101 SED Model 902 Seeder Monitor
362 Acu-Grain BM-2 Harvest Measuring System
Summary of SED Model 902 Seeder Monitor (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.26 MB)
The SED Model 902 seeder monitor was suitable for monitoring the flow of fertilizer or large and small seeds from the grain drill to the ground.
The control box channel lights were bright enough to alarm the operator providing the control panel was not positioned in direct sunlight. The audible channel alarm was loud enough to be heard above the tractor noise.
The monitor was very sensitive to the impact of the falling grain particles and it could measure the flow of the smaller seeds such as rapeseed.
The mixing of chemicals such as Lindasan or Gamasan with the rapeseed resulted in a buildup of the powders on the sensor heads and caused the system to give a false alarm.
The response time of the monitor was almost instantaneous with the alarm sounding within two seconds after the stoppage in seed flow.
The monitor could be installed in about three hours on a multiple grain drill hookup. Final placement of the sensors in the path of the seed flow was easy for wheat and barley but difficult for the smaller grains such as rapeseed. Quick pull-apart connectors facilitated unhooking of the tractor or individual drill units.
The operator's manual was complete regarding installation, operation and adjustment of the monitor.
Summary of Acu-Grain BM-2 Harvest Measuring System (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.56 MB)
Quality of Work: The Acu-Grain BM-2 Harvest Measuring System was very useful in providing the operator with crop yield information.
Accuracy of the grain flow measurement was very good in dry wheat, corn, barley, and good in rapeseed. Careful grain flow sensor adjustment and monitor calibration were important for obtaining accurate measurements. Monitor error varied from 0.1% high in wheat to 2.2% low in rapeseed. Errors greater than 4% occurred when unloading at auger speeds less than the speed at which the monitor was calibrated.
Accuracy of the distance and ground speed measurement was very good over the normal range of operating speeds.
Accuracy of the area, grain yield, and workrate calculations was very good if the monitor was properly calibrated.
Ease of Installation: Ease of installation was very good. It took one man about five hours to install the Acu-Grain BM-2. The monitor, ground speed and grain flow sensors, and unloading auger switch were easily installed on the test combine. Installing the acre meter switch was easy but inadequate instructions made installation confusing. Pull-apart connectors made connecting the wiring harness to the various components convenient and easy.
The monitor was not weather tight and had to be sheltered from the rain.
Ease of Operation and Adjustment: Ease of operating the Acu-Grain BM-2 was good, after some operator experience had been gained.
Readability of the LED display and identification of the functions was fair. The LED display was easy to read unless it was facing directly into the sunlight. The function lights could not be identified at night unless the combine interior light was on. The monitor readout was in Imperial units only.
Ease of calibrating the monitor was fair. Adjusting the grain flow sensor was inconvenient. However, once set for the desired unloading auger speed, it required no further adjustment. Calibrating the grain flow sensor for each grain type and condition was also inconvenient. The distance and ground speed calibration was time-consuming and had to be repeated each time there was a memory loss. The width calibration was easily performed.
Electrical Power Requirements: No excessive electrical demands were made on a normal 12 V battery and charging system. A small 9 volt backup battery was required to prevent memory loss if the main battery voltage dropped below 7 volts.
Operator Manual: The operator manual provided information on installation, operation, adjustment, calibration and troubleshooting.
Mechanical History: No mechanical failures occurred during the test. |