Steering motor lucrative
GPS conversion time reduced with Trimble quick coupler
Changing a hydraulically operated GPS system is done in five minutes. However, if you want to change a steering motor, it requires some work. Trimble Importer Agrometius therefore introduces a quick-change system, with which you can also change systems in minutes. This is necessary, because the interest in electric steering systems is increasing.
Rapid Motor Transfer is what Agrometius calls the quick coupler for the GPS steering system EZ-Pilot and Autopilot Motordrive. That ingenious piece of steel – as they call it – was developed in-house. On the stem, on which the steering wheel is normally mounted, there is a so-called adapter sleeve. This is where you mount the steering motor and the Trimble steering wheel. That used to require more than half an hour of key work. That has been reduced to a total of five minutes with the quick coupler.
According to the importer, GPS steering systems with an electric motor are on the rise. Mainly Europe-wide, but also in our country. On the new Motor Drive steering system, Trimble uses the gyroscope (NavController), which is also used in hydraulically operated steering systems. 'The older EZ-Pilot systems used a different gyroscope that was not accurate enough below 2,5 km/h', explains Maarten van Kampen of Agrometius. 'That is now over, so we guarantee the same accuracy from 0 to 2 centimetres. It's not just any electric motor. Because it contains a rotational sensor with a high resolution, a steering angle sensor is unnecessary, for example.'
A major advantage of the electric steering system is the cost. Both the costs of preparing and building a system are about half the cost of a hydraulically controlled system. An older EZ-Pilot system can also be transferred to the Motor Drive afterwards. The quick coupler can be used on both systems and also on CNH steering systems. 'We notice that users of hydraulic steering systems often hesitate to equip a second or third tractor. Or, for example, the combine', says Van Kampen. The electric steering system is cheaper and can function well alongside an existing system. That lowers the threshold.'
A mounting kit with the RMT costs 250 euros. Because the original steering wheel does not fit on the quick coupler, you do need an extra Trimble steering wheel if you drive without GPS. That will cost you another 150 euros. Installing the quick coupler takes you thirty minutes once. Then it's just a matter of swapping the gyroscope, screen, steering wheel (motor) and antenna. The importer assumes that you will purchase a wiring harness for each vehicle. Changing cables often creates a mess in the cabin and increases the chance of malfunction. When purchasing the Motor Drive steering motor, Agrometius temporarily provides a free preparation, including RMT quick coupler.
Niels van der Boom
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