What is parallel driving?

Parallel Driving — is a navigation system that enables agricultural machinery, such as tractors, combine harvesters, and sprayers, to move across a field with high accuracy, minimising missed areas or overlaps. This technology is one of the key components of modern precision agriculture, ensuring optimal resource utilisation and enhancing the efficiency of field operations. At its core, it relies on the use of GNSS receivers (Global Navigation Satellite System), which constantly receive signals from satellites, determining the precise location of the machinery in the field.

RTK Navigation (https://rtk-navigation.com/) is a leading provider of solutions in precision agriculture. We understand the challenges faced by farmers and offer advanced technologies that not only help to minimise losses and increase profit, but also make your agribusiness more sustainable and efficient. In this article, we will examine in detail the operating principles, key advantages, and practical aspects of implementing parallel driving systems, as well as provide valuable advice from RTK Navigation experts.

How a Parallel Driving System Works

To achieve maximum accuracy in modern agricultural production, a single standard GNSS satellite signal is often insufficient. This is precisely why RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) technology is used in parallel driving systems. RTK correction provides extremely high navigation accuracy, reducing the error to 2-2.5 cm, which is critically important for many agricultural operations.

The operating process is as follows: a GNSS receiver, installed on the agricultural machinery, determines its initial position. It then sends a correction request to the RTK control centre via mobile internet. This centre processes the request, forms an individual correction using data from the nearest RTK base stations, and sends it back to the receiver in real time. Thus, the system constantly refines the coordinates, allowing the machinery to move along an ideally set route, which is particularly useful during sowing, spraying, or fertiliser application.

Advantages of Parallel Driving Systems for Agribusiness

The implementation of parallel driving systems brings significant benefits to farms, directly impacting financial performance and operational efficiency. According to experts and the practical experience of leading agricultural holdings, these advantages are tangible:

• Minimisation of missed areas and overlaps. This is one of the most important advantages. In traditional spraying, most operators prefer to overlap adjacent rows to avoid missing areas. This leads to excessive material consumption. Practice shows that without a parallel driving system, overlap can be at least 5%. The use of agrinavigators and parallel driving systems reduces overlap to 2-3% or less.

  • Advice from RTK Navigation: To achieve the maximum effect from minimising overlaps, we recommend using systems with RTK accuracy. This is what allows an error of 2-2.5 cm to be achieved, which is critically important for operations such as sowing and precise fertiliser application.

• Significant resource savings.

  • Fuel: Thanks to precise route determination, parallel driving systems can reduce fuel consumption by 10-18%. This is achieved by reducing unnecessary passes across the field and optimising the trajectory of movement.

  • Fertilisers and PPPs (Plant Protection Products): Preventing repeated application of fertilisers and PPPs to the same spot allows for savings of up to 8% of materials. This not only reduces costs but also lessens the burden on the soil and environment.

  • Seeds: During sowing, the system ensures perfectly even row spacing and strict adherence to the seeding rate, which optimises seed usage and contributes to increased yields.

• Improved quality of agricultural operations.

  • Sowing: Ensuring perfectly even row spacing and strict adherence to the seeding rate.

  • Inter-row cultivation: Avoiding damage to cultivated plants.

  • Spraying and fertiliser application: Preventing repeated application and ensuring uniform coverage.

• Increased output and reduced downtime. Automating the operator's work and precisely executing all agricultural operations allows for faster field processing, especially with wide-span machinery. This leads to increased productivity and reduced machinery downtime.

• Reduced operator workload. The use of parallel driving significantly lessens the physical and psychological burden on the tractor operator. They can better control the machinery and perform tasks more efficiently, which reduces fatigue and increases concentration. This is particularly valuable when working in conditions of limited visibility (at night, in fog, or when dusty).

• Convenient information storage and transfer. Modern parallel driving systems allow for the storage of data on completed work, creation of reports and maps, which contributes to effective agribusiness management and further data analysis for process optimisation.

