Emlid Reach RS4 RTK GNSS receivers built for field RTK work
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Optional RTK GPS bundles

Emlid RTK GNSS for Ditch Assist.

Already own RTK? Bring it. Starting from scratch? Bundle Emlid Reach RS4 or RS3 receivers with Ditch Assist for affordable centimeter-grade GPS without the usual ag RTK unlock stack, radio upgrades, and correction subscription path. The Ditch Assist-only bundle adds the field hardware and cable needed to connect it cleanly.

New to Ditch Assist™? It is centimeter-accurate RTK GPS grade control for your own machines — see what it is or find your kit.

Get a Ditch Assist + Emlid quote → Call 1-833-DITCH-AS
RS4 base + rover RS4 base / RS3 rover No receiver lock-in Use beyond Ditch Assist Emlid optional, not required
Emlid RTK GNSS receivers for Ditch Assist grade control
Who this bundle is for

Emlid is optional. This bundle is for customers who want it.

Ditch Assist runs on any compatible RTK GNSS source. The Emlid bundle exists for customers who do not have RTK yet or want an affordable, portable base/rover setup.

Best for

Starting without RTK

Operators without RTK yet who want an affordable base/rover setup that is not tied to one ag-display brand, and receivers that still earn their keep on surveys and layout work outside Ditch Assist.

Already have RTK?

Replacing RTK that already works

Operators whose current RTK receiver already outputs compatible NMEA position data. Keep running it — the Emlid bundle is optional, not a requirement to run Ditch Assist.

Why Emlid

RTK GPS that fits the Ditch Assist customer.

Ditch Assist works with compatible RTK receivers you already own. We offer a special Ditch Assist-only Emlid bundle because many customers want a clean, affordable way to get RTK accuracy without buying into a proprietary ag display, RTK unlocks, radio unlocks, receiver upgrades, or recurring correction fees before they can even start grading.

Lower total cost

A practical RTK path.

Emlid receivers give Ditch Assist customers centimeter RTK capability without forcing a full ag-RTK ecosystem purchase. Your quote can include the receivers, mounts, cabling, and setup path needed for your machine.

Base + rover

Own your corrections.

Most buyers use a local base and rover radio link, so they are not dependent on a paid correction subscription. NTRIP remains an option where a network and cellular service make sense.

Not Ditch Assist-only

Keep the receiver useful.

The same Emlid gear can be used for field surveys, layout, drone base station work, mapping, or other compatible equipment and apps. It is standard RTK GNSS, not a locked accessory.

Ditch Assist-only bundle

More than two receivers in a box.

The Ditch Assist Emlid bundle is quoted only through Ditch Assist when receivers are being supplied with a grade-control system. It is not listed on Base & Rover because it includes the Ditch Assist-specific install pieces needed to make RTK practical on the machine.

RTK receivers

RS4 / RS3 base-rover pair.

Choose the receiver combination that fits the job: two RS4 receivers, or the common RS4 base with RS3 rover machine-control package.

Base station hardware

Tripod, extender, and mounts.

The bundle includes the base station tripod, base station tripod extender, and mount hardware so the correction source can be set up cleanly in the field.

Ditch Assist connection

RTK GPS cable included.

The Ditch Assist-to-Emlid RTK GPS cable is included so the receiver can feed the Ditch Assist system without the customer sourcing a custom cable later.

Recommended Ditch Assist bundles

The two Emlid setups most customers choose.

For machine control, the decision is usually not complicated. Use one receiver as the base and one receiver as the rover on the scraper, ditcher, tile plow, land leveler, or other Ditch Assist-controlled machine. When quoted through Ditch Assist, the receiver package can include the base tripod, tripod extender, mount hardware, and Ditch Assist-to-Emlid RTK GPS cable.

