GPS World, January 2017

MACHINECONTROLUPDATE Vertical RTK Aids Ag Accuracy V ert ical accuracy for agr i cul ture c an be improved with a new realtime kinematic RTK system for grade control VerticalPoint RTK provides significantly enhanced vertical accuracy and stability of standard single baseline RTK systems reducing the downtime and costly delays for agriculture land improvement contractors according to maker Trimble who launched the patent pending system in December VerticalPoint RTK is available in North America and Australia as an unlock on the Trimble FmX integrated and TMX 2050 displays It also works in combination with the Trimble FieldLevel II system which streamlines the surveying designing and leveling steps required for land leveling projects The VerticalPoint RTK system includes two stationary supplemental rovers for live dynamic data collection When vertical accuracy inconsistencies occur agriculture contractors must wait to restart leveling until the vertical signal is once again accurate and in some instances even rework portions of the field that were incorrectly leveled before the vertical signal inconsistency was discovered VerticalPoint RTK significantly reduces vertical design errors in leveling and land forming projects Trimble said which can occur from inconsistent vertical GPS signals resulting from atmospheric interference With VerticalPoint RTK contractors can experience an approximate 25 percent increase in overall uptime The industry experiences about 75 percent uptime however with VerticalPoint RTK uptime can Reducing vertical errors in leveling using RTK can increase productivity in challenging environments at any time of year increase to approximately 95 percent In addition this increase in uptime occurs even in the most challenging environments and at any time of year Trimble said Part of Trimbles Water Management solutions VerticalPoint RTK is WHY VERTICAL MATTERS 68 GPS WORLD WWW GPSWORLD COM JANUARY 2017 compatible with Trimbles TMX 2050 display and FmX integrated display The system can efficiently maintain grade control over time minimize operator cost and provide live dynamic data collection with maximum vertical accuracy according to Trimble Inconsistent vertical GPS accuracy which results from a variety of atmospheric and other interference sources caused inefficiency and significant time delays for Lawfield Land Leveling a custom land leveling business in Catron Missouri On average during the summer months we may see five to six hours a day where we dont have the level of vertical GPS accuracy that we need to complete finish passes said company owner Jarrett Lawfield At times all we lack is a finish pass and then we very well may have to stop and wait I cant get onto the next job since Im waiting for the vertical accuracy to be where it needs to be Lawfield said the vertical accuracy capabilities of VerticalPoint RTK allows a project from bulk hauling to finish passes to be more efficient The more accurate bulk hauling is the less work to be done while finishing he said VerticalPoint RTK is consistent and repeats elevation so it has virtually eliminated the times when we are unsure of the vertical GPS accuracy