AGPS Pipe Pro User manual

Manual revision date: 8/31/22
www.CooksAGPS.com

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Table of Contents
Welcome ..............................................................................................................................................................4
Basic Concepts...................................................................................................................................................4
How the Program Calculates Grade .......................................................................................................................4
Units of Measure ...........................................................................................................................................................5
Glossary of Terms.........................................................................................................................................................5
The Main Working Screen .............................................................................................................................7
The Main Working Screen –Overhead View.......................................................................................................7
The Working Screen –Profile View........................................................................................................................7
The Working Screen –Menu Bar.............................................................................................................................8
The Plot Screen –Overhead View............................................................................................................................9
The Plot Screen –Profile View.............................................................................................................................. 10
The Working Screen –Info Bar............................................................................................................................. 11
Setting up the program................................................................................................................................ 11
Setting up the program for the first time:......................................................................................................... 11
Starting a New Job or Restarting a Current Job, via Dashboard: .............................................................. 15
Start/Restart a Job, via menus:............................................................................................................................. 17
Working with RTK-GPS ...............................................................................................................................19
Configuring my GPS .................................................................................................................................................. 19
GPS Status..................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting my GPS ........................................................................................................................................ 20
Rod Length and Survey Pass Offset..................................................................................................................... 21
Rod Length.................................................................................................................................................................................21
Survey Pass Offset................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Rip-Lay Vertical Distance.....................................................................................................................................................21
Working with the Program ........................................................................................................................22
Adjusting the view..................................................................................................................................................... 22
The Buttons Menu...................................................................................................................................................................23
The Click Menu.........................................................................................................................................................................24
The Light Bars............................................................................................................................................................. 25
The Light Bar Menu................................................................................................................................................................26
The Grid ........................................................................................................................................................................ 27
Setting up the Grid..................................................................................................................................................................27
Using the Grid ...........................................................................................................................................................................29
Loading Background Images................................................................................................................................. 29
Laying Tile........................................................................................................................................................ 30
Pass Labels................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Reading a pass label ...............................................................................................................................................................30
Selecting a Pass Label............................................................................................................................................................30
Pass Types.................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Survey Pass.................................................................................................................................................................. 33
Creating a Survey Pass..........................................................................................................................................................33
Rip Pass......................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Creating a Rip Pass .................................................................................................................................................................34
Recalling a Previously Captured Survey or Rip Pass.................................................................................... 36

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Lay-Minimum Pass.................................................................................................................................................... 37
Creating a Lay Minimum Pass............................................................................................................................................37
Topography Pass ....................................................................................................................................................... 39
Collecting a Topo Pass...........................................................................................................................................................39
Previous Topo Lay Pass........................................................................................................................................... 40
Creating a Previous Topo Lay Pass .................................................................................................................................. 40
Surfaces in Previous Topo Lay........................................................................................................................................... 42
Design Info Screen and Modifying Points in a Design .................................................................................. 42
Above Plan Commit-To Error................................................................................................................................ 44
Control Points (.ctl file) ........................................................................................................................................... 44
Collecting a Control Point ....................................................................................................................................................45
Finishing a Job ................................................................................................................................................46
Creating Reports........................................................................................................................................................ 46
Exporting Data............................................................................................................................................................ 46
Export Data Options...............................................................................................................................................................47
Menus ................................................................................................................................................................ 48
Main Menu.................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Instrument Menu....................................................................................................................................................... 49
Plot Menu...................................................................................................................................................................... 51
Survey File Menu ....................................................................................................................................................... 52
Devices Menu .............................................................................................................................................................. 53
Parameters Menu ...................................................................................................................................................... 54
Essentials Parameters menu:.............................................................................................................................................54
Advanced Parameters Menu...............................................................................................................................................55
Pass Menu..................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Miscellaneous actions.............................................................................................................................................. 58
Quit this Application................................................................................................................................................. 59
UTM Zones.................................................................................................................................................................... 60
State Plane.................................................................................................................................................................... 60

