Built by drainage people, for drainage work.

Ditch Assist® began around 2012 when Simon Knutson built its first version: PC-based visual guidance software. When Joel Classen and Simon founded Northern Plains Drainage Systems, they turned that idea into full RTK machine control, built for their own drainage and earthwork.

Where it started

From visual guidance to full machine control.

The first version of Ditch Assist was not a corporate software project. It was a practical answer to a field problem: show an operator where grade is, make the target clear, and remove the guesswork from drainage and earthwork.

That first version grew into what we sell today. The Full Automation Kit adds our valve, and Ditch Assist raises and lowers the implement to grade. The Guidance Only Kit shows you the grade while you work the levers; add our valve later and it becomes the Full Automation Kit. On an implement with a compatible factory valve, it plugs straight in and Ditch Assist works raise/lower. Ditch Assist Lite puts only a GPS on the blade: guidance-only grade control for any machine or implement you can attach one to. The DIG™ Kit guides an excavator bucket to grade.

Scraper with an RTK receiver, grading with Ditch Assist

The story

The goal has not changed.

Joel and Simon set out to build powerful grade control every operation can afford, learn in a day, and trust. That was the goal when Northern Plains started developing Ditch Assist into machine control, and it is still the standard we measure against today.

Around 2012

Invented by Simon Knutson.

Ditch Assist started as PC software for visual guidance: a way to help operators see grade in real time instead of relying only on lasers, stakes, or repeated checks.

Northern Plains

Built into machine control.

After Joel and Simon founded Northern Plains Drainage Systems, the team pushed Ditch Assist beyond guidance into full RTK machine control, practical enough for operators to run every day.

Today

Still honoring the same goal.

One Android app now runs every mode, from Ditching to Land Forming and Excavator, with no subscription. Slope-IQ™ designs the grade from your survey, and AGD, XYZ/XYZP and LandXML design files import directly. The goal is the same: powerful grade control that more operators can afford, learn, and trust.

Family business

Self-made, family-run, and still hands-on.

We are proud to be a self-made family business. Joel and Simon still run Northern Plains Drainage Systems while staying involved in other farming, software, and consulting ventures.

Hardware and software development.

Simon heads up Ditch Assist hardware and software development. He built the current app and this website, and still decides what goes into each kit and app update.

Operations, support, and dealer relations.

Joel acts as GM, overseeing day-to-day operations including logistics, customer support, dealer relations, and the feedback loop between the field and product development.

A team behind the system.

Ditch Assist is supported by a dedicated team based in Canada and the United States. Together with our dealer network, we help you choose the right setup for your machine, get it running, and keep it running after the sale.

Principles

What we believe.

Operators are smart.

Build tools that respect that: clear modes, visible targets, practical controls, and steps in the order the job gets done.

Accuracy should not require complexity.

RTK grade control should be powerful without becoming intimidating. Ditch Assist shows the operator the target grade, cut/fill, map position and profile on the tablet in the cab.

Affordability matters.

A grade control system only helps if operators can justify owning it, moving it between jobs, and using it every day.