Farm Electronics develops Cropscan 'Ramp Down' feature

Farm Electronics Limited, the Grantham-based crop storage specialist has introduced an 'Auto Ramp Down' feature to the control software of its popular Cropscan 16mc3 store controller.

"We developed and subsequently introduced this in response to customer feedback which suggested a need for it," said Bill Leslie, Farm Electronics' managing director.

This option allows the operator to set the final crop storage temperature with a maximum cooling differential. The initial high crop temperature will then be reduced to a controlled even 'ramp' until the target is reached.

This is possible due to the sophisticated processor capability built into the Cropscan 16 mc3, according to Farm Electronics. During the ramp (or pull down) period the maximum cooling temperature differential is calculated against the average of all the active crop sensors. "In this way the whole store is cooled in as even and controlled manner as is possible," said Mr Leslie.

Once the crop has been pulled down to target temperature the 'ramp down' system can be switched off and the normal highest sensor control logic is used instead.

"Comments from users that have used this software have been very favourable as it removes a great deal of the day-to-day adjustments to the Cropscan during the pull down phase of storage. In addition it will achieve the job in a more controlled and therefore efficient way," added Mr Leslie.

Under previous circumstances the store manager would monitor the crop temperature daily and adjust the air mix temperature to be say 2C below the average crop temperature. As cooling progressed the crop temperature would be lowered but the air mix temperature would remain the same so the difference between crop and cooling air would be reduced and therefore less efficient.

"With Ramp Down the operator sets 2C as the required differential and the Cropscan automatically adjusts the air mix temperature to maintain the 2C difference with the average crop temperature so that maximum cooling efficiency is maintained," said Mr Leslie.

Once the ultimate storage temperature is achieved the Ramp Down system is switched off.

Since its introduction in 2000 the popularity of the Cropscan-16mc3 has grown. After the first full season existing Farm Electronics' customers gradually began upgrading the system by replacing an original Cropscan with the much-improved Cropscan-16mc3. There is also an increasing move for store managers to replace multi store control systems, based on a central computer, with the complete system with Cropscan-16's to achieve better individual store control with lower maintenance cost, according to Farm Electronics.

Communication with the Cropscan-16mc3 can be via a BT landline, a GSM mobile or a direct cable link for stores on the same site. Both telephone systems allow interrogation and store management to take place from virtually anywhere in the world. The Cropscan graphics programme provides for season-long graphic displays with background recording of every temperature and every equipment function recorded daily at 4 hourly intervals.

While store managers enjoy the clear simple presentation of the Cropscan-16mc3 the underlying programme is extensive and covers virtually every aspect of modern store management.