At times, even the simplest precision agriculture tools can seem daunting, especially when you're in the rush of turning a field while juggling work, kids’ schedules and everything else at home. During the hustle of late fall, I found myself racing through school drop-offs before heading out to help set up a John Deere’s Operations Center guidance system in the field.

During a morning that started a bit hectic, I paused with an operator to watch the sunrise over a freshly worked field. They had just completed tilling the field in preparation for winter planting earlier than expected. This experience training the operator and enabling John Deere guidance tools reminded me that precision agriculture isn’t just about software but about empowering operators to make time-saving decisions in the field. And sometimes, those decisions start with a quiet moment.

Why A/B Lines Matter

A/B lines are a key part of John Deere’s precision agriculture solutions with the Gen4 Display and Operations Center, operators can create virtual guidance paths that keep rows straight and consistent during planting, spraying and harvesting.

“A/B lines enable repeatable accuracy across operations. They reduce overlap, save fuel and improve overall efficiency,” said Saul Amezquita, product specialist supervisor at RDO Equipment Co. “For mid-sized farms, they can be a gateway to precision ag solutions and create consistent results season after season without the need for a full tech overhaul.”

Amezquita works with farmers to enable A/B lines across their fleet using John Deere’s Gen4 Display and GPS guidance system. That morning with the operator, both were in a hurry to get moving, but taking 5 minutes to learn more about the guidance tool that’s already available to him ultimately changed his outcome. Consider the steps Amezquita shares to set up A/B lines.

How to Set Up A/B Lines

Using the Gen4 display, operators can set A/B lines manually or by using heading degrees. To get started, from the main menu, tap Applications. 

1. Select AutoTrac Guidance and tap Set Track. 

2. Choose New Track and select the A + B method

3. Enter a track name (e.g., “North Field AB Line”) and choose the field where the line will be used.

4. Position the tractor at the starting point of your desired line and tap Set A on the display.

5. Drive the tractor in a straight line to the end of the field, the “B point” and tap Set B on the display. 

6. Exit the setup screen, check the AutoTrac status on the display and press Auto Resume button to engage the A/B guidance line. 

Watch this video for step-by-step instructions on how to set up A/B lines in John Deere’s AutoTrac Guidance:

“Sometimes, we just need to see these GPS and digital guidance tools operating on the farm,” said Brent Palmer, precision ag technology product specialist at RDO. “With the additional tool, operators can efficiently complete every pass.” 

Whether you're managing a fleet or running a planter, understanding A/B lines is key to unlocking the full value of your equipment. These lines aren’t just about straight rows, they’re about better yields, reduced fatigue and smarter fuel usage. 

With many John Deere systems like the Operations Center, many features could be overlooked in the haste to complete tasks the way we’ve always had. These features that lie in the peripheral of our vision might be a tool to enhance efficiency.