Notes
h
The bale prod is electrically insulated, except at the metal
points near the tip. The moisture content measured repre-
sents the hay in contact with the tip of the prod only.
h
Partially cured hay may have wide variations in moisture
content throughout the bale. Readings should be taken in
several different parts of the bale and the highest readings
used as a guideline. The arrangement and compaction of
hay fibers in a bale may have an effect on meter readings.
h
If you are testing high density bales, we recommend using
the H-4 handle with the 830-2 10" prod, 830-3 18" prod,
or the 830-4 36" prod. Using the handle/prod combination
eliminates excess stress on the instrument case that may
occur when trying to insert the prod into a high density or
large bale.
h
When using the 36" prod, be sure to guide the prod into
the bale with one hand while pushing on the H-4 handle.
Testing in the Windrow
There are three ways to test moisture content in the windrow:
Test A
h
Attach the #831
short pin prod to the H-4 handle and
connect the handle to the external connector on top of the
meter.
h
Prepare a representative sample
by collecting hay from
various parts of the windrow.
h
Place hay in a non-conductive container
(such as a 5 to 10
gallon plastic pail) and apply the short pin prod to the hay.
h
Press down on the electrode
to make firm contact with the
hay sample.
h
Press the read key
!
and take a reading.
h
Mix the sample once again
and take at least two more
readings. Use the highest readings.
Notes
h
Whenever pressure is being applied on the electrode, be sure
that the points of the electrode are touching nothing but the
hay.
h
Repeat the steps above if considerable variations are found
in the meter readings. To reduce these variations, chop the
hay, mix it thoroughly and take several readings by follow-
ing the procedures above. This will make the moisture
distribution in the sample more uniform.
Test B
h
Attach the #831 short pin prod
to the H-4 handle and
connect the handle to the external connector on top of the
meter.
h
Apply the prod to the hay in the windrow.
h
Press the read key
!
and take a reading.
h
Make several tests
on the hay exposed to the sun, then
turn the windrow over and make an equal number of tests
on the hay that had been closer to the ground. Use the
highest readings.
Notes
h
Make sure that the points of the electrode are not touch-
ing the ground. The electrode points should make contact
with the hay only.
Test C
h
Select up to five large, slower-drying stems
from a section
of the windrow.
h
Place them one at a time
across two adjacent points on
the #831 short pin prod.
h
The average of these stem readings
should be about two to
five points higher than the actual moisture content.
Notes
h
Repeat these steps in different parts of the field and pay
special attention to the areas where the hay is heaviest.
h
The amount of variation found among windrow readings as
well as the average stem moisture should be taken into
consideration before the decision is made to start baling.
TO CHECK STORED
READINGS
This feature allows you to view the total number of all
accumulated readings, the average of those readings, and the
highest stored reading.
h
To view the readings
press and release the calibration
check button
@
. First the meter displays the number of
accumulated readings for one second, then the average of
those readings for two seconds. Then it displays the highest
stored reading for two seconds. The total “cycle” time is
five seconds.
h
To erase all the accumulated readings,
hold the calibration
check key
@
for more than 5 seconds until the meter dis-
plays “0”.
h
To keep the accumulated readings in memory,
release the
calibration check key
@
before the total cycle time is
complete.
The meter will accumulate up to 100 readings. After all
100 readings are stored, it will not add new readings until
the memory has been cleared. It will also continue to display
the average of all 100 readings as a reminder that the mem-
ory is full.
Readings below 6% will be displayed as “.0”. Those above
40% will be displayed as “99.9.” Neither will be added to
the accumulated readings or used in calculation of average or
highest reading.
FACTORS AFFECTING YOUR
READINGS
Because of the many variables that affect the electrical
meter readings, the indicated moisture content should not be
used as an absolute quantitative measurement. Meter read-
ings are very useful guidelines for safe storability of hay.
Meter readings become more significant when they are
considered in the light of the density of the bales, anticipated
handling and storage, and prevailing climate conditions.
