Argus TreeQinetic User manual

TreeQinetic
Instruments for Tree Pulling Tests
www.argus-electronic.de
Version 1.7, November 2018

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Contents
1. TREEQINETIC SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ..........................................................................................3
1.1. GENERAL HINTS....................................................................................................................................3
1.2. INSTALLATION OF THE TREEQINETIC PROGRAM.......................................................................................3
2. TREEQINETIC COMPONENTS................................................................................................................4
2.1. CONTENTS OF THE MEASURING CASE.....................................................................................................4
2.2. ELASTOMETER......................................................................................................................................5
2.3. INCLINOMETER......................................................................................................................................5
2.4. FORCEMETER.......................................................................................................................................6
2.5. ANEMOMETER (OPTIONAL).....................................................................................................................7
2.6. COMMUNICATION UNIT ..........................................................................................................................7
3. DATA TRANSMISSION.............................................................................................................................8
3.1. CONNECTION PC -TREEQINETIC...........................................................................................................8
3.2. CONNECTION COMMUNICATION UNIT –INSTRUMENTS.............................................................................8
4. TREEQINETIC PC SOFTWARE................................................................................................................9
4.1. GENERAL .............................................................................................................................................9
4.2. TREEQINETIC DATA DIRECTORY.............................................................................................................9
4.3. MEASUREMENT PROCESS......................................................................................................................9
4.4. SCREEN SHOTS...................................................................................................................................14
5. SETTINGS FOR MEASURING DEVICES...............................................................................................15
5.1. HOW TO TURN ON AND OFF ...............................................................................................................15
5.2. MODULADDRESS.................................................................................................................................15
5.3. ZERO-SETTING....................................................................................................................................16
5.4. CALIBRATION......................................................................................................................................16
6. MOUNTING THE MEASURING DEVICES ON THE TREE.....................................................................17
6.1. ELASTOMETER....................................................................................................................................17
6.1.1. Unmounting the Elastometer....................................................................................................17
6.2. INCLINOMETER....................................................................................................................................18
6.3. FORCEMETER.....................................................................................................................................19
6.4. ACCUMULATOR HINTS..........................................................................................................................20
6.4.1. Auto Power Off .........................................................................................................................20
6.5. CHARGING OF THE COMMUNICATION UNIT...........................................................................................20
6.6. CHARGING OF THE MEASURING DEVICES ..............................................................................................21
7. GENERAL HINTS ....................................................................................................................................22
7.1. TRANSPORTATION...............................................................................................................................22
7.2. DIRT AND DUST ..................................................................................................................................22
7.3. AMBIENT CONDITIONS DURING PULLING TESTS......................................................................................22
8. TECHNICAL REFERENCE......................................................................................................................23
8.1. WARRANTY.........................................................................................................................................23
8.2. MAINTENANCE ....................................................................................................................................23
8.3. SHIPPING OF THE TREEQINETIC®SYSTEMS..........................................................................................23
8.4. PC REQUIREMENTS.............................................................................................................................23
8.5. TECHNICAL DETAILS ............................................................................................................................23
9. CONTACT ................................................................................................................................................24

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1. TreeQinetic Software Installation
1.1. General hints
The TreeQinetic Measuring program is used to control the TreeQinetic system and to store the
data during pulling tests.
1.2. Installation of the TreeQinetic program
Login as administrator in order to install the program!
Make sure that all windows updates are loaded! Refer to Microsoft.com.
Run “setupe.exe“ in Administrator Modus.
CD:\\ TreeQinetic (xx) \setup.exe
The setup program installs
1. Microsoft .NET Framework
2. TreeQinetic program
It might be necessary to restart the computer after installing the framework. If the installation does
not automatically continues after re-boot, please run the setup.exe again.

