Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Abstract. Today driving strategies for agricultural fields become more and more important for farmers. There are several reasons for this. One of these is machine optimization. Currently, the work completion costs cover about 40% of the total costs of an arable farm in Germany. Corresponding turning and driving strategies offer a savings potential. Another important aspect is soil protection. Depending on the driving system, 128% and 36% of the area is used. As especially in Germany large machines are strongly discussed in society, an optimization is also an advantage. The third important aspect is the future of autonomous agricultural machinery. Here, turning and driving strategies are confronted with new challenges due to several machines working together in one area.

In the summary of the investigations it can be deduced that a large number of factors influence the driving strategy and influence each other. The factors can be divided into three groups. One group is formed by the surface characteristics, such as field shape, path network, topography and power lines. The second group consists of management characteristics such as crop rotation, management system, machinery and logistics. The last group is made of social factors such as labour supply, labour skills or managerial preferences.

It also shows that technological developments have a significant impact on the system. For example, the acceptance of autonomous machines leads to considerable changes, as this eliminates the restriction of large working widths for the machines by too few workers.