonstrations was minmized operator fatigue as operators were able to work longer days thanks to the ability of the machine to pick the proper guidance line in the field and maintain the path until the work was done. This was especially true in passes over standing crops while side dressing or spraying. AutoPath also limited damage to the standing crops during these same applications.
Watch this video to hear what our customers thought of AutoPath after running it this spring.
Sloan Support is written by the product support team at Sloan Implement, a 22 location John Deere dealer in Illinois and Wisconsin. Learn more at www.sloans.com
