The ‘EASY on board app‘ from machinery giant Claas has received official AEF certification as an ISOBUS terminal. This app is the first, and at present the only, downloadable application for a tablet PC that can be used to operate any ISOBUS equipment.
According to the German machinery firm in a statement on the matter, the Claas app has been certified by the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) for two functions simultaneously – ISOBUS UT (Universal Terminal) and Auxiliary Control.
The UT allows the app to be used to work a variety of ISOBUS implements. The advantage of this is that users only need one terminal for the various implements. Auxiliary Control allows for improved user-friendliness and flexibility, as the different implement functions can be transferred from the app to the function buttons of any Aux-compatible multi-function control lever, according to Claas.
As a certified application, the EASY on board app is now listed in the official AEF database. Potential customers can use this database to check which equipment can be operated with the app before making an investment.
Workings of the app
The EASY on board app is said to take advantage of the “flexibility” offered by using a tablet PC on farms, either for agricultural or non-agricultural uses. Noting that many farmers use tablets regularly on farms today, Claas says that its app is a “low-cost alternative to the standard ISOBUS terminal”.
With a lot of farmers now using tablets for everything from surfing the web and managing email accounts to uploading herd data and keeping an eye on the weather, the app now adds implement operation to the list of options. According to the firm, “every driver can use his or her personal tablet as a terminal for machine control”.
Technical requirements include an iPad device, iPad Air or newer, with an operating system of IOS 9.0 or later. As well as this, a special WLAN adapter (CWI – Claas Wireless Interface) and a universal mount for the tablet are also required, with both available to buy at Claas dealerships. The implement and tractor should be connected by an ISOBUS cable and the rear ISOBUS socket for the app to work.
The WLAN adapter, which is linked up to the in-cab ISOBUS socket on the tractor, provides communication between the implement and the tablet. Simultaneously, the adapter and socket also ensure a reliable power supply to the tablet, according to Claas.
Providing the same operating display as a terminal, the EASY on board app is available to download for free from the App Store and only needs to be set up once.
Image source: Shane Casey
