AutoTrac™ Universal Quick Reference Guide - Configuration
Step 1: Verify Equipment Offsets
This section guides you through verifying equipment offsets. Offsets are critical for accurate guidance.
Diagram Description: A visual representation shows offset values, with one value at 0.0 cm and another at 63.8 cm. There's an option to 'Change Offset'.
Press the question mark button ❓ for more information on each advanced AutoTrac™ parameter.
Select ATU Parameters
Select Machine Type
Machine Type: Tractor for row crops 1
ATU Parameters (Page 1)
Select Machine Type
Sensitivity of Trajectory – Guidance: Determines the aggressiveness of ATU response to pass deviation (lateral) errors.
- Sensitivity of Trajectory - Guidance: Slider/value representation showing 180.
Sensitivity of Trajectory – Heading: Determines the aggressiveness of AutoTrac™ response to heading errors.
- Sensitivity of Trajectory - Heading: Slider/value representation showing 90.
Steering Wheel Speed: Determines the maximum steering wheel speed for making corrections. This parameter is available only for ATU 100.
Steering Play: Controls the steering wheel turn distance to compensate for excessive free play in the steering system.
Acquisition Sensitivity: Determines the aggressiveness of the machine when acquiring the pass.
- Visual cues indicate 'Acquisition Sensitivity Too Low' and 'Acquisition Sensitivity Too High'.
Curve Sensitivity: Determines the aggressiveness of AutoTrac™ response to a curve in the pass.
- Visual cues indicate 'Curve Sensitivity Too Low' and 'Curve Sensitivity Too High'.
StarFire™ Height (cm [in.]): Enter the StarFire™ receiver height. Height is measured from the ground to the center of the dome.
StarFire™ Longitudinal Position (cm [in.]): Distance of the receiver from the pivot point.
Operator Presence: Select the activity monitor or seat switch to detect operator presence.
Asymmetric Steering Ratio: On some machines, the hydraulic steering system does not turn the same way in both directions. If the machine is not asymmetric, use a value of 100.
Encoder: Represents the steering wheel position. The encoder should be within +/- 500 when the front wheels are straight ahead for proper performance.
Direction: Indicates the machine's direction as determined by the system.
Stop Code: Indicates why the system is not functioning or why AutoTrac™ was deactivated.
ATU Voltage: Measurement of the battery voltage supplied to the ATU.
Recommended Initial Settings
These recommended settings are a good starting point for most machines. Consult the ATU search tool at www.StellarSupport.com for your specific machine's initial settings.
| Machine Type | Acquisition Sensitivity | Trajectory Guidance Sensitivity | Trajectory Heading Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tractor for row crops 1 | 80 | 180 | 80 |
| Track Tractor | 80 | 180 | 80 |
| Articulated Tractor | 80 | 180 | 80 |
| Sprayer | 100 | 200 | 110 |
| Harvester | 90 | 190 | 110 |
| Combine Harvester | 90 | 190 | 90 |
Optimizing AutoTrac™ Universal Performance
Step 1) Acquisition Sensitivity Tuning
- Tune by driving parallel to the A-B line, but 1.2 m (4 ft) from it.
- Engage the AutoTrac™ Universal system and observe performance.
- Adjust acquisition sensitivity until the machine smoothly reaches the desired path.
Step 2) Trajectory Sensitivity Tuning
A) Trajectory Sensitivity – Guidance
- Tune Trajectory Sensitivity – Guidance while driving on the A-B line.
- If the machine deviates excessively from the A-B line, increase the value of Trajectory Sensitivity – Guidance.
- If the machine exhibits instability around the A-B line, reduce the value of Trajectory Sensitivity – Guidance.
B) Trajectory Sensitivity – Heading
- Tune Trajectory Sensitivity – Heading while driving on the A-B line.
- If the front of the machine deviates excessively, increase the value of Trajectory Sensitivity – Heading.
- If the machine exhibits instability, reduce the value of Trajectory Sensitivity – Heading.
Note: Sensitivity adjustments work together. If both are too high, the machine will be unstable. If both are too low, the machine will oscillate along the A-B line. The operator may need to readjust trajectory and heading sensitivity for best results. Increase or decrease parameters to change 'aggressiveness' as desired.
