Step 3: Calculate tramlines

A tramline is the path on a field where the machines drive to perform all operations. During the operations, the tramlines are compacted, this costs yield. It is therefore important to arrange the paths as efficiently as possible, taking into account the different working widths and sections of the implements. To do this as efficiently as possible, growers can optimally divide their fields using GPS techniques. The GPS system is a technique for making a tractor drive straight and / or curved lines. These working lines save time and avoid overlap and overlap of the fields to be processed. In this system, the cultivation-free zones next to the ditches can be drawn in, so that the minimum permitted distance between the crop and the ditch is maintained. Growers can draw these tramlines on maps of the parcels on quiet days. On busy days, it saves the grower time, because the tramlines no longer have to be measured and set out. These tramlines are stored in the GPS system so that the tractor / driver knows how the tramlines are. Because the program divides the parcels in the most efficient way, it can happen that parcels are split up in different driving directions. The image below shows an example of the calculating tramlines using the 365 Farmnet program. Below you can also see how in an extremely difficult plot (with different angles, many angles and an electricity pole in the middle) the tramlines are calculated and drawn. Calculating tramlines is also important for navigation within a field. We prefer not to take sharp bends because this will damage a lot of crop when cutting back.