C-Dax Pasture Meter Installation and operating instructions

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Assembly and Operation Manual
Version: 2400-6651–1 February 2011

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This section contains:
• Introduction
• Important Sa ety Warning
• Important Sa ety In ormation
• Table o Contents
• Warranty
• Disclaimer. Limit o Liability
• Unpacking your Pasture Meter
SECTION 1
Introduction

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Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a C-Dax Pasture Meter. It represents
World’s Best Technology, which has been carefully designed to provide key
decision making tools to pastoral farmers. We anticipate these tools will deliver
economic benefits to our customers please be assured that this is our objective.
We are confident that your Pasture Meter will perform for many years as long as
sensible equipment husbandry practices are followed. Extensive trials have been
conducted during the development phase to ensure that this product is able to
function reliably in the punishing agricultural environment. We have endeavoured
to make the Pasture Meter as robust and functional as possible, but please
remember that like any piece of precision electronic equipment, its performance
parameters need to be respected.
We thank you for making this investment and assure you of our attention at all
times.
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING
T e C-Dax Pasture Meter is designed specifically to be trailed be ind an All
Terrain Ve icle (ATV) or similar type of agricultural ve icle.
Operators s ould note t at like any piece of trailed or mounted agricultural
equipment, THE PASTURE METER WILL EFFECT THE STABILITY AND
HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TOWING VEHICLE. FAILURE TO TAKE
ACCOUNT OF THIS AND EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN OPERATING THE PASTURE
METER MAY RESULT IN INJURY, OR IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, DEATH TO
THE OPERATOR OR BYSTANDERS. OPERATORS ARE REMINDED THAT
GROUND CONDITIONS COULD BE SLIPPERY AND THAT UNDULATIONS IN
TERRAIN MAY BE CONCEALED BY GRASS OR OTHER VEGETATION.
OPERATORS ARE FURTHER REMINDED NEVER TO EXCEED THE
MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED LOADING LIMITS FOR THE TOWING
VEHICLE. C-Dax accepts no liability w atsoever for damage or injuries sustained
w ile using T e Pasture Meter.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR OWNERS & OPERATORS OF
C-Dax ATTACHMENTS / ACCESSORIES
Be warned of the dangers of loading your ATV or other vehicle in excess of its carrying capacity.
It is important to understand that any loads or attachments whether fastened to, or placed on a
vehicle or an ATV, will alter the stability or handling characteristics of that vehicle or ATV.
Spray tanks or other equipment must be filled only to a level where the gross weight is within the
load limit of the ATV or other vehicle.
Safety is a primary concern in the design, manufacture, sale, and use of spray tanks and other
equipment. As manufacturers of spray tanks and other equipment we want to confirm to you, our
customers, our concern for safety. We take this opportunity to remind you about the simple,
basic and common sense rules of safety when using spray tanks and other equipment. Failure to
follow these rules can result in severe injury or death to operators and bystanders.
It is essential that everyone involved in the assembly, operation, transport, maintenance and
storage of this equipment be aware, concerned, prudent and properly trained in safety.
This also applies to equipment that is loaned or rented to someone who has not read the owner’s
manual and is not familiar with the operation of the equipment.
• NEVER EXCEED THE LOAD LIMIT CAPACITY OF THE ATV OR OTHER VEHICLE.
• ALL ATV AND TRAILED EQUIPMENT TYRES SHOULD BE INFLATED TO
MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED OPERATING PRESSURES.
• PLEASE NOTE THAT FILLING THE SPRAY TANK OR OTHER EQUIPMENT
COMPLETELY AND OR THE ATTACHMENT OF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO THE ATV
MAY EXCEED THE ATV’S MAXIMUM LOAD/S CAPACITY, AND ADVERSELY AFFECT
THE STABILITY OF THE ATV OR OTHER VEHICLE.
• LOAD/S SHOULD BE PROPERLY DISTRIBUTED AND SECURELY ATTACHED.
• REDUCE SPEED WHEN CARRYING LOAD/S OR PULLING A TRAILER OR TRAILED
APPLICATION EQUIPMENT AND ALLOW GREATER DISTANCE FOR BRAKING.
• NEVER ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE ON YOUR SPRAYER OR OTHER EQUIPMENT.
• ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER’S VEHICLE MANUAL FOR
CARRYING LOADS OR PULLING A TRAILER.
• PROPER MAINTENANCE IN LINE WITH MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDED
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES IS ESSENTIAL.
• BEFORE APPLYING CHEMICALS, READ THE LABEL OF THE CHEMICAL
MANUFACTURER OR SUPPLIER FOR THEIR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS AND OPERATE AS RECOMMENDED.
• THE SAFETY OF ALL CHEMICALS USED IN AGRICULTURE IS UNDER THE
JURISDICTION OF A GOVERNMENT AGENCY, EG. N.Z. MINISTRY FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT; USA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ETC. FURTHER
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR STATE LAWS MAY APPLY.

