29 Senstek Sens-Saver SS2 Grain Loss Monitor
30 Smith-Roles GM30 Combine Grain Monitor
31 BEE Model 7410 Combine Loss Monitor
32 RDS Mark 3 Combine Monitor
33 SED Model 912 Grain Loss Monitor
Summary of Senstek Sens-Saver SS2 Grain Loss Monitor (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.31 MB)
The Sens-Saver SS2 Grain Loss Monitor, when properly installed to suit combine characteristics and when calibrated to suit crop conditions, was a very good indicator of changes in combine loss-rate. It could effectively be used to aid the combine operator in maintaining the feedrate at an efficient level.
Although the Senstek SS2 was effective in indicating changes in loss-rate, its accuracy in indicating the actual grain loss-rate was only fair. Monitor sensitivity was good in wheat and barley, but was poor in rapeseed.
Meter visibility was good both day and night. However, minimal damping of the meter allowed it to fluctuate occasionally, making it difficult to read.
The manufacturer's calibration procedure was very easy to perform as it simply involved setting the monitor according to a table in the operator's manual based on combine width and crop type. Although this procedure was useful in initially setting the monitor, additional field checks to suit varying crop conditions were necessary. The meter output, which was calibrated in bushels/hour loss, did not necessarily give accurate readings over a range of feedrates and should be used only as a guide in assessing relative lossrates.
It took about six man hours to install the Senstek SS2 on a combine. The sensors had a unique mounting configuration, giving very good sampling of walker losses and both mechanical and airborne shoe losses.
The operator's manual was clearly written and well illustrated, containing detailed information on installation and use of the monitor.
One sensor failure occurred during testing.
Summary of Smith-Roles GM30 Combine Grain Monitor (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.28 MB)
The Smith-Roles GM30 combine grain monitor, when properly installed to suit combine characteristics and when calibrated to suit crop conditions, was a good indicator of changes in combine lossrate. It could effectively be used to aid the combine operator in maintaining the feedrate at an efficient level.
Although the Smith-Roles GM30 was effective in indicating changes in lossrate, its accuracy in indicating the actual grain lossrate was only fair. Monitor sensitivity was good in wheat and barley, but was poor in rapeseed.
Meter visibility was good during both day and night operation. However, minimal damping of the meter allowed it to fluctuate occasionally which made it difficult to read.
The manufacturer's calibration procedure, suggested for experimental purposes, was difficult, time consuming, and erroneous. Since no alternate procedure was suggested for normal farm use, a simple calibration procedure was developed. Proper calibration to suit crop conditions was very important.
It took about five man hours to install the Smith-Roles GM30 on a combine. As with most loss monitors, proper sensor positioning was critical to the performance of the system.
The operator's manual was clearly written and well illustrated. It contained detailed installation instructions but lacked operating instructions and a simple calibration procedure.
Two sensor failures occurred during testing.
Summary of BEE Model 7410 Combine Loss Monitor (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.24 MB)
The Bee Model 7410 combine loss monitor, when properly installed to suit combine characteristics and when calibrated to suit crop conditions, was a very good indicator of changes in combine loss rate. It could effectively be used to aid the combine operator in maintaining the feedrate at an efficient level.
Although the BEE 7410 was effective in indicating changes in lossrate, its accuracy in indicating the actual grain lossrate was only fair. Monitor sensitivity was very good in wheat and barley, and was good in rapeseed.
Indicator visibility was fair during the day and very good at night. The indicator, although only slightly damped, was quite stable, making it easy to read.
The manufacturer's calibration procedure was not highly functional. Instead, a simple calibration procedure was used. Proper calibration to suit crop conditions was very important.
It took about four man hours to install the BEE 7410 on a combine. As with most loss monitors, proper sensor positioning was critical to the performance of the system.
The operator's manual was clearly written and well illustrated and contained detailed information on the installation and operation of the loss monitor.
One sensor failure occurred during the test.
Summary of RDS Mark 3 Combine Monitor (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.29 MB)
The RDS Mark 3 combine monitor, when properly installed to suit combine characteristics and when calibrated to suit crop conditions, was a very good indicator of changes in combine lossrate. It could effectively be used to aid the combine operator in maintaining the feedrate at an efficient level.
Although the RDS Mark 3 was effective in indicating changes in lossrate, its accuracy in indicating the actual grain lossrate was only fair. Monitor sensitivity was excellent in wheat and barley and was good in rapeseed.
Meter visibility was very good during the day, but was poor at night because of inadequate meter illumination. The indicator needle was steady and moved smoothly, making it easy to read.
The manufacturer's calibration procedure was functional and simple. Proper calibration to suit crop conditions was very important.
It took about seven man hours to install the RDS Mark 3 on a combine. As with most loss monitors, selecting proper sensor location was critical to the performance of the system.
The operator's manual and installation instructions were well illustrated, containing detailed information on sensor positioning, calibration and operation.
No failures or system malfunctions occurred during the test.
Summary of SED Model 912 Grain Loss Monitor (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.24 MB)
The SED Model 912 grain loss monitor, when properly installed to suit combine characteristics and when calibrated to suit crop conditions, was a very good indicator of changes in combine lossrate. It could effectively be used to aid the combine operator in maintaining the feedrate at an efficient level.
Although the SED 91 2 was effective in indicating changes in lossrate, its accuracy in indicating the actual grain lossrate was only fair. Monitor sensitivity was excellent in wheat, barley and rapeseed.
Meter visibility was good for both day and night operation. However, the meter was undamped which allowed it to fluctuate occasionally, making it difficult to read.
The manufacturer's calibration procedure was simple and functional. Proper calibration to suit crop conditions was very important.
It took about four man hours to install the SED 912 on a combine. As with most monitors proper sensor positioning was critical to the performance of the system.
The operator's manual was clearly written and well illustrated and contained detailed information on the installation and operation of the loss monitor.
One circuit failure occurred during the test. |