Touchscreens are increasingly appearing on the dashboards of agricultural machinery like tractors and harvesters. No longer limited to displaying basic information like traditional buttons and gauges, they have evolved into an “intelligent brain” that integrates information display, equipment control, status monitoring, and data analysis.
1. What are the applications of touchscreens in agricultural machinery?
Real-time vehicle status monitoring: Similar to a car dashboard, it displays live data such as engine RPM, fuel consumption, coolant temperature, tire pressure, and speed. In case of anomalies (e.g., engine overheating), the screen immediately alerts the driver with red alerts, flashing lights, or audible warnings for prompt action.
Intelligent implement control for precision operations: Modern implements often support the universal “ISOBUS” standard. This enables operation of seeders, fertilizer spreaders, and other implements from different brands via a single screen.
Farmers can directly adjust seeding rates, fertilizer ratios, working ranges, and more on the screen. The system also supports “section control”—for example, automatically shutting off certain spray nozzles when the sprayer reaches field boundaries to prevent overlapping applications, conserving fertilizers and pesticides.
Navigation and Autonomous Driving: Built-in high-precision GPS navigation plans optimal routes, helping drivers maintain straight lines and avoid overlapping passes to boost efficiency. It also supports connecting to autonomous driving systems, allowing route setup and toggling of auto mode directly via the screen.
Automatic Operation Data Logging: The system behind the screen automatically records metrics like application rates per acre, yield, and fuel consumption. This data can be exported via USB, Bluetooth, or network connections and uploaded to agricultural management platforms for post-operation analysis and decision-making.
Camera Integration to Reduce Blind Spots: Multiple cameras can be connected to simultaneously display real-time views around the vehicle or agricultural implements on the screen, significantly enhancing safety—especially in complex terrain or during transport.
2. Agricultural machinery frequently operates in harsh environments characterized by heavy dust, extreme temperature fluctuations, and intense vibrations. Therefore, such touchscreens must be exceptionally “rugged and durable,” meeting the following key requirements:
Cold/heat resistance and impact protection: Must function normally in winter temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F) and summer temperatures exceeding 70°C (158°F) without freezing, freezing up, or blackouts. Must also withstand shocks and drops, given the severe vibrations during field operations.
Waterproof and dustproof: At least IP67-rated, withstanding water jet washing, rain exposure, and resistance to dust and corrosion from pesticides/fertilizers.
High visibility in bright light: Exceptionally high screen brightness for clear readability under direct sunlight, with anti-glare surface treatment to minimize reflections.
Operable with Gloves or Wet Hands: Utilizes high-sensitivity touch technology to ensure accurate response even when the operator wears gloves or the screen is wet or muddy.
Smooth System Operation: Features a high-performance processor for stable, lag-free operation, preventing critical system crashes. The interface is clean and intuitive, with large icons, minimal menus, and easy-to-press controls.
Critical physical buttons retained: While most functions are screen-based, essential controls like emergency shutdown and power switches remain as physical buttons for safe operation if the screen fails.
Modern agricultural machinery touchscreens have evolved into powerful smart terminals, helping farmers manage field operations with greater precision and efficiency. To withstand harsh working conditions, they must also be rugged, reliable, and user-friendly—truly becoming indispensable tools for farmers in the field.