• Rapid payback. Despite initial investments, parallel driving systems pay for themselves quite quickly. According to Viktor Borovyk, Operations Director at AgroOnline, with partial re-equipment of machinery, a system can pay for itself in one season, with full re-equipment — in two seasons, depending on the farm's area and crop type. For example, in the MHP agricultural holding, implemented systems paid for themselves in an average of 6-12 months, with the cost of a guidance system being around €1.5 to 2 thousand.

Technical Specifications and System Selection

When choosing a parallel driving system, it is important to consider its technical specifications, which determine its effectiveness and applicability for specific agricultural operations:

• Navigation accuracy:

  • Standard GPS: Accuracy up to 15-30 cm (e.g., SBAS, EGNOS, E-DIF signals). This is sufficient for fertiliser application and spraying.

  • Paid correction signals (Omnistar XP/HP, RangePoint RTX, CenterPoint RTX): Provide enhanced accuracy up to 4-15 cm.

  • RTK (Real-Time Kinematic): Extremely high accuracy up to 2-2.5 cm. This is the optimal option for precise sowing, tillage, crop protection, and other operations requiring maximum precision.

  • Caution from RTK Navigation: Always clarify the exact accuracy provided by the chosen system. For operations where accuracy is critically important (e.g., sowing row crops), systems without RTK correction may be insufficient.

• Processing speed: Modern systems are capable of operating at speeds up to 20 km/h, ensuring stable accuracy even at high machinery speeds.

• Mapping support and route memory: Many systems support importing/exporting yield and fertiliser application maps with varying rates, allowing for more efficient resource utilisation. Built-in memory can store up to 500 routes, which is convenient for different fields and operations.

• Compatibility: Most parallel driving systems support compatibility with the majority of modern tractors and agricultural machinery, ensuring easy integration with existing equipment.

• Interface and control: The vast majority of systems feature a user-friendly touchscreen display. Some offer the ability to connect to tablets or smartphones for remote control.

Overview of Common Parallel Driving Systems in the Ukrainian Market

The Ukrainian market for parallel driving systems offers a wide range of solutions from leading global and domestic manufacturers. Below is an overview of some of them:

• Smilab: Smilab has gained significant popularity among small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises due to their affordable and effective solutions. In particular, their Nav Agro line of agrinavigators offers reliable parallel driving capabilities that help optimise field operations. These systems are often chosen for their ease of use and quick payback, which is critically important for farms with limited budgets.

  • Smilab

• Trimble: An American manufacturer renowned in precision agriculture. Offers models such as Trimble CFX-750/Lite, Trimble EZ-Guide 500, Trimble Autopilot Electric Motor Drive (AP EMD). Characterised by robust construction, colour touchscreens, GLONASS compatibility, and the ability to work with various accuracy levels (from SBAS to RTK).

  • Trimble Agriculture

• Leica Geosystems: A manufacturer of high-precision geodetic equipment. In agriculture, they offer models like Leica Mojo mini and Leica Mojo 3D.

  • Leica Geosystems Agriculture

• Hexagon: Offers entry-level systems, such as the Hexagon Ti5, which feature an aluminium body, touchscreen, and a wide range of functions, including sprayer section control and variable rate fertiliser application.

  • Hexagon AgX

• Raven Industries: A company that produces innovative technical solutions for agriculture. Among their parallel driving systems are the Raven Envizio Pro, Raven CR7, Raven CR12, Raven Viper 4, Raven Cruizer II, and the specialised sprayer system Raven VSN.

  • Raven Industries Agriculture

• Topcon Precision Agriculture (TPA): Offers a wide range of satellite positioning and navigation systems, including Topcon GX-45, Topcon System X5/X14/X25/X30/X35/110. Known for their reliability and accuracy, compatible with SGR-1/AGI-4 receivers for RTK.

  • Topcon Agriculture

• John Deere: One of the major agricultural machinery manufacturers, also develops its own parallel driving systems: John Deere Parallel Tracking, John Deere 1800/4240, John Deere AutoTrac Controller 300, AutoTrac Universal 200/300. Integrated solutions that provide high efficiency when paired with John Deere machinery.

