Irrigation scheduling tool
An updated version of the M.K. Hansen AM400 soil moisture data logger provides enhanced graphic display.
Farmers can view a display on the built-in LCD screen that shows a graph of the average soil moisture reading from selected sensors for the previous five weeks. The display helps a producer identify critical soil moisture trends without having to download data to another computer.
When more detailed analysis of soil moisture data is required, up to 11 months of readings can be downloaded to a notebook computer or PDA using a serial cable. Downloaded data can be imported directly into a computer’s spreadsheet software for graphing or it can be graphed using the optional AM400 Chart graphing software package that Hansen offers.
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The data logger records information from up to six sensors that can be installed up to 300 metres from the unit at various locations and soil depths. The graphic display includes readings for each sensor, including soil temperature, current soil moisture level and a graphic display of soil moisture levels for the past five weeks.
The company says that by helping the grower make more informed irrigation scheduling decisions, the new version of its AM400 data logger can significantly increase crop yield and quality while reducing water, pumping and fertilizer costs. The unit also benefits the environment by reducing the contamination of ground and surface water that results from overirrigation.
Retail price for the unit, including six sensors, is $566 US.
For more information, write to M.K. Hansen Co., 2216 Fancher Boulevard, East Wenatchee, Washington, 98802, telephone 509-884-1396 or visit www.mkhansen.com.
Spray-boom control
The new Swath Manager 5 from Mid-Tech enables automatic on-off control of sprayer boom sections based on GPS positions. Coupled with a CenterLine Lightbar, Swath Manager 5 can improve the efficiency of pesticide applications by decreasing overlaps.
“CenterLine is unique among lightbar guidance systems because it keeps a memory of every part of your field that has been applied,” said Scott Lauher, project manager for Mid-Tech.
“Swath Manager 5 uses this information to automatically switch off any sprayer boom section that enters an area that has previously been applied. The chemical savings from eliminating double applications can easily reach 10 percent or more.”
Operators can configure the system to achieve zero overlap, zero skips or 50 percent of section width overlap.
Additional features of the Swath Manager 5 include easy manual override, compatibility with most sprayers equipped with up to five individual solenoid or ball-type section control valves and the ability to work with most spray controllers.
For more information, contact Midwest Technologies at 630-665-5000 or visit www. mid-tech.com.
