Autopilot or autosteering, what to choose?

Autopilot or autosteering, what to choose? To answer this question, first we define what each of the devices is.

The autosteering gear on the tractor is an electromechanical system mounted on the steering wheel and controlled by a controller that receives coordinates from GPS, GNSS or RTK receiver.

Advantages of the autosteering device:

• inexpensive compared to autopilots;
• does not require re-equipment of the tractor.

Disadvantages of the steering device:

• low accuracy of work;
• worse "sensitivity" than autopilots;
• less reliability, the rollers begin to slip over time (relevant for outdated models of autosteering);
• steering systems lose accuracy over time due to wearout of the steering wheel and autosteering parts, gap and beating of the steering wheel;
• does not compensate terrain (for basic models of autosteering).

The autosteering is a good budget option for new tractors with a balanced steering wheel. It can also be installed on old models of tractors, but the accuracy of the unit may be worse than on new tractors.

The autopilot for a tractor is an automatic driving system that is built into the steering wheel or hydraulic system of the tractor and directly controls the steering mechanism with high accuracy of guiding it along a given trajectory, which is set by coordinates received from the GNSS and RTK antenna systems, with terrain compensation. In this case, the operator is completely relieved of the need to drive and can only take over control in emergency cases (for example, avoiding obstacles).

Advantages of autopilot:

• high accuracy of "driving" the machinery regardless of the model of the tractor or combine;
• terrain compensation;
• setting the trajectory of movement over the entire field area, not just between two points;
• automatic U-turn (not available on all models);
• fast system "response".

Among the disadvantages of autopilots is their high cost compared to a autosteering, the need to prepare (re-equip) a tractor or combine for their installation (especially for a hydraulic autopilot).

For what works is the use of autosteering on a tractor suitable?

The autosteering on the tractor is preferably used for technological operations that do not require high precision: spraying, fertilizing, plowing, stubble peeling, etc.
The main effect of using the autosteering is to “unload” the operator from the routine work of driving the tractor from pass-to-pass.
If operations with centimeter accuracy are required, such as sowing, inter-row cultivation of crops, then it is better to install an autopilot that can provide this accuracy and increase the speed of work.

What tasks is an autopilot suitable for?

Autopilot is a more "advanced" and clear definition. Thanks to this, the unit does not “lose” the track and always follows a given path.
The main effect of using the autopilot is not only to "unload" the operator, but also to increase the performance of the unit. This is the fundamental difference between autosteering and autopilot in terms of economic efficiency.

Which equipment to choose?

Both the autosteering and the autopilot will raise the overall level of automation of the agribusiness processes, so their purchase will definitely pay off. When choosing, one should rely on the tasks of the enterprise and its financial capabilities. Definitely, if you have a budget that allows you to purchase an autopilot, you should opt for it, as this is a more advanced device that solves the problem of not only automatic steering, but also increasing the performance of the units, which will give a appreciable effect from the first days of its use.
In favor of autopilots, it can also be noted that today there are good offers on the market for universal autopilots, which are only 15-20% more expensive than autosteering and at the same time are reliable with a lot of additional functions.
One example of such a system is the electric autopilot kit from the innovative company FJ Dynamics. Starting from 2020, this system has already been operated in more than 30 countries around the world and has proven itself from the best side.