Introduction
With the system design finalized, the team began installation on the John Deere 5115M tractor and 1590 drill. Though both were well-built machines, the smaller tractor and heavier drill required additional engineering to ensure reliable integration with Sabanto’s Autonomy System.
Smart Engineering for Simple Integration
Weight distribution was an early challenge. With a fully loaded drill, the tractor’s front end lifted slightly, making steering unreliable. To correct this, 1,400 lbs. of cast iron weights were added to the front of the tractor.
Fine-tuning the equipment allowed the system to turn more efficiently, eliminating costly underlap and overlap of seed and fertilizer.
The Sabanto Autonomy System installed on a John Deere 5115M tractor. Source: Sabanto
Enhanced Monitoring and Connectivity
On the implement side, full visibility into seed and fertilizer delivery was paramount. Each seed tube was fitted with a DICKEY-john Recon blockage sensor and a Raven RFM 15P liquid flow meter to track the fertilizer flow rate. These sensors were linked to a DICKEY-john Vanguard® VM-5600 monitor.
Cellular coverage across Yirsa Farms was a known challenge. To resolve this, a Starlink Mini device was added to the autonomy system, providing consistent, reliable satellite connectivity.
A Starlink Mini device provided reliable connectivity in rural Montana. Source: Sabanto
A Proven Retrofit Success
Despite being over a decade old, the tractor and drill were transformed into a modern, fully autonomous seeding system capable of 24/7 operation, real-time monitoring, remote access, and seamless field performance. We proved that retrofit practicality beats new iron hype.
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