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ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION MANUAL
(Pt.No.2400 6651 Issue 1, Dated 1 February 2011)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Section 1 - Introduction
Introduction 1
Important Safety Warning 1
Important Safety Information 2
Table of Contents 3
Warranty 5
Disclaimer/Extent of Liability 6
Unpacking Your Pasture Meter 7
Section 2 - Descriptions
General Description 8
The Sled Assembly 10
The Sensor 11
The Indicator Console 13
Section 3 - Assembly & Setup
The Sled 15
The Indicator Console 21
Using Your Pasture Meter 23
Raising & Lowering the Sled 24
Understanding the Sensor 25
Understanding the Indicator Console 27
Understanding Pasture Covers 28
How the Measurement Process works 29
Measuring Your First Paddock 30
Turning Farm ID/Paddock ID On/Off 34
Section 4 - Software
Software Installation 36
Bluetooth Installation 37
Downloading Your Paddock Measurements 43
Section 5 - Maintenance
Maintaining Your Pasture Meter 49
Removing the Sensor 51
Dispatching for Repair 52
Section 6 – Parts
Exploded Parts Diagram 54
Parts List 55

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Section 7 – Trouble S ooting
Installation Troublshooting 58
Bluetooth
TM
Trouble Shooting 59
Section 8 – Quick Reference
Quick Reference Guide – Tier 2 63
DIY calibration met od 65

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Warranty
C Dax Ltd warrants to the original purchaser that the equipment is sold free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months from date of
retail sale.
Accordingly, C Dax Ltd undertakes to repair the equipment, or at its discretion,
replace without cost to the original purchaser either for materials, parts or labour,
any part which within the specified warranty period from time of delivery is found
to be defective. PROVIDED that the equipment has been used for normal
purposes in accordance with the instructions, and has not been subject to
neglect, misuse or accident, and has not been repaired, serviced or dismantled
by any person other than an approved service agent or person authorised by C
Dax Ltd.
The warranty does not extend to cover consequential damage, repair or
replacement of parts due to fair wear and tear, or damage resulting from neglect,
misuse, accident or hireage. SPECIFICALLY the warranty excludes battery
damage, damage arising from chemical attack and units built to customers
specifications.
All goods returned to C Dax Ltd are freight paid by the sender and if subject to a
warranty claim, must be accompanied by a completed warranty claim form.
Warranty claim forms are available from your C Dax dealer.

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Disclaimer/Limit of Liability
The maximum liability accepted by C Dax Ltd, is limited to repair or replacement
of faulty goods expressly operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. While every care has been taken to ensure that this product
has been designed and manufactured to a standard suitable for the purpose
intended, it is acknowledged that use of the product is outside of the
manufacturer’s control. The end user therefore assumes all responsibility for
failure, loss and damage resulting from its use.
Any advice or recommendations given by C-Dax Ltd, its agents, or
employees is given in good fait and based on t e best information
available to t e company at t at time. No liability or responsibility is
accepted or implied as a result of any information or advice tendered by
C-Dax Ltd, its agents or employees. T e end user accepts all responsibility
arising from t at advice.

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Customer Services
-
Tec nical
C Dax Ltd
P O Box 1010
Palmerston Nort
New Zealand
Email:[e-mail]

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This section contains:
• General Description
• The Sled Assembly
• Sa ety Warning
• The Sensor
• The Indicator Console
SECTION
2
Descriptions

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General Description
To date, pasture cover measurement is normally performed by one of the
following 3 methods.
• Visual assessment
• Rising Plate Meter
• Pasture Probe
These methods can either be subjective, time consuming or rely on a limited
number of individual measurements per paddock.
The C Dax Pasture Meter has been designed to greatly improve the collection of
pasture cover data in quantity, speed and ease of collection.
It is an electronic device that is trailed behind an ATV, and operated at speeds of
up to 20 kph. It has wheels which are lowered to allow travel on roads, farm
races / tracks, and which can be raised to allow the sled to run directly on the
ground in the measurement position. The wheels then act as outriggers for
stability.
FIG 1
Console
Sled
Sensor

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The Pasture Meter has been designed to measure the height of pasture grass
and average the readings. Internal software then converts the averaged readings
to kgDM/ a by using a calibration equation that can be changed for different
times of the year.
Note: T e operator is able to set t e indicator console to s ow pasture
eig t in “mm” or t e available pasture cover in “kgDM/ a.”
The sensor takes 200 height readings per second. At a ground speed of 20kph,
this represents a reading every 27mm of ground traveled.
The measuring sensor is mounted on a purpose built sled. (See FIG 1, Page 8)
which is trailed behind an ATV or farm vehicle at speeds of up to 20 kph
depending on terrain. The sensor has 18 light beams for measurement purposes
between the left and right vertical arms. The indicator console is normally
mounted at the front of the vehicle for easy observation by the operator. It is
connected to the sensor by cable and also to the vehicle’s own 12 volt battery
system.