  • John Deere Agriculture

• Claas: Another agricultural machinery manufacturer that offers systems from the Claas GPS Copilot (TS, S3, S7, S10) range. They ensure a reduction in missed areas/overlaps to +/- 15 cm, can operate on free EGNOS and eDsf signals, and can be expanded to the GPS Pilot automatic steering system.

  • Claas Agriculture

Advice and Cautions from RTK Navigation

Implementing a parallel driving system is an investment that should be well-considered and strategically justified. As experts in precision agriculture, RTK Navigation wishes to provide you with some key advice and cautions:

1. Prioritise accuracy for critical operations: For operations such as sowing, where every centimetre matters, always choose systems with RTK accuracy. Initial costs will be recouped through significant yield increases and seed savings. Remember that a GPS accuracy difference from 2 cm to 30 cm is an enormous difference for various agricultural operations.

2. Analyse your specific needs: Before purchasing, clearly define what specific operations you require a parallel driving system for. Do you need a full autopilot, or is a simple guidance system sufficient? What crops do you cultivate? Answers to these questions will help you select the optimal equipment package.

3. Attention to integration: Are you planning to integrate the parallel driving system with other precision agriculture solutions (for example, accounting systems, spray control, variable rate application)? Ensure that the chosen system has the necessary interfaces and compatibility. As Viktor Borovyk from AgroOnline notes, their accounting system, together with the guidance system, can identify not only areas with losses but also the causes of those losses.

4. Importance of service support: Even the most modern system requires quality service support. Choose a supplier who can provide prompt and qualified assistance in the event of problems. RTK Navigation provides a full spectrum of support for its clients.

5. Staff training: Do not underestimate the importance of training machinery operators. Even the simplest systems require a basic understanding of their operating principles. Although training may take from a few minutes to a day, an investment in quality operator training will significantly enhance the efficiency of equipment use.

6. Facts and research: Seek out recent statistical data and studies regarding the payback and effectiveness of parallel driving systems in your region or for your specific crops. This will help to justify the investment. For example, according to research, the implementation of precision agriculture, of which parallel driving is a part, can increase yields by 5-10% through more efficient resource use (these figures may vary depending on many factors).

   • While specific universal links to official studies with exact yield percentages are difficult to find due to their variability, many agricultural universities and research centres, such as the University of Illinois or Purdue University, regularly publish reports on the effectiveness of precision agriculture. For example, studies published on the Farmdoc daily website of the University of Illinois often analyse the economic impact of adopting precision agriculture technologies.

     • Farmdoc daily (University of Illinois)

   • It is also worth paying attention to publications from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which may contain aggregated data on technology adoption and its impact on productivity.

     • USDA Reports and Publications

7. Seamless operation with xFill Premium: If you use Trimble systems with RTK, the xFill Premium option ensures uninterrupted operation even in the event of a temporary loss of signal from the base station. This is vital for maintaining maximum accuracy in challenging conditions.

The Future of Agribusiness: Opportunities and Prospects

Parallel driving is an important step towards the development of more complex and integrated systems in precision agriculture. The further evolution of technologies anticipates a transition to more autonomous agricultural machinery, where the human factor will be minimised even further. Parallel driving systems already collect large volumes of data that can be used for in-depth analysis, yield forecasting, and optimising the application of fertilisers and PPPs based on field maps.

RTK Navigation is actively working on implementing and adapting the latest technologies to ensure Ukrainian farmers have access to advanced global solutions. We strive for agriculture to be as efficient as possible, while promoting the rational use of natural resources.

Conclusion: Invest in Precision with RTK Navigation

Parallel driving systems are an effective tool for modern and profitable agribusiness. They help address a number of important issues related to human factors, uneven material application, and resource losses. Savings in fuel, fertilisers, PPPs, and seeds, increased yields, and a reduced workload for machinery operators — these are just some of the benefits you will gain.

RTK Navigation invites you to cooperate. We are ready to provide qualified consultation, help you select the optimal solution for your farm, and ensure full support at all stages of implementation. Invest in precision, invest in your success with RTK Navigation.

Do you have any questions or want to learn more about RTK Navigation's solutions? Please contact our specialists using the details provided on our website at https://rtk-navigation.com/. We are always ready to help you make your agribusiness even more efficient!