agratronix WINDROW User manual

Operators Manual
WINDROW
Hay MoistureTester
ENGLISH
DOCU-M0114 10-10

Operators Manual
WINDROW
Hay MoistureTester
ENGLISH
DOCU-M0114 10-10

THANKYOU for purchasing a Agratronix product.
READ THIS MANUAL carefully to learn how to operate and service your
windrow moisture tester correctly.Failure to do so could result in personal
injury or equipment damage.
THIS MANUAL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED a permanent part of your
windrow moisture tester.
RECORD SERIAL NUMBERS in the Service section. Accurately record all
the numbers. Agratronix needs these numbers when you order parts. If this
manual is kept with the windrow moisture tester, also file the identification
numbers in a secure place separate from the windrow moisture tester.
WARRANTY is provided through Agratronix for customers who operate and
maintain their windrow moisture tester as described in this manual.The
warranty is explained in the warranty section located on Page 20-1.
This warranty provides you the assurance that Agratronix will back its products where
defects appear within the warranty period. In some circumstances, Agratronix also provides
field improvements, often without charge to the customer, even if the product is out of warranty.
Should the equipment be abused, or modified to change specifications, the warranty will
become void and field improvements may be denied.
All information, illustrations and specifications in this manual are based
on the latest information available at the time of publication.The right is
reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
Introduction

i
Contents
All information, illustrations and specifications in this manual are based
on the latest information available at the time of publication.The right is
reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
Disclaimer ..............................................................................................................................05-1
Operation
Components........................................................................................................................10-1
Operational Messages........................................................................................................10-1
Operational Limits...............................................................................................................10-2
Part Descriptions.................................................................................................................10-2
Before Taking the First Test.................................................................................................10-3
Quick Start..........................................................................................................................10-5
Troubleshooting
For Best Results..................................................................................................................15-1
Do’s and Don’ts...................................................................................................................15-2
Care, Maintenance and Storage...........................................................................................15-3
Warranty and Service............................................................................................................20-1
Manufacturer’s Contact Information.........................................................................................20-3

05-1
Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER –This windrow hay moisture tester’s
only intended use is for testing windrow hay in a five-
gallon bucket.Do not attempt to use this tester directly
in any type of baled hay or hay stack/pile.Using this
product in a manner other than what is described in the
instruction manual will give unknown results. This prod-
uct is not a probe-style moisture tester. To test baled
hay, use a product designed for this purpose, such as
an 18” or longer probe-style hay moisture tester.
Picture depicts
windrow hay moisture
tester’s intended use.

10-1
Operation
COMPONENTS
KEY PART NO. DESCRIPTION
1 *07253 SENSOR
2 *PLA-D0103 BATTERY DOOR
3 *07141 TESTER BODY
*Indicates manufacturers part numbers
OPERATIONAL MESSAGES
Symbol Definition
BATLO............... System battery needs replacing
HI................................... Moisture is above limit
LO..................................Moisture is below limit
1
2
3

10-2
Operation
OPERATIONAL LIMITS
Moisture Range................................ 12% to 70%
Operating Temperature...................40˚F to 125˚F
(5˚C to 52˚C)
PART DESCRIPTIONS
1 Sensor Tip
2 Sensor Dish
3 Tester Body
4 Tester Power Button
5 Sensor (Tip and Dish)
1
2
34
5
NOTE: 5 Gallon Plastic Bucket Needed (Not Included)