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T e Sled Assembly
The Sled (See FIG 1, Page 8) has been designed to be solid, strong, and heavy
in order to keep the sensor as close to the ground as possible at all times. The
Sensor’s lowest light beam is 20mm from the ground. To generate accurate
pasture cover readings, it is important that the sled remains in contact with the
ground. To ensure that this is maintained as much as possible, the frame on
which the sensor is mounted has been constructed from heavy gauge steel. This
provides both structural strength and the weight necessary to keep the sled on
the ground. Special “blade” like fixtures have been built into the “feet” of the
frame to stabilise tracking during operation.
T e w eels are only used for transport purposes to and from work sites
and w en travelling along farm tracks / races. W en in t e measurement
position, t e w eels are locked up clear of t e ground and t e sled sits
down firmly on t e ground. In t is position, t e w eels act as stabilising
outriggers minimising t e effects of sideways rocking.
Please Note. T e w eels s ould be placed in t e transport position
w enever t e Pasture Meter is not being operated on grass, owever brief
t e period is.
FIG 2

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The geometry and construction of the central section of the sled frame has been
designed to minimize dirt fouling the glass windows covering the sensor’s light
beams. However, given the nature of measuring pasture cover, particularly post
grazing, the glass may occasionally need cleaning. How often this is required is
entirely dependant upon the environment in which the device is working.
Operator experience and regular inspection of the glass windows will ensure
reliability of results.
T e Sensor
The sensor consists of 18 light beam emitters at 20 mm spacings on one side of
the sensor frame and 18 light beam detectors at 20 mm spacings on the other
side of the sensor frame. In operation, 18 light beams exist between one side of
the sensor and the other. Whenever any light paths between the two sides are
broken, the result is recorded as a relative height measurement.
FIG 3

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The sensor measures the height of grass at 20mm increments and then converts
this into kgDM/ a. Some grass obviously falls between the light beams and must
therefore be factored into the measurement. It has been scientifically established
that a 10mm adjustment provides an accurate overall reading.
The height shown on the indicator console in mm is the number of light paths
broken at any instant, multiplied by 20mm, plus the 10mm adjustment.
For example:
• 7 light paths broken records as = 140mm (7 x 20mm)
• PLUS the 10mm adjustment
• = 150mm

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T e Indicator Console
This is normally mounted in a convenient position on the front carrier of the ATV.
It is connected by cable to the ATVs battery and also by a thick black cable to the
sensor at the rear of the sled. Various functions are shown on the display and the
operator has the ability to input the calibration equation of choice. The indicator
console is mounted on a purpose built bracket and locked in place with a wing
nut. The two cables can then be connected.
Removal of the indicator console is the reverse process.
The indicator console is shown mounted on the corner of the carrier frame to
allow use of toolboxes and other equipment.
FIG 4 FIG 5

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This section contains:
• The Sled
• The Indicator Console
• Using your Pasture Meter
• Understanding the Sensor
• Understanding the Indicator Console
• Measuring your First Paddock
• Indicator Console Settings
SECTION
3
Assembly and Setup

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Assembly & Setup – T e Sled
Setting t e angle of sled to t e ground
The angle between the sled and the ground (See FIG 6 on Page 17) will need to
be adjusted to suit the terrain. Flat pasture with no obstacles will only require a
slight angle, but this should be increased when operating on undulating or
pugged ground.
It is most important that the sled be slightly raised at front to allow easy passage
over terrain. If angled downwards, the front of the sled is likely to dig into the
ground. Particular care should be taken in conditions where stones are present to
ensure the angle of the Pasture Meter is set to ride over stones that might be
protruding slightly through the soil.
Please note: that the Pasture Meter is not intended to be operated in conditions
where it is likely to be subject to repeated contact with whole, large stones.

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To fit t e draw-bar:
1. Slide t e drawbar into approximate position ensuring tow itc is t e
correct way up (See FIG 6, on Page 17).
2. Loosely fit rear attac ment bolts (See FIG 8, on Page 18).
3. Attac draw bar to tow-ball on ATV or ot er towing ve icle.
4. Attac cable protector tube to drawbar in position s own (See FIG 9
on Page 19).
5. Fit adjustment bolts and nuts as per t e illustrations on Pages 17.
Adjusting t e angle of sled
As shown in FIG 6 on Page 17, a gap of 25mm at the point shown should suffice
for most pasture. Experience will determine the best angle for the terrain being
traversed.
T e operator s ould exercise care and common sense w en determining
t e speed to be traveled. T e equipment is designed to travel at up to
20kp on ideal terrain. If t e surface is roug , or if obstacles are present,
t en a muc slower speed s ould be used.

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Should further adjustment be necessary, follow the steps in the next 2
illustrations. Should the angle be satisfactory as it is, then tighten the bolts as
indicated by Step 4 (See FIG 8 on Page 18).
Once the sled is correctly adjusted, the equipment is ready for use.
FIG 6
FIG 7
5 adjustment positions eac
side for angle of sled to
ground
Only 1 pair of oles will line
up at any time