How Farm Tractors Automatically Turn at the End of a Row
This patent describes a GPS-guided system for agricultural vehicles that automatically calculates and offers multiple turn options at the end of a crop row, allowing the operator to choose the best path.
Original patent title: “Method for creating end of row turns for agricultural vehicles”
This patent describes a GPS-guided system for agricultural vehicles that automatically calculates and offers multiple turn options at the end of a crop row, allowing the operator to choose the best path. Granted to CNH Amercia in 2010 with 20 claims and 31 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2027.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent details a method for automatically guiding an agricultural vehicle, like a tractor with an attached implement, through a turn at the end of a crop row. It uses a 'swath generation apparatus' (SGA) which has a computer and memory, connected to a GPS receiver that knows the vehicle's exact location. The SGA calculates at least two different 'end of row turn paths' by repeatedly processing predetermined parameters, such as the vehicle's minimum turning radius and how fast it can change direction, along with the actual position of the vehicle (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1, 2). These calculated paths are defined by many 'interpolated data points' that form a curved, non-linear route (Claim 6). The system then shows these paths to the operator and lets them choose which one to follow, or even manually guide the vehicle (Claim 1, 4). For example, a farmer approaching the end of a field could see two suggested turn paths on a screen, pick the tighter or wider one, and the tractor would steer itself along that path.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover systems that only calculate a single, fixed end-of-row turn path without offering the operator a choice between multiple options (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover turns that are not 'end of row turns' or those that do not connect 'predefined end points of equally spaced swath paths' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover vehicle guidance systems that do not use an 'iterative process' to calculate the turn paths based on predetermined parameters and actual vehicle position (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover systems where the turn path is entirely straight or does not involve 'interpolating data points along a non-linear path that is at least partially curved' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 6).
- Does not cover systems that lack an 'operator input device' for communicating parameters or selecting a turn path (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is the system's ability to dynamically calculate *multiple* distinct end-of-row turn options in real-time, based on the vehicle's specific physical limits and its exact position, and then allow the operator to choose the most suitable path. This provides flexibility that simpler, pre-programmed turn patterns cannot offer.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
John Deere AutoTrac guidance systems
Case IH AFS AccuGuide systems
New Holland IntelliSteer systems
AGCO Fendt Guide systems
Precision planting equipment with automated steering
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent contributes to the automation of precision agriculture, making farming more efficient and less physically demanding for operators. By automatically planning and executing turns, it helps reduce overlap or missed areas in fields, saving fuel, time, and resources. This technology allows large agricultural machines to operate with greater accuracy, which is crucial for maximizing crop yields and minimizing environmental impact.
Filed
April 3, 2007
Granted
June 29, 2010
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
CNH Industrial, the parent company of the original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more → CNH America LLC, continues to develop and integrate advanced guidance systems into its agricultural machinery brands like Case IH and New Holland. Other major agricultural equipment manufacturers such as John Deere, AGCO, and Kubota also invest heavily in similar precision agriculture technologies, focusing on autonomous operations and improved field efficiency.
Market impact
This patent helped advance the capabilities of automated steering in agricultural vehicles, moving beyond simple straight-line guidance to more complex, dynamic turn planning. It contributed to the broader trend of precision agriculture, enabling farmers to operate machinery with greater accuracy and less manual effort. This technology has become a standard feature in high-end agricultural equipment, driving efficiency gains and reducing operator fatigue across the industry.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details a method for automatically guiding an agricultural vehicle, like a tractor with an attached implement, through a turn at the end of a crop row. It uses a 'swath generation apparatus' (SGA) which has a computer and memory, connected to a GPS receiver that knows the vehicle's exact location. The SGA calculates at least two different 'end of row turn paths' by repeatedly processing predetermined parameters, such as the vehicle's minimum turning radius and how fast it can change direction, along with the actual position of the vehicle (Claim 1, 2). These calculated paths are defined by many 'interpolated data points' that form a curved, non-linear route (Claim 6). The system then shows these paths to the operator and lets them choose which one to follow, or even manually guide the vehicle (Claim 1, 4). For example, a farmer approaching the end of a field could see two suggested turn paths on a screen, pick the tighter or wider one, and the tractor would steer itself along that path.
The clever bit
The clever part is the system's ability to dynamically calculate *multiple* distinct end-of-row turn options in real-time, based on the vehicle's specific physical limits and its exact position, and then allow the operator to choose the most suitable path. This provides flexibility that simpler, pre-programmed turn patterns cannot offer.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover systems that only calculate a single, fixed end-of-row turn path without offering the operator a choice between multiple options (Claim 1).
- Does not cover turns that are not 'end of row turns' or those that do not connect 'predefined end points of equally spaced swath paths' (Claim 1).
- Does not cover vehicle guidance systems that do not use an 'iterative process' to calculate the turn paths based on predetermined parameters and actual vehicle position (Claim 1).
- Does not cover systems where the turn path is entirely straight or does not involve 'interpolating data points along a non-linear path that is at least partially curved' (Claim 6).
- Does not cover systems that lack an 'operator input device' for communicating parameters or selecting a turn path (Claim 1).
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
30/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
13/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$48K – $154K
Midpoint $97K · expired or expiring · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Patent Claims
0 independent claims · 1 dependent
Claims are the legal boundaries of the patent. An independent claim stands alone. A dependent claim adds limitations to its parent, narrowing — but not broadening — the scope.
The original legal language
Original claims
20 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Dix, P. J. (2010). How Farm Tractors Automatically Turn at the End of a Row (U.S. Patent No. 7,747,370). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7747370/method-for-creating-end-of-row-turns-for-agricultural-vehicles
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Farm Tractors Automatically Turn at the End of a Row cover?
This patent describes a GPS-guided system for agricultural vehicles that automatically calculates and offers multiple turn options at the end of a crop row, allowing the operator to choose the best path.
Who owns patent US 7747370?
CNH Amercia owns this patent, granted in 2010.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 3, 2027, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 7747370 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 31 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent contributes to the automation of precision agriculture, making farming more efficient and less physically demanding for operators. By automatically planning and executing turns, it helps reduce overlap or missed areas in fields, saving fuel, time, and resources. This technology allows large agricultural machines to operate with greater accuracy, which is crucial for maximizing crop yields and minimizing environmental impact.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover systems that only calculate a single, fixed end-of-row turn path without offering the operator a choice between multiple options (Claim 1).
Same assignee
More from CNH Amercia
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