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Farm Works™ Surface software is an analysis and design tool for use with the Trimble® WM-Drain™ farm drainage solution.  Surface ensures the optimal placement of tile and surface drains in both surface and subsurface drainage water management projects, helping to drain fields adequately and increase crop yields.

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Display 3D topography data with water flow direction arrows and decide where surface ditches or subsurface tile lines should be installed to optimally drain the field.  Utilize preset drawing tools to create mains, parallel lateral spacings, and/or clip drainage lines.  These lines produce a vertical profile so that information can be entered for pipe size, pipe type, phase, minimum depth, maximum depth, and optimum grade.  When the final design is complete, reports can be printed for the operator to show the amount of material required to complete the job.

Completed designs in Surface can be submitted wirelessly to the field using Connected Farm™.  These designs are compatible with the WM-Drain module on the FmX® display and Trimble’s 3D machine control technology for precise installation of your pipe or surface ditches.  Use WM-Drain with any type of drainage plow—self-propelled, pull-type, chain or wheel trenchers, ditchers, scrapers, or any other water management implement.

 

See the Farm Works Surface factsheet for complete details.

 

Office Requirements: 

  • Microsoft® Windows® XP, 7, or 8
  • 128 MB Memory
  • 50 MB Hard Drive Space
Field Requirements:
Optional Survey Data Collection Solution:
  • Trimble WM-Topo™ survey system can be used separately or in conjunction with the FmX display to collect topographic data in hard-to-reach areas such as ditches, steep terrain, muddy fields, or fields with mature crop cover


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Topography


  • Import field topography data collected from the FmX® integrated display or the WM-Topo™ survey system.

Tributary Lines & Watershed Zones


  • Determine the various watershed zones of the field to assist with main, submain, and lateral pipe placement.
  • Enable flow arrows and tributary lines to assist with tracing the natural surface water flows.
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3D Modeling View


  • View field topography data in 3D from any angle and exaggerate the vertical to visualize the shape and slopes of the field.

Drainage Line Creation


  • Utilize the drawing tools to tie laterals to mains, create parallel lateral spacings, and clip drainage lines.
  • Layout and design drainage tile by size, pipe type, phase, then enter the minimum depth, maximum depth, and optimum grade for each.
  • Utilize the design check feature to confirm that all drainage lines flow correctly.
  • Easily make design adjustments based on vertical profile and set or change direction of water outlet.
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Levee Creation


  • Create levee paths from topography data based on contour, interval, and turn radius settings.

 Drainage Reports


  • Print out maps that include useful information such as drain lengths and the total amount of each material required.
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Advanced Feature Guidance Line Management


  • Design planned guidance lines that follow terraces, boundaries, and other features for use with the Trimble FmX integrated display or CFX-750™ display.
  • Utilize specialized tools for smoothing and extending/clipping for efficient creation of accurate lines adapted specifically for the features of the field.
  • Analyze the number and total length of planned lines to insure the creation of the most optimal paths for planting.
  • Save feature guidance line layer for repeatable guidance across multiple years and operations.

Office to Field Data Exchange


Connected Farm™ eliminates the need for USB storage devices by transferring your planned and completed drainage designs between the office and field using wireless technology.  Using Connected Farm allows quicker access to information, resulting in better farm management decisions.

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The Trimble® WM-Drain™ farm drainage solution is a concept to completion toolset that streamlines the survey, analysis, design, installation, and mapping steps of surface and subsurface drainage. WM-Drain ensures optimal 3D drain placement, which improves crop yields by controlling ponding, optimizing root depth, maximizing planting seasons, and minimizing nutrient loss.

 

STEP 1: SURVEY

Collect 3D field data with ease by using the FmX® integrated display and/or the WM-Topo™ survey system.

 

  • Utilize the touchscreen simplicity of the FmX display to record the boundaries and interior data of the field
  • Record section lines along the alignments where you wish to install drains, and complete the design and installation without having to leave the cab
  • Use a Trimble Autopilot™, EZ-Pilot™ or EZ-Steer® steering system to guide your vehicle and ensure adequate field coverage
STEP 2: ANALYSIS

Analyze the 3D field data using Farm Works™ Surface software to make better-informed drainage decisions.

 

  • View data from any angle and exaggerate the vertical to visualize the shape and slopes of the field
  • Determine the various watershed zones of the field to assist with main, submain, and lateral pipe placement
  • Configure contours at any interval to display the topography and relative elevations
  • Enable flow arrows and tributary lines to assist with tracing the natural surface water flows
  • View the field analysis over the top of aerial images to review your data in another context

STEP 3: DESIGN

Design and verify a complete 3D drainage system using Surface software, or design drainage lines on-the-go without having to leave your vehicle.

 

  • Position the drain lines horizontally based on the results from the different analysis views
  • Utilize the Farm Works drawing tools to tie laterals to mains, create parallel lateral spacings, and clip drainage lines
  • Allow Autoslope to produce optimal depth designs resulting in a consistent water table, which minimizes nutrient loss
  • Verify that the pipe network will successfully drain to the main outlet before beginning the installation
  • Utilize the Autoslope functionality in the FmX display for an on-the-go solution

STEP 4: INSTALLATION

Take your designs back to the field and utilize the WM-Drain module on the FmX display and Trimble’s 3D machine control technology for precise installation of your pipe or surface ditches.

 

  • Use WM-Drain with any type of drainage plow—self-propelled, pull-type, chain or wheel trenchers, ditchers, scrapers, or any other water management implement
  • Control the depth automatically, ensuring pipe and ditches are installed to the design
  • For perfect pitch at the outlet, ensure the boot pitch is correct before starting the installation
  • Control the boot pitch automatically for parallel link and double link plows, providing complete control of the machine and ensuring the best accuracy available
  • Switch to Point and Slope mode using pitch control during RTK dropouts to ensure completion of drainage runs in adverse satellite conditions
  • Utilize GNSS RTK combined with T3™ Enhanced Terrain Compensation Technology for roll-corrected 3D positioning
  • Recalculate designs on-the-go when the plow hits unexpected underground obstacles
  • Monitor your depth, location, and slope in real time during the installation process
  • Map the as-applied drainage lines while installing to keep as a record for aiding with invoicing and locating installed pipes in the future
  • Choose Point and Slope mode for a manual slope and depth drainage installation

 

STEP 5: MAPPING

Map the true location of your installed drainage pipes or ditches and utilize the records for future maintenance or drainage expansion projects.

 

  • Automatically log 3D drain maps synchronously while the drainage machine is being controlled by WM-Drain
  • Transfer the mapped data using Connected Farm™ to Surface software, where it will be stored as an independent layer
STEP 6: CONNECTED FARM

With the Connected Farm™ from Trimble, you can wirelessly share valuable time-saving data between your farm office, vehicles, and workers out in the field.

 

  • Wirelessly transfer topographic data from the field to the office for 3D analysis and drainage design work, saving time and eliminating the need for USB stick data transfers
  • Wirelessly transfer drainage designs from the office to the field for installation, saving time and maximizing machine operating hours
  • Wirelessly transfer drainage maps from the field back to the office for safe record keeping

Program Download:

Click here to download the Surface program as well as other Farm Works office software solutions.  Please have your version 2013 software product codes ready for installing.  The file size is 139MB.  A high speed Internet connection is recommended for downloading and installing the program.  If you have trouble using our download page, please contact our sales team at 1-800-225-2848.

 



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