The ability to take an accurate moisture reading when baling hay or straw is invaluable in ensuring optimum results, and avoid the risk of mould development or wadding caused by baling when moisture levels are too high.
To overcome this problem, the Profitable Farming Company has introduced a new moisture meter system specifically for the New Holland BB high density baler range. Where higher moisture contents are likely to be experienced, the moisture meter can also be incorporated into a fully automatic preservative applicator system.
The moisture meter covers a moisture content range from 8% up to 70% and working in conjunction with New Holland, the system is designed so that it can be linked directly into the baler's InfoView control monitor.
The moisture reading is taken using a Star Wheel mounted in the bale chamber. As the bale passes through the chamber, each prong of the star wheel takes a moisture reading from the bale, which is then displayed on the InfoView monitor.
Using this information, the operator is then able to take an informed decision as to whether crop conditions are suitable for baling or, once baling, to monitor any increases in moisture levels to 16%MC when it is advisable to stop baling.
To increase the baling window and ensure good quality results at higher moisture levels, should operators of the new Moisture Monitoring system decide to upgrade to the fully automatic CropSaver preservative application system, the Profitable Farming Company are offering a trade-in facility.
Using a similar star wheel moisture monitor in the chamber, linked into an additive applicator applying a near-neutral buffered form of propionic acid, once the 16% threshold is reached the system will automatically apply the appropriate levels of additive to ensure good quality results can be achieved at moisture levels of up to 30%MC.
The New Holland BB moisture monitoring system is available from the Profitable Farming Company and New Holland dealers, and costs £918.
