With new receiver
Little Raven as an alternative to Viper
Raven Europe, formerly known as SBG, is showing a new display at Agritechnica: the CR7. This gives customers more choice. Previously, the focus was mainly on the Viper. A new receiver has also been launched at the same time as the 7” version.
Raven calls the new display a field computer. The capacitive screen measures 7 inches and is comparable to the Viper4+ in terms of brightness. The menu design, which can be freely arranged with widgets, is also the same as the larger model. It was presented as CR12 at the Agritechnica. The number in the type designation refers to the screen size in inches.
Luxury entry-level model
The CR7 is being introduced as an entry-level model, which can be expanded. It is fully ISObus and supports the virtual terminal (VT) and section control (TC). You can use it for variable application maps (VRA), section switching and the Smartrax control. As standard, the CR7 comes with a 500S Smart antenna from Raven, which receives the EGNOS signal as standard and delivers rtk accuracy.
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The CR7 is the entry-level model. With extra options, it is not inferior to its big brother.New roof module
At the same time as the new display, Raven is also showing the RS1 roof module in Hanover. In 1 box, the Smartrax automatic control unit is combined with a GPS/Glonass receiver, Slingshot GSM modem and DynamIQ gyroscope. The steering algorithm has been updated and is a combination of the original Raven system and that of SBGuidance.
High and low speeds
According to the manufacturer, this results in increased accuracy at both low and high speeds, when cornering, when reversing and when using machines in the front linkage. "SBG's Dutch software could already handle very low speeds, for example. Steering on GPS at 25 kilometers per hour is a different story," explains representative Thijs Esselink. "In the Netherlands this is not important, but elsewhere in the world it is. For example for spraying and spreading work. The control unit combines the best of 2 worlds."
Because all parts are combined in 1 module, switching between tractors or machines is quicker. Cabling in the vehicle has also been simplified. The RS1 module can use a factory preparation, Smartrax control valve or control motor.
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The RS1 module contains all parts for GPS control. Rebuilding is faster this way.New spraying techniques
Raven Europe will also be showing the Hawkeye pulsating spray system on their stand. SBG already made it to the Netherlands in 2015. Esselink sees it on their stands at several manufacturers. “There is a lot of talk about it, but little is applied in practice. Raven is a huge OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supplier to syringe manufacturers in the US. For example Case IH. Manufacturers must offer the pulsed spray system ex works. Retrofitting is possible but expensive.”
Substance injection is also of interest. “This system is not new, but the technology has been further developed. Restricting the amount of residual liquid is a current issue”, the product specialist knows. “However, spraying without residual liquid is a utopia. Ultimately, the product has to be mixed in order to be well distributed in the tree.”
Niels van der Boom
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