Harvesting
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These questions relate to AFS harvesting operations (yield/moisture monitoring, mapping, etc.)
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There are a number of tips that can improve the accuracy of your yield monitor calibrations.
Stop Height (Maximum Working Height)- Always set your stop height for each crop type. It is best to do this with the appropriate header on the machine.
Distance - When doing the distance calibration, 200' is required. However, 400' is better. It is best to measure this with a tape and not a rolling wheel for accuracy. Your start and finish points should always be measured from the same spot on the combine. The distance calibration should be done in field conditions with a partial grain tank of crop.
Moisture - The moisture calibration must be done for each crop type. Remember to start a new load on the display and name it so you can easily identify it later as a moisture calibration load. Start with the grain tank empty and harvest until the "Instant Moisture" and "Average Moisture" readings are very close. Take 4-5 hand samples from the load and measure the actual moisture of each with an accurate, calibrated tester. Take an average of all the samples and enter this into the display as the "actual" moisture. Don't forget to start a new load so you don't add additional data to this load!
Grain Weight - The grain weight calibration must be done for each crop type. Remember to start a new load on the display and name it so you can easily identify it later as a grain weight calibration load. Start with the grain tank empty, as well as an empty truck, wagon, or whatever you will dump to. Each cal load should be at least 10,000 lbs. for best accuracy and they should be consistent in size. For best results, you will want to do at least 4 calibration loads - 6 to 8 is even better! These loads will need to be harvested at different grain flow rates (low, medium, high). To reduce your grain flow you can adjust speed or your swath. DO NOT unload on the go during a grain weight calibration! Once you have completed 4 or more calibration loads, pick at least 4 loads with different flow rates, consistent error %, and that are less than 10% error if possible. Don't forget to "Apply Cal Values" to previously harvested loads if you want them to be adjusted with the new calibration data.
Yes. It is important to complete them in the following order.
- Calibrate the Header Stop Height (called Maximum Working Height in the AFS Pro 600 color display).
- Perform Distance Calibration
- Perform Moisture Calibration
- Perform Weight (Yield) Calibration
- (optional) Perform Area Calibration