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2. TreeQinetic Components
2.1. Contents of the measuring case
1 Communication Unit (1 piece)
2 Elastometer (1-4 pieces) with 10 Nails each
3 Inclinometer (1-4 pieces)
4 Forcemeter (1 piece)
5 Nail calibre
6 Impact cap for Inclinometer-fastener
7 Inclinometer-fastener (1-4 pieces, located in the lid of the case )
8 Charging unit
9 USB Cable
10 Charge cable 50cm (3 pieces)
11 Manual (located in the rear of the case)
12 (Long communication cable –on request)

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2.2. Elastometer
Resolution: 0,1 µm
Accuracy: 1 µm
measuring range: +/- 2 mm
Battery capacity: ~ 15 h at 20°C (radio on)
Distance between nails: 198 –202 mm
Diameter of nails: 2 –4 mm
Max. distance of wireless data transmission: 3 to 60 meter
TreeQinetic Elastometer @ work.
2.3. Inclinometer
Resolution: 0,002°
Accuracy: 0,005°
measuring range: +/- 15°
Battery capacity: ~ 20 h at 20°C (radio on)
Max. distance of wireless data transmission: 3 to 60 meter
TreeQinetic Inclinometer @ work
The Inclinometers do have a temperature drift. For best results expose the inclinometers to the
ambient temperature as soon as you arrive on thesite and protect it against direct sunlight. Use “set-
to-zero” function before every pull!

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2.4. Forcemeter
Resolution Force: 0,01 kN
Accuracy Force: 0,3 kN
Measuring range Force: 0 –60 kN
Resolution rope angel: 0,1°
Accuracy rope angel: 1° (0-30°)
Measuring angel: 0-90°
Battery capacity: ~ 15 h at 20°C (radio on)
Max. distance of wireless data transmission: 3 to 60 meter
TreeQinetic Forcemeter with two shackles
The Forcemeter was designed to be used with iron shackles exclusively!
All other material like carabiners, ropes, hooks, so called soft shackles and others must not be
attached to the Forcemeter. Those may lead to inaccuratemeasurements or damage the instrument
(especially the spacer rings).
To avoid shear forces and measurement inaccuracies the forces must be introduced in line. The
ring-shaped spacers will centre the force gauge in the shackles. They cannot absorb forces.
Usually we recommend to use two commercial shackles for forces of 4,75t with a bolt diameter of
22mm and an opening width of 31mm. (3/4 inch WLL 4,75t; DIN EN 13889; RR-C-271)
If you require shackles with higher load capacity choose shackles made of iron which can be installed
in a straight line and transfer the load in the designated way. When in doubt contact argus electronic
for consulting or to acquire appropriate material.
Forcemeters ordered and manufactured in 2019 or later are delivered with two shackles “grade 10”
(usually orange coloured) with a working load of max 6.7 t. These shackles do not fit older
Forcemeters. If you need to upgrade an older Forcemeter to use with these shackles contact argus.

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2.5. Anemometer (optional)
Resolution wind speed: 0.1 m/s
Accuracy: 0.2 m/s
Measuring range wind speed: 0 –30 m/s
Resolution Wind direction: 1°
Measuring range Wind direction: 360°
Accu capacity: ~ 10 h (at 20 °C)
Max. distance of wireless data transmission: 3 to 30 meter
Anemometer and measuring pole (10 meter)
2.6. Communication Unit
Accu capacity: ~ 20 –40 h (depending on connection to PC (Bluetooth or USB)

