Fred and Mike: Passing Knowledge Through GTAC
May 25, 2021

At Gooseneck, we are continuously striving to find ways to help our technicians become more efficient, so that we can provide our customers with faster solutions. GTAC, Gooseneck Technical Assistance Center, has provided an opportunity for experienced technicians to find a use for their high knowledge while taking on a role that’s less physically demanding than a field technician. Likewise, our technicians have somewhere to reach for assistance if they are struggling to find a solution to a mechanical issue.


GTAC was implemented at Gooseneck in May 2020. Since the start, the GTAC team has found solutions to almost 1,600 tickets with an average time-to-response rate of two minutes. Those numbers prove that the team is committed to finding solutions for our technicians and getting the customer back up and running in an impressive time.


Last week, I sat down with Mike Thorson and Fred Berndt to talk about their experience on the GTAC team.


How long have you been with Gooseneck?

Fred: I started as a Service Department Technician in 2001 and then began with GTAC in April, 2020.

Mike: I started in 1994 as a Service Department Technician and transitioned to the GTAC team in February, 2021.


What is the best part of your job?

Fred: Helping people. I enjoy working through solutions with the technicians and knowing that I was able to help them get home faster.

Mike: The ability to work from anywhere. I’ve been able to pack my stuff up and respond to GTAC calls no matter where I am. That flexibility has been really great.


Have you had the opportunity to solve a GTAC case with the Smart AR Glasses? How was that process?

Fred: Yes – the visual piece of it is a huge help. It takes the work out of your mind’s eye and puts the exact issue right in front of your screen. For GTAC, it has been a great help.


Smart AR Glasses (Vuzix M400) used by technicians which allow the GATC Team to see what the technician can see

What is it like to have to visualize what these technicians are working on when you aren’t using the glasses? Do you find it challenging to diagnose issues without seeing what the technician is working on?

Mike: It is definitely challenging. If we aren’t able to provide a solution through our knowledge alone, we are able to do research on the issues while the tech is out in the field. We can pull up the tech manuals, search through parts, and access DTAC (Deere Technical Assistance Center) Solutions to see if we can find the answer for the technician. As part of GTAC it is important for us to take classes and work to grow our knowledge so that we can help our technicians when challenging issues come up.


Do you think GTAC is a good option for older technicians looking for a career transition into something that is less physically demanding?

Mike: That’s why I took the job! It’s challenging and still allows me to use the 30 years of knowledge that I have in a way that helps our technicians and our customers. 


Fred: Yes – its challenging and keeps your mind sharp while still allowing you to contribute to Gooseneck. As a technician, you are seasoned to work through a job start to finish. You begin with the issue and you see it the whole way through to completion. Being on GTAC has required me to change the way I see jobs. Now I’m a small piece of the puzzle. I help solve one problem, but I don’t see the machine all the way through to completion. That is what the technician does. For me, I could bounce between a Sprayer and a Combine all within a half hour. You have to retrain your brain to be able to bounce around to different machines and issues in any given moment on any given day.


When you aren’t at work, what do you like to do in your free time?

Mike: I like to take motorcycle trips with my wife. I am a part of the Gallows Club in Towner so we spend quite a bit of time involved with that.


Fred: Watching my kids play sports. They are currently 12 and 14 so they are involved in quite a bit of school athletics.


What is your favorite John Deere Machine?

Mike: I like seeing all of the new stuff. The way that technology is evolving in these machines is exciting.


Fred: The John Deere 4020, a classic.


Do you have any success stories that illustrate how GTAC has helped our technicians?

Fred: This spring I was able to help with a lot of calibration issues on seeders. Our technicians were running into issues and I was able to help them work through them in just a half hour or so.


