Harvest is underway in most parts of the country – yields are looking average, and the weather is worse than usual. However, there’s one thing you can count on this harvest season to keep you on track: JCB Guidance Complete! In this blog I am going to explain what JCB Guidance Complete is and how this new technology can benefit you. JCB has taken a leap forward, elevating the operator environment and autosteer technology to beyond competitor capabilities. The user-friendly technology gives operators a simple system to drive in a straight line or curve but can also be utilised in more intricate applications.  

What is JCB Guidance Complete? 

JCB Guidance Complete is what JCB call their own GPS steer controller. Running fully integrated in the tractor screen, the guidance system uses a NOVAtel Smart-7 receiver, steer controller, JCB GPS unlock screen function and JCB user interface which can be purchased as a factory fit.  

Benefits of JCB Guidance Complete:  

  1. Compact design: Sick and tired of having numerous screens in your cab? Look no further! With JCB Guidance Complete, you’ll benefit from increased visibility due to its compact design.  

  1. Versatility: The JCB Guidance Complete allows you to decide how you would like to operate with the ability to choose from various screen set-ups. Whether you want the GPS on a split screen with ISOBUS, separate screens for each function or only one, JCB Guidance Complete has got you covered!  

  1. Cost-Effective: An integrated GPS ensures less clutter in the cab with minimal cabling and less add-ons. With an integrated system, servicing is easier and is completed by JCB trained employees at Scot Agri.  

Features  

All JCB Guidance Complete tractors come with a DGPS signal as standard. This is a free signal that has a 25cm accuracy. There are also options to upgrade to one of the following guidance systems:  

  • TerraStar-L: Offers an accuracy of +/- 15cm and 50cm repeatability in 24 hours.  

  • TerraStar-C Pro: Offers a +/- 3cm accuracy and 5cm repeatability in 24 hours.  

  • RTK Radio: RTK Radio has a pass-to-pass accuracy of 2.5cm and is perfect for the highest levels of precision with a 2cm repeatability.  

  • RTK Modem: Offers the highest level of accuracy with a 2.5cm pass-to-pass and 2cm repeatability.  

The upgrades available have a yearly subscription cost with some of the more intricate upgrades involving higher set-up costs. Nevertheless, accuracy and repeatability are vital in ensuring ease of use and an efficient harvest!  

What is repeatability and why is it important?  

To really understand repeatability, we need to transport ourselves to the field. Simply put, you create a straight line, but when you return to the field the next day, that line could have shifted by up to 150cm from its original position in 24 hours.  

Repeatability and section control comes hand in hand. With technology being a massive part of agriculture now, many farms are utilising section control technology to really minimise repeatability to reduce costs and increase accuracy. For example, a sprayer is going over an interior boundary, and different parts of the sprayer will switch off according to the section of the field. Section control technology ensures that, in this case, no overlaps will be made or double dosing, ensuring that chemical costs are reduced, and crops receive the correct volume of product they need.  

With the section control system and GPS technology like JCB Guidance Complete, the field’s boundary is mapped by the operator, typically during their first lap around the field. This boundary data is then saved to the system. On the other hand, with the RTK and Terrastar C, the field boundaries remain consistent, shifting no more than 2-4cm from year-on-year. As a result, the interior boundary also remains stable.  

JCB Guidance Complete technology can be a daunting prospect. If you would like to learn more or see what JCB Guidance Complete can do for you, please contact your local Scot Agri depot!  

Happy harvesting!