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3. Data transmission
3.1. Connection PC - TreeQinetic
The TreeQinetic system can be connected to the PC with the Communication Unit via Bluetooth or
USB.
Activating the USB connection:
1. Turn OFF the Communication Unit
2. Install the USB cable between Com Unit and PC (PC is turned on)
3. Turn on the Communication Unit
Activating the Bluetooth connection:
1. Turn OFF the Communication Unit
2. Remove the USB cable from the Communication Unit
3. Turn on the Communication Unit; the blue light is flashing
3.2. Connection Communication Unit –Instruments
The TQ instruments (Elastometer, Inclinometer, Forcemeter, Anemometer) are connected to the
Communication Unit via radio or cable connection.
Activating the radio connection
1. Turn off the measuring device
2. Remove cable
3. Turn on the measuring device
Activating the cable connection
1. Turn off the measuring device
2. Install cable between Com Unit and measuring device
3. Turn on Com Unit
4. Turn on the measuring device
The measuring devices can be connected via cable directly or via the cable- manifold to the
Communication Unit if the radio transmission is not working. This might happen if strong wireless
transmitters like WLAN-Hotspots close. Problems have been reported around the area of radio-
controlled traffic lights, public buildings, schools, embassies, railways and so on. The cables can
connect the measuring devices with the communication unit directly with cable-length up to 30m.
The Communication unit has three slots. If you need more slots you need a cable-manifold with up
to 8 slots. It is possible to mix the usage of cable and radio-connection.
DO not charge sensors using the cable-manifold!

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4. TreeQinetic PC Software
4.1. General
The TreeQinetic Software is used to control the measuring instruments and to save data during
pulling tests.
4.2. TreeQinetic data directory
The standard TreeQinetic directory is
..\my Documents\TreeQinetic
4.3. Measurement process
1. Mount all sensors (Inclinometer, Elastometer etc) to the tree.
2. Connect the Communitation Unit via USB or Bluetooth to the PC. In order to use the USB cable
connection the USB cable must be installed prior to switching on the Com Unit.
3. Start „TreeQinetic“ program and select COM Port. In case of using the USB connection the COM
port is marked with blue colour in the drop down list.
4. Set warning levels in the „settings“ menu. The PC will sound a warning tone if the data measured
exceed those warning levels.

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Warning level for the forcemeter should correlate with the maximum values given for the winch
or forcemeter.
A 16kN (1.6t) Winch requires the warning level of 16 kN.
The Elastometer warning level is set to 200 µm, which correlates with a fiber compression of
0,1% (related to the TQ Elastometer working range of 20 cm).
The warning level of the Inclinometers is set to 0,2°. This value is related to the maximum
inclination of the root plate.
This root-plate inclination of 0,2° must not be exceeded in any case during the pulling tests in
order to prevent damaging the root system of the tree.
To exceed 0,2° of inclination is normal when inclinometers are mounted at higher levels on the
stem.
The set warning levels are saved and do not need to be modified.
A warning tone is generated during the pulling test if warning levels are exceeded.
Attention: If PC speaker is not active the sound is not audible.
5. Turn on all instruments (Communication unit, Inclinometer, Forcemeter, Elastometer,
Annemometer)
6. Open COM Port
7. Search for all instruments by clicking on the magnification glass symbol. Instruments found are
shown:
In this example the following devices have been found:
1 Forcemeter (Address 100)
4 Elastometer (Address 90, 91, 92 and 91)
1 Inclinometer (Address 82)

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8. Enter positions of instruments (refer to image above)
a. Forcemeter. The pulling rope angle needs to be entered. That’s why you need to enter
Height of rope attachment on the tree
Distance tree –anchor point
Height of rope attachment on anchor point
The rope angle is calculated using these values. Alternatively, the rope angle can be entered
directly.
b. Elastometer. Enter the position of the elastometers:
Height on the tree (refer to the centre of the instrument),
Diameter of the tree in that height, parallel and perpendicular to pulling direction.
Bark thickness.
In the text field „Position“ you can enter notes like „pulling direction“ etc.
9. Enter data to describe the location and the tree. These data will be used to calculate the results
of the pulling test. You can enter these data also in the analysis software.

