“Yes, the tractor can be hands-free while the LiDAR Smart Steer system propels it as it detects the swatch, but when the end of the row is reached, the tractor’s driver still has to manually turn the wheel,” said Littlefield. He explained that should it be desired, the operator can easily turn off the steering automation simply with a push of a button, or by a movement of the steering wheel. When it comes to the IntelliCruise II, Littlefield said that it controls the speed of the tractor, as it responds to the ever-changing material feeder rate into the baler. The operator also must set the number of slices per bale target, and the maximum speed limit. After being set, Littlefield said that the baler will continuously adjust the forward speed of the tractor to achieve the pre-set bale slice target. “For large square baling operations, it’s an indispensable asset for their future by improving bale harvesting while helping them meet the operational demands of the evolving agricultural landscape with confidence.” When LiDAR (light detection and ranging) was first introduced, it was used to monitor the skies, specifically meteorology to measure clouds and pollution, first utilized in the 1930s. More modern applications were made in the 1960s when it was utilized in terrain mapping of aeronautics and aerospace. Now with more down-to-Earth ambitions, New Holland is using the LiDAR—installed on the front end of a tractor cab roof—to emit pulses of laser light to instantaneously calculate distance based on reflections from the windrow. Littlefield simplified it to say that the LiDAR simply peers some 19-26 feet into the distance to examine the best path the tractor and its bale machinery should take. Although Littlefield assured us that the technologies work extremely well in even low-light or nighttime conditions, he acknowledged that in the most extreme weather conditions, it is possible that its vision system becomes obscured. We take it to mean ice or snow or even blinding dirt from a snowstorm—but does anyone want to try and safely work in such conditions? The LiDAR processor determines swath position and shape, and relays its observable information to the tractor’s ISOBUS steering. “The IntelliSense Bale Automation system is not only focused on output and the bottom line but stands out for its prioritization of operator well-being and safety,” Littlefield commented. “At the heart of our design is a commitment to putting operators first and creating technology that addresses their most important needs for a seamless and productive experience.” 21 PHOTOS: agriculture.newholland.com
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