Step 3) Curve Sensitivity Tuning – If driving on curved passes
- Adjust curve sensitivity while driving on a curved pass.
- Increase sensitivity value if the vehicle turns outside the curve.
- Decrease sensitivity value if the vehicle turns inside the curve.
Step 4) Steering Play Adjustment – Excessive play or harvester unit
- The steering play adjustment is used only on machines with excessive steering system tolerance.
- If performance is unacceptable due to excessive steering system play, increase the adjustment value until the effects of play are minimized.
- If the steering play value is excessive, the system will become unstable.
Step 5) Adjust Steering Asymmetry
- Steering asymmetry is used only on vehicles that do not steer the same way in both directions.
- Consult the machine-specific document for the appropriate steering asymmetry value.
- If the machine is not asymmetric, use a value of 100.
Use AutoTrac™ Universal only on machines approved by John Deere. Visit www.StellarSupport.com for a list of approved machines.
Excessive wear of steering components can affect precision. Ensure steering system components have correct tolerances. Steering play adjustment can improve performance on some machines but cannot compensate for all wear. After installing the AutoTrac™ Universal steering play, check the steering system every 500 hours for proper tolerances and wear. The operator must tighten the steering wheel nut to the manufacturer's specified value.
AutoTrac™ Universal - Diagnostics
The information for AutoTrac™ Universal is found via the diagnostic icon ❓.
GreenStar™ Diagnostic Indicators
Read the latest operator manual before use. For a copy, consult your dealer or visit www.StellarSupport.com.
Diagram Description: A screenshot of the GreenStar™ display showing various sections like 'View AutoTrac Universal', 'Map Tracing', 'Guidance', 'Resources', 'Diagnostics', 'Equipment', 'Water Mgmt', 'Documents', and 'Totals'. It also shows status indicators for Software Version, Hardware Version, Serial Number, Mode (Disabled), Total Hours, AutoTrac™ Hours, Resume Switch, Seat Switch, Encoder, Direction, and Stop Code.
Diagnostic Indicators:
- Software Version: AutoTrac™ Universal version.
- Hardware Version: Hardware version number.
- Serial Number: AutoTrac™ Universal system serial number.
- Mode: AutoTrac™ status: Disabled, Enabled, or Active.
- Total Hours: Hours the system has been powered on.
- AutoTrac™ Hours: Hours AutoTrac™ has been active.
- Resume Switch: Indicates the status of the resume switch. Changes from disabled to enabled when the resume switch is pressed.
- Seat Switch: Shows the status of the operator presence switch. It is engaged when the operator occupies the seat and the seat switch is connected.
- Encoder: Represents the steering wheel position. IMPORTANT: The encoder must be within +/- 500 when the front wheels are straight ahead for proper performance. If the wheels are straight and the encoder is outside its range, the operator must drive straight until the encoder is within these parameters.
- Direction: Indicates the vehicle's direction of travel determined by AutoTrac™ Universal. Note: To capture the machine's direction of travel, a minimum of the SF1 signal is needed, driving at no less than 1.6 km/h (1 mph), and turning the steering wheel 45 degrees in either direction.
- Stop Code: Indicates why the system is not functioning or why the AutoTrac™ system was deactivated. (See the stop code list below.)
- Motor Test Left: Used to test basic system functions. The AutoTrac™ Universal motor turns the steering wheel to the left.
- Motor Test Right: Used to test basic system functions. The AutoTrac™ Universal motor turns the steering wheel to the right.
| Stop Code | Description |
|---|---|
| Steering wheel displaced | The steering wheel has been displaced to deactivate AutoTrac™. |
| Insufficient speed | Machine speed is too slow to engage AutoTrac™. |
| Excessive speed | Machine speed is too fast to engage AutoTrac™. |
| Invalid gear | Incompatible gear selected. |
| Pass number changed | Pass number has been changed. |
| GPS signal invalid | Loss of lock (AutoTrac™ requires StarFire™ signal to remain active). |
| Steering controller error | Unknown steering controller error (SSU). |
| AutoTrac™ activation not present | No AutoTrac™ activation on screen. |
| Excessive heading error | Excessive heading deviation. |
| Excessive pass deviation error | Excessive lateral deviation. |
| Off seat | Operator is not present. |
| No TCM corrections | No TCM or TCM is off. |
| Excessive time in reverse | AutoTrac™ has been active in reverse for an excessive time. |
| Machine insufficient speed | AutoTrac™ was active below the speed threshold for an excessive time. |
| Sharp curve | The curve is too sharp. |
| Machine not traveling forward | The machine is not traveling forward. |
| Acquiring path | Acquiring path. |
| Guidance | Guidance. |
| Direction unknown | Direction of travel is unknown. |
| ATU temperature anomaly | Temperature out of range. |
AutoTrac™ Universal - Troubleshooting
This section provides solutions for common issues encountered with the AutoTrac™ Universal system.
