Advantages of Using Autopilot (€7,000) and Navigation (€700) on a Tractor Compared to Traditional Steering

Modern precision farming technologies open up new opportunities for farmers to improve production efficiency. Autopilots and navigation systems help avoid skips and overlaps, reduce fuel, fertilizer, and crop protection product costs, and increase yields.

Although the cost of an autopilot (€7,000) or a navigation system (€700) may seem significant, there are funds and financial support programs that help farmers acquire these technologies. Thanks to government and international grants, compensations, and subsidies, investing in precision farming has become much more accessible.

Let's consider the main advantages of using autopilot (€7,000) and navigation (€700) on a tractor compared to traditional steering:

1. Field Processing Accuracy

• Autopilot: Accuracy up to ±2 cm due to RTK signal, which helps avoid skips and overlaps.

• Navigation: Field processing accuracy within ±15-25 cm, reduces overlaps but is less effective for high-precision farming.

• Without tools: Up to 8% of the field area is lost due to overlaps or skips.

2. Fuel Savings

• Autopilot: Up to 10-15% fuel savings thanks to optimal trajectories.

• Navigation: Up to 5-7% fuel savings.

• Without tools: Overlaps and inefficient resource use lead to overspending.

3. Optimal Use of Fertilizers and Crop Protection Products

• Autopilot: Minimizes overuse of fertilizers and chemicals due to precise path overlay.

• Navigation: Reduces overuse but is not as effective as autopilot.

• Without systems: Overuse due to uneven coverage can reach up to 15%.

4. Increased Productivity and Work Speed

• Autopilot: Works at any time of day and in poor visibility conditions, reduces operator fatigue.

• Navigation: Simplifies work, depends on the operator’s skill.

• Without systems: The operator tires quickly, reducing efficiency during long work hours.

5. Reduced Equipment Wear

• Autopilot: Evenly distributed paths reduce equipment wear.

• Navigation: Helps avoid overloads.

• Without systems: Frequent maneuvers and improper load distribution increase equipment wear.

6. Increased Yield

• Autopilot: Optimized field processing, reduced crop damage, increased yield by 5-10%.

• Navigation: Up to 3-5% increase in yield.

• Without systems: Losses due to uneven processing can reach up to 10%.

Conclusion:

• Autopilot (€7,000) – maximum precision, resource savings, cost reduction, and increased yields.

• Navigation (€700) – basic accuracy, resource savings, more versatile, easier to use.

• Without systems: Higher costs, lower yields, more time and resource wastage.

An agro navigator is the first and simplest step toward precision farming. These devices are now almost universally present on every tractor and sprayer, in every farm.

Autopilot pays off faster on large fields, where precision and resource savings are critically important. Efarm.pro helps its clients obtain financial support by providing consultations on available programs and funds and assisting with the necessary documentation. Thanks to this, purchasing an autopilot is now much easier, and the benefits of technology can be felt in the very first season of use.

Want to learn more about financial assistance for autopilot? Call: 068 377 88 55