ISOBUS Block: 8-Channel Relay Module for Any ISOBUS Tractor

Key takeaways

• Product: ISOBUS Block, an 8-channel relay module that registers as an AUX function on any ISOBUS tractor.
• Price: EUR 980 for the bare module (MODULE tier — DIN-rail ABS housing, IP20).
• Switching: 10 A per channel, 250 V AC / 30 V DC max, 8 independent relays with NO / COM / NC terminals.
• Control: Virtual Terminal soft keys on the tractor screen, plus AUX-N assignment to any joystick or armrest button.
• Buttons: 8 customizable soft buttons in the Virtual Terminal — each with its own label and icon.
• Power: 7–36 V DC over the ISOBUS connection. No separate power wiring.
• Compliance: CE certified.

What ISOBUS Block is

ISOBUS Block is an 8-channel auxiliary relay module that plugs into the tractor's ISOBUS network and registers itself as an AUX-N function. Once it's on the bus, the operator sees an 8-channel control screen on the existing Virtual Terminal — no extra display, no proprietary controller, no laptop required for setup.

What makes it different from a third-party switchbox: the buttons you already have do the work. Channel labels and icons are edited from the tractor screen and appear in both the VT main grid and the tractor's AUX-N assignment menu. The module is a building block — you wire the relay outputs to whatever 12 V or 24 V loads you want to switch, then assign the channels to buttons that fit your workflow.

Specs

The bare module is IP20 — designed for in-cab or panel mounting. For outdoor or implement-side use, the module belongs in an IP65 enclosure.

Use cases

The 8 channels are independent. Use them for whatever combination of loads fits your work. Three common ones:

Front loader third function

Wire a diverter valve solenoid to a relay channel. Assign that channel to a joystick button. Press the button, the diverter opens, your existing first/second hydraulic function now drives a third tool — grapple, bale spike, log clamp.

Work-light groups

Wire your front, side, and rear work lights to separate channels. Set the channels to toggle (TOG) mode. Assign them to armrest buttons. Group two or three channels under a single button if you want one press to switch a whole set on at once.

Solenoid valves on sprayers and spreaders

Wire each section's solenoid to its own channel. Switch sections on and off from the screen or from buttons. The channels are independent, so you can mix work-light toggles and momentary valve outputs on the same module.

How it works in plain language

1. Mount the module on a DIN rail in the cab, a panel, or your own IP65 enclosure.
2. Wire your loads to the relay terminals (NO, COM, NC per channel).
3. Plug an ISOBUS cable from the module into the tractor — either the in-cab ISOBUS connector or the rear external one, your choice. Power and CAN both ride that single connection.
4. The module appears on the Virtual Terminal as CH1–CH8. Rename channels, choose icons, set each one to TOG or MOM.
5. Open the tractor's AUX-N menu and assign channels to whichever joystick or armrest buttons you prefer.
6. Drive.

WiFi is built in but optional. It exists for diagnostics and firmware updates — viewing output state, checking software version, updating over the air. All button assignment and channel behaviour is set on the Virtual Terminal, not over WiFi. Common setup questions are answered on the FAQ page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of ISOBUS Block?

EUR 980 for the bare 8-channel module (the MODULE tier). You wire your own loads to the relay terminals and supply your own ISOBUS cable. There's also a CABIN kit (EUR 1,090) with a pre-built 1.8 m harness for the in-cab connector, and an IMPLEMENT kit (EUR 1,590) with an IP65 enclosure and pre-terminated leads for implement-side mounting.

Will ISOBUS Block work with my tractor?

It works with any tractor that has an ISOBUS in-cab or rear external connector — the standard 9-pin sockets defined by ISO 11783. That covers Fendt, Valtra, John Deere, Case IH, CLAAS, Massey Ferguson, New Holland and other ISOBUS-compliant brands. Soft-key control on the Virtual Terminal works on any ISOBUS tractor; assigning channels to armrest buttons needs a tractor that supports AUX-N. For the brand-by-brand breakdown, see the ISOBUS compatibility guide.

Does the module need an internet connection?

No. The module runs entirely on the tractor's ISOBUS network. WiFi is built in but optional — it's used for diagnostics and firmware updates, not for normal operation. Every button assignment and channel setting happens on the tractor screen.

Can ISOBUS Block replace a hydraulic joystick block?

It replaces the control side of one — the switches, the wiring, the auxiliary switchbox. The module switches relays; the relays drive the same solenoid valves your existing hydraulic block uses. Hoses, cylinders, and the hydraulic block itself stay as they are. The chain is: button press → relay switches → solenoid opens → oil moves → cylinder extends.

What's the power supply?

7–36 V DC, fed through the ISOBUS connection itself. There is no separate power wiring. The same plug carries CAN bus and power.

How many things can I run from it?

Up to 8 independent loads, 10 A each. Channels can also be grouped — link two or three channels under one button so a single press switches a whole set together.

Related reading

• ISOBUS AUX-N Complete Guide — how joystick and armrest assignment works
• ISOBUS Virtual Terminal Explained — the screen the module appears on
• ISOBUS Terminal Solutions — broader context on VT-based control
• ISOBUS Connector Pinout Guide — the 9-pin wiring

Ready to put 8 outputs on your armrest? Order ISOBUS Block or read the installation docs. Questions on a specific setup? Get in touch.