Seven tractor headland management systems compared
We didn’t have room for the comparison of headland management systems from the recent seven-tractor test. So here it is
By condensing often-repeated actions into a recorded sequence that can be played back on command, headland management systems aim to make the driver’s life easier.
A good system is flexible over what can be included and simple to set up, modify and play a poor one is a pain to programme and limited in the functions it can handle.
- New system, very simple
- Can programme on the move or standing still
- Can choose distance or time-based recording
- Must go though several Cebis menus to find distance/time option
- Four sequences recordable, two played from armrest buttons
- Record by doing the actions while driving. Can insert pause.
- Can record stationary but only distance-based operation then possible.
- Only one sequence
- Driver activates each step with the joystick
- Recording fairly easy once you know how, but you can’t guess it. Definitely needs handbook
- Sequence shown on tiny dashboard screen, current step underlined
- Recordable functions include forward/reverse
- Sequence held in memory after engine shutdown
- Comprehensive system set through Varioterminal screen
- A little confusing at first. Newer setups of Claas, Deere and Massey are more intuitive
- Now easy to add pauses into a sequence
- Auto pto
- Joint easiest to use, with Massey
- Can record a sequence when moving or stationary
- Most functions recordable, but only an rpm limit
- Driver decides between distance or time trigger for each step, when recording while stationary
- Can delete/insert functions
- Programmed in terminal
- Joint easiest to use, with Deere
- Sequence steps can flow automatically or be triggered manually by driver
- Every function is recordable
- Can choose time or distance basis for each sequence step
- Looks simple to use but isn’t
- Recording on the move, distance-based
- Can’t include pto directly into a sequence, only indirectly with linkage lift autofunction
- Need to push-hold buttons is over-complicated
- Looks simple but nearly as complicated as New Holland’s
- Recording only by distance and only on the move
- Cruise speed or engine rpm can be included
