| Arable
Portable axle weigh-beams gain popularity
This season the Griffith Elder Weigh-Beams have seen a huge increase in usage on farms.
hese pads are
particularly
suitable for
weighing in the
harvest where
farmers have more
than one location where they need
to have a weighbridge. The
weigh-beams are easily
transported with the minimum of
fuss and work without the need for
re-calibration at a new site.
T
The robust design of the
Portable Weigh-Beams has
proved a great selling point
The standard beams come in
two sizes, either 2.8 metres long or
4.2 metres long. The beams are
wired to a digital weight indicator
which has a printer and USB port
for downloading all the records to
a computer spread sheet. The kit
also includes traffic light, to tell the
driver when to stop and when to
move to the next axles, and a large
numeric display to show each axle
weight and the net weight of the
load.
The weight indicator has a
memory for all the individual
tractor and trailer tare weights so
that when weighing in, the ticket
shows the empty weight, full
weight and net weight of the load.
The net weight is also entered into
a batch weight memory
automatically. This can be used to
give the total for each field.
All the electronics are housed in
waterproof cases for use outdoors.
The standard weigh-beam
electronic indicator can be
upgraded to include a set of fobs
which allow the drivers to weigh
without getting off the tractor. As
the driver approaches the traffic
light will be red. When the fob is
pressed the fob number shows on
the large display, giving the driver
confidence that it has caught the
right number and the traffic light
turns to green so that the driver
can move the tractor onto the
beams. When in position, the light
turns red whilst the weighing is in
progress.
The tractor weight is caught
automatically and the traffic light
turns back to green letting the
driver move the trailer onto the
beams. Again while the weight is
being calculated the traffic light
stays red. And again turns green
so that the tractor and trailer can
leave. After a few seconds the net
weight of the load shows on the
large display and the record is
printed and saved to the USB
memory stick.
The Portable Weigh-Beams
have an internal battery that lasts
for about 12 hours and can also be
run from mains electricity, or, if
required can be powered from an
external 12 volt battery or solar
panel battery charger. So, no
electricity is needed at the site for
the weighbridge.
The robust design of the
Portable Weigh-Beams has proved
a great selling point. They have
been made for farmers to be used
in all conditions. No messing.
Straight forward engineering from
a British company.
For further information visit
www.griffithelder.com/ge_weighbridges/portab
le-weigh-beams telephone Peter or
Tim on 01284 719 619 or email
[email protected]
Reduce pea and bean losses at harvest
by more than 20%
The area of peas and beans has increased dramatically in
recent years, but their susceptibility to pod-shatter losses
has raised fears that many will be disappointed with
performance unless they take action to protect crops.
near 60%
increase in the
area of field beans
and almost a 40%
increase in the
area of dry peas
between 2014 and 2015 suggests
a number of growers are either
coming to the crop for the first
time or returning to them after a
period away.
Several reasons have been put
forward to explain the increased
area of pulses within the rotation
such as the introduction of the
three-crop rule, a greater
determination to tackle black-grass
by increasing the area of spring
crops and the general fall in farm
profitability which has led to
growers switching to crops
cheaper to grow.
Whatever the reason, if pulses
are to meet grower expectations
losses need to be minimised, says
Simon McMunn, De Sangosse
A
www.farmingmonthly.co.uk
commercial manager.
“Those that have been growing
peas and beans for many years
will be familiar with their ability to
shed seed in the weeks between
desiccation and harvest.
Consequently, most will apply a
pod-sealant such as Pod-Stik to
deliver up to 12 weeks of
protection against shatter losses,”
he says.
“You’ll get an impressive return
with Pod-Stik. In trials, Pod-Stik
gave a 25.5% reduction in beans
and 21% reduction in peas found
on the ground (after combining).
This saved seed resulted in an
average 8% increase in yield in
peas and beans. Typically for peas
we have seen a 0.4t/ha yield
saving and 0.6t/ha in beans.”
Not only does this promote
better crop gross margins, but the
reduction in volunteers also leads
to less slug pressure in the
following crop.
“Forecasts suggest slug
pressure this autumn could eclipse
that of 2012 so any action that
promotes cultural control should
not be overlooked,” says Simon
McMunn.
August 2016 | Farming Monthly | 15