PCE Americas PCE-HMM User manual

©
User manual
PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

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Table of contents
1Introduction........................................................................................................... 3
2Scope of delivery .................................................................................................. 3
3Intended use......................................................................................................... 4
4Security................................................................................................................. 5
4.1 Safety instructions for the buyer......................................................................................5
4.2 Safety instructions for the operator .................................................................................5
4.3 Personal protective equipment .......................................................................................5
4.4 Residual hazards ............................................................................................................6
5Technical Specifications....................................................................................... 7
6Commissioning..................................................................................................... 7
7Working with the device........................................................................................ 8
7.1 Keypad............................................................................................................................8
7.2 Switching on the device ..................................................................................................8
7.3 Making Measurements ...................................................................................................8
7.4 Freezing of displayed values (Hold function)..................................................................9
7.5 Forming averages.........................................................................................................10
7.6 Retrieving the average value.........................................................................................10
7.7 Deleting the total memory.............................................................................................11
7.8 Display of Battery Voltage.............................................................................................11
7.9 How to switch off the device .........................................................................................11
8Factors influencing moisture testing .................................................................. 12
8.1 Bale density ..................................................................................................................12
8.2 Material .........................................................................................................................12
8.3 Sweating .......................................................................................................................12
8.4 Preservatives.................................................................................................................12
9Cleaning and maintenance ................................................................................ 13
10 Troubleshooting.................................................................................................. 13
10.1 Battery is empty.........................................................................................................13
10.2 Wrong measurement values......................................................................................13
10.3 Damages on the device ............................................................................................13
11 Warranty ............................................................................................................. 14
12 Disposal.............................................................................................................. 14
13 Declaration of Conformity................................................................................... 15
14 Imprint................................................................................................................. 16

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1Introduction
Thank you for choosing an AGRETO hay moisture meter. You have got a robust
tool for daily practice. Please read this manual carefully before operating the
unit.
2Scope of delivery
1 meter 50 cm measuring lance (or 100/270 cm depending on model)
1 battery 9V
1 packaging box
1 user manual

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3Intended use
The HFM II AGRETO hay- & straw moisture meter is designed for measurement
of moisture and temperature in compressed hay bales (square bales, round
bales and large bales) by inserting the probe into the bale at right angles.
To obtain meaningful values,the measurement at several points in the ball must
be carried out, and an average can be formed.
In practice it is usually not an exact moisture percentage, but a review of the
barrel in terms of quality and storability. The higher values in the ball must be
given priority.
Not pressed material must be compressed before measurement in a suitable
form, for example by compressing in a bucket.
To measure the temperature the probe must remain in the material until a
constant temperature is displayed.
User information:
Store the device on a dry place.
Do not immerse the probe in water!
Make sure that the lance is not tilted or bent during insertion. This is
especially true for the long lances (100/270 cm).

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4Security
4.1 Safety instructions for the buyer
Important!
Make sure that each person who works for the first time with the
AGRETO HFM II, has read and understood this manual.
Danger!
Make sure that the AGRETO HFM II is kept in a place that is not
accessible to unauthorized persons.
4.2 Safety instructions for the operator
Danger!
The AGRETO HFM II may only be operated by persons who are
familiar with the operation of the device.
Precaution!
Keep the work area clean! Soiled areas contributes to accidents.
4.3 Personal protective equipment
WARNING!
For people who work with the device, the wearing of safety gloves
is required.
WARNING!
For people who work with the device, the wearing of safety shoes
is required.

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4.4 Residual hazards
Working with the device residual risks may arise for persons and objects that
cannot be prevented by design or technical protection measures.
Danger!
During the handling of the device there may be a risk of injuries
because of the pointed measuring lance tip.
WARNING!
The AGRETO HFM II must not be operated in the area of live parts
and wiring. There is a risk of electric shock!
WARNING!
The AGRETO HFM II must not be operated in explosive areas.

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5Technical Specifications
Box dimensions: 800x78x54 mm (LxWxH) (version with 50 cm lance)
Device dim: 772x70x48 mm (LxWxH) (version with 50 cm lance)
Weight incl. battery: 650 g (version with 50 cm lance)
Stainless steel lance with plunge length 50 cm (50 cm version)
Dust-and splash-resistant housing
Stable, ergonomically shaped wooden handle
Keypad with 4 keys
LCD display with 15mm high digits
Moisture range 9-50%
Temperature range -10 bis 100°C
Resolution of the display 0,1%; Accuracy 0,8%
Ongoing display of the measured value during the measurement
procedure for the rapid determination of moisture content at various
points in bales
Hold-function; Count-function; Average-function
Display the battery voltage
Automatic backlight
Automatic shutdown
Automatic calibration
Power supply by 9V battery
6Commissioning
When supplied, the supplied battery is disconnected. Open the battery
compartment, connect the battery and close the battery compartment.

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7Working with the device
7.1 Keypad
7.2 Switching on the device
The device does not have a power button. It automatically turns on when you
press one of the [Temperature] or [Moisture] button.
7.3 Making Measurements
Once the device is turned on continuously (2x per second) either moisture or
temperature values are displayed depending on the selected mode. The current
display is signalled by the flashing decimal point, the displayed values are of
course only meaningful if the probe is in the material.
To change the mode, press the button briefly [Moisture] or the [Temperature]
[Temperature]
[Moisture]
[Off]
[Summing]

