What happens when your spreader reaches an area of the paddock that has already been covered?
Getting the application rate right is only part of the equation. Product also needs to go where it is needed, without unnecessarily covering the same ground twice.
Farmscan AG’ newly released Section Control functionality for spreaders has been developed to manage this automatically. Available in ISOBUS, Section Control adjusts the spread width as the spreader moves through the paddock, helping reduce over-application and, in turn, unnecessary input costs.
The Challenge of Fixed-Width Spreading
No two paddocks are quite the same in shape or size, and a fixed spread width cannot always follow paddock boundaries precisely.
When a spreader moves through irregular areas or approaches ground that has already been covered, maintaining the full application width can result in product being applied twice. This creates overlap and uses product where it is no longer required.
Our new feature, Section Control, addresses this by allowing the spread width to change automatically according to the area being covered.
GPS Mapping and Automatic Section Control
GPS-controlled mapping determines where product is being applied as the spreader moves through the paddock.
Using this mapping, the system records where product has already been applied. As the spreader approaches previously covered ground, Section Control recognises the overlap and automatically reduces the application width.
Of course, changing the spread width also changes how much product needs to be delivered. To maintain accuracy, the system adjusts belt speed as the application width changes, ensuring the correct application rate continues across the adjusted width.
Through ISOBUS Section Control, the spreader can therefore respond automatically to mapped coverage instead of continuing to apply product across its full width.
Dual Belt and Spinner Control
Once an area of overlap has been identified, the spreader controls work together to manage where and how much product is applied.
Dual belt control ensures the correct amount of product is metered onto the individual spinners. At the same time, spinner RPM controls the application spread width.
Together, GPS coverage mapping, belt speed and spinner RPM allow the system to reduce the spread width when approaching previously applied areas while maintaining the required application rate.
For Section Control to work most efficiently and deliver the intended input savings and correct product placement, a dual belt system is required. The functionality can also be used with a single belt system. However, it will not provide the same input savings or placement accuracy.
This combination is what allows Section Control to respond accurately as the spreader moves through different areas of the paddock.
Reducing Over-Application and Input Costs
The purpose of Section Control is simple: reduce unnecessary over-application and, in turn, help farmers reduce input costs.
Instead of operating at one fixed spread width regardless of paddock shape or existing coverage, Section Control responds automatically when the spreader reaches areas where product has already been applied.
For operators, this means making more efficient use of product across the paddock, with less unnecessary application and less need to manually manage changes in spread width.
Farmscan AG’ Section Control functionality for spreaders has now been released and is available with the latest ISOBUS software.
Looking to get more from every application and reduce unnecessary product use? Contact the Farmscan AG team to learn more about Section Control and how it could work with your spreading setup.