If you’re in the farming industry then you know how pivotal your agricultural machinery is to maintain a consistent output and just how important it is to keep this machinery in good condition. But did you know that calibrating your farming machines can provide some major benefits? Not least when you opt for a time and cost-saving on-site calibration.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the top benefits of an on-site calibration of your agriculture machinery and some of the key machines that require regular calibration. So if you’re looking for ways to improve your farm’s productivity, read on…
What does an agricultural machinery calibration involve?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to the agriculture industry or you’re a seasoned pro, you may be wondering what calibration is and why it’s important. Calibrating your equipment is the process of setting your machinery to the correct specifications for the task at hand.
More specifically, an agricultural machinery calibration refers to the process of setting up equipment to deliver the desired, most productive outcome, such as spreading the exact amount of seed, fertiliser, or pesticide.
This process is important to ensure that the equipment is working properly and that the intended application rate is achieved. An on-site calibration can be performed on various types of agricultural equipment, including seeders, sprayers, and spreaders, to name but a few (more on this later).
The agricultural machinery calibration process usually involves an on-site calibration due to the size and importance of many agricultural machines. A technician will visit your farm or place of work at a convenient time and date, meaning that your agricultural machinery calibration can be performed that same day – minimising any costly downtime or disruption. So your essential agricultural machinery will be back up and running in no time.
While the technician is on-site, they will use a standard reference measure to compare with the setting on your equipment. Adjustments are then made to the equipment based on the results of the comparison.
An on-site calibration is an important part of proper equipment maintenance and can help those in the agricultural industry to reduce input costs and minimise crop damage. Improving crop yield through calibration is just one of the many agricultural machinery calibration benefits you can expect.
What are the main agricultural machinery calibration benefits?
Carrying out regular agricultural machinery calibrations is an important step in ensuring that you are getting the most out of your equipment and that your crops are getting the best possible chance to thrive. As well as improving crop yield through calibration, some of the other key benefits of calibrating your agriculture machinery include:
Improved accuracy – It ensures that your equipment is working properly. Calibration helps to ensure that your machines are accurate, which is critical for tasks such as planting and spraying where using accurate measures is vital. By ensuring that your machines are correctly calibrated, you can minimise waste and maximise productivity.
Reduced costs – Calibrating your agriculture machinery helps to ensure that your equipment is applying the correct amount of chemicals, fertilisers, and other materials while also increasing your yields. This can save you money by minimising the amount of wasted product, which is just one of many cost savings from calibration services.
Extended machine life – By regularly calibrating your equipment, you can identify potential problems early on and take steps to prevent them from becoming serious. As a result, calibration is an essential part of maintaining your agricultural machinery.
Improved quality – Calibrating your agriculture machinery is also crucial for food safety, as incorrect settings and spreading too much fertiliser can lead to contamination which is the last thing you want to find at the end of a long day. As such, an on-site calibration is an effective way of optimising farm machinery efficiency.
It’s greener – When your farming machines, let’s say spreaders, are applying the exact amount of fertiliser, there is no excess being utilised. This lack of wastage means there won’t be any issues with soil or water damage that can arise from excess nutrients in fertilisers.
Which Type of Agriculture Machines Requires Calibration?
Scalping Screens
Scalping screens or scalpers work like an industrial-sized sieve to separate different grades of materials. Scalping screens generally boast a large screening area, which enables them to process a high volume of materials quickly. These machines are ideal for the large-scale preparation of agricultural top soil and can also be used to remove contaminants from animal feed.
Regular on-site calibrations of agricultural scalping screens should be carried out to ensure that they consistently deliver accurate and precise screening, which is especially important for controlling specific grades of soil.
Combine Harvesters
These machines are essential for harvesting crops like wheat and barley. But in order to do their job properly, they need to be properly calibrated. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing grain or damaging your crops.
There are two main reasons why you should calibrate your combine harvester. First, it ensures that the blades are cutting at the correct angle. This is important because if the blades are too steep, they can damage the grain; if they’re too shallow, they can leave some of the crop behind. Second, an on-site calibration ensures that the machine is evenly distributing the grain into the storage bin. If there’s too much grain in one area, it can cause problems with the combine’s operation; if there’s not enough grain, you’ll end up losing some of your crop.
Slurry Tanks
Slurry tanks are an essential piece of equipment in many industries, particularly those that involve the production of food or beverages. As the name suggests, these tanks are used to store and transport slurry, a mixture of water and solid particles. Because of the nature of the material being stored, it is important to ensure that the tank is properly calibrated.
This process involves ensuring that the tank is of the correct size and capacity and that the materials being stored are properly mixed. On-site calibrations and maintenance are a crucial part of any business that uses slurry tanks and should be given careful attention to ensure optimal performance.
Fertiliser Spreaders
Fertiliser spreaders apply chemicals to the ground, and if they are not properly calibrated, they can apply too much or too little of the chemical. This can lead to poor plant growth or even crop death. An on-site calibration may seem like a tedious task, but it is essential for maintaining a healthy crop.
Electricity Usage Calculators
There are different types of electricity usage calculators, depending on the intended use and application. Some are used for monitoring purposes only while others provide feedback or even control the load automatically to minimise overall energy consumption. Calibration of an electricity usage calculator is important to ensure its accuracy and precision in monitoring or calculating electricity consumption.
Milking Efficiency Calculator
Any good dairy farmer knows that milking efficiency is key to a healthy and productive herd. That’s why it’s so important to have a reliable milking efficiency calculator. Unfortunately, even the best calculator can lose its accuracy over time. That’s why it’s important to calibrate your calculator on a regular basis.
How often should you perform an agricultural machinery calibration?
You should aim to carry out an on-site calibration of your essential farm equipment at least once a year and certainly before those critical harvest months. Maintaining a regular schedule of agricultural machinery calibration benefits not only your crop yield but also your bottom line by helping your essential farming equipment to run efficiently for longer. All of which adds up to greater cost savings in the long run.
Book an on-site calibration from GNW Instrumentation
An on-site agricultural machinery calibration is a process that should not be overlooked. By ensuring your equipment is calibrated correctly, you can save time, money, and resources. If you are interested in learning more about agricultural machinery calibration or would like to schedule an on-site calibration, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help get your machines ready for the upcoming season.
Contact us today on +44 (01704) 536 010 or email info@gnw.co.uk to arrange your on-site agricultural machinery calibration.