WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DO AUTOPATH?

In 2020, John Deere introduced a new tool called AutoPath. AutoPath automatically creates guidance lines for any “next” in-field pass based on actual planted crop row. This protects your nutrient investment, keeps equipment off the growing crop, and eliminates the guesswork of where to drive at harvest or while spraying, regardless of equipment size. Many PrairieLand customers have started utilizing AutoPath in their operations because of the numerous benefits they see. Maybe you’ve heard about AutoPath? Maybe you’re interested in trying it? But what EXACTLY does it take?

Let’s begin with the software. AutoPath requires a 4600 Command Center Display with the Automation 4.0 Activation or a 4640 Universal Display with the Automation 4.0 Subscription. These are only required for the source operation. To use AutoPath lines, a Gen 4 display is still required, but only the included AutoTrac activation is all that is needed. AutoPath also requires that you have either SF3 or RTK accuracy with your StarFire receiver. SF1 or SF2 accuracies are not compatible. A side benefit of AutoPath is that you will have the highest levels of activation and subscription that John Deere offers. So not only will you be able to use AutoPath, but you will also be able to take advantage of the other Automation 4.0 products that include AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoTrac Implement Guidance and Gen 4 Machine Sync. You will even be able to run the Premium products that include John Deere Section Control, AutoTrac RowSense and In-Field Data Sharing.

Now let’s talk a little bit about the hardware. To map every planted or strip-tilled row, AutoPath requires a receiver on the planter or the strip-till rig. To do this, you will need an implement receiver harness (PF90538) and a receiver mast. John Deere offers several different masts to hold your receiver available through parts. So, we have a place to plug in your implement receiver and bracket to mount it on. If you are running a John Deere planter with SeedStar monitoring or a John Deere Rate Controller for strip-till, that’s it for hardware! The implement receiver harness will simply piggyback onto the harnessing of your planter or rate controller to get your implement receiver into the system.

I see AutoPath being a game changer for many operations. There’s no need to keep track of so many different guidance lines in your display anymore. All you have to do is find the AutoPath line and let it take care of all the guesswork. Talk to your local PrairieLand Precision Ag Specialist to find out more about how easy it is to start using AutoPath.