Easy Entry Autosteer

By: Derek Bontrager | Precision and Equipment Sales

Topcon’s newest entry into the aftermarket steering foray promises “Big Farm Technology. Small Budget Prices.” The Value Line Steering solution is designed for front-steer tractors and includes all the components needed to steer many tractors built in the last several decades. The Value Line kit consists of three main components: the XC1 (7”) or XC1 Plus (10”) touchscreen display, the XR-1 GNSS receiver, and the XW-1 Electric Steering Wheel. The kit also includes the necessary cabling, RAM mount, hardware, spline adapters and anti-rotation brackets for the XW-1. Topcon designed the whole kit to ship compactly in two boxes.

The Value Line is designed with ease of use and ease of learning in mind. The XC console software is simplified to shorten the operator’s learning curve. Customers familiar with Topcon consoles will recognize many of the on-screen icons, and new Topcon customers will find the screen easy to navigate. Console features are limited (compared to Topcon’s full-featured X consoles) to make operations simple to set up and perform. The new consoles are capable of guidance, implement mapping and some limited section control.

The new XR-1 receiver comes out of the box ready for WAAS steering corrections and pulls from nearly all available free satellite constellations. It can be unlocked for higher level accuracy all the way to RTK networks. The XR-1 receiver comes with integrated gyroscopes and accelerometers (like other Topcon receivers), so additional hardware isn’t needed for steering control.

The new XW-1 electric steering wheel comes with integrated buttons for activating and adjusting guidance lines. Buttons are laid out in an ergonomically friendly pattern. The steering wheel will replace the steering wheel of the vehicle. It is designed for quick installation and to be easily moved between vehicles. The XW-1 is a very durable design — even capable of use on an open station tractor, golf cart or UTV. The steering system can perform many guidance patterns including Straight A-B, Curved, Guidelock (Last Pass) and Steer to Boundary. An optional Headland Turn unlock allows steering to continue at the end of the pass into the next pass.

Another available unlock for the Value Line is a Virtual Wheel Angle Sensor. This helps tighten up steering when necessary for very precise environments. A third available unlock is for ISOBUS UT applications. This allows the XC1 consoles to display a single ISOBUS rate controller.

Value Line displays can be tied into Topcon’s TAP digital farm management system using Topcon’s CL-20 cellular data transfer device or USB sticks. Displays are also capable of remote tech support using a USB Wi-Fi adapter.

Pricing for the Value Line system with the 7” XC1 display starts at around $6,000. The 10” XC1 Plus display adds $250 to the price.

This system can have many applications including — but not limited to — tillage, spraying, dry fertilizer spreading, manure spreading and even planting.

From ease of use to more affordable prices, autosteer has never been more accessible for operations of all shapes and sizes. For more information about Topcon’s Value Line Steering solution, please contact a member of our precision equipment department or visit www.topconpositioning.com/campaigns/value-line.