Glacier FarmMedia – Repeatedly climbing in and out of an auger tractor to start it and engage the PTO can get tiring after a long day of hauling grain in from the combine. And it can even be a bit difficult for those whose mobility isn’t what it used to be, such as older farmers.
But there is a device that can make all of that climbing up and down unnecessary.
The device is the RcFarmArm wireless tractor controller, which attracted a lot of attention at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in 2022, where it was selected for the Emerging Innovator award. It was of interest to those who want to keep feet on the ground and still control an auger tractor when loading or unloading grain.
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The RcFarmArm simply attaches on top of the control arm in a tractor and allows an operator to activate its controls using a remote control from anywhere nearby. RcFarmArms are individually designed to work on specific tractor makes and models. The manufacturer currently offers several configurations for a wide variety of popular tractors.
“It controls your PTO, your RPM and hydraulics,” explained RcFarmArm spokesperson Payton Pawluski. “It starts the tractor and turns it off. We have two E-stops, one inside and one on the remote. E-stops are for emergency (shutdowns).”
Mounting an RcFarmArm device on a tractor is straightforward and doesn’t require hacking into any tractor systems. It overlays the control arm and manipulates the tractor controls the same way an operator would with their hand.
The only connection it requires is to get an electrical power supply from the tractor. But the RcFarmArm can still function even if it happens to lose tractor power.
“We also provide a backup battery,” added Pawluski, “so if something happens to the tractor’s power, you can always turn it off.”
When trading in a tractor, the RcFarmArm can be removed and reinstalled on a replacement model. However, because the configuration of each RcFarmArm needs to be specific to a model of tractor, it may not be compatible with a different replacement machine.
But Pawluski says the company is going to make changing tractor models a less costly consideration when transferring the RcFarmArm.
“We’re working on what we call a detachable arm,” she said. “You would buy an original armrest and keep what we call our R-box. You would be able to detach the arms and buy new arms for it.”
That would allow the main control section to be retrofitted with new manipulator arms that are compatible with the control arrangements of a different model of tractor.
While a RcFarmArm isn’t yet available for all tractor models, Pawluski said the company’s current product range covers most of those in common use. And the purchase cost for a RcFarmArm depends on the tractor model it’s designed for.
“We do a range from $5,500 to $7,000,” said Pawluski.
For tractors operating grain baggers, the company also offers a remote steering device. It allows the tractor to be steered remotely as the grain bag fills. It bolts onto the tractor as an attachment and doesn’t require any major modifications to the tractor.
For producers interested in learning more about the RcFarmArm and if one is available for a specific tractor model, a wide range of product information is available at rcfarmarm.ca.
– This article was originally published at Grainews.
