Farm Equipment - Foam markers or GPS

Foam markers or GPS

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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52334
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Topic: Foam markers or GPS

Posted By: BStone
Subject: Foam markers or GPS
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 10:30am

I've had a foam marker system but the tank is cracked and the pump is weak.Looking at a new foam marker or GPS.The problem is where I have to spray is in a lot of nooks with trees,gullies,etc.A frined told me that has both systems finds the foam works better in bad areas because he needs a straight path to set his GPS and then it has to be reset when he gets way off of the path spraying.What are the thoughts or experience with either one of these? And by the way...thanks for the imputs on the hyds.Saves a lot of time and trials to get things right the first time.

Replies:

Posted By: orebaugh
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 10:39am

I have both. Would hate to loose ether one.

Posted By: darrel in ND
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 1:22pm

I do both, also. Kind of sounds like a foam marker might work better in your situation. I haven't mastered the curves on the GPS, so I always use the foam in the odd shaped fields, and the GPS for the straight shots. Just my 2 cents worth,Darrel

Posted By: Steve Bright
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 2:09pm

I vote with Darrel

Posted By: wi50
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 2:20pm

I've got both, but I never use the foam markers. At first it was nice to have them but after a guy learns the GPS, the markers are useless. Even on the smallest and oddest shaped fields the GPS is way nicer to use after learning to catch on to it.

I started with a simple AG Leader E-Z guide 250 and upgraded the antenna to the little satelite bulb reciever. We have lots of hills and valleys here and it alwayse works great, unless of severe weather.

It's great for tillage applications, stalk chopper, etc. As we try to do a lot of skip pass to save on steering, or sometimes spraying depending on the headlands.

Since then I've bought a Deere 2630 display, 3000 bulb and a bunch of software for it, but that's way to much money if one wants a simple one for spraying. I got the setup for yeild mapping and it controlls the planter row shutoffs, autosteer, etc, and need to get a rate controller for the sprayer. With all of that, it's fine and I can justify the price, it sure eliminates a lot of stress during the day, but creates a lot of stress trying to learn it or train new operators.

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"see what happens when you have no practical experience doing something...... you end up playing with calculators and looking stupid on the internet"

Posted By: ILGLEANER
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 4:55pm

I spray 7000 to 10000 acres a year. I never use my foam markers. I have one on the sprayer but havent used it for years. Buy a light bar and drive. I have everything from trees all around, hills to flat land. There not perfect, there a machine,but the best choice in my opinion

IG

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Education doesn't make you smart, it makes you educated.

Posted By: BStone
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 8:04pm

After looking more and reading I think I will give the GPS try.I spray around 500 acres of pasture spray for weeds and mesquites so I can't justify spending a great deal of money.What would brand would ya recommend me buying?I was hoping I could get a simple working unit for hopefully not more than $1500.Thanks for the help and input.

Posted By: Amos
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2012 at 8:50pm

I would try the Cruizer II. I got it this year, never had foam markers for 35 years and went right to GPS. The first few fields are a learning experience but once you see all the options it will do you will not want to be without it. Hooking it to your auto steer (next step for me) will be the best rig up ever, I think, of course I need to get an auto steer setup...