This section of our website explores a specialized application of SAE J1939: agriculture. While the agricultural protocol is officially known as ISOBUS, it is derived from SAE J1939, meaning the hardware and network management software are fundamentally the same.
At Copperhill Technologies, our expertise lies in SAE J1939, not ISOBUS. Nevertheless, you can use our hardware components alongside the JCOM1939 Monitor Software to connect with agricultural equipment. However, interpreting the data would be your responsibility.
We cover ISOBUS because agricultural applications of SAE J1939 are of interest to us, especially in light of the growing “Right to Repair” movement. Many farmers, for example, see John Deere as a primary obstacle, as reflected in the information we share here.
In theory, reverse-engineering the diagnostics of modern farm equipment would be an exciting project—one that is feasible with our hardware. However, legal and liability concerns, along with significant budgetary requirements, make this a complex undertaking. Until these issues are addressed, we will continue to focus on reporting developments in this space.
J1939 vs. ISOBUS: Understanding the Key Differences
John Deere’s Farmer Revolt: The Right-to-Repair Battle Shaping Agriculture
ISOBUS and Its Impact on Modern Agriculture
How Big Tech is Hurting Farmers: The Battle for Repair Rights and Agricultural Independence
The High Cost of Repair Restrictions: How John Deere, Apple, and Big Tech Profit While Consumers Lose
SAE J1939 and ISOBUS: Foundations of Agricultural Communication Protocols
Fundamentals of Tractor Design
This textbook provides a comprehensive review of tractor design fundamentals, making it an invaluable resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, engineers, managers, test engineers, consultants, and even veteran enthusiasts. Covering more than a hundred problems and referencing approximately six hundred international sources, it offers both theoretical insights and practical applications.
Tractors are essential to agricultural mechanization and, consequently, to global food production. To address educational needs across diverse technological landscapes, the book presents both simple yet proven tractor designs suited for moderate technical levels and in-depth discussions of modern, high-performance machines. The content is structured into five technology levels, systematically covering all tractor components while incorporating relevant ISO standards throughout.
Key topics include historical developments, tractor project management (including cost considerations), traction mechanics, tire systems (with inflation control), belt ground drives, and ride dynamics. Additional areas of focus include chassis design, diesel engines (with emissions regulations and installation guidelines), all major types of transmissions, machine element design, and human factors such as safety, health, and comfort.
The book also delves into tractor-implement management systems, including ISOBUS automation and hydraulic systems. It introduces cumulative damage fundamentals and tractor load spectra, applying these principles to dimensioning and design verification. Finally, it explores energy efficiency at both the component and system levels, offering solutions to minimize tractors’ carbon footprints. More information…