| Symptom | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The tractor unexpectedly steers right or left when the resume switch is pressed and the machine is already aligned on the line. | Encoder out of range when wheels are oriented forward. | With the front wheels oriented forward, the encoder should be within +/- 500. Drive forward with the wheels straight until the encoder is within this limit. Update ATU software. |
| ATU deactivates. | Anti-rotation device too tight, resulting in ATU misalignment with the steering shaft. | Reposition ATU so it slides easily onto the steering shaft, then adjust the anti-rotation device. |
| ATU deactivates. | Steering wheel speed too high on a machine with high steering resistance. | Reduce steering wheel speed (ATU 100 only). |
| ATU unstable when entering the pass. | Steering console looseness or rotation. | Insert shims to eliminate steering console play. Lubricate the steering shaft where it passes through the console. |
| ATU takes too long to enter the next pass. | Difficult to turn the steering wheel after installing the ATU unit. | Check all power connections. |
| Unsatisfactory ATU performance. | Unstable power supply. | Decrease acquisition sensitivity. |
| Unsatisfactory ATU performance. | Acquisition sensitivity too high. | Increase acquisition sensitivity. |
| Unsatisfactory ATU performance. | Acquisition sensitivity too low. | Enter correct StarFire™ height and longitudinal position values. |
| Unsatisfactory ATU performance. | StarFire™ height or longitudinal position not set correctly. | Place the StarFire™ receiver in front of the fixed axle or flush with it (flush or behind the fixed axle on an articulated tractor). |
| Unable to activate or resume ATU. | StarFire™ receiver is not in front of the fixed axle or flush with it (flush or behind the fixed axle on an articulated tractor). | Adjust trajectory sensitivities - See the AutoTrac™ advanced configuration view. |
| Unable to activate or resume ATU. | Incorrect trajectory sensitivities. | Configure the TCM mounting direction in the configuration view to match the physical mounting of the StarFire™ receiver. |
| Unable to activate or resume ATU. | StarFire™ mounting direction in CONFIGURATION differs from the actual mounting direction. | Drive forward at a speed greater than 1.6 km/h (1 mph) and turn the steering wheel more than 45 degrees in one direction. |
| ATU does not set direction correctly. | Steering console looseness or rotation. | Insert shims to eliminate steering console play. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line. | Loose ground. | Add ballast. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line. | Incorrect ATU parameters. | Adjust ATU parameters. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line. | Incorrect machine type in ATU. | Select the correct machine type in ATU configuration. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line. | Symmetric machine with incorrect asymmetric steering configuration value. | Set the asymmetric steering value to 100. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | A stop code was found. | Refer to the stop code list to determine the problem. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | The system does not recognize ATU on the CAN bus. | Verify ATU is connected to the GreenStar™ harness and receiving power. Check for blown fuses in the ATU harness. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | Old software in TCM. | Update receiver, ATU, and display software. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | No differential correction. | Set the differential correction. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | No GPS. | Set the signal. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | ATU did not set direction correctly. | Drive forward at a speed greater than 1.6 km/h (1 mph) and turn the steering wheel more than 45 degrees in one direction. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | Symmetric machine with incorrect asymmetric steering configuration value. | Set the asymmetric steering value to 100. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | Symmetric machine with incorrect asymmetric steering configuration value. | Set the asymmetric steering value to 100. Update ATU software. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | Asymmetric machine with incorrect asymmetric steering configuration value. | Consult the machine-specific document for the asymmetric steering configuration value. |
| AutoTrac Universal drifts off line after end-of-row turn. | Imprecise ATU encoder reading. | With the wheels pointed forward, the encoder should be within +/- 500. Drive forward with the wheels straight until the encoder is within this limit. |
