Advances in machinery technology have expanded the scale, speed, and productivity of farm equipment, leading to more efficient use of inputs such as fertiliser, seed and fuel as part of farming operations. This has led to more sustainable use of arable land and more profitable farm businesses. Crop varieties, water use efficiency and agronomics have also vastly improved, helping farmers increase yields.
Technology
Connectivity and Telematics
Case IH FieldOps™ | Case IH | Case IH
Advances in machinery technology integration and connectivity now provide more tools to the owner and operators in fleet and data management. Case IH AFS Connect software and the FieldOps online portal and mobile app provides the platform for owners to remotely view machinery operations as well as view and download machinery and agronomic data and reports.
The Case IH AFS Connect system uses GPS and cellular connectivity to send and receive agronomic information to and from the machine, receive real time machine performance and maintenance data to the owner wherever they are, anywhere in the world.
The FieldOps management tool allows the machinery manager or owner to track all machines and by extension, the operations team from a single webpage. This provides accurate working locations and operating information to assist in decisions such as refueling requirements, scheduled maintenance, and downstream logistics management such as load out timing during harvesting.
Safety and security applications are also available to owners and machinery managers through a system called ‘geo-fencing’ through which boundaries, such as operating times or physical operating areas, can trigger alerts to the owner of manager informing them of operations that move outside those boundaries or if fuel has be removed from the machine when not in operation.
REALTIME MAINTENANCE & MACHINERY MONITORING
O’Connors is prepared and equipped to provide future of machinery service and aftersales support using the next generation of tools available in innovative farm machinery. This includes providing service support to customers who provide dealer access to their machinery.
Utilising the latest telematics technologies allows O’Connors to remotely access machines to identify scheduled maintenance requirements, or to view and manage fault codes. This information is critical to guiding the service technicians dispatched to carry out repairs or servicing, on how to get their job done efficiently and effectively.
Telematics technologies minimise downtime for machines and related costs to the owner and also greatly reduce the need for multiple on-site visits, such as pre-service or repair inspections as part of the repairs or servicing work.
O’Connors can identify likely issues and ensure the prospective required parts to undertake immediate repair are on-board with the service tech on the first call-out, saving time and travel costs associated with the repair.
Advancements in machinery technology provide proactive service planning, whereby a machine will remotely inform the dealer of upcoming service requirements ensuring maintenance windows and timings aren’t missed.
Accurate and timely servicing and proactive maintenance not only maximises uptime for the machine during key operational windows but has a positive impact on the resale value of the machinery during changeover.
REMOTE SUPPORT AND DIAGNOSTICS
O’Connors can provide a remote diagnostics and support service to customers who provide dealer access to their connected machinery. The system provides real-time error and fault monitoring to identify, investigate, and remotely manage issues with machinery where possible.
The remote service tool allows dealers to remotely identify service needs, to proactively determine what parts are likely needed, before a technician is dispatched to carry out repairs or servicing.
Integrated into this system is Firmware-over-the-air or FOTA which allows dealers to push updates to operating firmware which can sometimes be the cause of faults eliminating the need for a physical on-site connection with an EST (Electronic Service Tool) for some controllers.
Case IH AFS Connect machinery can be equipped with a remote operator assistance support function which allows dealer support staff, machine owners and managers to remotely access the in-cabin screen to guide operators on set-up and controls.
Remote Assistance provides a real-time connection between dealer staff, machine owner and managers and the machinery operator allowing them to guide the operator in troubleshooting and provide instruction on configuring controls in the cab.
This feature provides immediate support to reduce downtime associated with an on-site call-out. It provides peace of mind for operators with varying skill levels to operate equipment confidently and safely
