Working With Yield Monitors Before Calibration

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Getting the best success out of precision monitor equipment:

  • Make sure the data memory card is the correct size for the field operation. Otherwise, you may find you are half way through the field and the card cannot hold any more data.

  • Ensure your memory card is installed into your yield monitor and turn on your combine and yield monitor. Make sure there is proper communication between the card and the display monitor. Usually an error message will appear on the display indicating there is no communication with the card.

  • Check to see if you are receiving good differential correction from either Coast Guard, WAAS, or your satellite subscription provider. If you have a satellite subscription, make sure it is renewed so you will not be caught in the middle of the field without service.

  • Raise and lower the header to make sure the stop height switch operates. Some monitors are equipped with a manual switch which turns on and off data collection to your monitor. You may have to adjust the header height switch to accommodate the preferences of different operators during harvest.

  • Make sure to set the row width according to the number of rows for a row crop header and the appropriate width of a cutting platform header. This is very important when working with test plots or product performance evaluations. You do not want information on two different products combined together as one.

  • Engage the separator and observe the elevator speed on the monitor to see if it is working.

  • Put the combine in drive and make sure the distance traveled indicator is working. Do not assume these functions are automatically working as you think it should be. Weather or storage conditions may have affected the function.

  • Before calibrating loads, make sure you will be using accurate scales to weigh the grain. Certified scales or calibrated weigh wagons are recommended. If you are using weigh wagons, it is recommended to leave the wagon in one location in the field. Moving the weigh wagon through a field causes it to shake and bounce which can throw off the calibration of the weigh wagon. Make sure you are also using the same scales throughout calibration.