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Welcome
Thank you for purchasing AGPS-Pipe Pro™. This manual will guide you through the setup and
running of the program.
AGPS-Pipe Pro™ provides assistance in laying drainage pipe ( or "tile" ). The program will
calculate the elevation and grade of the pipe and control the plow blade in laying the pipe.
If you have further questions, please contact your AGPS Dealer or the AGPS technical support via
email: [email protected]
Basic Concepts
AGPS-Pipe Pro™ will capture the topography of a tile line, either by surveying the line, ripping
the line or by utilizing previously captured topography, and based on that topography and on
certain parameters (like minimum-slope, minimum-depth, optimum-depth) will calculate a plan
of elevations where the pipe should be laid, show it to you and, and control the plow blade.
AGPS-Pipe Pro™ can be navigated with either the touch-screen interface or utilizing a standard
keyboard. Most of the instructions in this manual are based on utilizing the touch-screen
interface. For shortcut keys with a keyboard, see the Buttons menu on page 23.
The touch-screen interface has an on-screen keyboard function –when you need to enter text
(job name, naming a control point, etc.) simply touch where you need to enter text and the on-
screen keyboard will pop-up.
How the Program Calculates Grade
AGPS-Pipe Pro™ Designs the tile line based on what the user selects as the minimum slope and
optimum depth. The program will attempt to place the tile line at the Optimum Depth while
never violating minimum slope.

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Units of Measure
AGPS-Pipe Pro™ can be set to work in Feet (International); Feet (U.S. Survey); or Meters. A
typical user in the United States will choose Feet (U.S. Survey). For both Feet (International) and
Feet (U.S. Survey) will be calculated and displayed in tenths of feet, so that 6.5’ is the same as 6’6”.
Inches and Eighths to Decimals of a Foot
In.
0
1/8
1/4
3/8
1/2
5/8
3/4
7/8
0
.00
.01
.02
.03
.04
.05
.06
.07
1
.08
.09
.10
.11
.12
.14
.15
.16
2
.17
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.19
.20
.21
.22
.23
.24
3
.25
.26
.27
.28
.29
.30
.31
.32
4
.33
.34
.35
.36
.38
.39
.40
.41
5
.42
.43
.44
.45
.46
.47
.48
.49
6
.50
.51
.52
.53
.54
.55
.56
.57
7
.58
.59
.60
.61
.62
.63
.64
.65
8
.67
.68
.69
.70
.71
.72
.73
.74
9
.75
.76
.77
.78
.79
.80
.81
.82
10
.83
.84
.85
.86
.88
.89
.90
.91
11
.92
.93
.94
.95
.96
.97
.98
.99
Example: 3-½” = .29”
Glossary of Terms
Capture
Auto Capture: Automatically captures a data points after user set interval (typically 10 feet) has
been traveled. This distance uses both horizontal and vertical measurement. Toggling the Auto
Capture button on and off will capture a single point at your current location. Toggled ON/OFF
by keyboard spacebar.
Machine
Control
In the program the term Machine Control refers to the automatic control of the blade. The
control can be toggled by keyboard 0. There are other places in the program that blade used in
a sentence will have different context.
Control
point
(.ctl file)
Sometimes called a benchmark, this point is a known world feature in which coordinates are
also known. Control points are important to make your coordinates match those used earlier.
See Control Points on page 44.