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To carry out moisture measurements, proceed as follows:
Penetrate the probe on one of the side surfaces of the bale.
With the current display you can already read the measured value
during the slow penetrating. When pulling out the lance, the values are
not meaningful.
Moisture values are displayed between 9-50%.
Moisture values below 9% are displayed as „L“.
At moisture values over 50 the display flashes with the message „H“
Repeat the measurement at different places in the bale to obtain a
better overview of the situation in bales.
The display lighting switches off after 20 seconds without pressing any
keys automatically. To enable it again, press the [moisture] or
[temperature] key.
The unit itself switches off after 2 minutes without pressing any key
automatically. To turn on again, press the [moisture] or [temperature]
key.
If "LoBat" appears on the display, the battery voltage is below 8 volts
and the battery should be replaced.
To carry out temperature measurements, proceed as follows:
Insert the probe on one of the side surfaces of the bale and read the
display.
Wait until the temperature is stable, it can take up to several minutes.
Read the value only, when the display shows a steady value.
Note that the lance can warm up itself by repeatedly piercing. Allow it
to cool down before you make further measurements.
Temperature values are displayed between 0 and 100 ° C.
Repeat the measurement at different places in the bale to obtain a
better overview of the situation in bales.
7.4 Freezing of displayed values (Hold function)
If you cannot see the display while the moisture measurement, for example if
you measure a bale on a trailer, you can freeze the currently displayed moisture

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value for 5 seconds by pressing the [moisture] key. During this time, the current
display is frozen and displayed and the held value is displayed with a non-
flashing decimal point. Then the device starts again with the automatic display
of the current measured value.
7.5 Forming averages
To form an average of several measurements of moisture, or to count the
number of measurements, proceed as follows:
Perform the initial measurement.
When the reading on the display is stable, press the button briefly
[Summing]. The displayed value is written to memory. On the display the
number of measurements that are already in memory appears for 5
seconds. Then the unit will return to the automatic display of the
moisture.
Repeat the process as many times as you like with different
measurements or measurements of several bales.
7.6 Retrieving the average value
To display the average of the stored measurements, proceed as follows:
Press and hold the [Moisture] - key for about 3 seconds.
The average moisture value of all stored measured values appear on
the display. This value will flash alternating with the message "A".
The total memory is not cleared.
To return to the current display, press the [Moisture] key.
To write the current measured value in the total memory and then immediately
display the number and the average follow these steps:
Perform the measurement to be written into the accumulator. While the
measured value appears on the display press and hold the [Summing]
key for about 3 seconds.
On the display appears for about 2 seconds the number of readings
which are in total memory.
Then the average value from all stored moisture measured values
appears. This value will flash alternating with the message "A".
The total memory is not cleared.

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To return to the current display, press the [Moisture] key.
7.7 Deleting the total memory
To delete the total memory manually turn the device off and on again.
After automatic turn off the total memory is not cleared.
7.8 Display of Battery Voltage
To display the battery voltage, briefly press the button [OFF]. The battery
voltage in Volts Appears on the display for about 3 seconds. The unit
automatically switches back to the current display mode.
7.9 How to switch off the device
After 2 minutes without any key operation, the device switches off automatically.
To turn off the device manually press and hold the [OFF] key for about 3
seconds. When you turn off manually the total memory is erased.

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8Factors influencing moisture testing
8.1 Bale density
Hay and straw bales are of different density. In practice, the bale density may
usually not be determined. In addition, the density within a bale can be very
different, intentionally or unintentionally.
The calibration of AGRETO HFM II is designed for an average bale density. In
bales with higher density a higher moisture level will tend to appear and at lower
density bales a lower value will be displayed. This fact is advantageous in
practice in many cases, because, with higher density bales increased sensitivity
is advised with respect to quality and storability.
8.2 Material
A hay or straw bale consists of various plant parts drying unevenly. Also, the
material in the bale is not always stored uniformly. The leaf / stem ratio is not
always the same in the entire bale.
Accordingly, the moisture inside a bale is different. Bales with higher moisture
typically have higher moisture differences within the bale. With increasing drying
the differences become smaller.
The AGRETO HFM II measures the moisture and the temperature only in the
region of the material that rests directly around the tip of the device.
8.3 Sweating
In the first days after the pressing, the moisture value can rise slightly. In
marginal bales you should constantly perform control measurements these
days.
8.4 Preservatives
Some preservatives change the electrical properties of the material. In the
period in which the preservative is added, it may lead to an increased moisture
value for several days to a few percentage points.

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9Cleaning and maintenance
Clean the tip and the lance of the instrument before the season and
when visibly soiled with fine steel wool and / or alcohol.
Store the device on a dry and clean place.
If you are not using the unit for a long time, it is advisable to
disconnect the battery.
10 Troubleshooting
10.1 Battery is empty
If the device display the text "LoBat" the battery needs to be replaced. Any
displayed measurement values can be wrong.
10.2 Wrong measurement values
If you think the displayed measurement values are not correct proceed as
follows:
Note the information in the section "Factors influencing moisture
measurements"
Note the fact that even in dry bales moist areas may occur and / or
locations with higher temperature.
Make sure that the tip and the probe are dry. In the initial state on the
display "L" must appear. If a value is displayed without insertion of the
lance, then the tip is not dry.
Make sure that the tip and the lance are not contaminated.
For temperature measurements, note that the probe must remain in
the material as long as the temperature display does not change.
10.3 Damages on the device
Please contact the manufacturer or your dealer

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11 Warranty
For this device, the warranty period is 2 years from date of purchase. This
warranty does not cover damage due to improper use, misuse or damage from
the outside.
12 Disposal
Dispose of the HFM II in the definitive shutdown or parts of
environmentally friendly (metal to the respective metal scrap, plastic
to plastic waste, etc. - Do not dispose as household waste!) Detailed
information can be found in Directive 2002/96/EC.

AGRETO HFM II
© AGRETO electronics GmbH Seite:16
14 Imprint
All information, specifications and illustrations are as of 2014, subject to
technical changes or design changes.
All information in this manual are supplied without liability despite careful
preparation. A liability by the author is excluded.
Copyright © 2014