Micronutrients for Crops
In agriculture, precision and efficiency are very important. Recently a company specializing in liquid and granular fertilizer handling equipment, and developed a unique application system to optimize crop growth and soil conditions.
At the heart of this operation lies the Rice Lake 920i FlexWeigh filler/batching systems and BenchMark bench scale or Summit 3000 platform scales. These components are integrated into a blending system, which is revolutionizing how fertilizer and Micronutrient applications are managed.
Coating fertilizer with micronutrients is becoming an increasingly popular practice for crop producers; however, it requires fine-tuned precision to achieve desired results. Too much or too little of an ingredient can ruin an entire crop. The 920i FlexWeigh with custom programming intelligently manages the blending process to eliminate potential mistakes and deliver consistent results. With multiple configuration options, including fully independent single- or multi-product declining weight batch blending, the 920i FlexWeigh is only one piece of the puzzle.
The solution for this is to include Rice Lake platform scales, a 264-gallon (1,000-liter) tote, auger, pump and spray bar. The 920i connects via an Ethernet cable to external systems, allowing them to read scale data and adjust settings, including delivery quantities and motor control. This setup allows customers to tailor the system to their specific needs, whether liquid coatings are being delivered to a blender or a multi-product batch is being managed. By controlling actuators and relays, the system directs the flow of liquids and, by toggling motors on and off, manages quantities in real-time.
Customized Weighing System for Customers
The system uses one of two platform scales, either the Benchmark or Summit. Depending on the customer’s delivery demands, the appropriate scale is selected to match requirements set by Measurement Canada for Legal for Trade certifications. For larger deliveries, the Summit is typically selected, otherwise the Benchmark is used for its increased resolution at smaller deliveries. The result is a batcher that offers durability, precision and reliability—three non-negotiables in modern agriculture.
Weighing and Automating Micronutrient Solutions
The automated system also has the ability to control liquid paths via relays and actuators. This ensures customers can fine-tune their process, from coating granular fertilizers to delivering precise blends to truck beds for field application. It also shines in its versatility, providing compatibility with different blending setups.
Integration of a weight-based automation wasn’t a foregone conclusion. Many liquid fertilizer companies use flow meters, which measure volume as liquid moves through pipes. Air gaps, clogs or inconsistent flow can skew readings in the liquid flow meter systems, leading to inaccuracies farmers can’t afford. Scales, by contrast, offer a direct measurement of weight, unaffected by pipeline conditions to provide more precise and reliable results.
High Quality Scale Equipment
Rice Lake’s 920i high-powered programmable digital weight indicator and controller automates complex industrial processes with a simplified user interface. The 920i weight indicator and process controller blends revolutionary user interfaces, total flexibility and processing performance with the simplicity of a basic weight indicator. A crisp, highly customizable LCD graphical display, programmable softkeys and industry recognized electronics are surrounded by a virtually indestructible enclosure to create one of the industry’s most trusted weight indicators and process controllers.
Adding an entirely new dimension in flexibility for solution providers and users alike, the 920i controller brings simplified customization at a fraction of the cost of traditional process instrumentation. From tailored basic weighing to complex process automation, the 920i gives you features, programmability and power for your process.
The Summit 3000 floor scale is an economical choice for a broad range of industrial weighing tasks, with a durable low-profile deck that fits well into many material handling environments. The Summit 3000 Series floor scale provides exceptional performance in light industrial and Legal for Trade applications. The value-priced Summit 3000 also employs a rugged design to deliver efficient installation and operation. The homerun cable exits the weldment towards the interior of the scale, providing flexible routing options
reducing the potential for damage.
The BenchMark Mild Steel Series bench scale platform is perfectly suited for industrial weighing in dry non-hostile work environments. Meanwhile, the BenchMark stainless steel series bench scale provides the added benefit of corrosion resistant stainless steel.
Contact the Central Carolina Scale sales department for more information on the Rice Lake scale equipment mentioned in this article. Call (919) 776-7737 or complete our request a quote form on the website.