Inexpensive New Combine Bin Monitor

Inexpensive New Combine Bin Monitor COMBINES Accessories 15-3-15 This first-of-its-kind bin monitor uses LED lights in sequence to show you how much grain is in your combine hopper, according to manufacturer Ron Rodvelt, Shawnee Mission, Kan. The "BinWatch" consists of a "strip" of electronic sensors that mount in the hopper and a programmable control box that mounts in the cab. As grain level in the hopper rises or falls, the sensors at each level send signals to the control box which activates LED lights in sequence. The control box can be programmed so that when the sensors detect either an empty or full bin, an audio alarm is sounded at 30 second intervals and the LED lights flash on and off. "It's a low-cost way to let you watch your combine hopper fill up without having to look back into it. You can estimate how many bushels are in the hopper by how many lights are on," says Rodvelt. "We offer models equipped with 1, 4, or 8 sensors and can custom make them with up to 16 sensors. The more sensors, the more accurately you can determine how much grain is in the hopper. Sensors can also be mounted in storage bins or in large air planter hoppers to monitor seed level. The system is relatively inexpensive because it uses a commonly available single chip microcontroller in the control box and offthe-shelf sensors." A single-sensor monitor sells for $75, a 4-sensor monitor sells for $125, and an 8-sensor monitor sells for $175. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Rodvelt Agritronics, Box 14543, Shawnee Mission, Kan. 66215 (ph 913 338-1629).

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