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87
Judging Bale Moisture with a
Baler-Mounted Contact Moisture Sensor
Judging Bale Moisture Using a Baler-Mounted “Contact Type” Moisture Sensor
● If you use a conventional baler-mounted moisture sensor such as a star wheel sensor or other “contact
type” sensor mounted in the bale chamber to monitor bale moisture during operation:
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You must DETERMINE acceptable bale moisture parameters.
•
BE AWARE that the accuracy of this type of moisture sensor in steamed hay is not suitable for
a true real-time reading of bale moisture during the baling process. The surface moisture on
the steamed hay causes the moisture to read several points higher than the actual moisture,
because the sensor depends on electrical conductivity between two points. This conductivity
always looks for the path of least resistance and any type of surface moisture will carry
conductivity more readily than the entire profile of the crop being baled.
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If an operator becomes very familiar with the typical offset of the moisture reading of
this instrument compared to the actual moisture in the bale he can learn to use a baler-
mounted “contact type” moisture sensor with reasonable effectiveness when baling fully-
cured hay using steam. Various conditions at the time of baling can affect the performance
of this type of sensor.
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When baling hay with stem moisture, whether using steam, natural dew or no added
moisture at all, a baler-mounted “contact type” moisture sensor is not accurate when
baling, and will normally read lower than the actual moisture content of the hay.
•
The same principles noted in the handheld moisture probe section apply to these baler-
mounted “contact type” sensors.
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As a general rule you will add from 1%-4% actual moisture to the hay you are baling, depending
on the ambient conditions and the steam rates used to meet the existing conditions.
•
WATCH moisture sensor readings.
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ADJUST the steam injection rate over the first 5 to 10 bales using the Master Steam Rate slide-
switch and/or the individual valve proportioning slide-switches to achieve the desired moisture
level in your bale.
Alternative 3
Contact