How to Use Adaptive Curves on the Gen 4 Display

Adaptive curves are a powerful feature of the John Deere Generation 4 Display, designed to help operators follow complex curvilinear paths in the field, especially when working around contours or irregular field edges. This guide explains how to set up and use adaptive curves to maximize your precision agriculture efficiency.

What Are Adaptive Curves?

Adaptive curves allow your John Deere Gen 4 Display to automatically guide your equipment along a recorded curved track. They are especially useful for headlands, end rows, or fields with non-linear boundaries and enable repeatable passes along these complex paths.

Setting Up a New Adaptive Curve

Access Track Setup
- Navigate to the "Select Track" option on your Gen 4 Display.
- Choose "New Track" and then "Curve Track," followed by "Adaptive Curve."
Name Your Track
- Enter a unique name for the curve (e.g., "End Rows").
- If left unchanged, the system will use a default name like Track 1, Track 2, etc.
- The track will be automatically assigned to the current field selected in the display.

Recording Your Adaptive Curve

You have two recording options:

Manual Mode
- Start recording by pressing the record button.
Work State Mode (Recommended)
- Automatically starts and stops recording based on implement activity (e.g., planter or sprayer operation).
- Ideal for shutting off recording automatically when equipment operations stop.

Tip: Most users benefit from using "Work State" to streamline recording. However, manual mode is handy if you want more control over when the recording begins and ends.

Adding Straight Segments to a Curve

Use the "Pause" button during recording if you need to include a straight section.
The display will draw a dotted line to indicate the paused segment.
Resume recording to continue the curve; the straight segment gets snapped seamlessly into your adaptive curve.

Managing Multiple Curves Within a Field

You can record multiple curve segments as part of the same adaptive curve if your field has several irregular sections.
End the recording session (choose “End Session”) when you’ve finished capturing all required curve segments.
To add more segments later: go to "Set Track," select "Edit," then "Coordinates," and add additional curve tracks.

Using AutoTrac with Adaptive Curves

After recording, Adaptive Curve tracks are ready for AutoTrac guidance.
You can auto-track one pass adjacent to the curve in recording mode.
To auto-track previously recorded curves, end the recording session first.
The Gen 4 Display lets you easily switch between adaptive curves and straight tracks for flexibility in different field tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I record multiple adaptive curves in one field?

Yes! You can add separate curves to accommodate different field edges or obstacles.

Q: What’s the difference between Manual and Work State recording?

Manual requires starting/stopping by button press. Work State uses implement status (planter/sprayer) to trigger recording.

Q: How do I know I’m following a recorded curve?

The display will highlight the adaptive curve and allow AutoTrac to engage for one pass adjacent to the recorded track during recording. After ending the session, AutoTrac can be used on any of your recorded curves.

Q: Can I edit my adaptive curves?

Yes. Re-enter "Set Track," select the curve, and choose "Edit" to modify coordinates or add segments as needed.

Example: Setting Up Adaptive Curves for End Rows

Suppose you want to guide your equipment accurately around your field’s end rows:

Create a new adaptive curve labeled "End Rows."
Choose Work State as your recording option and begin driving.
Pause if you reach a straight section.
Resume for the next curve or complete the pass.
End session once finished, and AutoTrac will allow repeatable guidance along your recorded end rows.