IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL FLEET PRODUCTIVITY WITH ISOBUS DATA

INTRO

Farmers increasingly depend on soil sensors, weather data, and satellite imagery to plan precise variable-rate field tasks. Yet verifying that a tractor operator completed those tasks exactly as planned remains one of the most persistent gaps in precision agriculture. To close the loop between agronomic plan and field execution, Teltonika's telematics solution integrates directly into the tractor's ISOBUS network. This allows fleets to monitor movement accuracy down to several centimetres, increase crop yields, and reduce the waste of seeds, pesticides, and fuel.

CHALLENGE

Ensuring food security despite harsh conditions such as scorching heat, heavy rainfall, or insect migration is no easy task. As a result, 68% of farmers worldwide have adopted some form of precision farming, using technologies such as soil sensors and satellite imagery to check soil health. Using this information, agronomists create field heatmaps and determine the application rates of water, seeds, and chemicals according to plants’ needs.

However, knowing where to sow seeds or when to harvest is only part of the challenge. Agricultural fleet managers must also ensure that these tasks are carried out accurately by the tractor operator.

First, evaluating tractor movement using GNSS data is typically limited to around 2–3 metres. This is insufficient for tractors that need to make sharp turns and moves in the field. To achieve higher precision, fleets require equipment that applies real-time corrections to the signal, commonly known as an RTK (real-time kinematic) antenna. On the market, both OEM solutions integrated directly into tractors and aftermarket auto-steering options are popular.

In many cases, however, RTK data remains locked within the tractor. While the driver can see accurate positioning in real time on the terminal, the fleet manager cannot access this information without purchasing an additional subscription. Since fleets already pay for soil and weather data, this often results in multiple overlapping subscriptions and higher operational costs.

Second, fleet operators must ensure that fields are treated accurately during spraying and seeding operations. Overtreating an area may damage crops, while applying seeds in non-fertile zones wastes expensive resources without improving yields. For this reason, monitoring the work of attached implements must be synchronised with detailed field maps to ensure inputs are applied at the intended variable rate.

SOLUTION

A typical day of an agricultural operator involves a sequence of operational, transport, fuelling, maintenance, and implement-handling activities. Teltonika's FMC650 and FMM650 devices bring all of that into one view, giving fleet managers a complete picture of everything happening in the field and at the depot.

How it works – using ISOBUS protocol for agricultural machinery, trackers retrieve operational data from the tractor, its attached implement, and the RTK antenna, all from one connection that also powers the device. FMx650 devices connect to the tractor's diagnostic socket, making installation plug-and-play with a single 9-PIN cable. Additional ports allow peripheral equipment to be connected for sensors, driver identification, and immobiliser scenarios.

In the sections below, we will walk through three parts of a tractor operator's daily routine: preparing the tractor for dispatch, monitoring fieldwork, and pairing with other vehicles.

TOPOLOGY 1

The first step is preparing the tractor for dispatch at the depot. The tractor driver usually arrives at the yard early in the morning and performs a walkaround inspection. With FMx650 devices, key data can be logged automatically with ISOBUS and CAN data such as fuel levels, engine hours, and performance of hydraulic systems. To make sure that the tractor is operated and fuelled by an authorised driver, an RFID card reader can be connected through the RS232 port.

Before leaving the depot, driver must attach the correct implement. Using EYE beacons, fleet managers can identify exactly which plough, seeder, baler, or harrow was attached to what tractor. This is especially crucial to prevent attachments from going missing in the yard or fields, as tractors can change multiple attachments per day. Also, the connection is confirmed with ISOBUS data itself. Operators can read implement status and hitch position to make sure that the driver uses the implement in the correct transport mode and will not damage machinery parts.

TOPOLOGY 2

Fleet managers can monitor tractor work directly in the field. Driving patterns give useful clues about how the tractor is used and the conditions it operates in. Movement patterns such as U-turns at field edges, tight circular paths, or occasional zigzag driving help indicate how efficiently the tractor driver interacts with the terrain.

These tight driving patterns rely on centimetre-level positioning and can be transferred directly to tractors equipped with RTK guidance. With FMx650 trackers, coordinates from the RTK antenna are retrieved directly via ISOBUS. Once RTK is selected as the location source in the configurator, the device automatically prioritises RTK data whenever it is available. If needed, operators can also check its signal quality by connecting directly to the RTK antenna via an RS232 cable.

Operators should also watch tractor data to avoid overheating, part damage, or excessive fuel use. FMx650 allows monitoring of the power take-off system, front and rear hitch positions, auxiliary valves, and hydraulic flow. This helps ensure implements work at the correct depth and that power is transferred smoothly.

The biggest return on investment comes from monitoring implement data. FMx650 provides real-time visibility of agri-material application rates and volumes and compares them with planned targets. This helps ensure seeds, pesticides, and water are applied correctly throughout the field, without waste or underuse.

TOPOLOGY 3

There is also a need to monitor other machinery operating alongside tractors. During harvest, for example, fleet managers must ensure that grain is transferred safely and delivered to the correct vehicle. With FMx650 devices, both assets can be tracked within a single platform, giving a clearer picture of how the operation unfolds in the field.

The tractor is monitored through ISOBUS data, helping operators optimise power usage as they move across the field. At the same time, a second FMx650 unit in the truck cabin provides key information such as trailer weight, vehicle identification number, speed, and fuel consumption. This allows managers to confirm that both vehicles meet at the right place and time, ensuring a smooth handover of the load.

When the vehicles return to the depot, all the data comes together in one place. Managers can see exactly how many resources were used in the field and how much grain was collected. EYE beacons add another layer of control by ensuring that no implement is left behind. Meanwhile, ISOBUS and FMS data help identify which equipment requires refuelling, maintenance, or repairs.

Additional connections, including multiple RS232 ports, 1‑wire, and digital inputs, allow integration with peripheral devices such as RFID readers and fuel level sensors. These features help reduce the risk of fuel theft and unauthorised vehicle use when the vehicle is stationary, while maintaining full visibility of the operation.

BENEFITS

• Full visibility of the agricultural fleet – with a single device type, fleet operators can monitor the performance of tractors, implements, RTK, trucks, and other machinery on the farm.

• Better utilisation of farm resources – help agricultural fleets save seeds, fertilisers, chemicals, and fuel by identifying profitable areas, drivers, and equipment. 

• Maximise field yield – make sure field maps based on the satellite images and soil sensors do not go to waste and compare actual seed application rates and volume from the implement. 

• Fast and easy access to precise positioning data – read RTK data directly from the ISOBUS of the tractor, gaining centimetre-level accuracy with less installation time.

• Lower fuel and maintenance cost – monitor tractor's CAN data to prevent strain on the engine and excessive fuel consumption. For those facing fuel theft, multiple inputs allow integration with fuel sensors and driver identification.

WHY TELTONIKA?

Teltonika offers a practical and cost-effective solution for agricultural fleets that is quick and simple to install. With extensive experience in CAN data reading, our devices deliver accurate and reliable insights to support efficient operation.

FMC650 tracker is one of the most advanced devices in the Teltonika portfolio, providing access to ISOBUS data as well as flexible parameter customisation through manual CAN functionality. It also supports a wide range of inputs and outputs, making it easy to integrate additional sensors when needed. For agriculture, this means a scalable solution that does not rely on subscription models, giving fleet operators greater flexibility and control over their operations.