Precision farming continues to reshape the way farmers work, helping improve efficiency and maintain consistent field quality. One of the key challenges is keeping trailed implements accurately on the intended path, especially when working across uneven terrain.We recently brought Path Assist to a large field near Kępno, Poland, for a demanding field test. The focus was to see how well it could reduce implement drift, side slip, and sway under real working conditions, including straight passes, sloped ground, and changing light conditions.
What Is Path Assist and How Does It Help?
Path Assist is an intelligent solution specially designed to address the most common obstacles to precision in the field. It is designed to help farmers maintain implement accuracy in the field. It addresses common issues such as implement drift and side slip caused by terrain changes, mounting conditions, or implement movement during operation.To keep a trailed implement on the intended path, Path Assist uses two key components mounted directly on the implement: a high-precision GNSS receiver and an angle sensor. The GNSS receiver provides accurate position data for the implement itself, while the angle sensor detects its real-time movement relative to the tractor. Based on this information, the in-cab FJD navigation system can calculate timely corrections and help keep the implement aligned more accurately during work.Currently, Path Assist is compatible with the FJD AT2 、AT2 Max、AH2 and AS2 navigation screens. We are testing it with our other FJD autosteering systems. Our goal is to soon help many more farmers upgrade their trailed farm implements using the super affordable yet powerful Path Assist.
Field Setup
For this field application in Poland, the setup included:
- Tractor: Massey Ferguson 6465, 4-wheel drive, 96 kW
- Implement: 7-meter-long tillage implement
- FJD System: AT2 autosteer terminal in the cab, with the Path Assist GNSS receiver and angle sensor mounted directly on the implement. Specifically, the GNSS receiver was installed on steel rods so that its height could be adjusted according to the implement configuration, making the setup more practical for real farm use.
Test Details: Straight Lines, Slopes, and Low Lighting
The testing focused on three critical areas that typically cause issues for conventional farming: straight-line driving, navigating slopes, and maintaining performance under various conditions, including low light.
Straight Lines Matter More Than You Think
A tractor may be on line, but that doesn’t always mean the implement is. In real field conditions, sway and side slip can gradually pull a tillage implement away from the intended path, leading to uneven coverage, overlap, or skipped areas.Path Assist is designed to solve exactly that problem. It continuously monitors where the implement actually is and how it is moving, then sends the information to the AT2 screen for immediate correction. The result is dynamic implement guidance that helps bring the machine back on track before small deviations turn into visible mistakes in the field.
During this application in Poland, Path Assist's accuracy was amazing, staying within just 0-2 centimeters of the perfect line every time. This super-high precision means that with every trip across the field, the implement covers its full working width. It completely prevents messy overlaps or missed spots, greatly increasing tilling efficiency.
When Straight Lines Meet Sloped Fields
Flat ground is easy. Slopes are where implement control really gets tested. On uneven terrain, a trailed implement does not always stay where the tractor leads it. Gravity, side pull, and field contours can all shift the implement away from the target line, creating uneven passes and reducing field consistency.In this Poland field application, Path Assist was used on slopes of up to ±15°. Even in these conditions, it helped the implement hold its line more steadily and reduced visible drift caused by the terrain. That meant more controlled passes and more consistent performance across the field.
Even while the Massey Ferguson tractor was climbing uphill at a speed of 8 kilometers per hour, the large tillage implement stayed perfectly aligned behind it. This strong uphill performance guarantees that Path Assist can keep things totally straight and controlled, even when the machine is under heavy stress and battling gravity on steep ground. This reliable control is a huge benefit for farmers, ensuring they get the same high-quality, precise work on difficult land as they do on easy, flat fields.
As Light Changes, Consistency Still Counts
Field work does not always stop when the light begins to fade. As evening approaches, changing light conditions and a more complex working environment can make consistent operation even more important.In this field application, Path Assist continued to deliver stable guidance performance into late-day operation. Even around sunset, the system maintained accuracy within 2.5 cm, showing that it could remain reliable as conditions shifted.
This reliable performance, day or night, is vital for farmers. It lets them keep a consistent, high-quality pace throughout long workdays, preventing the messy, uneven rows that can cause problems during harvest and reduce the amount of crop they collect.
Test Conclusion
In this Poland field application, Path Assist demonstrated stable implement guidance across a range of demanding conditions. Whether working on straight passes, sloped fields of up to ±15°, or during late-day operation, the system maintained reliable accuracy and helped keep the implement aligned with the intended path.That kind of consistency matters in everyday farm work. It helps reduce drift, improve pass quality, and support more efficient operation across the field—especially where terrain and changing conditions make control more difficult.
Want to learn more about how Path Assist can reduce implement drift? Contact FJDynamics today, and we'll reach out to you with a customized solution as soon as possible!
