Hardi MUSTANG 3500 Operator's Manual

58HARDI MT-9000 OPERATOR’S MANUALAPPENDIX C: USING AN EXTERNAL PC TOCONTROL THE MUSTANG 3500An external computer (PC or Pocket PC) running a Variable Rate Application(VRA) program can be used to remotely control the HARDI® Mustang 3500.An example of a VRA program which supports the Mustang 3500 isFarmWorks® "SiteMate". Note that the Mustang 3500 has the capability toaccept the following remote commands from an external PC:1) Change the current Target Application Rate (if PC sends any Target rate> 0)2) Stopping the sprayer by placing the system in HOLD (if PC sends aTarget rate of "0")3) Remotely control individual boom sections (*only if VRA programprovides the capability)STANDARD VRA MODE OPERATIONEntering VRA Mode:As soon as the Mustang 3500 receives the first initial target ratefrom the VRA program, the console enters "VRA mode". The following listdescribes differences between "normal" operation mode and "VRA mode":When VRA mode is activated:• The "1", "2", or "3" icons which normally appear next to the "Rate"icon in the upper display, disappear, leaving just the "Rate" icon on. Thisindicates that the console is now in VRA mode.• The Target Adjust feature is disabled.• The console display always shows the actual application rate. Ifthe user presses the Adjust switch, then the current target rate is shown for2 seconds after which it reverts to showing actual application rate.Exiting VRA Mode:To return to normal operating mode, disconnect the serial cable from the PC,then cycle the power switch.VRA OVERRIDE MODEWhen the Mustang 3500 is being controlled by a VRA Application runningon an external PC, the console also provides the capability to "override" theexternal computer if necessary. For example, in an emergency situationwhere a user needs to stop spraying, moving the console Master switch to"HOLD" overrides the current prescription being sent to the console byexternal PC. Likewise, if a user sees conditions where it is desirable to deviate