10-3
Operation
BEFORETAKINGTHEFIRSTTEST
STEP 1 Take a 9-volt battery and place it in the battery compartment on the bottom of your
tester.
• Be sure to pay attention to the polarity markings on the tester and match them to the
battery when placing it in the tester.
STEP 2 Your 5-gallon bucket must be marked before using it with your windrow tester.
• Before marking your bucket, check that it is clean and dry on the inside.
• Using a tape measure or ruler, measure 10 inches up from the bottom of the bucket
and mark it in several places with black electrical tape or a black permanent marker.
See Figure A.
• Once the bucket is marked, a more permanent mark can be made in the bucket by
simply drilling holes in the bucket at the 10-inch mark.
• Marking your bucket at 10 inches up from the bottom ensures that during the testing
process your windrow tester sensor tip will not get closer than 3 inches from the bot-
tom of the bucket.Allowing the sensor tip to come within 3 inches of the bottom may
alter the moisture measurement.
STEP 3 Connect the sensor to the tester body.Take the sensor’s threaded end and
connect it to the tester body by threading and tightening it in a clockwise direction.
See Figure B. Be sure the sensor is tight, but it does not need to be more than
hand-tightened.

Operation
10-4
Figure B.
Screw sensor to
tester body
Figure A.

Operation
10-5
QUICK START
STEP 1
Mark the Bucket
• Ensure your bucket is properly marked. This is critical. It ensures the sensor tip will not
be any closer than 3 inches from the bottom of your bucket when you take your measure-
ment (if less than 3 inches from the bottom then inaccurate readings may occur). Refer to
page 10-3, STEP 2 for marking your bucket.
STEP 2
Fill Bucket with Hay
• Take a handful of hay from the area of the eld you wish to test, and place hay in the
bucket. See Figure C.
• Compact hay in the bucket, pushing down rmly with your hands. See Figure D.
• Continue lling and compacting hay in the bucket until “compacted” hay is up to the rim of
the bucket. See Figure E.
• Hay on the top of the windrow may be considerably drier than hay on the bottom. When
filling the bucket, grab hay from both the top and bottom of the windrow and thoroughly
mix in the bucket.

Operation
10-6
Figure C.
Figure D.
Figure E.

Operation
10-7
STEP 3
Place MoistureTester in the Bucket of Hay
• Center the sensor tip in the bucket and push straight down toward the bottom of the bucket,
so it penetrates the hay (see Figure F).
• Apply about 40 pounds of downward pressure to the tester. This will compact your hay so it is
ready to test. Don’t touch the sensor while testing (see Figure G).
• Ensure the sensor dish, with 40 pounds of pressure applied, does not go below the mark in
your bucket (see Figure I). If the tester goes below the mark (see Figure I), more hay must
be added to the bucket (see STEP 2).
STEP 4
TakeTest
• While maintaining downward pressure (about 40 pounds) press and release the “P” button
(see Figure H).
• The tester will slowly display “ run ”, one letter at a time (see Figure J). During this time main-
tain constant downward pressure on the tester.
• Once the test is complete, and the tester displays the moisture reading (see Figure K), you
can then remove the downward pressure, and take the tester out of the bucket.
• When you have nished your moisture measurement, empty the bucket and repeat STEPS
2 thru 4 with another hay sample. For best results, test 3 different hay samples, measure the
moisture of each, and take the average of the 3 moisture measurements as your final result.

Operation
10-8
Figure F. Figure G. Figure H.
Figure J. Figure K.
Don’t allow
sensor
dish below
your mark.
Figure I.

Troubleshooting
15-1
FOR BEST RESULTS
Before proper curing has taken place, wide variations in moisture content should be expected
in the windrow hay.These variations will be exposed by readings taken on different parts of
the windrow.The higher the moisture range the wider are the variations in readings.The more
curing that is allowed to take place, the greater the uniformity in mois-
ture distribution can be expected.
• For best results take at least 3 tests from each area of the eld and
average the results.
• Be sure to take reading from various parts of the eld since the
moisture range through out the field can vary widely.
• The number of tests made should be increased whenever the initial
readings show considerable variations.
• When lling the bucket, grab hay from both the top and bottom of
the windrow and thoroughly mix in the bucket.
• Constantly applying 40 lbs. of force to your tester will help keep
your readings consistent.For practicing purposes, you can use a
scale underneath your bucket and apply 40 lbs.of constant pres-
sure.This will help you understand how much force is needed to
perform an accurate test. (see Figure L – only for practicing and
scale does not need to be used for testing in the field. Using
a bathroom scale is the easiest and quickest way to get a feel
for 40 lbs.). Figure L.

