Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Different Types Of Grain Level Indicators

By Eugenia Dickerson


Large farms require all sorts of systems and controls, as well as equipment, in order to function to their maximum potential. They also have storage facilities that house their produce. Farmers who sell grains will be familiar with large silos, also known as elevators, which are today built of concrete or corrugated steel. Years back, they were only of wood. Farmers need equipment within their silos, such as grain level indicators, to help them keep track of their produce.

Silos that are used by several farms in the community have also become popular, and these are very large establishments. Their size requires several devices so that their contents can be monitored. Fortunately, modern times has equipped farmers with various useful inventions, including the gauges that have helped them to avoid overfilling problems, and ways to help avoid the explosions that can occur from the dust of grains.

A gauge, or indicator, can serve two purposes. One purpose is for the monitoring of inventory, while the other is to ensure that each silo is not overfilled. The gauges for inventory are more expensive, and show a farmer how much produce is in each silo. The other gauges will indicate when the silo is full.

Some farmers find the tilt switch indicator to be very effective. This is one of the gauges that only measures when the silo has reached its maximum capacity. There are several types of these switches. One has mechanic features, another functions with mercury and another uses an accelerometer. There are both good and bad points relating to the various tilt switches.

The mercury switches are more expensive than the mechanical ones, and they also have a remote which can be very useful. However, the toxic mercury substance in its design can be considered as a problem. Mechanical switches are less expensive, but should be avoided in potentially explosive environments.

The solidstate switch contains no mercury, but is the most expensive design. It is also only driven by remote control, and cannot be directly connected to the control system. The type of tilt switch indicator a farmer chooses to buy may depend on the price he can afford, or upon the environment in which it will be placed.

Gauges that are also available for preventing overfilling include the rotary paddle varieties. An 'arm' swings above the contents of the silo, powered by a motor, and either moves without hindrance if the silo is below its full capacity, or it stops if the silo has been filled. The motor turns off when the arm is slowed, and indicates that the grain levels are high.

Considering all these facts will help farmers to determine which grain level indicators they should buy. Gauges have been used for many years, and are deemed as a good investment. Some establishments may also do well with gauges that measure inventory levels.




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