Hay Moisture Tester - Recommendation?

[ddivinia]

What are people using for moisture testers?

My dealer says they are a waste of money.

They seem pretty cheap and people say it is good to know the moisture level.

Any advice?

Thanks,D
.

 

[deereguy]

I use a Delhorst? Digital Moisture Tester, its an older hand held model with a 10" probe, its great for piece of mind and knowning (as a beginner) what the moisture is and when it starts sweating to be aware of unsafe moistures.

Also had one on the baler/tractor, it was cool to what the bales as they were being processed (baled) what the moisture was, unfortunately it hasn't worked in 2 seasons and it needs to be looked into.

In my opinion- its good to have and your dealer must not be into haying or doesn't carry moisture testers. A quick Google search will find many models available.

 

[mlauk]

I grab a fistful of hay and starting with my hands about 6 inches apart, I rotate my hands in a bicycle motion and if the hay breaks apart, it is ready to bale.

 

[ddivinia]

I use a Delhorst? Digital Moisture Tester, its an older hand held model with a 10" probe, its great for piece of mind and knowning (as a beginner) what the moisture is and when it starts sweating to be aware of unsafe moistures.

Also had one on the baler/tractor, it was cool to what the bales as they were being processed (baled) what the moisture was, unfortunately it hasn't worked in 2 seasons and it needs to be looked into.

In my opinion- its good to have and your dealer must not be into haying or doesn't carry moisture testers. A quick Google search will find many models available.

Cool deal - I talked to the parts guy and he will have me one in the morning. I think a lot of these older guys have been doing this stuff for so long they forget about us new guys now knowing anything about anything.

I am getting a probe model. A baler mounted one might be cool, but I have enough stuff hung in there already it seems.

Thanks,
D.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I have a Farmex hand held prope and a Farmex baler mounted moisture testers. The hand held comes in handy for checking the pile after the hay is put up. It has a temp feature so I can check both moisture and temp to make sure there are no spikes anywhere.

The baler mounted unit is nice for my area as you can watch as the dew sets. By the time the tires start picking up a little moisture you can see the monitor start reading higher. Since I don't have dry nights to bale this lets me know when it is time to stop in the evening with out having to check the windrow constantly.

But I still check the hay by hand first, then verify with the prope before I bring the baler to the field.

 

[zzvyb6]

I also have the Delmhorst with the 10" probe (10+ years old and still works). Its true that once you get some readings from a tester, you will learn what the levels are by feel and sound of hay going into the baler. But you need some values to calibrate your senses.

 

[Brent.Roberts]

this will be my 2nd year baling for myself.

I have done a lot, maybe too much reading, to make this an easy job. As I posted elsewhere here, I think there are 2 levels to getting hay.
1) get it when its dry enough to go into the barn without cooking, going moldy and maybe burning
2) getting in wet enough to keep the leaves on the stems. The leaves, especially alfalfa, conatain 80% of the nutrition. So if you double the number of leaves you can keep on ......

The cloud of dust behind the baler is largely shattered leaves. Lost nutrition.
In arid areas where there is little or now dew, some farmers actually spend big bucks, like $ 25,000 for "dew similators" that are spray systems the spray water onto, and what makes them expensive, into the windrow, to just slightly soften the leaves, so you can keep them on the stems. The baler follows the dew simulator around the field about an hour later when conditions are just right. In big spreads, this means one tractor for the dew machine and one for the baler.

You've really got to hit the numbers right to do this and a properly used meter is a big big help, especially if you don't have 15 years under your belt.

I got a Deere. They all look pretty much the same to me. Do not get one that does not sense temperature. You want to be able to probe the middle of some bales, especially from the lower, wetter parts of your field, to make sure they are not cooking in the barn.

 

[ddivinia]

Just called to confirm which one they ordered for me.

John Deere SW16136 does both moisture and temp.

Thanks for the tip,
D.

 

[jimg]

Just as a point of reference, the JD models are built by Farmex w/ a 2yr warranty from Farmex. The mdls are:

SW07350 baler mounted w/ a range of 8-44%.

SW07320 hand held moisture/temp meter w/ a range of 8-44% and 32-255F

SW07370 hand held moisture meter w/ a range of 35-75%

SW16136/SW16326 hand held moisture/temp meter w/ a range of 14-44% and 33-250F (the diff between these mdls is the probe length)

The probe on the last 3 above is a pistol grip sort of affair attacked to the meter itself via a cable. The 7320 mdl has the probe built in to the meter.

 

[ddivinia]

Just as a point of reference, the JD models are built by Farmex w/ a 2yr warranty from Farmex. The mdls are:

SW07350 baler mounted w/ a range of 8-44%.

SW07320 hand held moisture/temp meter w/ a range of 8-44% and 32-255F

SW07370 hand held moisture meter w/ a range of 35-75%

SW16136/SW16326 hand held moisture/temp meter w/ a range of 14-44% and 33-250F (the diff between these mdls is the probe length)

The probe on the last 3 above is a pistol grip sort of affair attacked to the meter itself via a cable. The 7320 mdl has the probe built in to the meter.

That is good info. I think I paid right at the same price I found the Farmex. I don't mind giving JD some money - they do a good job of supporting me after the sale.

The baler mounted one is really slick. I can post pics of the install if anybody cares.

D.

