Ag Field Technicians Tackle New Precision Ag Systems Through Hands-On Training

In early September, RDO Equipment Co. Field Service Technicians gathered at a field near the Salinas, CA, store to enhance their knowledge on precision agriculture and recent updates to John Deere’s precision systems.

Agriculture Product Specialist team developed this engaging training series in an effort to stay up to speed on precision technologies like GPS. The Coastal teams, including Salinas, Santa Maria, and Watsonville, have completed quarterly field trainings and monthly in-class trainings this fall.

In the most recent session, participants broke into groups of three and rotated through interactive stations addressing potential customer situations. These situations included a lack of GPS signal, inability to create a tractor’s A-B line — the guideline a tractor follows in the field — and incorrect tractor spacing. The training also included the process for creating a DTAC support case with John Deere to transfer activations from a bad processor to a new one.

“It was an incredible hands-on training that had valuable information, which keeps us up-to-date and our minds fresh with all the new AMS technology," said Fabian Cortez, a Field Service Technician in Salinas, California.

At each station, participants were required to diagnose and correct the problem. If a team got stuck, needed a hint, or had any questions, a Product Specialist was dedicated at each station to assist. Once the rotations were completed, the training concluded with one final group demonstration about John Deere’s Operations Center.

The training was well received, and the knowledge was retained through a post-training assessment that included a few prizes. Fabian Cortez, Salinas Field Service Technician said, “I thought it was an incredible hands-on training that had valuable information, which keeps us up-to-date and our minds fresh with all the new AMS technology.”

Hugo Medrano, Product Specialist and organizer of the training event, stated, “Providing the training for our Service Technicians has increased their knowledge of John Deere AMS equipment. This is fundamental in providing customers with a world class service experience that sets us apart from our competitors.”

Thanks to positive feedback and the value provided by the trainings, the Coastal teams will continue the sessions in the future.

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