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Data folder
All job file data opened and saved by the program is stored by default in C:\amw\data\
Device
Other forms: Device Menu, External Device, Control Device, etc. The Device refers to interface
device that operates the automatic blade control, such as a DAC-7000/DAC-8000™ or a
LaserTech™ 308 control module.
Instrument
Other forms: Instrument Menu, Measuring Instrument, Read Instrument, etc. The instrument is
the positional equipment. Although typically a GPS, there are many other types, and
combinations of multiple instruments. See Working with RTK-GPS on page 19.
Local Point
A NEZ coordinate system that uses “fake” coordinates, meaning they are not consistent with
State Plane or UTM. An example of this is program default “ptafake 5000 2000 100”.
NEZ
Abbreviation for Northing(N) Easting(E) Elevation (Z). Coordinates are always in NEZ. NEZ
coordinates are in Feet (or meters if selected) rather than Latitude Longitude and Altitude.
.nez file
A file that uses the following columns: “Name Northing(N) Easting(E) Elevation(Z)
Description”. (Description is optional)
Path
The line (curved or straight) you wish to follow. You can set a path by touching the path you
wish to follow on the Plot. See also: Plot
Plot
Other forms: Plot Menu, Plot Window, etc. The Plot is the lower screen that the field is
graphically drawn in. Any options to adjust a feature drawn here are found in the Plot Menu.
See Plot Menu on page 51.
Quick setup
mode
A toggled option to automatically start this application instead of going to the Main menu to
select an application.
Rod (length)
The distance from the reading point (on the GPS antenna) to the blade or ground. The term
Antenna Height is also used interchangeably. See Rod Length on page 21.
State Plane
A NEZ coordinate system with zones designed for a particular US State. Every State has one or
more zones. See UTM and State Plane on page 60.
Odometer
The current distance from the start of the selected Path.
Status (GPS)
Shown on the working screen to describe GPS status and other related messages. Shows
something like “ok: 19 41.1 /53” Where 19=satellites 4=datatype 1.1=precision and
/53=read counter.
Use the table below to evaluate the data type and precision meaning for your GPS.
RTK
Fixed
RTK Float
No RTK
base
Precision
GGA (Most manufacturers)
4
5
1
HDOP
John Deere™
4
3=extend
5=float.
1
HDOP
NovAtel™ (Raven™/AgLeader™)
50
49/48/34/17
16
Alt. Std.
Deviation
Topcon™ (Javad™ GGA)
4
5
1
HDOP
Trimble™ (GGK)
3
2
1
PDOP
Survey File
(.svy)
This file will contain all data points captured. Also, "Location Instrument" setup information
and other relevant information are logged to this file. Points from this file will be displayed on
your plot window as dots. The Survey File Menu includes options to modify this file.
UTM
A NEZ coordinate system with zones designed on Longitude lines. The program can
automatically detect your UTM zone. See UTM and State Plane on page 60

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The Main Working Screen
The AGPS-Pipe Pro™ working screen is divided into three sections:
1. The Top Menu Bar on page 8
2. The Middle Plot Screen, with an Overhead View on page 9 and a Profile View on page 10
3. The Bottom Info Bar on page 11
The Main Working Screen –Overhead View
The Working Screen –Profile View
Menu Bar
Plot screen
Info Bar
Menu Bar
Info Bar
Plot screen

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The Working Screen –Menu Bar
The majority of icons in the Menu Bar are touch active. Several also have a secondary function
that can be accessed by pressing and holding the icon for 3 seconds.
The Menu Bar will change color depending on the Current Pass Mode. See Pass Menu on page 32.
1.
Display
Touch this icon to drop down the display menu where you can adjust the
zoom level, scroll around the screen or adjust the grid. See Adjusting the
View on page 22.
2.
Set Up Menu
Touch this icon to start a new job, switch to a different job or adjust your
parameters. See Setting up the Program on page 11.
3.
Current Elevation
The current elevation of the plow blade. Can be in meters, feet-international
or feet-survey. See Setting up the Program on page 11.
4.
GPS Status
Icon showing current GPS status. Must be green for the program to work.
Touch to access the Instrument Menu see Instrument Menu on page 49.
The following menu shows the data types for often used RTK-GPS systems.
Shows something like “ok: 19 4 1.1 /53” Where 19=satellites 4=datatype
1.1=precision and /53=read counter.
RTK
Fixed
RTK Float
No
RTK
base
Precision
GGA (Most manufacturers)
4
5
1
HDOP
John Deere™
4
3=extend
5=float.
1
HDOP
NovAtel™
(Raven™/AgLeader™)
50
49/48/34/17
16
Alt. Std.
Deviation
Topcon™ (Javad™ GGA)
4
5
1
HDOP
Trimble™ (GGK)
3
2
1
PDOP
5.
Optimum Depth Adjustment
Adjusts the Optimum Depth of the tile line. Please note that AGPS-Pipe Pro™
will redesign the tile line from your current location, removing previously
laid tile points for that line from the screen. The amount the Optimum
Depth Adjustment buttons adjust can be set in the Parameters Menu on page
54.
6.
Digital Grade
Visual real-time indicator of the position of the plow in relation to designed
grade.

