Autosteer for swathers and windrowers: what fits and how it steers
Swathers steer from the back and pivot on their drive wheels, which makes them the one machine where ordinary tractor autosteer settings go in circles. FJD built a swather mode into the AT2 firmware for exactly this, and with it a MacDon, Case IH, Deere or Krone windrower holds a straight swath edge all day without a wheel angle sensor. Here is what fits and how it goes on.
Ask about your swather Call or Text (580) 394-0089How a swather steers and why it matters
- It pivots on the drive wheels. The two big wheels under the cab drive and steer by running at different speeds, and the caster wheels at the back follow. The machine can turn in its own length, and it reacts to a steering input faster than any tractor.
- Tractor settings chase the line. A quick machine with a long header and settings meant for a front-steer tractor over-corrects, then over-corrects the other way. On the wrong firmware a swather will literally drive in circles.
- Swather mode fixes it. You choose swather as the vehicle type, and the firmware uses its motion sensor and heading stability to steer the machine the way it actually moves. On the screen it drives like a front-wheel-assist tractor.
- The implement sits in front. The header is ahead of the receiver, not behind it, and that goes into the setup. If the implement icon is far ahead of the machine on the screen the settings are wrong, and we fix that with you on the first call.
Swathers we put kits on
| Brand | Models | What we install |
|---|---|---|
| MacDon | M155, M205, M1170, M1240 | AT2 or AT2 Lite motor kit. 2024 and newer with CAN steer can take the AS2 plug-in. |
| Case IH | WD1203, WD1504, WD2104, WD2504, 2303 | AT2 motor kit, swather mode, no angle sensor. |
| John Deere | 4995, W235, W260, W155 | AT2 motor kit. The W235R is not steer-ready from the factory. |
| Krone | Big M 450 | AT2 motor kit; the swather profile steers it better than the rear-steer combine profile. |
| Hesston, New Holland, AGCO | Most self-propelled windrowers with power steering | AT2 motor kit; send a column photo for the bracket. |
What goes on the swather
- The motorized steering wheel on the column, with the bracket and spline adapter matched to your cab. MacDon and Case cabs each have their own.
- The receiver on the cab roof, taking RTK over cellular or radio.
- The display where you want it, and a fused 12-volt lead to the battery.
- No wheel angle sensor.
Which FJD kit
The AT2 Lite is steering only and plenty for a swather. The AT2 makes sense if the same system will run ISOBUS implement control on a tractor the rest of the year. A 2024 or newer MacDon with CAN steer can take the AS2 with the wheel left stock.
What goes on the column
RTK on a swather
The payoff on a swather is the swath edge: full header width against the last pass, no strip, no double cut, in the dark. RTK holds that within an inch and keeps the same lines through the season. WAAS can drift a few inches between passes, which shows up as a ragged edge. See RTK vs WAAS for farming and GEODNET for RTK without owning a base.
- Make, model and year of the swather
- A photo of the steering wheel and column from the seat
- Header width
- Which tractor, if any, the kit will move to after haying
- Your farm location so we check RTK coverage
Common questions
Why do swathers need their own mode?
A swather pivots on its drive wheels and steers with the caster wheels at the back, so it turns in place and reacts fast. Tractor settings make it chase the line back and forth. The swather mode in the AT2 firmware handles that geometry; with it on, the machine drives like a front-wheel-assist tractor on the screen.
Does a swather need a wheel angle sensor?
No. Swathers run without one. The caster wheels have nothing to bolt a sensor to and the software does not need it in swather mode.
Which swathers have you put kits on?
MacDon M155 and M205, Case IH WD series and 2303, John Deere 4995 and W series, Krone Big M 450, and Hesston machines. The bracket and spline adapter differ by cab; we match them from a photo of your column.
My MacDon is new. Is it steer-ready?
MacDon offers CAN steer on 2024 and newer models. Those can take the AS2 plug-in kit with the steering wheel left stock. Older MacDons, and all Deere W235R machines, are not steer-ready and take the AT2 motor kit.
Can the kit move to a tractor after haying?
Yes. The display, receiver and controller unplug and go along. Most swather customers buy the extra column parts for the tractor and move one system between them.
What accuracy do I need on a swather?
Enough to lay the swath edge against the last one without a strip. RTK does that within an inch and keeps it there in the dark. WAAS can drift a few inches pass to pass, which shows up as a ragged edge. See RTK vs WAAS.
Does firmware matter on a swather?
Yes, more than on a tractor. Swather support moved from a separate firmware build into the main firmware in 2026. We put the right version on before the kit ships and check it on the first phone call.
More on auto steer
Autosteer for Tractors · Is my tractor steer-ready? · Older tractors · Articulated 4WDs · Combines · Sprayers · Swathers · RTK vs WAAS · What RTK costs to run · FJD AT2 vs Wheelman · FJD AT2 · AT2 Max · AS2 steer-ready · AH2 hydraulic · GEODNET RTK · John Deere · Case IH · New Holland · Kubota · Massey Ferguson · Reviews
Published 10/13/2026 by Deep Sand Tech, Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. Written from our own installs and support calls, not from a brochure.