EasyTram - tramlining via application maps

Revolutionising the tramline system

What if the tramlines could be pre-planned with centimetre precision and in a one-off operation on an application map, allowing tramlines to run in exactly the same place year after year?

EasyTram - revolutionising the tramline system: tramlines according to an application map

The new EasyTram application for planning and creating tramlines makes this possible for the Cirrus 04 Grand and Precea models. However, the system opens up many other exciting possibilities - from sowing on the angle for more erosion protection on inclines to sowing in a direction independent of the tramlines. EasyTram also demonstrates its advantages when sowing crops at low seed rates, such as oil seed rape: Sowing on the angle with shut-off directly at the tramline prevents plants from being run over during crop care operations and also maximises plant distribution.

EasyTram is user-friendly and innovative. This application allows simple generation of application maps for the tramlines via browser access to the AmaConnect data platform. Using the plug and play principle, the application maps generated can be transferred easily to the tractor's operator terminal and used just like any other application map. It unburdens the driver by completely taking over tramline generation and. at the same time, preventing errors and track deviation.

Beyond the tramline - new possibilities with EasyTram

With EasyTram, AMAZONE is pioneering Precision Farming and it enables all farms with AMAZONE seed drills, equipped with the MultiSwitch single row control system, to implement the technology without any mechanical modifications to the implement.

Farms and contractors benefit from the fact that farm managers and customers of contractors can generate the application maps themselves on the AmaConnect data platform. The data is then transferred via the AmaConnect Unit to the tractor's AmaTron 4 ISOBUS operator terminal - or classically via the AmaTron Share App or USB memory stick. Since the system takes over 100% of the tramline system, this leads to a considerable reduction in driver stress and prevents sowing errors. One-off pre-planning and simple map transfer also make EasyTram very simple and time-saving.

For farms working in erosion prone areas, sowing with tramlines on the angle represents a new solution for minimising erosion. On hilly terrain with inclines between 6 and 8 degrees, sowing on the angle improves erosion protection. Working at an angle to the incline reduces the angle of the incline and the sown seed rows are less susceptible to surface rainwater run-off immediately after sowing. The soil is also better retained after emergence of the crop during heavy precipitation, and soil erosion and plant losses are reduced because the seed rows, running at an angle to the incline, provide a natural barrier to surface water run-off.

The direction of the tramlines remains unchanged to ensure that the following crop care work can be carried out efficiently. From choice, this can be sown on inclines at freely configurable intervals to prevent soil washout in the otherwise unsown tramline.

Sowing on the angle also offers the advantage that crops requiring low seed rates, such as oil seed rape, can be sown right up to the tramlines.

Compared to usual straight sowing, this reduces plant losses due to running over on the outside and inside of the wheelings during subsequent passes. In order to avoid this running over of the crop, entire rows are switched off to the outside and/or inside in classic straight sowing, which leads to a lower plant density per square metre with the seed rates already being low (Fig. 1).

As a result, farmers are already frequently sowing crops at an angle with low seed rates to increase the number of plants per square metre in the tramline area. Until now, however, it was not possible to create tramlines at the same time, making it necessary to drive over the fully sown area without these wheelings as a guide during crop care passes (Fig. 2).

The advantage of EasyTram is that tramlines can now be established precisely even when sowing at an angle. This means that the plant density per square metre is also maintained in the tramline areas, while at the same time seed savings are achieved by creating the tramline. Compared to sowing on the angle without tramlines, this saves an average of 3 % seed and fertiliser and prevents secondary growth. With average seed and fertiliser costs of approx. 150 €/ha and an annual sowing area of 1,000 ha, this results in savings of 4,500 €/year (Fig. 3).

In addition to the savings of sowing on the angle, the costs for seed and fertiliser can also be reduced using the MultiSwitch single-row control system compared to half-side control. With single row control, overlaps at the headland or on wedge-shaped fields can be reduced from 5 % to less than 1 % of the total area, compared to sowing with half-side control. Assuming the same costs for seed and fertiliser of 150 Euros/ha, and a sowing area of 1,000 ha/year, this results in an additional potential saving of 6,000 Euros per year. The use of EasyTram with MultiSwitch single-row control therefore results in a total saving of 10,500 Euros/year on a sown area of 1,000 ha.

