Pfeuffer HFM User manual

Artikelnummer Betriebsanleitung: 1315 0051
Article number operating instructions:
Pfeuffer GmbH
Flugplatzstraße 70
97318 Kitzingen
GERMANY
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected] Revision 5/12.02.2020
www.pfeuffer.com Translation of the original operating instructions
Operating instructions
for the hay and straw moisture meter
HFM

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

Introduction
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1Introduction
Thank you for choosing a Pfeuffer hay moisture meter. You have got a robust tool for daily practice.
Please read this manual carefully before operating the unit.
2Scope of delivery
Standard scope of delivery
1 meter with 50 cm measuring lance (or 100 cm depending on model)
1 battery 9 V
1 packaging box
1 operating instructions
3Intended use
The HFM hay and 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 bale 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 cm).
4Safety
4.1 Safety instructions for the buyer
IMPORTANT!
Make sure that each person who works for the first time with the Pfeuffer HFM has read and
understood this manual.
DANGER!
Make sure that the Pfeuffer HFM is kept in a place that is not accessible to unauthorized
persons.
4.2 Safety instructions for the operator
DANGER!
The Pfeuffer HFM may only be operated by persons who are familiar with the operation of
the device.
CAUTION!
Keep the work area clean! Soiled areas contributes to accidents.

Technical Specifications
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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.
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 Pfeuffer HFM must not be operated in the area of live parts and wiring. There is a risk
of electric shock!
WARNING!
The Pfeuffer HFM must not be operated in explosive areas.
5Technical Specifications
Box dimensions: 800x78x54 mm (LxWxH) (version with 50 cm lance)
Device dimensions: 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 (version with 50 cm lance)
Dust-and splash-resistant housing (Protection IP40 according to DIN EN 60529)
Stable, ergonomically shaped wooden handle
Keypad with 4 keys
LCD display with 13 mm high digits
Moisture range 9 % to 70 %
Temperature range -10 to +100 °C or 32 °F to 212 °F
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
Acoustic warning when moisture is too high (adjustable)
Power supply by 9 V battery
6Commissioning
When supplied, the supplied battery is disconnected. Open the battery compartment, connect the battery
and close the battery compartment.

Working with the device
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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 signaled 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].
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 and 70 %.
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 is automatically switched on for measured values above 12 % moisture. Manual
activation is possible via the [Moisture] or [Temperature] keys. If there is no measurement above 12 %
moisture for a period of 10 seconds and no key is pressed, the display lighting is switched off.
[Temperature]
[Moisture]
[Off]
[Summing]

Working with the device
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After 2 minutes without any key operation and any moisture measuring over 12 %, the device switches
off automatically. To turn on again, press the [Moisture] or [Temperature] key.
If "loBat" or a battery symbol 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.
Wait until the temperature is stable, it can take up to several minutes. Read the value only, when the
display shows a steady value. To activate the backlight, press the button [Temperature].
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 °C and +100 °C.
Repeat the measurement at different places in the bale to obtain a better overview of the situation in
bales.
To switch the unit between Celsius and Fahrenheit, press and hold down the [Temperature] button for
5 seconds. The setting degrees Celsius is signaled in the display by the symbol °C.
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 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 nonflashing
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 2 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 [Summing] - key for about 4 seconds.
The average moisture value of all stored measured values appears on the display. This value flashes
alternately with the number of stored measured values.
To return to the current display, press the [Moisture] key.
The total memory is not cleared.
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.

Factors influencing moisture testing
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7.9 Acoustic warning
When the moisture measurement is over the set limit, an acoustic signal sounds. For setting the limit
(between 12 % and 50 %) press and hold the button [Moisture] for about 4 seconds. The set value is
displayed. A short press on the button [Moisture] increases the limit by one percentage point. After setting
50 the setting 12 follows again. After about 5 seconds without pressing a button, the unit returns to original
mode.
7.10 How to switch off the device
After 2 minutes without any key operation and any moisture measuring over 12 %, 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.
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 Pfeuffer HFM 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 Pfeuffer HFM 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.
9Cleaning and maintenance
After making measurements of bales with high humidity, dry the dip until the "L" symbol appears on the
display.
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.

Troubleshooting
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10 Troubleshooting
10.1 Battery is empty
If the device displays the text "loBat" or a battery symbol 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 chapter 8 – "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.
11 Warranty
Over and above statutory warranty for Pfeuffer HFM probe following warranty provisions apply:
The Pfeuffer GmbH guarantees the function and repairs or replaces all the parts that have a material or
manufacturing damage within the warranty period.
Warranty services will be performed by the Pfeuffer GmbH.
The decision on the existence of a warranty claim is sole responsibility of the Pfeuffer GmbH.
The warranty period begins with the first accounting to an end customer and ends 3 years from this date
of invoice.
Prerequisite for warranty service are the presentation of the original invoice and compliance with all
elements of this instruction manual.
Excluded from warranty are wear, normal wear and tear, damage due to misuse, negligence or accident.
When processing a warranty claim transport costs incurred will be charged to the buyer.
12 Disposal
Dispose of the Pfeuffer HFM 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 2012/19/EU.
13 Imprint
All information, specifications and illustrations are as of 2017, subject to technical changes or design changes.
All information in this operating instructions are supplied without liability despite careful preparation. A
liability by the author is excluded.
Copyright © 2020
Pfeuffer GmbH
Flugplatzstraße 70
97318 Kitzingen
GERMANY
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.pfeuffer.com

Declaration of Conformity
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14 Declaration of Conformity
EU Declaration of Conformity
For the following named product
Pfeuffer HFM – Hay and straw moisture meter
Serial number: ______________________________
This is to confirm that it complies with the essential protection requirements of Council Directive on the
approximation of the laws of Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility (2014/30/EU) and Low
Voltage (2014/35/EU).
For the evaluation regarding electromagnetic compatibility, the following standards were applied:
EN 61000-6-1:2007
EN 61000-6-3:2007 + A1:2011
EN 61326-2-3:2006
This explanation is given by the manufacturer
Pfeuffer GmbH
Flugplatzstraße 70
97318 Kitzingen
GERMANY
Submitted by:
Kitzingen, ___________________________ ___________________________________
Lothar Pfeuffer, General Manager

Notes
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