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7.
Minimum Slope Adjustment
Adjusts the Minimum Slope of the tile line. Please note that AGPS-Pipe Pro™
will redesign the tile line from your current location, removing previously
laid tile points for that line from the screen. The amount the Minimum Slope
Adjustment buttons adjust can be set in the Parameters Menu on page 54.
8.
Current Slope
Slope of the design or ground at the current point. When using a slope
sensor on the plow, there will be arrows indicating if the back of the boot
needs to go up or down to match desired slope.
9.
Data Capture
Auto Capture icon. Green for On, black/red for Off. When on, AGPS-Pipe
Pro™ will capture a point after a preset distance (default is 10 feet). Adjust
this distance in the Parameters Menu on page 54.
10.
Guidance
Distance from the survey path.
11.
Valve Control
Automatic control of the machine. Green for On, black/red for Off. Press
and Hold to access the Devices (machine control menu).
12.
Pass Mode
Current Pass Mode. Press and Hold to change pass mode. See Pass Types on
page 32.
The Plot Screen –Overhead View
1.
Northing-Easting Location
Real time display of your current location in Northing and Easting in
Feet (or Meters).
2.
Control Point
Visual indication of the location of a Control Point. See Control Points on
page 44.
3.
Background Drawing
An example of lines in a Background Drawing. A Background Drawing
can be built and imported from multiple design programs such as
Surfer™, Ag Data Mapping Solutions™, Auto-Cad™, Farm Works™,
AGREM™, among others. See Loading Background Images on page 29
4.
Tile Lines
Previously Tiled lines appear as dark blue dotted lines. If you label your
lines you can also have the main lines appear as magenta lines, see
Previous Topo Lay on page 40.
5.
Heading
Green line that shows real time heading of the current position. The
heading is drawn from the upper left-hand corner of the icon.

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6.
Current Position
Visual real-time indicator of the position of the plow. The upper left-
hand corner of the icon is considered the ‘true’ position of the plow. You
can set a ‘fake’ position by touching the screen and either setting where
you touched as the fake position or by ‘snapping’ to a point and setting
that as the ‘fake’ position. ‘Fake’ positions are useful in rotating the grid
around a point and in setting Previous Topo Lay points.
7.
Surveyed Points
As you survey or rip, a light blue dotted line will be drawn.
8.
Adjustable Grid Lines
Grid lines to aid in surveying/tiling. See The Grid Menu on page 27
The Plot Screen –Profile View
*Important Note: In the Profile View the X and Y (elevation and distance) are NOT drawn to the
same scale in order for both the horizontal and vertical lines to fit on the screen. This will cause
some lines to seem more steep over distance than they actually are and vice versa.
1.
Northing-Easting Location
Real time display of your current location in Northing and Easting in
Survey Feet.
2.
Guidance
Real time guidance light bar. Visual indicator of how far off the original
survey pass you are.
3.
Ground Profile
Red data points showing the relative elevation of your original survey
pass.
4.
Maximum Depth
The Maximum Depth of the tile line. AGPS-Pipe Pro™ will not allow the
pipe plan to go below this line. It can be adjusted in the Parameters
Menu, on page 54.
5.
Pipe Plan Profile
Where AGPS-Pipe Pro™has calculated the tile should be placed based on
the topography of the line and the Parameters. AGPS-Pipe Pro™
attempts to place the tile at the Optimum Depth with never violating the
Minimum Slope.
6.
Grade Correction Indicators
Real time Elevation guidance light bar. Visual indicator of how far off the
Pipe Plan Profile the plow blade is. Also functions as a blade offset
button. By pressing the up arrow chevrons the program will offset the
plow blade a set amount above plan. See Light Bars on page 25 for more
information.