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Smart Top Link

SPREAD LIKE A PRO.

Smart Top Link keeps a mounted fertiliser spreader level creating a precise spread pattern. Leading to better crop growth and increased yield. 

Only Available in Europe

OVERVIEW

  • Levelling functionality with real time adjustment
  • Radar sensors that measures the distance to the ground
  • Improved spread pattern 
  • reduces the coefficient of variation
  • Even crop growth
  • Fits any fertilizer spreader
  • Connected to ISOBUS
  • Hydraulic top-link controlled

    The Smart Top Link system works to keep a mounted implement level during work. The sensors are fitted to the front and rear of the desired implement which measure distance to ground. This information is used to control the hydraulic top link.

    The weight change in the spreader during the spreading cycle leads to a change in the angle of the spreading discs, which in turn means a non-confirmative spread pattern. By adjusting the top link in real time, the coefficient of variation can be reduced, meaning the fertiliser is placed where it needs to be. 

    Supplied with the product is 1x wiring harness, 1x ECU, 1x hydraulic block, hoses, and connectors to suit and 2x radar sensors with mounting plates.

    REQUIREMENTS

    ISOBUS
    Tractor must be ISOBUS compatible to allow communication between the implement and the terminal.

    HYDRAULIC FEATURES
    System requires load-sensing hydraulic lines and hydraulic top link installed in the tractor

    FACTORY FITTED
    Valtra N5, Valtra T5

QUICK GUIDE

ALREADY IN THE TRACTOR

Electronic Control Unit is factory-fitted inside the cabin. The tractor is equipped with an additional hydraulic control block and requires a hydraulic top link to enable automated system control. Ensure that the hydraulic top link is connected to the additional hydraulic block, and that hoses are oriented correctly.

 

IN THE BOX

INSTALLATION & CALIBRATION

1. Attach the sensors to the steel plates            

2. Connect the sensor harness to the 4-pin socket at the rear of the tractor and the other end of it to the sensors.           

3. Turn on the sensor identification mode from your tractors ISOBUS display.   

  • This will make sensors blink in different colours.
  • Mount sensor 1 (Blue) to the rear of the implement
  • Mount sensor 2 (Green/Yellow) to the front of the implement.

4. Installing the sensors to the implement

  • Pointing straight down to the ground
  • Make sure sensors are underneath the spreading disc
  • At the minimum height of 30cm from the ground while the spreader at its operating height. Sensors should be approximately at the same height.
  • Both sensors should be approximately in line with each other. Distance between sensors should be minimum of 70cm. 
  • Installing them to the middle of the implement is preferred.
  • If sensor is too close to the frame of the implement, there might be reflections which affect the sensor reading in a negative way
  • Make sure that the sensors do not collide with ground surface when lowering the implement!

5. Fasten the cables

  • Do not tightly bend the cables.
  • All cables should be securely fastened to the implement's frame.
  • Make sure they are not pinched between metal objects.
  • Cables shouldn’t affect the movements of any implement parts.
  • Ensure that the connectors are properly locked in place.

6. Set implement to working height and make sure it is level with the ground surface.

7. Measure the distance between the sensors and enter it into the ISOBUS displays settings.

8. Measure the distance of the spreading disc to the ground and enter that into the off set values.

9. Calibration is now completed and you can return to the home screen.

OPERATING

INSTALLATION

Smart Top Link contains:

  • Electronic Control Unit
  • ISOBUS wiring harness
  • Hydraulic hoses & connection
  • Hydraulic Valve Block wiring harness
  • Sensor wiring harness
  • 2x Radar sensors
  • 2x Radar mounting plates

Smart Top Link’s Control Unit is factory-fitted inside the cabin. The tractor is fitted with additional hydraulic control block and top link to allow automated control of top link. Make sure hydraulic top link is connected to the additional hydraulic block and hoses are connected in the correct orientation.

1. Power on the machine and make sure ISOBUS UT is activated from tractor terminal. Open ISOBUS UT view from the terminal and wait for application to load. After loading, display shows the Home Screen view of the Smart Top Link system.

1. Connect the sensor cables to the 4-pin socket at the rear of the tractor and the other end of it to the sensors.           

2. Turn on the sensor identification mode from your tractors ISOBUS display.   

  • This will make sensors blink in different colours.
  • Mount sensor 1 (Blue) to the rear of the implement
  • Mount sensor 2 (Green/Yellow) to the front of the implement.

3. Attach the sensors to the steel plates            

4. Installing the sensors to the implement

  • Pointing straight down to the ground
  • Make sure sensors are underneath the spreading disc
  • At the minimum height of 30cm from the ground while the spreader at its operating height. Sensors should be approximately at the same height.
  • Both sensors should be approximately in line with each other. Distance between sensors should be minimum of 70cm. 
  • Installing them to the middle of the implement is preferred.
  • If sensor is too close to the frame of the implement, there might be reflections which affect the sensor reading in a negative way
  • Make sure that the sensors do not collide with ground surface when lowering the implement!

5. Fasten the cables

  • Do not tightly bend the cables.
  • All cables should be securely fastened to the implement's frame.
  • Make sure they are not pinched between metal objects.
  • Cables shouldn’t affect the movements of any implement parts.
  • Ensure that the connectors are properly locked in place.
  • Make sure that the cable is not too loose, being in a risk of interfering with ground surface. 
  • Make sure that the cable is not too tight, being in a risk of braking while the implement is moved.

6. Set implement to working height and make sure it is level with the ground surface.

CALIBRATION

Calibration procedure needs to be executed every time installation of sensors is changed. It is preferred to perform calibration with an empty spreader.

