Overcoming ISOBUS Integration Challenges

By Chris Hunsaker, Co- Founder / CEO at Acuitus Ag and guest panelist at the 2023 Marketing & Distribution Convention.

Our previous article examined the evolution of implement controls alongside tractor technology. By the 2000s, tractors were controlled by PLCs networked via CAN bus, and the ISOBUS standard was established to create uniform communication between tractors and implements across brands and to allow seamless integration into the tractor controls interface. The appearance of an interactive digital screen in the tractor also created the possibility of using software to overcome limitations of physical controls, making tractor controls capable of controlling more complicated implements and eliminating the need for separate controls and displays for the implement. Sounds great, right?

A quick survey of farm equipment shows mixed tractor/implement integration though. Why is this? Here are some reasons.

Proprietary tractor OEM displays, controls, and associated software. This causes several headaches for the implement OEM. First, they must develop and maintain unique implementations for each tractor OEM which substantially increases cost and complexity. Second, tractor technology (both hardware and software) has significantly lagged behind consumer hardware and software capabilities found in tablets and smartphones, limiting development options and flexibility. Related to this is also a relatively poor user experience in the tractor vs. what we’ve come to expect from our smart devices. This is a function of both better software and hardware.

Inconsistent following of ISOBUS standards. If I want my implement to refer to tractor ground speed as calculated by the tractor’s existing sensors, ISOBUS says that message should be in a standard format on the CAN bus, regardless of brand. Well it isn’t, and it may not even be consistent between the models/years inside the same brand.

The alternative to tractor integration is developing and maintaining a completely independent controls interface that works consistently regardless of what tractor the implement is connected to. Next time, we’ll explore some of the tradeoffs with this approach and how emerging AI-enhanced automation plays into this.