2002 Volume 64 Issue 6 Pages 145-153
The objective of this research is to develop a yield-monitoring system for head-feeding combines. This paper focuses on the use of an optical sensor as a kernel-flow monitor, and a load cell as a grain-weight monitor. Their suitability is discussed.
The change in the output signal of the optical sensor was correlated with the grain flow calculated by continuous whole grain sampling. The optical sensor was useful for measuring sequential grain flow. The output signal of the load cell under conditions of no kernel flow, such as when the combine was turning or stopped, was correlated with the total grain weight inside the tank. The load cell was useful for monitoring total grain weight inside the tank, as a batch measurement.
A hybrid yield-monitoring system that uses an optical sensor and a load cell was devised. This system improved the measurement error. In a trial calculation, the error stabilized at less than 10% for a rate of approximately 80%.
