Almond farming is a vital part of agriculture, especially in warm, sunny places like Andalusia, Spain. These almond drupes are used to produce almonds, a type of nut loved worldwide. They need careful attention from planting all the way to harvest. For a long time, farmers have had to rely on manual labor to pick these drupes. But as farming changes, farmers are looking for better ways to get a good harvest while keeping their valuable trees safe.
Andalusia is a beautiful region in southern Spain with a perfect climate for growing almond trees. Farmers there work hard to produce high-quality almonds for both local and global supplies. In Andalusia, we recently tested our FJD AT2 auto steer system on a harvester at a 200-hectare farm with 70,000 almond trees. This was a great chance to show how our smart farming technology can help with the delicate process of harvesting drupes.
Tree-by-Tree Picking Precision with FJD AT2 Autosteering
For harvesting almond drupes, some small farms still pick by hand, but larger farms often use machines to save time and money. One common method is to use a special harvester that gently shakes the tree to make the drupes fall. The drupes are then caught by a large screen or "umbrella" at the bottom of the machine and guided into a container. This is much faster than hand-picking, but it must be done carefully to avoid damaging the drupes and trees.In our test, the farm used a Tenias V21 harvester. It's a fascinating machine that grips each tree trunk and shakes it. There's an "umbrella" at the base that catches the falling drupes. Every time the operator shakes a tree, the almond drupes fall right into the "umbrella" and are collected in containers.
Our FJD AT2 autosteering system was a key part of this process. It provided precise, low-speed navigation that allowed the harvester to move perfectly around each tree. This precision was crucial to make sure the machine did not bump into or damage the trees or the delicate drupes.
Surprising Speed Control and Unmatched Accuracy
One of the most surprising findings during the trial was that the harvester didn't even need to stop during the shaking process. And it didn't need to go at an ultra-low speed either. We configured the AT2 in Mode 1, and it performed flawlessly at a speed of 1.2 km/h. According to the farmer, this was a perfect operational speed.While this shaking process is efficient, it does put some stress on the trees' roots. Therefore, the farm needs an agricultural engineer to study the impact and plan for recovery methods after harvesting, keeping the trees healthy for future seasons.
Setting up for Success: Technical Details
The installation and setup of the FJD AT2 system were incredibly simple, a key benefit that minimizes downtime for farmers. The antenna, which is absolutely crucial for receiving the precise positioning signals needed for accurate guidance, was mounted on the highest part of the harvester.This placement prevented any potential damage from tree branches or other obstacles in the orchard. A small extension cable was also needed to ensure the antenna was in the perfect spot to get the best signal possible.
To help operators see better the blind spots from the cab and get more reference information, FJD also offers useful camera accessories, such as Wi-Fi Camera and Wired Camera, depending on the operator's specific needs.
For optimal performance, we also spent time fine-tuning the system to match the unique needs of the harvester. The attitude sensor and other machine data (such as length, width, and height) were adjusted specifically for this type of equipment.
With the sensor placed on the front wheels, the AT2 could monitor any movement or change in the harvester's position, offering rapid steering corrections to ensure a true ±2.5cm precision. This level of customization allowed the AT2 to work seamlessly with the harvester, providing smooth and responsive control during the entire harvesting process.
The trial lasted three days, starting right after the system was set up. This was an important test because harvesting almond drupes with this machine is challenging due to its height and unique design. Even with these specific conditions, the AT2 worked very well, proving it's reliable and effective for real-world harvesting.
FJD Autosteering Advantages: Precision, Savings, and Comfort
The advantages we observed with the FJD AT2 system were clear and significant. The system brought a new level of precision to the farm, which had a direct impact on the quality and efficiency of the harvest.High-Precision RTK Auto-Guidance
The AT2 provided high-precision RTK autoguidance, allowing the harvester to follow the preset paths with a stable 2.5cm accuracy. In this way, the operator didn't have to guess, and every tree was approached perfectly without mistakes.
Besides RTK, the FJD StarNav solution will be available on more autosteering models like the AT2 and AT2 Max. This solution gets positioning data directly from satellites. It does not need a network or a ground station. This completely removes the distance limit of base stations.
Fast and Easy Installation
One of the biggest benefits for the farmer was the fast and easy installation. Since the almond drupe harvesting season is very short, every minute counts. The AT2 system was quick to set up and get running, which minimized downtime and helped the farmer make the most of the crucial harvesting window.
Reduced Fuel Consumption
The system also led to real savings when compared to harvesting without it. By following precise paths and avoiding unnecessary movements, the harvester used less fuel, which led to significant cost savings. Over an entire farm, this can add up to a lot of money.
Enhanced Operational Precision
There was also a noticeable improvement in operational precision. The machine consistently maintained the best spacing and alignment around each tree. This meant the shaking process was more effective, and more drupes were collected with every pass.
More Comfortable Work and Less Human Error
According to the operator, the AT2 made the job much more comfortable. With the system handling the steering, the operator could focus on more important tasks, like watching the harvesting process and making sure the drupes were being collected properly.
Also, the autoguidance system helped to reduce human error. It minimized the chance of accidental tree damage or missing parts of the field. This reduced driving stress and gave the operator more confidence for a higher-quality harvest.