Links Tractors to the Office with the launch of 2 new pieces of software at SIMA.
- Field and machine record keeping made straightforward. Available for
MF 8400, MF 7400 and MF 6400 tractors fitted with the new GTA Console
- New data transfer and low cost office based system to be launched at SIMA
- Perfect partner to Datatronic III, the latest version of Massey Ferguson’s industry leading information, control and cost management system
Massey Ferguson now offers farmers the opportunity to benefit even more from their MF 6400, MF 7400 and MF 8400 tractors with the launch of a straightforward link between the Datatronic III monitoring and control systems in the tractor and the office PC.
Through its Advanced Technology Solutions by AGCO, Massey Ferguson is introducing a simple to use, low-cost monitoring / console package that logs machine and operating information, important for crop traceability and record keeping requirements. It enables the information to be transferred from any MF tractor fitted with the optional GTA Console to an office PC and if required exported to other farm management programmes.
The GTA Console is Massey Ferguson’s new operator interface for tractor management and implement control and is available on MF 8400, MF7400 and MF6400 machines. It features a full-colour TFT Screen that is equipped with a MMC/SD card slot for downloading data. Tractors fitted with the GTA Console will receive GTA100 Communicator as standard. For an additional list price of EU 300 the owner may enhance the analysis of the transferred data by installing GTA200 Record Keeping:
GTA100 Communicator - Linking the Tractor with the office
- The GTA Console logs machine and field data. This can then be transferred by SD card into the GTA100 Communicator software on the office PC to enable machine use and job data to be viewed and exported for use by third-party farm management programs.
GTA200 Record Keeping – Office PC Analysis
- GTA200 Record Keeping allows machine performance data to be allocated to a specific job or field to produce a range of reports.
- Crop traceability can be provided by easy-to-compile field and machine records and printable reports.
“The software provides a user friendly method of getting the most from data logged on the GTA Console. This data can be quickly downloaded to a desktop PC where the software organises it into reports for equipment or fields,” explains Chris Robbins – GTA Marketing Manager for Europe.
“This software is a user friendly low cost way of enhancing productivity and meeting the increasing EU requirement for monitoring and traceability in a straightforward and cost effective manner. It is upgradeable and will be used as a base for future enhancements which will include mapping software with GPS and full precision farming functions,” he said.
The new systems make the MF 6400, MF 7400 and MF 8400 award winning tractors an even greater prospect particularly for arable farmers, contractors and fleet owners who now have the opportunity to monitor, control and enhance performance to meet their business needs.
More information - System description:
GTA100 Communicator comes as standard with GTA Console
With GTA100 Communicator software, users have access to key details on machine use and performance, allowing them to make the best use of their investment.
GTA Communicator’s key advantage is its ease of use and standard operating screen that is also the main starting point for the other, higher level software. This looks quite similar to a Windows Outlook screen in its layout and provides three main working ‘windows’: Farm and Resource Manager, Job Manager and Job Summary. There are also four menus that are used to access additional functions.
Farm and Resource Manager:
This is a long, vertical window on the left of the screen and is used to create a database of information on multiple farms and fields. Once created these are then displayed in an expandable ‘tree’ structure – again like a list in Outlook.
Under a second ‘tab’ is an area to create detail on inputs – machines, operators, supplies – each under a separate icon. Labeled ‘Machines’ users can set up ‘cards’ for each piece of equipment with information on type, serial number, charge/hr or area etc, servicing interval, and using real hours work out the period until the next service. There is also the option to include fuel costs using the actual price/litre of the latest fuel purchase. This part of the program builds into a very useful machinery management tool.
Similar cards are used to store information on staff, including hourly rate and contact details – even a photo. Supplies are created in the same way and include fertiliser, fuel, seed and pesticide. All can also be allocated a unit cost for use in other parts of the software. This is a simple method of keeping accurate records for stock control and listing any special restrictions or safety advice.
Job Manager
It shows all the completed jobs that can be downloaded from the GTA Console. The headings show: Job name, date, field, year, crop, type of work (e.g. application), operator and status (complete etc).
Jobs can be sorted by date, farm and field, year, crop, job type and input (machine, person or input).
A large button on the bottom of the screen marked ‘Export’ allows users to quickly convert the files into one of three common formats that can be read by other farm management programs. Files can then be transferred to other software if required.
Job Summary and Details
Details of job name, start, stop, engine hours, operating hours and area can be displayed.
GTA200 Record Keeping – Generates field and machine reports.
GTA200 retains the same operating screen as GTA100 Communicator. And at a cost of just EU 300, provides two additional functions: Job Planning and Reports.
Job Planning
Titled Working Group, this function is used to create a group of machines, people, and products that can be applied to multiple fields and create job plans.
For example a ‘Working Group’ could comprise an operator, driving a specific tractor and cultivator. This group is likely to work a large number of fields, so it can be quickly assigned to a number of fields, without having to list each separately. For groups used for drilling, fertilising or spraying it is also possible to add in products (seed, fertiliser, chemical).
As well as allowing the user to plan jobs, they can also enter completed jobs allowing them to manually enter data from machines not equipped with the GTA Console.
Farming Window
Once the fields to be worked have been selected, the ‘Farming Window’ appears. This allows users to enter a job name, crop and year along with operation type, e.g. drilling, cultivating etc. This window replaces the ‘Properties’ section in Communicator and provides the opportunity to add more information.
Exporting jobs to the GTA Console
Another additional function with GTA200 is the ability to export the planned job to the SD card and transfer information to the GTA Console.
After a job is finished, all users need to do is press the ‘Complete’ button to convert a plan to a finished job. There is also the option to print a job report listing the group, area, rates, quantity and unit and total costs for each job.
Reports
The key feature of the GTA200 Record Keeping software is its ability to generate a wide range of reports quickly and easily. There are a total of eleven different reports available – one giving a job summary, four for equipment and six for fields. These reports not only provide useful management figures, but also provide the crucial traceability records that are now often demanded by customers and crop assurance schemes.
Equipment reports:
- Fleet management:
Hours left until service and other machine operation details
- Usage report – averages:
Average details for a particular crop or field including fuel cost/area, workrate and total cost/area
- Usage report – job details:
Shows machine use in each individual job
- Usage report – totals:
Total values for selected machine for a particular crop or field
Field reports:
These reports can be sorted on a field basis.
- Supply report:
A detailed summary of the use of any product
- Equipment usage report:
Summary of equipment for each job in the field
- Field enterprise:
This statement shows the costs of labour, equipment and supplies used in the production a particular crop in the field
- Fertiliser report:
Allows a particular fertiliser, broken down into its individual elements, to be selected and printed out in a usage report
- Planning summary by crop:
Shows a list of all planned direct inputs such as seed, fertiliser and sprays for crop production
- Planning summary – Total:
Shows a list of all planned inputs used in a particular field or by year
All these reports are shown on very clear, easy to follow screens and can be printed out in the same format to provide accurate records of the cost of growing crops and operating machinery.
The GTA Console combined with the standard GTA100 Communicator and optional GTA200 Record Keeping software provides users with a powerful machinery and field management tool for logging costs and fieldwork. The beauty of the system is its low cost and simplicity, allowing users to compile accurate field and equipment records without the need for, or cost of, a full precision farming system.
