To help farmers more accurately drive between rows during postemergent applications, John Deere is introducing AutoTrac Vision and AutoTrac RowSense.

“Because of field terrain, planter drift, or irregular planting without guidance, spraying in row crops can present challenges for sprayer operators making postemerge applications,” says Doug Felter with John Deere. “These two new guidance applications help sprayers track more accurately between the rows, resulting in reduced crop damage, less operator fatigue, and more effective field applications.”

With AutoTrac Vision, a monocular camera is mounted on the front of the sprayer to detect and steer between rows. The system has been tested and approved for use in corn, soybeans, and cotton planted in 30-inch rows. AutoTrac Vision works best when the crop is at least 6 inches tall, and it can be used until there are 3 inches of soil showing between rows or up to 90% canopy closure.

For applications later in the growing season, farmers can opt for AutoTrac RowSense, which can be used in corn that is at least 4 feet tall planted in 30-inch rows. This system uses a sensor paddle mounted on the sprayer wheel to detect crop rows and help steer the machine down the center of the row.

“While these two sprayer guidance systems are completely separate and are to be used one at a time, both have performed well in a variety of field conditions and crops,” explains Felter. “Both automated vehicle steering systems allow the operator to spray at faster speeds with little manual steering to cover more acres per day with less damage to crops.”

John Deere AutoTrac Vision and RowSense are available as field-installed kits or from the factory on new John Deere R4023, R4030, R4038, and R4045 sprayers. GS3 AutoTrac RowSense activation is required.