More efficient seed planning thanks to precise area information

By generating application maps for tramlines with EasyTram, the farmer not only gets an exact overview of the area to be sown, but also receives important additional information: the so-called nett field size - i.e. the actual area to be sown minus the tramlines.

This precise area information can be incorporated directly into seed planning. This means that excess quantities can be avoided both when ordering and when filling the seed drill. This not only saves costs, but also conserves resources and simplifies logistics on the farm.

The system offers new possibilities for farms that carry out mechanical weed control or organic fertilisation in their crops. Special, narrow hoeing and harrow wheelings are often created for this purpose, as well as wide special wheelings in which slurry tankers drive in between the main tramlines. In addition to tramlines, EasyTram can also be used to establish crop care wheelings, for example a system with tramlines every 24 metres and additional crop care wheelings every 12 metres. Pre-planning allows you to define exactly how wide and long the crop care wheelings and tramlines should be. The seed drill then controls these fully automatically. Regardless of whether you sow parallel or at an angle. Similarly, farms with irrigation systems can create targeted tracks to optimise the efficiency of irrigation of the area.

New possibilities for precision sowing as well

EasyTram can also be used for precision sowing with the Precea, benefiting from all the advantages mentioned. The principle is the same. After loading the application map, the rows switch off exactly before the planned tramlines and leave them unsown. As with the conventional, high-volume sowing systems, the sowing direction is irrelevant. Future topics discussed by experts, such as sowing maize in a north-south or west-east direction in order to adapt plants to optimum light conditions and still sow tramlines in the most efficient way for crop care, are already possible today.

Plug and play - how it works!

The use of EasyTram begins with a one-off survey of the field, during which the geometry and specific features such as obstacles are recorded. This survey can be carried out using a standard tractor by recording the field boundaries. If this data is already available, it can be used without re-surveying. The field boundary, any A-B lines and curve tracks are then imported into the EasyTram planning tool on the AmaConnect data platform by a one-off defining of the tramlines for sowing operations. Once the tramlines have been defined, the map is exported as an application map and transferred to the tractor's control terminal via the AmaConnect Unit, the AmaTron Share App or a USB memory stick. Sowing can then start using the application map on the tractor. The seed drill with the MultiSwitch single row control then switches the tramlines off, regardless of the sowing direction. Reliably, year after year and in the same place, with centimetre precision.

More overview and stress-free by digital support

In addition to the smart driver support provided by EasyTram, networking via the AmaConnect Unit with the AmaConnect data platform ensures even greater efficiency in day-to-day working. Machinery can be easily connected digitally - this creates an overview, simplifies documentation and saves time.

This makes AMAZONE implements reliable partners in the field - intelligently networked and ready for the challenges of modern crop production.

Integrated GPS guidelines support precision and comfort during field work

In addition to precise area information, GPS guidelines, A-B lines and curve lines can also be integrated directly into the EasyTram application map. These navigation aids are not only available to the farmer during sowing, but also provide valuable support during subsequent crop care operations.

A particularly relevant example in practice is pre-emergence plant protection: since there are no visible lanes at this stage, the sprayer driver often lacks clear orientation. The integrated guideline acts as a kind of virtual pre-emergence marker. It enables precise navigation along the previously defined tramlines - the crop protection sprayer or crop care tractor is steered automatically. This not only increases the precision of the application, but also markedly reduces the driver's workload.

• Simple!
  Simply generate application maps for tramline systems using the EasyTram application and establish them during sowing using the “plug and play" principle using a seed drill with single row control from AMAZONE
• Supportive!
  The automatic control of the tramlines using single-row control according to application maps relieves stress on the driver and prevents errors
• Innovative!
  Efficient and cost-saving arable farming systems when sowing at an angle with tramlines