 

[jimg]

I bought the low moisture meter yesterday and the parts guy was pretty good about giving me all the online lit to look at before I gave the order...most of which I posted.

We talked a bit about the baler mounted meter and I dont understand how it would work well. The probe is right there at the pickup and I cant figure how youd get enough hay density for a good reading. Guess it must work OK though. The baler I bought had a probe mounted in the bale case which I think would give a better reading. Of course the bad part is you only know after the fact.

 

[ddivinia]

I bought the low moisture meter yesterday and the parts guy was pretty good about giving me all the online lit to look at before I gave the order...most of which I posted.

We talked a bit about the baler mounted meter and I dont understand how it would work well. The probe is right there at the pickup and I cant figure how youd get enough hay density for a good reading. Guess it must work OK though. The baler I bought had a probe mounted in the bale case which I think would give a better reading. Of course the bad part is you only know after the fact.

I installed mine in the bale chamber. Running the cable is a job. I had to get a 10' extension cable to make it reach.

D.

 

[jimg]

As mentioned above I bought a Farmex meter repackaged for JD which looks to be the equivalent of this one:
Farmex Hay Tester -- Temperature and Moisture, Harvest Tools - GEMPLER'S

The manual states "Because of numerous variables which affect test readings, the indicated moisture content should not be used as an absolute, quantitative measurement. Test readings are however very useful guidelines for baling and storing hay."

Im not sure what to make of that stmt and how to use the data the meter is giving. Last night I probed some bales which all turned out to give about 20% readings. When cut open the hay was OK, no discoloration or mold. As per the instructions I probed the bottom of the bales where is more dense. So, Im wondering how this meter is going to be useful. Any ideas?

 

[ddivinia]

As mentioned above I bought a Farmex meter repackaged for JD which looks to be the equivalent of this one:
Farmex Hay Tester -- Temperature and Moisture, Harvest Tools - GEMPLER'S

The manual states "Because of numerous variables which affect test readings, the indicated moisture content should not be used as an absolute, quantitative measurement. Test readings are however very useful guidelines for baling and storing hay."

Im not sure what to make of that stmt and how to use the data the meter is giving. Last night I probed some bales which all turned out to give about 20% readings. When cut open the hay was OK, no discoloration or mold. As per the instructions I probed the bottom of the bales where is more dense. So, Im wondering how this meter is going to be useful. Any ideas?

I believe that is the required attorney section that says - we believe our stuff works fine but in the off chance it does not or you don't run it properly - it ain't our fault.

I have a handheld and baler mounted unit. Sometimes some crazy readings come up, but overall they seem good.

D.

 

[jimg]

Ah, that makes sense. I suspect too itll take some time to get the drill of using it properly. Sometimes its difficult to distinguish between lawyer weasel words and definitive eng stmts. Thanx...

BTW when testing windows how do you do that? My manual talks about making loops and knots which seem pretty variable. I think Robert said he uses a plastic pipe and jams it full then reads out of that. That seems a good bit more precise or at least has better potential for it.

 

[ddivinia]

Ah, that makes sense. I suspect too itll take some time to get the drill of using it properly. Sometimes its difficult to distinguish between lawyer weasel words and definitive eng stmts. Thanx...

BTW when testing windows how do you do that? My manual talks about making loops and knots which seem pretty variable. I think Robert said he uses a plastic pipe and jams it full then reads out of that. That seems a good bit more precise or at least has better potential for it.

I gotta say - I have checked a windrow once. I looked at the grass and was like - man, that is ready. I am really glad I put the baler mounted unit. I just keep an eye on it. Now, that is fine once you start baling.

I think the deal is - work it into a knot so it is dense enough to get a good reading. Loose hay won't produce the right numbers.

D.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Ah, that makes sense. I suspect too itll take some time to get the drill of using it properly. Sometimes its difficult to distinguish between lawyer weasel words and definitive eng stmts. Thanx...

BTW when testing windows how do you do that? My manual talks about making loops and knots which seem pretty variable. I think Robert said he uses a plastic pipe and jams it full then reads out of that. That seems a good bit more precise or at least has better potential for it.

I just twist the hay and fold it to form a dense ball and test it there. The tighter the ball the higher the reading will be so as long as you are within your moisture range you are fine. The plastic pipe idea is something another farmer uses and told me about which is a good idea for someone who isn't sure what to do. But I check the hay by hand first then toss the tester at it if I feel it is ready just to get a base reading for when the baler unit comes thru. I can then watch as the baler tester reads close to what my windrow read and during the day it will drop down till night time when it starts to climb up again.

Also, the hand held tester you have is designed for Alfalfa, if I recall mine said that for grass hay your reading can be 2 points higher and you will be fine. So if you want to bale at 18% and the tester shows 20 you are still fine for grass hay, if it shows 20 for Alfalfa then you are high as it reads true for alfalfa. I hope that makes sense.

 

[jimg]

Quick question for you all using the Delmhorst meter...I see the same meter can be used as baler mounted or handheld. Is anyone using itin both modes regualrly? Does it do both jobs well or a poor compromise?

 

[ddivinia]

Quick question for you all using the Delmhorst meter...I see the same meter can be used as baler mounted or handheld. Is anyone using itin both modes regualrly? Does it do both jobs well or a poor compromise?

I do not know.

What I do know is that now that I have a baler mounted tester, I don't even use my other tester.

D.

 

[jimg]

I see, where is the sensor mounted on the baler?