Bundle Best fit Why customers choose it
2 x Emlid Reach RS4One RS4 base, one RS4 machine rover. Best all-around setup when you want maximum receiver capability on both ends of the RTK link. All-band GNSS, strong radio options, IP68 construction, long battery life, and the ability to move either receiver between base, rover, survey, or layout work.
Reach RS4 base + Reach RS3 roverRS4 at the base, RS3 on the machine. Lower-cost Ditch Assist bundle for customers who want the RS4 radio platform at the base and a proven machine rover. The RS4 gives the base a higher-power radio platform, while the RS3 on the machine provides excellent RTK performance and field durability at a lower receiver cost.
Emlid Reach RS4 all-band RTK GNSS receiver
Recommended base or rover

Emlid Reach RS4

The RS4 is the premium recommendation for Ditch Assist customers who want the strongest all-around Emlid receiver. It can run as a base or rover, tracks all major constellations and frequencies, and supports NTRIP plus radio correction links.

  • All-band GNSS with 672 channels and L5/L6 support for stronger multipath rejection.
  • RTK accuracy listed at 7 mm + 1 ppm horizontal and 14 mm + 1 ppm vertical.
  • LoRa 915 MHz up to 1 W in North America and UHF 450 MHz up to 2 W where licensing allows.
  • IP68 housing, -40°C to +65°C operating range, 16-hour RTK rover battery life.
View RS4 details at Base & Rover →
Emlid Reach RS3 multi-band RTK GNSS receiver
Field-proven rover option

Emlid Reach RS3

The RS3 is a strong lower-cost rover option for the machine, especially when paired with an RS4 at the base. It has been proven in Ditch Assist field use and still gives customers standard RTK GNSS for survey and mapping jobs.

  • Multi-band GNSS with 184 channels and up to 10 Hz update rate.
  • RTK accuracy listed at 7 mm + 1 ppm horizontal and 14 mm + 1 ppm vertical.
  • LoRa radio, UHF receive-only support with antenna, NTRIP, RTCM3, and NMEA output.
  • IP67 housing, -20°C to +65°C operating range, 18-hour RTK rover battery life.
View RS3 details at Base & Rover →
Compatibility

What Ditch Assist needs from the receiver.

Any Emlid Reach RS4 or RS3 meets this out of the box. Feeding Ditch Assist from a different brand? Match the same settings.

NMEA output
Standard NMEA 0183 GGA and VTG messages over a serial connection — the same messages the Emlid Reach app enables on RS4 and RS3.
Message rate
5 Hz or 10 Hz. 5 Hz is the standard rate; 10 Hz is supported when faster feedback is useful.
Baud rate
38,400. Set this on the receiver serial output before connecting the Ditch Assist-to-Emlid RTK GPS cable.
Correction source
Either works: a local base/rover radio link (LoRa or UHF) with no subscription, or an NTRIP network correction where cellular data is available.
Connection
The Ditch Assist-to-Emlid RTK GPS cable carries the rover NMEA output straight into the control module — no extra adapter needed.
Ag RTK vs Emlid RTK

Why many Ditch Assist buyers do not start with ag-display RTK.

Many ag receivers and displays can work well once they are fully unlocked and configured. The issue for a new grade-control buyer is often the stack of costs: RTK unlocks, radio hardware, modem hardware, activation fees, correction services, and brand-specific setup limits.

Emlid RTK GNSS receivers for Ditch Assist grade control
Ditch Assist grade control on scrapers, ditchers, tile plows, and levelers RTK surveys, tile route checks, benchmarks, and elevation control points Standalone Emlid purchases through Base & Rover for customers not buying Ditch Assist

Use what you own

If your current RTK receiver can feed Ditch Assist the position data it needs, keep using it. We are not trying to replace working RTK. During quoting, we can help confirm the practical details: receiver output, correction source, cable path, mounting location, receiver height setup, and whether your existing base or network correction will be reliable for grade-control work.

Bundle Emlid when starting fresh

If you do not already have RTK, an Emlid base/rover bundle is usually the simpler path: open receiver ecosystem, local corrections, and hardware that remains useful beyond Ditch Assist. The Ditch Assist-only bundle can include the receivers, base tripod, tripod extender, mount hardware, and Ditch Assist-to-Emlid RTK GPS cable, so the GPS side arrives as a working machine-control package instead of a list of parts to chase later.

How to buy

Bundle with Ditch Assist, or buy GNSS standalone.

