What is ISOBUS?
ISOBUS is an international standard that ensures compatibility and connectivity between displays, tractors, and implements — regardless of brand. ISOBUS allows for greater flexibility in automating your farming operations. ISOBUS automation capabilities can be broken down into three classes
ISOBUS Class 1
ISOBUS Class 1 : Implement provides feedback via in-cab display.
Example: Track individual bale data from Case IH RB5 series round balers.
ISOBUS Class 2
ISOBUS Class 2: Basic controls from tractor or display to the implement.
Example: control bale size, shape, and density control (when applicable) using one terminal.
ISOBUS Class 3
Class 3: Incorporates global positioning inputs, two-way communications and two-way controls between tractor and implement, facilitated by an ISOBUS-compliant display. This allows for both implement automation and for the implement to control certain tractor functions such as ground speed.
Example: Let the baler control the tractor with Feedrate Control on select Case IH large square balers implement. Example: control bale size, shape, and density control (when applicable) using one terminal
Case IH Class 3 Offerings: Optum™ series tractors, Puma® series tractors, Maxxum® series tractors, LB5 series large square balers and RB5 series round balers
ISOBUS Past, Present and Future
As farming technology expanded, lack of compatibility among platforms, equipment and implements became problematic. Every piece of equipment required its own proprietary display.
Agricultural equipment manufacturers around the world came together under the International Standards Organization (ISO) and agreed on ISOBUS as the universal protocol for electronic communication among implements, tractors and computers
In order to minimize the room for interpretation of ISOBUS standards, The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) develops guidelines which add to the ISO standard and thus allow for precise definitions of ISOBUS functionalities. The AEF offers testing and certification of ISOBUS products
Ultimately, the goal is plug-and-play capability for every combination through standardized ISOBUS components. That means one ISOBUS display, such as the Case IH AFS Pro 700 display, in the tractor or sprayer controls any implement or application.
ISOBUS Advantages
ISOBUS universal protocol brings several advantages to agriculture:
- Simplification: Your Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) Pro 700 display and AFS Pro 1200 display interacts with multiple implements and machines, regardless of manufacturer.
- User-friendly: ISOBUS standardizes control settings, reduces downtime and minimizes installation and interface issues.
- Easy connections: The standardized, nine-pin plug makes it easy to connect different components.
- Automation: Implements can control the tractor for increased efficiency and reduced operator fatigue.
- Less cab clutter: A single display manages multiple implements and tasks, creating improved visibility for the operator.
- Increased efficiency: Easy data exchange from the display, produces flawless precision farming documentation.
The ISOBUS System – Equipment and Functionalities
Functionalities
A modern ISOBUS system consists of tractor, terminal and implement. ISOBUS improves performance through standard functionalities as defined by the AEF.
An ISOBUS functionality is like a separate module on the ISOBUS. One or more functionalities can be bundled together and then interconnect with other products that contain additional functionalities. Only functionalities supported by all components involved are available for a true plug-and-play experience.
Functionality examples include:
- Universal (virtual) Terminal – The capability of operating an implement with any terminal and/or using one terminal for operating different implements
- Auxiliary Control The equipment allows for additional control elements, such as a joystick
- Task Controller – Allows for GPS based control of implements
Equipment
Equipment requirements — Functionality depends on tractor-implement combination
- Implement and tractor must meet configuration requirements
- Implements must be fitted with ISOBUS electronics and software
- Tractors require specific transmission types, depending on model and desired level of ISOBUS functionality
- Choose the appropriate display for your desired ISOBUS functionality
- Unlock codes — available from the Case IH Partstore — allow ISOBUS Class 3 automation
ISOBUS Virtual/Universal Terminal
Standardization
ISOBUS technology standardizes the user interface across displays — even those from different manufacturers. Each display is consistent in how the operator enters numbers, keys in text, selects from lists and interacts with the system.
This has the added benefit of reducing training. You can train on one piece of equipment and trust that you will encounter the same interface, whether planting, spraying or harvesting.
Compatibility
The implement loads the graphic user interface, also referred to as virtual implement (VI), into the VT. Once the VI has been loaded into the display, it is saved in the display’s internal memory. When the display detects the same implement again — after shutdown or disconnection, for example — the display automatically loads the VI out of internal memory and displays it.
That means there’s now one place for the user to make settings, get diagnostic information, set controls, etc.
The VT also helps put new technology, components and features into producers’ hands quicker — there’s no need to develop a separate device for each implement.
AFS Pro 700 Display
Consistency, compatibility, standardization. These are among the greatest benefits ISOBUS technology can bring to your farming operation. The powerful AFS Pro 700 display brings together all the controls and data features in a single virtual terminal (VT) display. This display complies with the ISO 11783 specification, allowing it to display data to the user and receive input from the user, regardless of equipment manufacturer.
AFS ISOBUS Task Controller
AFS ISOBUS Task Controller can be used to control any ISOBUS-compliant implement using the AFS Pro 700 display. Task Controller allows for automated section control, variable rate application, mapping and more on compatible implements, from planters and seeders to sprayers and combines.
- Automatic section control uses mapping to prevent over- or underapplication of fertilizer, pesticides and other inputs.
- Variable rate technology allows prescription application of inputs.
- Variety tracking lets you track and map up to 30 seed varieties per field during planting. The technology matches seed varieties with yield and moisture data to help you accurately analyze variety performance.
- As-applied mapping records exactly what you’re applying and generates a map for future analysis.