J.D. Skiles Co. Inc., Distributor/Manufacturer of Liquid Fertilizer Equipment; Wholesaler of GPS Systems, Atwood, KS
"We handle Cultiva, and now AutoFarm, in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. I've known about the OnTrac steering system for some time but had been skeptical of its use as a real precision tool. When we got into the field and saw it work, I found that it's going to be a great new product, for both broadacre and row-crop applications."
J.D. Skiles Co. has been a short line distributor and manufacturer for 25 years and they also wholesale precision controls and GPS guidance systems to dealers in a three state area. Here's what Matt Wolters, sales representative, had to say about their experience with the OnTrac system, including a beta test unit used on the Hull farm in Southwest Kansas:
"The OnTrac is more aesthetic by fitting below the steering wheel and it doesn't have any device to interfere with the steering. Engaging the OnTrac physically meshes a ring gear, mounted on the steering wheel, with a worm gear attached to an electric motor, so force transfer is positive which makes for more consistent and accurate steering.
Installing the OnTrac is simple and can be done in less than an hour. The most difficult part is removing the steering wheel. And I haven't found a vehicle yet that it didn't fit easily. Compared to a hydraulic kit, it's much simpler to install.
On a sprayer, the OnTrac can reduce operator stress and it moves from vehicle to vehicle quickly and easily.
The OnTrac will work in row-crop applications. With an Omni Star subscription level signal, it will consistently yield straight rows with 2-inch pass-to-pass accuracy. I've been involved with this technology for quite a while and know that it was originally designed for broadacre seeding and spraying, but now we're planning on using it across the board to include planting row crops."