Ditch Assist quotes can include the Ditch Assist-only Emlid RTK bundle when you need GPS for the machine. Northern Plains also operates Base & Rover as a standalone online Emlid GNSS store for customers who only need receivers and accessories.

Ditch Assist quote

Bundle receivers with your grade-control kit.

Tell us your machine, implement, job type, current GPS hardware, and whether you want automation or guidance. We will quote the Ditch Assist kit and the Ditch Assist-only Emlid RTK bundle together.

Get a quote →
Talk it through

Call before choosing receivers.

Not sure whether to run two RS4s, an RS4 base with RS3 rover, or your existing RTK? Call Ditch Assist and we will match the receiver setup to your field conditions.

Call 1-833-DITCH-AS →
GNSS only

Buy Emlid from Base & Rover.

For customers who only need Emlid GNSS receivers, accessories, or a standalone base/rover setup, use the Northern Plains online store. The Ditch Assist install bundle is quoted through Ditch Assist, not listed in the store.

Visit Base & Rover →
Quote path

Get the RTK side sorted before the machine is ready.

The goal is not to make you piece together receivers, tripods, mounts, and cables after the grade-control kit arrives. Tell us what you are running, and we will quote the RTK package as part of the Ditch Assist setup.

1. Tell us the job

Machine, implement, and RTK status.

We need to know what you are controlling, whether you already have RTK, and whether the job is ditching, grading, land forming, tiling, leveling, contour levees, or DIG.

2. Pick the receiver path

Use existing RTK or add Emlid.

If your current RTK is compatible, keep it. If you are starting fresh, we will recommend either two RS4 receivers or an RS4 base with RS3 rover.

3. Quote the complete kit

No missing install pieces.

The Ditch Assist-only Emlid bundle can include receivers, tripod, extender, mounts, and the Ditch Assist-to-Emlid RTK GPS cable in the same quote.

Start the quote →
FAQ

Emlid RTK and Ditch Assist questions.

Compatibility

Do I need Emlid RTK to use Ditch Assist?

No. Ditch Assist can use compatible RTK GNSS receivers you already own. Emlid is the optional Ditch Assist-only bundle we recommend when a customer does not already have RTK or wants a portable base/rover setup that is not tied to one tractor brand.

Bundle contents

What is included in the Ditch Assist-only Emlid bundle?

The bundle can include the RTK receivers, base station tripod, base station tripod extender, mount hardware, and the Ditch Assist-to-Emlid RTK GPS cable. It is only quoted through Ditch Assist when receivers are being supplied with a grade-control package, so it is not listed as a standard Base & Rover store bundle.

Best bundle

Should I choose two RS4 receivers or an RS4 base with RS3 rover?

Choose two RS4 receivers if you want the strongest matching setup and maximum receiver flexibility. Choose RS4 base + RS3 rover if you want a lower-cost machine-control package that still puts the stronger radio platform at the base and a field-proven receiver on the machine.

Subscriptions

Can I run without an RTK correction subscription?

Yes, when you run your own local base and rover correction link. You may still choose NTRIP where a correction network is available, but that can involve cellular data or network fees depending on your region.

Standalone GNSS

Where should I buy Emlid if I only need receivers?

Use Base & Rover, the standalone Northern Plains online store for Emlid GNSS receivers and accessories. Use Ditch Assist quoting when receivers are part of a grade-control package, because the Ditch Assist bundle includes install-specific pieces such as the RTK GPS cable, tripod, extender, and mount hardware.

All modes

Are all Ditch Assist modes included with an Emlid bundle?

Yes. Emlid is a GPS hardware bundle, not a mode license. Every Ditch Assist kit includes every mode — ditching, terracing, land forming, simple grading, tiling, leveling, levee/contour, and DIG — at no extra cost, no matter which RTK receiver feeds it.

Wiring

What NMEA output and baud rate does Ditch Assist need from the receiver?

Standard NMEA 0183 GGA and VTG messages over serial, at 38,400 baud, output at 5 Hz or 10 Hz. Emlid Reach RS4 and RS3 support this natively; other brands need to be configured to match.