Employee Testimonials

“Using the glasses so GTAC is able to see what I see to help find a solution was great. The concept to help find the solutions faster for customers is really a positive one.”
-Dustin Volk, Service Technician
“I recently had the opportunity to use GTAC for the first time. I was really happy with the experience and was able to get help with the issue I was having. Calling Fred to find a solution worked really well.”
-Dylan Drader, Service Technician
“GTAC saves a lot of time. We are able to find a solution to the problem we are running into within minutes. There is a lot of knowledge out there through technician experience that we are able to access in ways we weren’t able to before. As a tech out in the field, using the AMS side of things has really been great to help with GPS and Section Control questions”
-Adrian Lemieux, Service Technician
Adrian Lemieux using Smart AR Glasses at Gooseneck Implement

Through GTAC, the use of knowledge and communication brings the ability for technicians to find a solution for customers quicker. This is huge for both parties involved. Customers are able to get into the field quicker and technicians are able to get home to their families sooner, as Fred stated in the interview. Bringing the circle together to improve the experience is what GTAC is all about.

September 23, 2026
MY27 Combines: What’s New for John Deere’s X9 and S7
By McKensie Popinga • September 14, 2026
There’s nothing quite like seeing new equipment up close. On August 26 and 27, we welcomed customers to Minot for our 2027–2028 John Deere Showcase, and if you ask us, there was a lot to look at. From a combine built to keep harvest moving, to sprayer technology that can actually see what’s happening in the field, to automation designed to make baling a little easier, the showcase gave our customers a firsthand look at what’s coming next. And yes, there were some pretty impressive machines on the floor. WATCH OUR EVENT OVERVIEW VIDEO HERE Our John Deere and Gooseneck Implement product experts were there to walk through the new equipment, answer questions and talk about what these advancements could mean for the people putting them to work. Here are a few of the highlights: 2027 John Deere X9 1100 Combine The John Deere X9 1100 is built for high-capacity harvesting when conditions are demanding and there’s no time to slow down. With serious capacity, power and technology, the X9 1100 is designed to help operators keep productivity high while staying focused on grain quality, residue and overall machine performance. And seeing an X9 in person? It’s hard to miss. John Deere currently identifies the X9 1000 and X9 1100 as its Performance Group 10 and 11 combines, with 420- and 460-bushel grain tank capacities. WATCH THE X9 1100 VIDEO HERE 2028 John Deere C1450T Air Cart When you’re trying to make the most of a good seeding window, stopping to refill isn’t where you want to spend your time. With 1,460 bushels of total capacity across five tanks, the C1450T is the largest-capacity air cart in John Deere’s C-Series lineup, giving producers more product on board and more time spent covering acres. The 105-bushel front flex tank also adds flexibility, handling either seed or fertilizer. Because when the weather is right and the field is ready, more capacity means more time getting the job done. WATCH THE C1450T VIDEO HERE John Deere Autonomous 9RX 640 The John Deere Autonomous 9RX 640 gave showcase attendees a firsthand look at where fieldwork is headed. The 9RX uses cameras, artificial intelligence and machine learning to navigate the field and perform tillage work on its own. John Deere's second generation autonomous technology uses 16 cameras to provide a 360-degree view around the machine, helping it identify and respond to obstacles as it works. The goal isn't complicated: put technology to work on the jobs that need to get done, while giving operators the freedom to focus their time and attention elsewhere. And honestly, watching a 9RX 640 work the field with no one in the cab is something you have to see for your self. WATCH THE AUTONOMOUS 9RX 640 VIDEO HERE 2027 John Deere 616R Sprayer + See & Spray™ Gen 2 This might be one of the easiest technologies to see the value in, literally. The 2027 John Deere 616R equipped with See & Spray™ Gen 2 uses camera vision and machine learning to identify crops and weeds in real time, helping target applications where they’re needed. Beginning in 2027, the technology also brings expanded crop compatibility, variable-rate capabilities and See & Scout™ field insights. That means the sprayer isn’t just covering acres, it’s gathering insight along the way. WATCH THE 616R + SEE & SPRAY GEN 2 VIDEO HERE Auto Weave Baler We’re all for technology that makes the job easier. The John Deere Auto Weave Baler uses automation to adjust the baler’s path across the windrow, helping create consistent, square-shouldered bales without the operator having to constantly make those adjustments. Combined with guidance, turn, speed and gate automation, it’s designed to take some of the repetitive work out of the cab and give operators one less thing to manage. Because sometimes the best technology is the technology that lets you focus on everything else. WATCH THE AUTO WEAVE BALER VIDEO HERE So, What’s Next? If there was one takeaway from the 2027–2028 John Deere Showcase, it’s that equipment is becoming a whole lot more than just equipment. We’re seeing more capacity. More automation. More technology. More connectivity. And ultimately, more opportunities to help producers get more from the acres, hours and resources they already have. But the best part of the showcase wasn’t just the equipment. It was getting to spend time with our customers. