Review of Trimble’s Ez-Steer
TRIMBLE EZ-STEER
Build quality
Solid, even if it does look like a marriage between a washing machine motor and a small spacecraft. Column bracket stronger and simpler than AutoFarm’s, lighter-socket power connection not the most positive.
Installation/transfer
Two cab boxes, motor unit, receiver, five connections. Sucker mount for lightbar/screen and drive motor’s two thumbscrews allow quickest transfers in test. Wiring loom is lengthy and not easily shortened.
Cab impact
Compact display robs little space. Thick motor bracket partly blocks out Deere’s instruments, limits column adjustment. Driver access unaffected. Tilt compensator mounts horizontally or vertically; needs calibration on first fitting. Very quiet motor can tangle with right hand during manual steering, click-locks back when not in use.
Getting guidance
Simple and fast, with working width confirmation part of process. Menu navigation easy from three buttons.
Finding the next line
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Smallish monochrome screen leads driver intuitively to next path; need to zoom in with narrow bouts. Minimum steering-assist engagement speed 1.6kph, adjustable along with approach angle and off-line distance.
A wide, tailorable engagement funnel allows early engagement, leaving plenty of time for an implement. OK-to-engage signal is small, leaning across the steering wheel to stab button is inconvenient. Optional hard-wired remote (£100) fixes that and adds audible warnings.
During guidance
Friction drive didn’t slip. Reasonable performer on default settings, software automatically tailors response to different speeds. Driver can define a headland but it’s not displayed; instead a slightly lazy warning flashes on-screen.
Assistance drops out while reversing, is quickly re-engaged on going forward. Can change working width during a job.
Accuracy
All runs inside 50cm: Three bettered 20cm at 5kph, two at 12kph. Accuracy looked fine on presets, so we didn’t fiddle. But later analysis revealed a slow weave around the required line which, Trimble reckons, could have been tuned out if we’d spotted it.
Took time to settle on track during four passes, probably as the driver had exploited its wide approach angle. In similar circumstances the Deere did a better job; again, adjustment may have helped.
Other tricks
Multiple curved guidance modes, area covered, shift track for drift compensation.
Conclusion-9 out of 10
Simple to use, quickest to swap, capable, usable straight from the box and the best value. Optional terrain compensation and remote control both advisable.
For details about how this table is measured and to return to the performance reviews: