september 2012 no. 32 grain moisture meters special...

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Independent information for agriculture September 2012 No. 32 Research Report Kondinin Group www.kondiningroup.com.au GRAIN MOISTURE METERS SPECIAL REPORT

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Page 1: September 2012 No. 32 GRain moistuRe meteRs SPECIAL REPORTs3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/media-aspermontlimited/web_m… · R e s e a R c h R e P o R t • K o n d I n I n G R o

I n d e p e n d e n t i n f o r m a t i o n f o r a g r i c u l t u r e

September 2012 No. 32 ResearchReportKondinin Group

www.kondiningroup.com.au

GRain moistuRe meteRs SPECIAL REPORT

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www.kondiningroup.com.au No. 32 September 2012 Research Report 3

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Grain moisture meters ReseaRch RepoRt |

a grain moisture meter is an essential tool for growers, whether checking a load before transport to the bin, or assessing moisture levels before grain goes into storage or is dried. In the first comparison of moisture meters in six years, Kondinin Group engineers Josh Giumelli and Ben White assessed 12 units, hand testing 800 grain samples in the process

Careful calibration creates accurate moisture measurements

Real life samples for on-farm conditionsAs opposed to using laboratory-prepared samples, Kondinin Group engineers used actual grain samples supplied by CBH in Western Australia.

The sealed samples were drawn from CBH’s cold store at its metro receival point, and all tests were conducted in their laboratory.

All moisture meters were tested using 10 wheat samples ranging in moisture content from 8.8 to 15.7 per cent. Similarly, three canola samples (5.0 per cent, 6.6 per cent and 7.8 per cent) were run through all units. Five repetitions of each sample were performed in strict adherence to the handbook instructions.

Moisture content of the samples was verified at the end of the test by the oven drying method, performed by CBH laboratory staff.

Oven-dry testing involved grinding a 100g sample which is grist and mixed. A 10g sub-sample is taken and placed in a

the difference between having a load of grain accepted or rejected at the bin can come down to how accurate

your grain moisture meter is.

Kondinin Group tests of 12 popular grain moisture meters have shown farmers should not just assume the machine will be accurate ‘out of the box’, but should check their results against their receival point, and calibrate their own unit accordingly.

To replicate receival point results, a portable or hand-held moisture meter needs a certain degree of accuracy, as well as the ability to consistently replicate results.

Importantly, it also needs to be able to be calibrated, preferably with adjustments able to be made on farm without having to upload new software or calibrations from the manufacturer.

All moisture meters tested in this report could have their calibrations adjusted, but previous tests have discovered some machines which couldn't.

Brabender oven at 130 degrees Celsius for an hour.

The differing wheat varieties saw wider-ranging results than in 2006, but these more closely replicate on-farm conditions.

This does make life challenging for a $500 moisture meter when it is expected to match a $75,000 machine at the bin.

Accuracy and repeatabilityIn order to interpret our test results, it is vital to make the distinction between repeatability and accuracy.

Both need to be considered when choosing the moisture meter for you.

Accuracy is a measure of how close any one result is to the actual moisture level of the grain being tested.

In other words, an accurate machine will give you a close result straight out of the box, without need for calibration.

While a moisture meter may give you an accurate result, it needs to be able to replicate this accuracy, or be repeatable over several tests.

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| ReseaRch RepoRt Grain moisture meters

Repeatability is the ability of a moisture meter to deliver similar results time and time again for the same sample of grain. It is a vital quality for any piece of test equipment, and governs how useful a grain moisture meter will be.

Overall star ratings were generated for repeatability and accuracy, as well as ease of use and portability, and can be found in Table 2.

Standard deviationIn statistical terms, the standard deviation of a set of results is a measure of the moisture meter’s repeatability.

A high standard deviation means the set of results vary wildly from the average of all of those results.

Likewise, a low standard deviation means all results are very similar, and are bang on the average of those results.

Hitting the targetIf all of this sounds a bit convoluted, it helps to think of the analogy of a shooter aiming for a target.

If the shooter fires an accurate shot, it will be very close to the bull’s eye.

If the shooter is repeatable, but not necessarily accurate, his shots will be all grouped very close together, but not near the bull’s eye.

The shots will have a low standard deviation.

To make the shooter accurate and repeatable, the sights on his rifle can be

adjusted to bring all his shots dead on target.

The same applies to a moisture meter; if it is repeatable but not accurate, it can easily have a calibration adjustment to correct that.

In other words, if it consistently reads low by half a percent across a range of moisture contents, the user can adjust the calibration up 0.5 per cent to make it accurate.

Why it all mattersThe important moisture reading for most farmers will be the one at their grain receival point.

Because it is this reading which will decide whether the load is accepted or rejected.

It actually matters less how accurate the receival point’s moisture meter is, but more how close your own moisture meter’s reading compares to theirs.

Fortunately, receival points use NIR moisture meters, which are usually accurate and repeatable.

Following on from this, farmers need a moisture meter which is at least repeatable, as it can be calibrated against the receival moisture meter to produce accurate and repeatable results.

Farmers can then test their grain knowing it will match their receival point standards.

Figure 1 displays the measured accuracy of all wheat samples tested, averaged over five tests.

TAble 1 Potential unsafe storage limits for Australian canola varieties at 60 per cent equilibrium relative humidity and 25C

Seed oil content Seed moisture content

35 8.5 per cent

37 8.2 per cent

39 8.0 per cent

41 7.7 per cent

43 7.4 per cent

45 7.1 per cent

47 6.8 per cent

49 6.6 per cent

51 6.3 per cent

note: the table shows safe storage conditions for canola at 60 per cent equilibrium relative humidity. the relationship between seed moisture content and oil content is shown at 25 degrees celsius. canola stored at conditions above these levels is at potential risk of seed and oil quality loss.

source: csIRo stored grain research laboratory

TAble 2 Moisture meter performance scores

Model ease of use PortabilityWheat Canola

Accuracy Repeatability Calibration Accuracy Repeatability Calibration

Dickey John MiniGAC +

Dickey John GAC 2100

Draminski

FarmscanAg 2166

FarmscanAg 2167

Foss Infratec Sofia

Graintec Scientific HE 50

Graintec Scientific HE Lite

Kett PM410

Kett Riceter F508

Wile 65

Wile 78

ACCuRACy: Higher stars in the table for accuracy means that the moisture meter delivers accurate results out of the box. This accurate result may however require numerous samples to be taken and averaged. RePeATAbiliTy: Higher stars in the table for repeatability mean that the moisture meter consistently delivers low variations in moisture readings for the same grain and that fewer samples need to be taken and averaged to get a result. CAlibRATion: Score relates to the ability to apply a calibration shift up or down across the range of moisture readings to obtain an accurate result. Calibration does not relate to repeatability in that if the machine is not delivering repeatable results, it can still give accuracy with numerous samples. For example, if a moisture meter delivers moisture readings that are not repeatable, but with numerous samples of the same grain gives a consistently low averaged moisture reading across the range of say, 0.5 per cent, it can be made more accurate by applying an upward calibration shift of 0.5 per cent. The meter will now be more accurate, but will still require numerous samples to be taken because it has low repeatability. HigHeR STARS in the table for calibration means that results will be more accurate across the range of moisture levels once a calibration shift has been applied to the machine.

source: Kondinin Group

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Grain moisture meters ReseaRch RepoRt |

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the importance of moisture measurement when storing oilseedsobserving seed moisture content limits is essential when storing oilseeds due to the large proportional component of an oilseed (the oil) and its inability to hold moisture. as a result, as oil content increases, the moisture content limit for safe storage decreases (see table 1). Potential unsafe storage limits for australian canola varieties at 60 per cent equilibrium relative humidity and 25 degrees celsius.

Capacitance moisture meters are less affected by uneven moisture distribution across the grain sample such as the inclusion of green seeds but are sensitive to the volume of sample and pouring of the sample.

On-the-go moisture meters such as those fitted to harvesters operate on the capacitance principle.

using bothSome moisture meters, such as the Dickey-John Mini GAC plus and the GAC 2100, use a combination of conductance and capacitance to improve moisture content accuracy.

This helps arrive at an accurate result for grain which may have surface moisture, or has been recently dried (moisture on the inside).

It is a useful measure of the accuracy of each moisture meter out of the box. Figure 2 displays the standard deviations, or repeatability across the five test results in each moisture range. The lower the SD, the more repeatable the results.

How the meters workMost moisture meters tested used capacitance or conductance methods to determine moisture levels.

The exceptions were the Dickey John GAC 2100 and MiniGAC plus, which uses a combination of capacitance and conductance, and the Foss, which uses near infra-red transmission (NIR) spectroscopy.

Conductance metersConductance, or resistance is a measure of how easily electrical current can flow through a conductor, or in this case a grain sample.

A moist grain sample is a better conductor of electricity than drier grain.

Conductance moisture meters pass a current between two electrodes through a compressed grain sample, which is usually ground to improve accuracy.

If the grain has undergone a sudden moisture change such as rapid drying, it could be drier on the surface of the seed than in the centre.

Grinding improves accuracy by exposing the centre of the seed in the sample measured.

Capacitance metersCapacitance moisture meters operate by measuring how much electrical current can be stored in a sample of grain and air.

The moister the grain sample, the more current it will hold.

Capacitance is used primarily to measure the internal moisture level in conjunction with grain density, and conductance measures surface moisture.

AcknowledgementsKondinin Group would like to thank Martelle Baker, CBH, Perth, for her assistance with this project.

contact ▶ Ben White [email protected]

contact ▶ Josh Giumelli [email protected]

tips for improving moisture results

average the results of five or more ▸samples, taken from different areas of the grain bulk.use a fresh sample each time. ▸

clean all units thoroughly, both ▸between samples and after use, especially for grinding machinesensure moisture meters are free ▸from condensation, and don’t expose them to temperature extremes.operate moisture meters within the ▸manufacturers’ temperature range.When holding a sample for later ▸testing, use a zip-lock bag or sealed jar to avoid moisture loss or gain.Makes sure samples are free from ▸husks, stalks, green seeds and other foreign bodies, especially if the moisture meter uses a small sample size.

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| ReseaRch RepoRt Grain moisture meters

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Trailer feeders SheltersGrain silos Self feeders

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www.birdssilos.com.au

TAble 3 Moisture meter specifications

Model Mode of operation Sample type Cycle time seconds

Wheat moisture limits per cent

number of varieties

Ability to average

battery type

Weight Kg

Price gST inclusive

Dickey John MiniGAC + Capacitance and conductance Whole grain 60 5 – 45 A 20 Up to 10 1 X 9v 1.1 902

Dickey John GAC 2100 Capacitance and conductance Whole grain 60 5 – 45 A 8 B No 240v 11.8 4950

Draminski Capacitance Whole grain 20 8 – 35% 29 No 1 X 9v 0.92 546

FarmscanAg 2166 Capacitance Pressed whole grain 35 8 – 22% 42 Up to 20 2 X 9v 0.8 528

FarmscanAg 2167 Capacitance Pressed whole grain 50 NS 33 Up to 6 2 X 9v 1 907

FOSS Infratec Sofia NIR Whole grain 180 NS E Yes D 240v or 12v 9 21978

Graintec HE 50 Conductance Pressed ground grain 80 7 – 33 14 C No 1 X 9v 1.94 1595

Graintec HE Lite Conductance Pressed ground grain 50 9 – 35 8 Up to 6 3 X AA 0.9 1045

Kett PM410 Capacitance Whole grain 25 6 – 40 12 Up to 9 4 x AA 1 869

Kett Riceter F-508 Conductance Pressed ground grain 20 9 – 30 12 Up to 9 4 x AA 0.44 748

Wile 65 Capacitance Pressed whole grain 35 8 – 35 16 Up to 99 1 X 9v 0.74 759

Wile 78 Conductance Pressed ground grain 45 NS 21 Up to 9 1 X 9v 0.91 1089

Notes: A — Moisture limits not specified for individual products. B — Hundreds of product calibrations available from manufacturer. C — Manufacturer has choice of about 200 product varieties. D — Automatically averages ten tests over three minutes. E — Calibrations for different products downloaded over internet and installed via USB drive. NS — not specified.

source: Kondinin Group

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Grain moisture meters ReseaRch RepoRt |

Riceter f-508 and PM-410 are available from most major Rural Merchandise Supply outlets

Grain Moisture Testers

· User Adjustable Moisture Content Bias

· Averaging Facility

· Automatic Temperature Compensation

· Automatic Power Off

· Pre-programmed for Direct Moisture Content readings of 12 popular commodities

· Quick & Easy Operation

Both models offer:

OTHER GRAIN & HAY MOISTURE TESTERS AVAILABLE

Phone: 08 8338 7588 · Fax: 08 8338 7566

FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE VISIT www.agelec.com.au

FiguRe 1 Wheat accuracy

source: Kondinin Group

■ oven dry sample ■ dickey John miniGac+ ■ FarmscanaG 2167■ FarmscanaG 2166 ■ Kett PM410 ■ Wile 65■ Wile 78 ■ he50 ■ he Lite■ Kett Riceter F508 ■ dickey John Gac 2100 ■ draminski■ Foss sofia (cBh calibration)

Mea

sure

d m

oist

ure

(%)

actual grain moisture content (%)

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

8.8% 9.7% 10.8% 11.8% 12.2% 13.0% 13.3% 13.6% 14.1% 15.7%

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| ReseaRch RepoRt Grain moisture meters

mini GAC® plusGrain Moisture and Test Weight Analyser

The World’s Most AccurateHandheld Grain Moisture TesterThe DICKEY-john mini GACplus Grain Moisture Analyser is the first handheld with ‘grain trade’ accuracy.

mini GACplus – the ONLY handheld Moisture Tester that offers accurate test weight.

Instruments are available pre-calibrated for your crops: Wheat, Barley, Sorghum, Canola, Lupins, Oats, and more!

Contact your DICKEY-john distributor for details of a local dealer

TACS Australia Pty LtdPh: (02) 9955 7388Fax: (02) 9955 [email protected] Revolutionising Electronics

FiguRe 2 Wheat precision — average error per cent (lower is better)

source: Kondinin Group note: oven-dry method standard deviation +/- 0.05%

■ dickey John miniGac+ ■ FarmscanaG 2167 ■ FarmscanaG 2166■ Kett PM410 ■ Wile 65 ■ Wile 78■ he50 ■ he Lite ■ Kett Riceter F508■ dickey John Gac 2100 ■ draminski ■ Foss sofia (cBh calibration)

stan

dard

dev

iatio

n (%

)

nominal moisture range (%)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

8.800 9.700 10.800 11.800 12.200 13.000 13.300 13.600 14.100 15.700 average variation

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Grain moisture meters ReseaRch RepoRt |

...know your grain NIR Grain Analyser for Farmers, Grain Traders and

Bulk Handlers Protein and Moisture in Wheat, Barley, Oats,

Sorghum and Triticale Oil and Moisture in Canola Protein, Oil and Moisture in Soybean and Corn 45 seconds per test Built-in Autocalibration Program

For information, contact: Rob Martin, Tel: 02 9771 5444 Fax: 02 9771 5255 Email: [email protected], Web: www.nextinstruments.net

Designed and Made in Australia

CropScan Loren 1000G On Farm Analyser: $13750 + gst

CropScan Loren 1000G On Farm Analyser: $13750 + gst

CropScan 1000B Whole Grain Analyser: from $18700 + gst

CropScan 1000B Whole Grain Analyser: from $18700 + gst

For information, contact: Rob Martin, Tel: 02 9771 5444 Fax: 02 9771 5255 Email: [email protected], Web: www.nextinstruments.net

Dickey John miniGac plusLikes

high level of accuracy ▸

Metering jug ▸

Measures bulk density ▸

operates using capacitance and conductance ▸

dislikesunit is a little bulky ▸

Price $902 (including Gst)

contacttacs australia (02) 9955 7388 www.tacs.com.au

Dickey John Gac 2100Likes

accurate and repeatable results ▸uses capacitance and conductance ▸Large sample size ▸self loading and unloading ▸Measures bulk density ▸

dislikesLarge unit, not very portable ▸

can only store eight product calibrations ▸

high cost ▸

Price $4950 (including Gst)

contacttacs australia (02) 9955 7388 www.tacs.com.au

We say:the mini GaC plus takes the operating principles of capacitance and conductance from the GaC 2100 and repackages them in a portable unit.

a loading jug is used to scoop up a grain sample, and is then sat on top of the machine.

a small slide is opened to allow a controlled flow of grain into the test cell, improving accuracy over hand-poured samples.

this moisture meter is accurate and easy to use, and comes with a decent protective case.

We say:the GaC 2100 is a real performer in the accuracy and repeatability stakes, with its only disadvantage being its size.

the unit is quick and easy to use, with grain loaded into the hopper at the top.

it is then automatically fed into the test cell, where any excess is struck off.

after analysis takes place, the test cell empties into a drawer at the bottom of the machine.

Just don’t forget to replace the draw or grain will go everywhere.

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| ReseaRch RepoRt Grain moisture meters

Contact Peter Harvey MIDDLE EAST ENGINEERING The Front Line Engineerwww.chasemee.com.au 08-9889 1200 KONDININ www.accuspray.com.au

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Self-Levelling Suspension•Stainless Steel •ComponentsSelf Levelling System for •boom stabilityHydraulic lift and fold•

Flexi-N compatible•Hydraulic Accumulators •[for a softer ride]2 pack automotive •enamel finishTriple filtration system•

FEATURES FEATURES

DraminskiLikes

easy to operate ▸Very fast cycle time ▸easy to clean ▸

dislikesaverage accuracy and repeatability ▸

no ability to average results ▸

Price $546 (including Gst)

contacteldredge enterprises (08) 8842 1256 www.sprayerparts.com.au

Farmscanag 2166Likes

Very easy to use ▸Portable and robust ▸over 40 product calibrations ▸accuracy for wheat ▸

dislikesLow repeatability of results ▸

Low canola accuracy ▸

Price $528 (including Gst)

contactFarmscanag Pty Ltd (07) 4602 4150 www.farmscanag.com

We say:as one of the quickest moisture meters to use, the Draminski unit had only average accuracy and repeatability.

using a non-compressed whole grain sample, the unit relies on steady pouring of the sample into the test cell, which is aided by a dosage tube with a slide.

We say:the 2166 has been around for a while, and it is straightforward and quick to use.

once the test cell is filled with grain, the cap is screwed down to compress the sample.

While repeatability was low, accurate moisture results could be achieved in the crucial range around 12 per cent by averaging several moisture tests.

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Grain moisture meters ReseaRch RepoRt |

Know the quality of your grainGraintec Scientific are the leading suppliers of grain quality testing equipment. To make sure you’re harvest ready, talk to Graintec Scientific now.

Every farmer who purchases a FOSS InfratecTM Sofia from Graintec Scientific in 2012 has the chance to have the full purchase price reimbursed!

1300 640 299 | www.graintec.com.auScan this code to view the minibatt mobile harvester in action!

Offer not available after 14 December 2012 * Winner drawn 17 December 2012

WIN a FOSS Protein and Moisture Grain Tester

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Lease options available

Farmscanag 2167Likes

easy to use ▸unit beeps when sufficient ▸cap pressure is achievedhas 33 product calibrations ▸

dislikesResults not very repeatable ▸

Price $907.50 (including Gst)

contactFarmscanag Pty Ltd (07) 4602 4150 www.farmscanag.com

Foss infratec sofiaLikes

excellent accuracy and repeatability ▸also measures protein and oil content ▸compact nIR machine, user friendly ▸can be seasonally calibrated ▸

dislikesexpensive ▸

Must use different test cells ▸for different productsRequires a specialist to calibrate ▸

Price $21,978 (including Gst)

contactcBh Group www.cbh.com.au 1800 199 083 (Wa) 1800 107 759 (rest of australia) also sold by Graintec scientific

We say:a similar machine to the Farmscanag 2166, the 2167 is a slightly larger machine, but just as easy to use.

a notable difference is the screw-down pressure cap; the machine beeps when the correct sample pressure has been reached, rather than relying on a visual cue from a button in the cap.

it is quick and easy to use, but needs calibration for accurate results.

We say:a great solution for accurate grain moisture and protein measurements, the infratec sofia is reasonably compact for an nir machine, and can run off both 240 and 12V.

With the correct test cell selected, grain samples are tipped in the top of the machine, and it takes care of the rest, dumping the sample into the drawer at the bottom about three minutes later.

the machine actually takes 10 readings and delivers an average result, further improving accuracy.

Note: the Foss unit tested was calibrated by CBH to CBH season 11/12 calibration was not using Foss Global calibrations.

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Graintec he 50Likes

Wheat results are accurate and repeatable ▸Quality construction ▸Rugged plastic case ▸

dislikesoptional equipment needed for calibration ▸

design is a little bulky ▸

no averaging function ▸

slower to use ▸

Price $1595 (including Gst)

contactGraintec scientific 1300 640 299 www.graintec.com.au

Graintec he LiteLikes

straightforward and quick to use ▸Great accuracy and reasonable repeatability ▸sample measuring cup built into handle ▸

dislikesonly eight product varieties, ▸doesn’t include oatsa little tedious to clean between samples ▸

Price $1045 (including Gst)

contactGraintec scientific 1300 640 299 www.graintec.com.au

We say:the design of the He50 is a bit dated, but we can forgive it for that due to its good performance.

the accurate moisture meter is both simple to use and easy to clean.

the test cell is robust in construction and detaches from the unit for crushing and cleaning.

