An award winning agricultural technology from Agco Corporation has been released and will be available to farmers in 2021.
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Agco Corporation’s AutoDock header docking system will be available in 2021 for all Fendt Ideal combines
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The AutoDock header docking system is the industry’s first automatic system for connecting and disconnecting combine heads; a revolutionary technology which ultimately saves farmers vital time in the field.
The option is available on all DynaFlex 9300 Series draper heads and 3300 Command Series corn heads for Fendt Ideal combines that are equipped with AutoDock drivelines and adapters for the multi-coupler attachment.
Already, the AutoDock technology has created a buzz in the agricultural world having been recognised as one of 50 winners in the AE50 awards by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).
The AutoDock header docking system works through a system of guide pins and hydraulic actuators to automatically connect the drives on both sides of the header and connecting all mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems with a single point couple – while mechanically latching the header in place only takes five seconds.
This process eliminates the job of manually lifting and attaching, or detaching, the drivelines, which normally takes upwards of two minutes each time.
Instead, operators manoeuvre the combine to the header, lifting the header to the combine and then simply push the attach icon on the touch-screen control panel.
Agco senior tactical marking manager Kevin Forth says the technology has the ability to save farmers countless hours over the course of a season.
“Farmers need to make every minute count during harvest, and using AutoDock can save several hours of harvest time over a season for operators who change heads frequently,” says Forth.
“One touch of the in-cab control terminal starts the five-second AutoDock process, eliminating trips for the operator from the cab to the combine head.
“We’re very excited to introduce this technology, because it is a key first step on the way to totally automating the harvesting process in the future.
“Changing headers is not only time consuming, but it can be a dirty, tiring job. Staying in the cab lets the driver avoid contact with the dust, chaff and hydraulic oil that comes with handling header connections manually.”
AutoDock also reduces any requirement for a second person on the ground to manually attach drivelines; minimising further opportunities for errors in the attaching or detaching process.
Other processes, such as adjusting the combine for header width and setting the sensitivity for the header height control, have also been solved through AutoDock, which automatically configures the appropriate setting to use once the operator selects the specific header.
The AutoDock system can be ordered as an option for all Fendt Ideal combines including DynaFlex 9300 series draper heads and 3300 Command Series corn heads.
DynaFlex 9300 series headers come in five cutting widths ranging from 30-50 feet while the 3300 command series corn heads are available in chopping and non-chopping models with 30-inch row spacing in eight, 12 and 16-row configurations.
Currently, AutoDock is only available for Agco headers however it will be made available for third-party headers in the future.