Front tank error

[Case290]

I run a front tank accord df2 with Rds radar etc mounted Claydon tool bar. Just drilled a field calibrated as normal finished field to realise 80kg/ ha out ... on seed used ... checked calabration it’s bang on. Wtf .. what could possibly be going on.. the speed on the screen said the same as the gps speed fan was as normal 4500rpm

 

[Chae1]

Something blocking metering outlet?

Do you not monitor seed usage for each bag? Or was it a small field.

 

[Case290]

Rds radar do they ever play up ? ie give a speed reading but not turn the motor fast enough. ? Checked the calabration at the end and it was ok so I don’t think anything had blocked the meter. First time it’s played me up 5-6 yrs (weigh scales ? ) something gone tits up. (Drill with setting changed ? ) (bet that’s it thinks it’s 4m when it’s actually 6)

 

[Alistair Nelson]

Do you run it with something else a different width and forget to set the working width back on the screen.

 

[Bob lincs]

Make sure your scales haven’t changed to lbs from kg , I had this happen once when I changed the battery in them .

 

[Slug Herder]

Make sure your scales haven’t changed to lbs from kg , I had this happen once when I changed the battery in them .

And check your scales are correct, had some kitchen digital scales make a 1kg bag of sugar 1.5kg then 0.8 straight after. Cost me my confidence in drills. Went back to spring balance.

 

[HCC]

Was the area counter correct at the end of the field? If so, the width setting in the controller must be correct. It would also mean that the drill had been "in work" for the correct amount of time and therefore rules out a faulty in/out of work switch.

 

[Case290]

The area meter wasn’t set for this job but when I took a look at it and then again after 5-6 acres It hadn’t moved much but by then I only had another 5-6 acres left so didn’t want to alter it. It was only a 20ha so not to bad. (Joke )very bad. It’s ok it’s by the road. Lol

 

[HCC]

Always happens by the road! Call it a green cover? Might be worth setting it up in the yard and using the simulated speed option to get the drill running. Should be able to see what's happening then

 

[Case290]

Calabration again good
Drill with correct
ffs

 

[alomy75]

I’d quadruple check that weighing scale; I’ve seen those little ones read some crazy things. For what they do it’s worth spending decent money on a metler or ohaus or similar quality machine. At 2021 seed prices your 80kg of seed would have paid for it!

 

[Case290]

Need it to come up so I can see what went wrong where .

 

[TWF]

I have had a seed label in the bottom half covering the accord fluted roller. Drill would calibrate ok but when drilling at a faster speed would be cutting the rate down. Wasn’t till I cleaned out the drill I found what the problem was. Some times we try to think its got to be all the technical stuff when in fact it’s something simple like a small sheet of paper.

 

[TomR]

Hi @Case290, The radar sensor does have a calibration factor, so it's worth making sure the forward speed on the Artemis matches the tractor. As HCC mentioned, the area adding up is the best check on this. If the width and area are correct then you know the radar sensor is working correctly. If it stopped reading speed at any point it would have popped an alarm up.
After that, knowing the calibration is coming out correctly, the best test is to run it with the fan going and collect the seed at the coulters, then you can see exactly what is coming out the back, and test the seed flow through the drill.
If you run a simulated speed (User menu - speed sensor factor - SIM speed down the bottom right corner), this will let the system run as if you were in the field. Then you can either put some bags on the coulters to catch the seed, or just put a big sheet down in a barn to do the same thing. Run the fan up as normal and put it into work for a set amount of time. I would suggest clearing one of the totals and let it run until it's accumulated a few kg, or covered a certain area. Weigh off the seed and see how the numbers compare. If they don't match up then you know there is an issue with how the seed is flowing out of the metering unit through the drill when the fan is running.
If you want to talk through this any further then please feel free to drop me a message, or give Topcon Technology (RDS) a call and have a chat with our support team for some more detail - (01453) 733300

 

[Case290]

Hopper is clean
All meter parts turns free
it must the seed is running slow back pressure maybe ?
now the meter is wide open and recalibrated

 

[Case290]

Last time round 15ha field ??? Wtf
Rds definitely something funny going on

 

[Rihards]

Last time round 15ha field ??? Wtf
Rds definitely something funny going on

last season we had troubles with one drill and rds box. when we calibrate it, had to be done up to 5 times more than usually . after small running in field conditions found that drill actualy put way more rape seeds... stopped drilling and recalibrate... funny but mistake was up to 30% from previous calibiration... we change meetering running motor as it was able to see that even in calibration time gear speed had been playing . It helps to calibrate drill way more better/faster , with less passes to get target rate but not sorted out seed rate playing on field. previous we also change radar speed sensor on gps speed modulator for test as field has wery high straw and we concern about affect on speed readings .... finaly only when change rds control box we sorted completly problem. Hope in Your story it will be simpler /cheaper solution

 

[cosmagedon]

I had a problem a few years ago with the angle of the radar, if it changes as your working the speed calibration can be way off.

 

[Case290]

The speed says the same as the tractor so guess that it’s ok, the drill width is correct. it calibrated correctly and when checked it was spot on . the meter is in sound condition the hopper is clear and free of bits. It’s a mystery to me. I do have another screen so that’s going on tomorrow. I’ll try Rds tomorrow see if they have anything they think I need to check 2.

 

[D14]

Theres a post somewhere on here of the same issue and it ended up being the meter wasn't capable of the seed rate over the width of the drill over a certain speed. Have you used a seed rate for this job thats higher than you have ever used before?