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10. Open measuring window. Click „Measure“ in main menu.
The icons have following meaning
1. COM port Status (Green = open, red = closed)
2. Transfer ONE set of the most current measuring data from the sensors to the
PC
3. Start / Stop continues data transfer from sensors to PC. This function is used
to record the data of the pulling test.
4. Transfer 10 sets of the most current measuring data from the sensors to the
PC
5. Set Zero-balance of all instruments connected. This function must be used
BEFORE every pull.
6. Open existing measuring file
7. Delete all data records.
8. Save data records to directory

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11. Perform zero balance by clicking Symbol 7 . Do not touch sensors within the next 5
seconds of time. When wind is blowing, try to perform the zero-balance in a moment of low
wind speed. Perform the zero balance immediately before you start the pulling test.
12. START recording data by clicking . Start to pull the tree.
13. Carry out the pull uninterrupted. Release the tension of the rope immediately after the
maximum load was applied. Click to the rope-angle value to save it when the rope is under
maximum tension.
14. STOP recording by clicking .
15. Click to save the data.

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4.4. Screen shots
4.4.1. Tree motion logging in winds
The following screen shots show the inclination
of the root plate and the deformation (strain,
compression) of the marginal fibres of three
poplar trees standing in a row.
The colour of the data-line correlates with the
colour of the arrow pointing to each of the trees.
Wind speed over time in [m/sec]
Inclination of three trees over time in grad [°] (offset vales not applied)
Compression/Strain of marginal fibres of three trees over time in [µm] (offset vales not applied)

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5. Settings for measuring devices
5.1. How to turn ON and OFF
Turn ON: Press (on/off) button (~ 2 sec) until the LED is flashing and the LCD display is active.
Turn OFF: Press (on/off) button until the display shows “Shut down”. Release button.
5.2. Moduladdress
The module address is a combination of the device type (first digit) and the device number of this
type (second digit).
There are the following devices:
#8x Inclinometer
#9x Elastometer
#10x Forcemeter
#11x Anemometer
The maximal number of devices for each type is 10 (0..9).
Each device number is assigned to a colour in the TQ-measuring software. The rubber ring on the
devices coincides with colours in the software. Do not change the module address without having
good reasons to do so.
Colour assignment:
X0 blue X5 blue
X1 yellow X6 yellow
X2 red X7 red
X3 green X8 green
X4 black X9 black
To change the device addresses please proceed as follows:
1. Turn on the (measuring) device.
2. Press “OK” und keep pressing until the display shows: „Modul address #xx“.
3. Release button.
4. Press “OK” shortly to increase device address until the new address is shown
5. Press “OK” and keep pressing until display shows: „saved“.
If you do not want to save the new address, turn off the device without saving.

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5.3. Zero-setting
After mounting the devices on the tree a zero-calibration must be performed.
The zero-calibration can be done by operating the buttons on the device or via the PC software.
Zero setting on the device:
1. Mount des device.
a. Inclinometers: Try to level the Inclinometer approximately horizontal.
b. Elastometers: Look the device mechanically while mounting. Release look after it is
fixed
c. Forcemeter: mount the Forcemeter while the cable is loose.
2. Turn on the device
3. Press (OK) button shortly. Display shows „Adjust zero position“ and „Adjust“
4. Make sure the device is well mounted.
5. Press (OK) to proceed.
6. Zero calibration is performed after 5 seconds.
Alternatively the zero-calibration can be done via the PC –software. All devices are zero-calibrated
at the same time when the software commando is sent.
The Inclinometers do have a temperature drift. For best results expose the inclinometers to the
ambient temperature as soon as you arrive on the site. Use “set-to-zero” function before every pull!
5.4. Calibration
The devices are calibrated at delivery and do usually not require an additional calibration.
If the calibration values have been changed the devices need to be sent back to argus electronic.
Calibration can only be done by argus electronic gmbh in Rostock.

