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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #325828
Research Project: Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Upland Cotton, Cottonseed, and Agricultural Byproducts through Improvements in Pre- and Post-Harvest Processing

Location: Cotton Production and Processing Research

Title: RELIABILITY TESTING OF AN ON-HARVESTER COTTON WEIGHT MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

Author
item Wanjura, John
item Pelletier, Mathew
item Holt, Gregory
item KELLEY, MARK - Texas Agrilife Extension
item BOMAN, RANDAL - Oklahoma State University

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2016
Publication Date: 5/24/2016
Citation: Wanjura, J.D., Pelletier, M.G., Holt, G.A., Kelley, M.S., Boman, R.K. 2016. RELIABILITY TESTING OF AN ON-HARVESTER COTTON WEIGHT MEASUREMENT SYSTEM. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. 658.

Interpretive Summary: The harvester weight measurement system was installed on four cotton strippers in 2015 to evaluate system performance and reliability. The system developed in 2014 was used in 2015 with slight modifications to the hydraulic system and software to improve weight accuracy and ease of use. The system performed as expected with weight measurement errors about equal to that observed in 2014. Although operation of the system was simplified through the new software interface, an attentive operator remains an absolutely necessary part of the system to ensure high weight measurement accuracy and data quality. Recommended operating practices to mitigate the effects of wind were developed. Over the 2015 harvest season, few minor system component failures were experienced and were quickly remedied. The weight measurement system is capable of measuring accurate load weights and is a useful tool in conducting on-farm research and in the calibration of cotton yield monitors.

Technical Abstract: A system for weighing seed cotton onboard stripper harvesters was developed and installed on several producer owned and operated machines. The weight measurement system provides critical information to producers when in the process of calibrating yield monitors or conducting on-farm research. The objective of our work was to conduct system reliability testing and obtain producer feedback on the operation and utility of the system. The system was modified from the system used in 2014 to include new hydraulic system components and a simplified user interface; all of which were added to improve accuracy, data reliability, and ease of operation. Observed accuracy was similar to that observed in 2014. Recommended practices to ensure high weight accuracy in regard to mitigating the effects of wind, vane position, and tare/weight routine operation were developed. Overall, the cooperating producers provided positive feedback on the weight measurement system. Several noted that the system was easy to use, reliable, and provided valuable information.