Hobby farmer tractor GPS

**Palmetto Bug** · 10-05-2025, 06:23 PM

Does anyone have any experience with GPS systems for small tractors? I'm not talking about one that will steer my tractor, I just want one that will give me good precision display to follow for parallel rows.

A made some disc row markers for my two row planter this year and it's hard to express how much easier it made cultivating and spraying with parallel rows. I noticed a GPS unit on a small tractor on a Marketplace ad and it dawned on me that there might be a better way than row markers. The tire tracks I had to follow putting down fertilizer this weekend were laughable.

Anybody got one they like?

**Southernduck** · 10-05-2025, 07:11 PM

https://geomaticslandsurveying.com/p...-ez-guide-250/

All you need

**Catdaddy** · 10-05-2025, 07:18 PM

What's your row spacing?

And what's your tire width from center to center?

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**FULLCHOKE** · 10-05-2025, 08:52 PM

Part of the joy of a small tractor is no technology.

Quit over complicating it and just look at your tire tracks to see where you’ve been.

**CUduckreeper** · 10-05-2025, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by Southernduck

https://geomaticslandsurveying.com/p...-ez-guide-250/

All you need

I’ve got this one and it works pretty well. Mainly use it for spraying herbicide or spreading seed or fertilizer. It definitely helps but would not depend on it for straight planting rows. If I cut it on while planting, it is only to keep track of how many acres I’ve planted.

**Smilee** · 10-05-2025, 09:09 PM

I run an Ez Guide 250 for spraying and no till drill. It’s fairly accurate. I wouldn’t plant row crops with it.

**bigtimeduckhunter** · 10-06-2025, 04:44 AM

How would it work with a ground driven pull-type spreader that could throw varying widths at different speeds?

**quack head 11** · 10-06-2025, 06:41 AM

We wont have shit such as this at Crooked Row Farms, not a chance.

**Palmetto Bug** · 10-06-2025, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by bigtimeduckhunter

How would it work with a ground driven pull-type spreader that could throw varying widths at different speeds?

A unit I looked at online has a setting for implement width. One unit claims 2.5 cm accuracy. That's about an inch.

I have a spider gang rolling cultivator that is particularly sensitive to parallel rows. It eats rows that aren't perfectly spaced. Parallel rows also help with the liquid nitrogen that I side dress. It stunts any plant that gets wet and wastes fertilizer and feeds weeds if it's not close the the plant. Most of the problem is because I have a two row planter and four row cultivator and sprayer. I was looking for testimonials, not permission.

Crooked isn't the problem, it's about being parallel. An old farmer told me you get better yield with crooked rows because they are longer.

The row markers might still be the best solution for planting. A GPS/GNSS system would still help for spraying and broadcasting. My sandy soil gets so dry that fresh tire tracks aren't always visible.

**Catdaddy** · 10-06-2025, 08:15 AM

After planting with the two row planter, I would use a two row cultivator. I think that would be a problem for anybody.

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**Smilee** · 10-06-2025, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by bigtimeduckhunter

How would it work with a ground driven pull-type spreader that could throw varying widths at different speeds?

Spin spreaders have an effective coverage width. You overlap a certain percentage with the spreader.

To the OP. No GPS system that doesn't incorporate auto steer is going to allow you to space rows accurately. Even setting AB lines for parallel planting. I can set an AB line and plant every other pass across a field with a 10' grain drill and then cover the skipped areas on the return pass but it still leaves a small gap here and there. Flat ground is much easier. Cross a terrace or hump and the tractor tilt gets ya.

Having matching row equipment resolves 95% of this. x row planter, x row cultivator and x row sprayer. You fill in X. Pin the sway bars to zero movement and roll on. Leave a middle that is a little wider if you are worried about cultivator damage. I can ride down the highway and point out the middles in many fields I pass. Sometimes even the number of rows a planter used on a field.

**Palmetto Bug** · 10-06-2025, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Catdaddy

After planting with the two row planter, I would use a two row cultivator. I think that would be a problem for anybody.

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That's what you should do.