Farmcomp FARMEX HT-PRO User manual

FARMEX™
HT-PRO

EN
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
FARMEX™ HT-PRO
PORTABLE MOISTURE AND
TEMPERATURE TESTER
FOR BALED HAY
Thank you for choosing Farmex!
Please read this instructions carefully.
1.GENERAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1.1 Install batt ry. The 9-volt alkaline battery (included) must be
connected before the tester will work. Remove the battery door
on the back of the handle and snap the leads onto the battery.
NOTE: After installing the battery, your tester will display
“88.8”briefly upon pressing any of the buttons for the first
time. This is normal and indi ates that the tester is initializing
NOTE: “LOBAT” will appear in the display, if the battery is
running low and needs repla ing.
NOTE: The battery needs to be ALKALINE.
1.2 Th r is no ON/OFF switch. Press any of the buttons and
the HT-PRO™ will turn itself on.
NOTE: Upon pressing a button, there is a short delay until a
reading is displayed.
1.3. To t st moistur , press the button above the “water drop”.
You will see the water content of the sample in per cent of
weight.
1.4 To t st t mp ratur , press the button above the
“Thermometer” symbol. You will see two readings, first the
temperature in Fahrenheit and then the temperature in
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Centigrade.
NOTE: If both swit hes are pressed simultaneously, the tester
will not be harmed, but only a meaningless number will be
displayed.
1.5 To turn backlighting display option on or off, press the
button above the “Light Bulb” symbol at the same time
something – anything – is being displayed. Your HT-PRO™ will
retain its backlighting mode (on or off) until changed by the
operator (even if the battery is removed).
2. OPERATING NOTES
1. Moisture readings b low 8.0% will be displayed as
“00.0”. Readings abov 45.0% will be displayed as
“99.9”. Temperature readings below 0˚C (32˚F) will be
displayed as 00.0. Readings above 99˚C (225˚F) will be
displayed as “99.9”.
2. The HT-PRO™ will display “00.0” in open air. (If open air
reading of 8.0 is displayed, the tip probably needs
cleaning. Clean tip and recalibrate tester.)
3. Temperatures can be measured from 0˚ to 99˚C (32˚ to
225˚F). Make sure to allow the tip of the probe to adjust
to the bale temperature. This can take a minute or two.
4. The tester measures only the hay in contact with the
tip of the probe. Because moisture may vary widely in
different parts of the windrow, it will vary within each
bale. Tak r adings in at l ast fiv (5) plac s in th
bal , and us th HIGHEST r ading as a guid lin .
5. Consult your local experts for recommended baling
moisture.
6. Your tester is for reading moisture in hay. Placing a
probe in 100% moisture – water– will NOT result in a
reading of 100%.
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3. OPERATION
3.1 Quality of th hay and T st R adings
B caus of th many diff r nt conditions which aff ct t st
r adings, th indicat d moistur cont nt should not b us d as
an absolut , quantitativ m asur m nt.
T st r adings ar , how v r, v ry us ful guid lin s for baling
and storing hay. Und rstanding th s conditions can h lp to
obtain accurat t st r adings.
•Bal D nsity: The tighter/denser the bale, the higher t
he moisture readings. Compaction also varies within
each bale.
•Natural variations within th plant during drying: The
higher the moisture content, the wider the
variations. Consistency of results improve with drier
crop.
•Sw ating: Higher readings may occur during the first
couple of days after baling, moisture readings
may be low and then climb during the “sweating”
process. As the hay dries, moisture readings should
drop and continue to decline as the hay becomes
progressively drier. It is important to continue to
monitor moisture for several days.
•Som pr s rvativ s incr as conductivity initially:
Until the preservative is absorbed, usually in 1-2 days,
it may cause the moisture reading to be 2-4% above the
same hay which is untreated.
•T st r has b n calibrat d on 100% alfalfa hay. Other
herbs give different readings.
T st r adings ar , how v r, v ry us ful guid lin s for baling and
storing hay.
3.2 R ctangular or Squar Bal s:
Because the inside of each bale is not uniform in density its
leaf- to -stem ratio, moisture readings will vary from one part
of the bale to another. It will read highest if the probe is
inserted into the “dense” side. Tester will give higher readings
in tight bales than in loose bales.
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For best results, insert probe into the “dense” side of bale at a
45˚ angle. Take readings in at least five (5) places
(approximately 15 cm apart along the bale centre-line) and use
the highest reading as a guideline.
3.3 Round Bal s:
Test readings can be taken anywhere around the outside
surface of the bale, NOT THE ENDS, as long as the probe tip is
inside the outer wrap, since the outer layer tends to dry out
first. For best results, insert probe into the outside radius of
the bale at a 45˚ angle and at least 30 cm deep. Take readings
in at least five (5) places (approximately 15 cm apart ) and use
the highest reading as a guideline (see in picture above).
4. CARE AND MAINTENANCE
1.After each use, always store your tester in a clean, dry and
handy place.
2.The metal tip of the probe should be wiped clean between
each use for best results. Clean both parts of the metal tip
from time to time with fine steel wool and/or mineral spirits
or alcohol. A dirty tip can caus low r r adings. Keep the brass
shiny for best results.
3.Never immerse the probe in water.
4.Remove the battery, if your tester will not be used for several
months.
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4.1 CALIBRATION
1.Clean the probe tip. While holding the probe in the air, press
and hold the √ button. The tester will begin to count down on
the display “5,4,3,2,1” and the tester will then display “00.0”.
2.Release the √ button.
3.Firmly place the calibration clip on to the probe tip as shown
in the clip illustrations below and then press and hold the √
button.
4.The tester will now display 24.8%, indicating that the unit is
now calibrated.
**If the tester displays “99.9” any time during the calibration
process, this indicates an error has occurred. Try repeating
the calibration procedure starting at Step 1.
4.2 BATTERY
1.“LOBAT” will be displayed, if the battery is running low and
needs replacing. Always use an ALKALINE 9-volt battery.
2.After the battery is replaced, always re-calibrate your tester
(see above).
NOTE: Your tester will display 88.8 briefly just after the battery
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is replaced. This signifies that the tester has re-initialized. The
last calibration and backlighting (on/off) status will be utilized.
5. TROUBLESHOOTING
1.R ad this manual again. Carefully.
2.Clean probe tip and recalibrate tester.
3.If “LOBAT” is displayed, replace the battery with a new 9-volt
ALKALINE battery. Re-calibrate the tester.
IF SERVICE IS REQUIRED Contact your Farmex
reseller or Farmcomp .
IMPORTANT: K p original invoic or oth r proof of purchas .
Proof of purchas is r quir d to d t rmin if s rvic will b
p rform d within th warranty p riod at no charg .
6. WARRANTY
The HT-Pro moisture and temperature tester carries a one year
manufacturer warranty for materials and workmanship. The
warranty is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase on
the receipt. To claim the warranty, the customer should return
the defect product to the Manufacturer or reseller. The
warranty claim must be accompanied by the description of the
fault, copy of sales receipt and customer's contact information.
The Manufacturer service partner will repair or replace the
defect product and return it as soon as possible.
The liability of Farmcomp is limited to the price of the product in
maximum. The warranty does not cover any damage that is
caused by incorrect or careless use of the product, dropping the
product or damage that is caused by repairs that are carried out
by non-authorized personnel. Farmcomp does not accept any
responsibility for any direct, indirect or consequential damages
that are caused by the use of the product or the fact that the
product could not be used.
The battery is not covered by the warranty.
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.
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