  1. Make sure fertiliser spreader is installed to rear linkage correctly.
  2. Lift fertiliser spreader to operating height (you can check spreader manual for precise height requirements).
  3. Drive on flat and dry area (workshop floor, concrete slab etc.)
  4. Make sure the fertiliser spreader is level by measuring front and rear of the spreader manually.

Main View

1. Settings menu
2. System status (OFF/PAUSE/AUTO)
3. Current angle of implement
4. Help view
5. Manually extend top link
6. Target angle
7. Manually shorten top link
8. Current height of implement
9. AUTO ON/OFF button to activate and deactivate Smart Top Link function

Step 1

Measure distance between the sensors.

Open the settings and add the value to the field.

Step 2

Press calibration button and check that the sensor values seem realistic. You can measure the sensor heights with a measuring tape.

Step 3

Measure the distance of the spreading disc to the ground and enter that into the off set values.

Enter measured value into the offset.

Calibration complited

SAFETY

Displays and Control Consoles

Make sure that you are familiar operating the tractor and implements and react to any warnings given by tractor.

If Smart Top Link System behaves faulty or gives Diagnostic Trouble Codes, refer to Maintenance manual for further descriptions of causes and resolutions or contact your local AGCO service dealer.

Hydraulic Safety
**Use Only AGCO Approved Top-Link Cylinders

When installing or servicing a hydraulic system or hydraulic components, be aware that hydraulic fluid may be extremely hot and under high pressure. Never attempt to open or work on a hydraulic system with the implement running or under load. The implement or machine must remain stationary during installation or maintenance.

Take precautions to prevent foreign material or contaminants from being introduced into the implement hydraulic system.

Use protection gears and stand clear of the implement when starting the system for the first time after installing or servicing hydraulic components in case a hose has not been properly connected or tightened.

Electrical Safety

Verify that electric harness cables are intact and connected correctly. To avoid entanglement hazards, route cables and harnesses carefully on the implement. Leave enough space for movement and make sure that moving parts cannot touch the cable.

Machine Safety

Make sure that top link has enough range for movement and therefore doesn’t cause implement collision with the tractor or ground surface.

When doing maintenance or other works near the top link or the implement outside the tractor, make sure that the smart top link is switched off.

MAINTENANCE

DIAGNOSTICS

  • Ground distance values (raw, filtered, and calibrated values)
  • Average ground distance value.
  • Sensor statuses.
  • Sensor confidence values (reliability of the data).
  • Calibration values.
  • Upper limit of the height range (can be adjusted).
  • Upper limit of the height range (can be adjusted).
  • Tilt angle degrees.
  • Offset values.
  • Software version number.
  • NEXT VT (change the ISOBUS UI priority when multiple ISOBUS implements)

PRE-START CHECKS

  • Check every time using the product, that sensors are attached securely to the implement.
  • Ensure that calibrated values are correct.
  • Ensure that implement can move freely on calibrated values.
  • Check that sensor lens is clean.

SOFTWARE UPDATES

Congratulations! There are no required updates.

FAULT CODES

FAULT CODE TITLE DESCRIPTION SEVERITY
1 Sensor Configuration Error 1 Check sensor connections/statuses and sensor configuration settings. Medium
2 Sensor Reversible Error 2 Internal sensor error, check sensor temperatures and wiring harness. Medium
3 Sensor Irreversible Error 3 Internal sensor error, contact AGCO dealer for a replacement part. High
4 Invalid Data Error 4 Check sensor positions (eg. too close to the ground, reflecting surfaces). Low
5 Ground Distance Error 5 Check if any objects are blocking sensor vision and confirm distance values are inside the limits.  Medium
6 CAN ISOBUS Communication Error 6  Check ISOBUS wiring harness and cable connection High
7 CAN Sensor Communication Error 7  Check sensor wiring and cable connection High
8 Open Circuit in plus valve 8 Open circuit in plus valve harness of the hydraulic block Medium
9 Short Circuit in Plus Valve 9 Short circuit in plus valve harness of the hydraulic block High
10 Open Circuit in Minus Valve 10 Open circuit in minus valve harness of the hydraulic block Medium
11 Short Circuit in Minus Valve 11 Short circuit in minus valve harness of the hydraulic block High
12 Open Circuit in Safety Valve 12 Open circuit in safety valve harness of the hydraulic block Medium
13 Short Circuit in Safety Valve 13 Short circuit in safety valve harness of the hydraulic block High

FAQs

  • Does the Smart Top Link change the application rate?
    - NO

  • Does it automatically adjust the implement height also?
    - NO, but with STL you’re able to monitor the height very accurately, making adjustments if needed.

  • Does the crop affect the measurement?
    - NO

  • Does it work on hilly fields?
    - YES, it just keeps the implement parallel to ground (ground that is under the spreader. We use filter on the control system, so small changes on the ground doesn’t matter)

  • Can I use other ISOBUS implement at the same time 
    - YES, Smart touch ISOBUS screen will have button to change between the screens

  • Can I use my fertilizer spreader that has LS hydraulics together with STL?
    - YES, STL has built-in splitter for implements LS aux hose

  • Does the UI have to be always visible in the terminal?
    - NO, STL can also run in the background.

  • Can this be used on other implements?
    - NO, we have just designed this for use with a fertilizer spreader.

  • Can this be used on any tractor?
    - NO, At the moment we have only tested the smart top link to work on AGCO machines. 

  • Do I plug it straight into my tractor spool valves?
    - NO, there is an additional hydraulic block which is installed out of the way on the top of the hydraulic block of your tractor. 

  • What sensors are used on the STL?
    - Radar Sensors

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