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in Minot. We’re grateful for the opportunity to answer your questions, talk through what’s new and, of course, talk a little equipment. Couldn’t make it? No worries! We’ve got you covered. Check out the videos above for a closer look at the equipment featured at the showcase, and connect with your Gooseneck Implement team if you want to dig a little deeper. There’s a lot ahead, and we’re excited to see what’s next with you.
By Marketing Team • September 11, 2026
Harvest may be complete, but the value in your data is just getting started. Learn how to clean, organize, and analyze your harvest data so you can make more informed decisions for next season.
Precision Ag Combine Optimization During Harvest
By Marketing Team • August 13, 2026
Learn how Combine & FEE Startup and Optimization Packages help improve machine performance, reduce grain loss, ensure accurate yield data, and maximize harvest efficiency from the first acre to the last.
By McKensie Popinga • July 14, 2026
Harvest is busy enough without spending extra time creating work plans or correcting field information in the cab. That's why John Deere is introducing a new feature designed to make harvest setup easier and improve the quality of your documentation. Beginning August 3, John Deere Operations Center will automatically create harvest work plans for compatible machines using the seeding data already stored in your organization. How It Works Operations Center will use your spring seeding records to automatically generate harvest work plans and send them directly to compatible machines. If your seeding data is complete and accurate, those work plans will already include information like: · Client · Farm · Field · Crop type · Variety · Additional field information from your seeding records Instead of building harvest work plans manually, your operators can get to work with fewer button pushes in the cab and spend less time managing documentation throughout the season. Why This Matters Accurate spring data leads to accurate harvest records. When your seeding information is clean and organized, this new feature helps ensure your harvest documentation is just as accurate. That means: · Less setup time before harvest · Fewer manual entries in the cab · More accurate harvest documentation · Better records for reporting and future decision-making · Potentially less office work creating harvest work plans manually Is Your Operations Center Ready? This new feature is especially beneficial for operations that have maintained clean seeding data throughout the spring. If you're not completely confident in your Client, Farm, Field, varieties, or seeding records, now is a great time to get everything cleaned up before harvest begins. Post Seeding Maintenance Package Our Precision Ag team is offering a one-time Post Seeding Maintenance Package for $500 to help prepare your Operations Center for harvest. The package includes: · Operations Center Data Cleanup · Client, Farm, and Field organization cleanup · Review and correction of post-seeding data, including: o Varieties o Acres o Task dates o Other planting information · Boundary Creation (Upon Request) o Create or update field boundaries for improved documentation and mapping · FSA & Crop Insurance Reporting Binder (Upon Request) o Receive a complete binder containing: - Seeding dates - Varieties - Acres - Additional seeding information - True field boundaries that remove overlap and identify prevented seeding acres - Seeding coverage maps with field information Whether you're preparing for harvest or organizing records for reporting, this package helps ensure your data is accurate and ready when you need it. Want to Disable Automatic Work Plans? Organizations will have Automatic Harvest Work Plans enabled by default. If you prefer to continue creating harvest work plans manually, the feature can be turned off in your Organization Preferences before August 3.  While we expect most customers will benefit from having this feature enabled, it's helpful to know you have the option to manage this setting based on your operation's preferences. Need Help? If you'd like assistance reviewing your Operations Center data or would like to schedule a Post Seeding Maintenance appointment, contact your Gooseneck Implement Account Manager today. We'll help make sure your data is organized, accurate, and ready for harvest.
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