While there are 14 product calibrations programmed into the unit, the manufacturer has around 200 available for different grains.

the unit comes complete with cleaning brushes and a thread tap to clean the threads in the grinder body.

We say:the He Lite makes grinding a sample about as easy as it gets. simply pour a small sample into the test cell and screw down the handle until it stops.

While we wish it had more product varieties, it is accurate, reasonably repeatable, and can average six test results.

it does take a little cleaning, especially when testing product with higher moisture content.

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www.kondiningroup.com.au No. 32 September 2012 Research Report

Portable and heavy duty bag closer machines.

For use with bunkering tarps, bird netting, geo-fabrics, joining carpet plus bags of any kind.

• New and used machines.

• Service to machines.

• Spring balances, belts.

• Needles and thread stocked.

• Full range of spare parts for all models.

SIRUBA

FISCHBEIN

NEWLONG

UNION SPECIAL

YAO-HAN

Assorted Bag Closer Services

P.O. Box 91, 40 Verdon St, Williamstown Victoria 3016Ph (03) 9399 9183 Fax (03) 9399 9013 Mobile 0428 556 395Email – [email protected]

www.assortedbagcloser.com

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS

A.B.N. 55 672 563 420

SALES AND MAINTENANCEBAG CLOSING MACHINES

machines and parts.

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS

Interstate and country enquiries welcome

Kett Riceter F508Likes

ultra-quick grinder moisture meter ▸high-quality plastic protective case ▸two sample trays provided with unit ▸

dislikestiny sample ▸

accuracy and repeatability could be better ▸

Price $748 (including Gst)

contactagelec enterprises Pty Ltd (08) 8338 7588 www.agelec.com.au

Kett pm-410Likes

accurate results ▸Quick to sample with ▸Great canola results ▸simple to operate ▸

dislikesneeds a protective case ▸

Price $869 (including Gst)

contactagelec enterprises Pty Ltd (08) 8338 7588 www.agelec.com.au

We say:the F508 uses a tiny ground, pressed sample which sits on a small sample tray slid into the side of the unit.

For a machine which requires a ground sample, it is lightning fast, and pretty easy to clean.

the F508 would respond deliver accurate wheat results with a slight calibration adjustment. accuracy on canola out of the box was excellent, provided samples were thoroughly inspected for impurities.

We wish all manufactures protected their equipment in a case as well designed as this.

We say:the Kett Pm-410 is so quick to operate. simply pour in the grain using the supplied cup and funnel until it overflows, then strike the test cell level. it couldn’t be easier.

accuracy was generally good once the five test samples were averaged, and a calibration adjustment would make results even more accurate.

users should make good use of the averaging function to ensure result accuracy.

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Rese

aRch RePoRt

KondInIn GRouP

Research Report September 2012 No. 32 www.kondiningroup.com.au14

| ReseaRch RepoRt Grain moisture meters

Wile 78Likes

Great accuracy on wheat and canola ▸out of the boxeasy operation for a conductance ▸moisture meterRelatively quick to use ▸sample measuring cup is built into handle ▸

dislikesaverage repeatability ▸

a little tedious to clean between samples. ▸

Price $1084 (including Gst)

contactFlexible drive agencies 1300 363 735 www.fdrive.com.au

We say:recently released, the Wile 78 crusher is so new it has only just hit the shelves.

outwardly it appears similar to the 65, but is a conductance meter as opposed to a capacitance unit.

While it feels a little like a large peppercorn grinder when crushing the sample, it is easy to use, and proved accurate in operation.

it comes with a great carry case which houses a couple of brushes for cleaning, which will get a bit of use.

testing times: Kondinin Group engineer Josh Giumelli loads a test sample into the Dickey-John Mini GAC plus. Each sample was tested five times and the results averaged to compare accuracy.

Wile 65Likes

Really easy and quick to use ▸Robust knurled aluminium body ▸has a temperature probe connection point ▸

dislikesaccuracy and repeatability not up to scratch ▸

Price $759 (including Gst)

contactFlexible drive agencies 1300 363 735 www.fdrive.com.au

We say:the Wile 65 appears unchanged from the model tested in 2006, and is still just as easy and quick to use.

simply fill the test cell and screw the cap down until the button on top is flush with the cap to compress the sample.

a lack of accuracy and repeatability could be addressed by adjusting the calibration.

Comes with a handy tough case.

odd one out: For moisture meters which use a small sample such as the Kett Riceter F508, it is imperative any impurities such as this green seed are removed before testing.

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