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6. Mounting the measuring devices on the tree
6.1. Elastometer
The Elastometer is mounted using two special nails.
We recommend to use the 3,0 x100mm nails from stainless steel like delivered.
Proceed as follows:
1. Put in nails. Use the nail-calibre to mount the nails parallel in the tree. Penetration depth is
10 mm or more.
2. Lock the Elastometer by pushing the lock-pin into the device.
3. Mount the lower end of the Elastometer first.
4. Mount the upper end.
5. Torque both knurled nut gently. There must not be tension between the nails.
6. Turn on the Elastometer
7. Release the lock-pin, watch the display to see how much motion took place during releasing.
Try to have less than 100 µm movement.
DO NOT tap/knock on the nails when the Elastometer is connected to the nails!
6.1.1. Unmounting the Elastometer
Use simple blind riveting pliers with the 3,1mm insert to pull out the nail without bending.

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6.2. Inclinometer
The inclinometer-fastener needs to be firmly driven into the wood. Use the cap when using a hammer
to drive the fastener into the tree. Alternatively you can use a mallet (no –steel). It is important to fix
the fastener firmly.
Do not put it in too deep; usually 1-2 cm is enough to hold the inclinometer firmly. Tap gently and
avoid bending the pins.
Mounting with cap and steel hammer Mounting with mallet
Unmounting
Use a lever to pull out the pins carefully. Work step by step on both (!) pins: lever the left pins for
very few millimeters, then turn to the right pin. Lever the right pin a few millimeters and turn back to
the left pin. Continue until the fastener is pulled out.
Levering the left pin Levering the right pin
DO NOT tap/hit on the inclinometer-fastener if the Inclinometer is already connected to the
fastener!!!
The Inclinometers do have a temperature drift. For best results expose the inclinometers to the
ambient temperature as soon as you arrive on the site. Use “set-to-zero” function before every pull!

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6.3. Forcemeter
The Forcemeter was designed to be used with iron shackles exclusively!
Use a lifting belt or other appropriate material as anchor point on the stem.
Make sure that all pieces in the pulling line areable to withstandthe load. Do only use certified
equipment. Do not use damaged ropes, shackles or sensors!
We recommend the use of two commercial shackles for forces of 4,75t with a bolt diameter of 22mm
and an opening width of 31mm. (3/4 Zoll WLL 4,75t; DIN EN 13889; RR-C-271) To avoid shear
forces and measurement inaccuracies, the forces must be introduced in line.
Make sure that the Forcemeter and Inclinometer are not damaged during pulling.
If you require shackles with higher load capacity choose shackles made of iron which can be installed
in a straight line and transfer the load in the designated way. When in doubt contact argus electronic
for consulting or to acquire appropriate material.
All other material like carabiners, ropes, hooks, so called soft shackles and others must not
be attached to the Forcemeter. Those may lead to inaccurate measurements or damage the
instrument (especially the spacer rings).
To avoid shear forces and measurement inaccuracies the forces must be introduced in line. The
ring-shaped spacers will centre the force gauge in the shackles. They cannot absorb forces.
Forcemeters ordered and manufactured in 2019 or later are delivered with two shackles “grade 10”
(usually orange coloured) with a working load of max 6.7 t. These shackles do not fit older
Forcemeters. If you need to upgrade an older Forcemeter to use with these shackles contact argus.

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6.4. Accumulator hints
6.4.1. Auto Power Off
The devices are turned off automatically when no communication takes place and no button is
pushed.
„Auto power off“ times of the devices are as follows:
Communication Unit: ~ 25 min
Elastometer, Anemometer: ~ 30 min
Forcemeter, Inclinometer: ~ 1h
6.5. Charging of the Communication Unit
Do TURN OFF ALL devices for charging! Wait for temperature equilibration to ambient
temperature!
Plug in the 4-pin connector into the DC-IN socket of the Communication Unit. The green LED shows
light while charging. If the charging is finished the LED is turned off. A minimal current keeps flowing
to keep the accumulator loaded.
Devices get warm during charging: up to 40°C.
Nominal operating voltage: 4,8 Volt ( voltage shown in display: up to ~ 5,6 Volt)
Turn-off Voltage: 4,0 Volt
Charge time: max. 4 h