MODIFYING A CARTER-FLAIL-FORAGE-HARVESTER TO STABILIZE THE WEIGHING SYSTEM

The single bending-beam load-cell weigh system that is standard equipm ent on a Carter flail forage harvester allows the forage collection we igh basket to pitch and sway. This movement can allow some forage to b e lost when it is blown post the basket, In addition, this movement re quires additional time for the basket to stabilize at the end of each plot before a weight can be recorded. A specialized frame with three b ending-beam load cells was designed and constructed to restrict moveme nt of and to support the forage collection weigh basket. Total cost of materials for this modification was about $750. The modifications can be completed with normal shop tools and are readily interfaced with s tandard equipment on the Carter harvester. The modified support bracke t and weigh system performed well, harvesting nearly 10 000 forage plo ts annually. Compared with the single bending-beam load cell weigh sys tem, the modified support bracket and weigh system reduced pitch and s way of the forage collection weigh basket, was equally precise, and re quired an average of 7 s less for the basket to stabilize at the end o f each plot.