Baler-Mounted Weigh Scale

Baler-Mounted Weigh Scale HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Balers (6) 21-3-39 "Our new weigh scale consistently weighs each bale on a separate æcatch pan' just be-fore it drops onto the ground. It's the most accurate baler-mounted scale on the market," says Everitt Rankins, Tracy, Calif. The system uses a small liquid-filled cylinder to measure pressure caused by the weight of the bale. As the bale comes out of the baler it makes a 1/4 turn and falls onto the catch pan. A steel rod and a hinging bracket extend from the catch pan to the cylinder mounted on the side of the baler. The weight of the bale puts pressure on the cylinder. The pressure is recorded on a gauge mounted on front of the baler, allowing the operator to see the bale's weight at a glance right from the tractor. The bale stays on the chute until the next bale comes along and pushes it to the ground. "Other bale weight scales try to measure bale weight when the bale is still on the back of the baler. The problem is that when hay is dry the bale doesn't stay there long enough for its weight to be recorded accurately," says Rankins."Our gauge reads in psi's so you have to calibrate it at the beginning of the haying season by weighing a bale on an-other scale and then adjusting the gauge accordingly. For example, a 90-lb. straw bale might read out as 100 lbs. of pressure on the gauge. Eventually we plan to pre-calibrate the gauge so that you don't have to do any pre-calibration. A pilot light on the gauge allows it to be seen at night. The chute can be raised into transport position along with the endgate. "We currently offer only one model which is designed for the New Holland 500 baler. However, we plan to come out with a model for the Hesston 4690 in-line baler." Sells for $650. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Rankins Ag Inc., 16850 Tracy Blvd., Tracy, Calif. 95376 (ph 209 835-6254; fax 209 835-6826).

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