AMAZONE EasyTram | Tramlines via application maps
The tramlining revolution
EasyTram is a digital application for the planning and automatic generation of tramlines via application maps. The maps are created on the AMAZONE AmaConnect data platform and subsequently transferred to the operator terminal of the implement. The respective rows are automatically switched off by the MultiSwitch single-row control system during sowing – irrespective of the selected sowing direction*. With EasyTram, creating tramlines is simple, effective and error-free.
* Be aware of the angle limitation caused by the switching times of the seed drill and the forward speed
The challenges of conventional tramlining
In standard tramlining, the driver must keep an eye on the tramline rhythm and check that the switching is carried out correctly. Complicated field shapes can cause tramline errors and track deviations.
Coordination of the working widths is another challenge: The working width of the seed drill must match the specified crop care track. This could be difficult, especially in cooperatives, if several seed drills with various working widths are used.
It has also not yet been possible to create precise tramlines when sowing at an angle. As a result, it is sometimes necessary to drive into the fully sown crop during subsequent crop care work. In conventional straight sowing, some plants on the outside and inside of the wheel may be run over during subsequent crop care work. This presents a problem, especially for crops with low seed rates, e.g. oil seed rape. It is also difficult to navigate without visible tramlines when applying pre-emergence plant protection.
How EasyTram solves these challenges
EasyTram separates the planning of the sowing direction from the planning of the tramlines. The tramlines are planned in advance in an application map with the desired width and the appropriate tramline spacing. The seed drill switches off the individual rows just before the planned tramline and then switches them back on.
Consistent tramlines irrespective of the working width
In conventional straight sowing, the tramlines are created precisely at the location where they are required for subsequent care work. Seed drills with different widths can use the same plan and create the tramlines at the designated positions. In particular, this facilitates the use of different implements in cooperatives.
Flexible sowing direction
The seed drill can travel in a straight line, at an angle or along the contours of a field. Nevertheless, the tramlines remain in their originally planned positions and are laid out in a way that accommodates future crop care work. In crops with low seed rates, sowing at an angle can be used to sow right up to the edge of the tramline. As a result, more plants survive in the tramline area and losses caused by overrolling are reduced. At the same time, the tramlines are deliberately left free and not seeded.
Erosion protection on inclines
EasyTram enables sowing at an angle with tramlines in erosion prone areas. In the case of slopes between 6 and 8 degrees, working at an angle to the incline can inhibit surface water run-off. The seed rows form a natural barrier and can therefore reduce soil and plant losses.
Additional crop care tracks and special tramlines
Apart from conventional tramlines, hoe and harrow tracks, special tramlines for slurry tankers as well as tracks for irrigation systems can also be planned. One possible system consists of tramlines 24 m apart and additional crop care tracks 12 m apart. The seed drill subsequently switches the pre-planned tracks fully automatically.
Virtual tramline marking
GPS guidelines, A-B lines and curve lines can be directly integrated in the application map. They serve as a virtual tramline marking for pre-emergence plant protection and allow navigation along the pre-defined tramlines, although they are not yet visible in the crop.
The advantages of EasyTram:
Calculated example for the potential savings
Compared to sowing at an angle without tramlines, sowing at an angle with EasyTram can save an average of 3% in seed and fertiliser. Assuming seed and fertiliser costs of approximately 150 €/ha and an annual sowing area of 1,000 ha, the following calculated example is obtained:
1,000 ha × 150 €/ha × 3 % = saving of 4,500 € per year
In addition, the MultiSwitch single-row control system reduces overlaps on headlands and in wedge-shaped fields to less than 1 % compared with about 5 % for half-side shut-off. Based on the same assumptions, additional potential savings of approximately 6,000 € per year result from this. The use of EasyTram with the MultiSwitch single-row control system therefore results in a total saving of 10,500 € per year for a sowing area of 1,000 ha in the calculated example.
- Driver relief and error prevention
EasyTram takes complete control of tramlining. The driver no longer has to monitor the tramline rhythm, while sowing errors and track deviations are prevented.
- Flexible working regardless of the sowing direction
The sowing direction and tramline layout can be planned independently of one another. This means that straight or inclined sowing techniques can be combined with the relevant tramlines for subsequent crop care work.
- Precise and reproducible at all times
The tramlines are planned on a one-off basis and are subsequently created in exactly the same place with centimetre precision year after year. This also simplifies collaboration between farms and contractors.
- Using seed and fertiliser in a targeted manner
The precise switching prevents planned tramlines from being seeded. MultiSwitch also reduces overlapping on headlands and in wedge-shaped fields.
- Improving planning and logistics
In addition to the field size, EasyTram also identifies the net field size without tramlines. This information supports seed planning, helps to avoid excess quantities when ordering or filling and simplifies the farm logistics.
This is how EasyTram works
- Transfer of the field boundaries to AmaConnect
Field boundaries and, if applicable, A-B lines and curve tracks are imported to the EasyTram planning tool on the AmaConnect data platform.
- Definition of the tramlines with EasyTram
After entering relevant information about the machine model, working widths, tramline spacing, track width and tyre width as well as the headland width, automatic tramlining is planned. This can be customised and the angle or position adjusted.
- Transfer of the application map
The application map is exported after conclusion of the planning. The map is transferred to the operator terminal via the AmaTron Share App or a USB stick.
- Starting the sowing operation
Sowing begins after the map has been loaded. MultiSwitch automatically switches off the individual rows on the planned tramlines, regardless of whether sowing is carried out in a straight line or at an angle.
The prerequisites for EasyTram
EasyTram was developed for use with AMAZONE seed drills and terminals. On the machine side, these include all seed drills from AMAZONE equipped with the MultiSwitch single-row control system: Precea and Precea-TCC precision air seeders, Condor 02 and Primera DMC 02 tine coulter seed drills and the Cirrus 04 trailed cultivator drill. On the terminal side, the AmaTron 4 ISOBUS terminal reliably and securely supports the processing of application maps from software version L. AmaTron 4 requires activation of the GPS-Maps&Doc and GPS-Switch pro licences for this purpose.
Are you interested in EasyTram?
We will be pleased to inform you, as soon as you create your first five fields free of charge in the myAmazone portal. Furthermore, we will verify that your implement is suitable for use with EasyTram. This gives you the opportunity to start using EasyTram early on and be among the first users to benefit from this innovative function. Are you interested in automatic tramline control with EasyTram?
Then contact us for more information.
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