Troubleshooting
15-2
DO’S AND DON’TS
Please read this page.Our engineers wanted to compile as many tips as possible to help you
get the best results from your tester. After the DO’S and DON’TS, they have also added an extra
section on Care, Maintenance and Storage so you can care for and use your tester for years to
come.This tester is the only one if its kind for testing loose hay.You will find your tester to be a
great hay decision-making tool.
DOTHIS
• Apply about 40 pounds of downward pressure when testing hay in the bucket.
• This tip is for the person who wants to know what 40 pounds feels like. The best way to get a
feel for 40 pounds of pressure is to take your bucket of hay inside the house, sit the bucket on
a bathroom scale, press down on the tester as if you are testing it, and stop pressing when
the scale reads 40 pounds. It isn’t critical to be right at 40 pounds when testing the hay, but
the closer you are to 40 lbs., the more accurate the result. Refer to Figure L, page 15-1.
• Always test your hay in the bucket. There is no other option. The bucket is also a good way to
carry and store the tester.
• When testing, only allow your hands to come in contact with the tester body (aluminum cylin-
der portion), not the sensor tip or dish.
• Keep your tester vertical when testing. Don’t angle it since this may put the tip or dish too
close to the sides of the bucket and alter the true moisture reading.

DON’TDOTHIS
• Don’t allow your hand to touch the sensor dish while testing.
• Don’t allow the sides of the sensor dish or the tip to come in contact with the bucket since this
will alter the reading.
• Don’t allow the sensor tip to get closer than 3 inches from the bottom of your bucket, or a
faulty reading may result.
• Don’t put the sensor, or any part of your tester in water.
• Don’t use your tester if it displays LOBAT (low battery), or faulty readings may occur.
• Don’t leave your tester outside, and don’t let children play with it.
Troubleshooting
15-3
CARE, MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
• Wipe the sensor (dish and tip) after you are done using it for the day, and before
storing it.
• Wipe sensor dish and tip with a dry cloth to remove hay and dust. You may also clean the
sensor dish and tip with a very lightly water-dampened cloth, then wipe dry. Isopropyl alcohol
may be used instead of water.
• Remove the 9V battery over the winter or other non-use seasons to prevent battery acid
damage.
• For best care, store your tester inside.
• You may consider storing your tester in the bucket so you don’t have to look for a bucket and
mark it each time you want to use it.Plus, the bucket will help keep the tester from getting
damaged.

Warranty and Service
20-1
PRODUCT WARRANTY
The Agratronix Windrow Hay Moisture Tester is guaranteed to be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for one year from date of retail purchase.This warranty does not cover the
battery or damage resulting from misuse, neglect, accident or improper installation or mainte-
nance.This warranty does not apply to any product which has been repaired or altered outside
the factory.
The foregoing warranty is exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties of merchantability, fitness
for purpose and any other type, whether expressed or implied. Agratronix neither assumes nor
authorizes anyone to assume for it any other obligation or liability in connection with its product
and will not be liable for consequential damages.
For repair or service information, call Agratronix at 1-800-821-9542.
RECORD SERIAL NUMBER
NOTE:The tester serial number is located on the bottom of the unit.
Write your model number, serial number, and date of purchase in the space provided below.Your
dealer needs this information when ordering parts and when filing warranty claims.
Model No. _________________
Serial No. _________________
Date of Purchase _________________
(To be filled in by purchaser)

20-2
Manufacturer’s Contact Information
Toll-Free [phone]
[phone]
FAX [phone]
www.AgraTronix.com
10375 State Route 43
Streetsboro, OH 44241
U.S.A.

Operators Manual
WINDROW
Vérificateur de
l’humidité de foin
FRANçAIS
DOCU-M0114 10-10

Cette page
est intentionnellement vide