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High-Quality Hay Moisture Meters made in North America and Europe.


General Moisture Information on Hay and Moisture Meters 

As a hay producer, you want to ensure you have made or purchased quality dry (but not too dry) hay for storage and or to feed your livestock. Note that the most important factor influencing the quality of hay is the actual accurate moisture at the time of baling and then at storage time. It will not be storage conditions or how mature the hay was. Hay is important to a farmer and his family. It feeds livestock which in turn feeds the farmer. Properly preserved hay, cut at the correct time, dried in a windrow and moisture measured, and then baled at the correct moisture content and stored at the correct moisture will provide the maximum feed value to livestock. High moisture at time of baling at >22% or 18% for large bales only produces costly problems. Wetter than normal hay creates mould, which eats nutrients, which creates heat, creates brown spots or worse burns the barn down. Think of the consequences of the hay supplier and for the rancher. Simple proper moisture management, 15% to 22%, eliminates fires and sick livestock due to poor hay. Large bales require <18% moisture content. Livestock owners and ranchers are looking for good value quality hay baled at approximately 15%. 

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Using a Hay Moisture meter is the only way a farmer can be sure that his hay is being baled at the ideal moisture levels.

 

A quality, accurate, simple and easy to use, low priced hand held unit obliterates the above problems. Why not have Happy Customers, Happy Farmers, well-nourished livestock, it is so easy than one thinks with a North American Hay Meter from Imbotec Delmhorst, the F-2000 hay moisture meter. There are three different methods to determine moisture content in hay. The oldest method relies on an experienced farmer crushing hay in his hands and analyzing the results. The second method takes 24 hours and you must use an oven. The third method is the fastest and most convenient by using a Delmhorst F-2000 with attachments, or a MIZA one-piece meter and getting results in seconds from a windrow or from the interior of a bale.

When it comes to making top-quality hay, the most important tools for the job include:

  • The farmer
  • Your hay baler
  • Your tractor
  • Your hay moisture meter

Using a Hay Moisture meter is the only way a farmer can be sure that baled hay is at the ideal moisture level.

 

If you use a MIZA Moisture Meter, insert the instrument’s probe into the bale and take a measure. You can also measure temperature and this instrument’s range is 0°C - 100°C (32°F - 212°F). Start by measuring the temperature. To do a correct measurement, insert the probe at a forty-five-degree angle into the hay bale and wait until the temperature is stable. The MIZA unit can measure Fahrenheit as well as Celsius. When using the longer probes like the 40” (100 cm) or longer, you must be careful that it doesn’t get stuck. As the instrument keeps taking continuous measurements, you must discard any value obtained before or after this procedure. Repeat the measurement at various places in the bale to obtain a good overview.

 

The MIZA Hay Moisture Meter is available in several lengths: 25 cm (10”), 50 cm (20”), 100 cm (40”), 200 cm (80”) and 270 cm (106”). We normally only stock the 25 cm, 50 cm and 100 cm but the other models are available as special order.

If your application requires measurements to be taken on the pwindrow or for a solution that can be mounted on a baler, then perhaps the F-200 or FX-200 from Delmhorst would be a better choice. Call us at 1 866 IMBOTEC for a free consultation.

 

Simple Rules to follow for Accurate Results using an F-2000 (or FX-2000) meter

  • Take multiple Readings to average your final moisture measurement
  • Clean your meter and probes after use
  • Use pin prod in a straight in and out motion as not to crack it.
  • Use an 831 Windrow short pin prod for the windrow moisture prior to baling
  • Use a 10” or 18” or a 36” pin prod for new or older bales
  • Continue to take readings throughout the harvesting process
  • Check the meter’s calibration for 12. Press the 2 big buttons together.
  • Read the F-2000 owner’s manual!
  • For superior results install the moisture sensor on the tractor’s baler
  • Be certain your local farmer supply store carries a North American Delmhorst.
  • Don’t purchase an Asian lower cost model. Guaranteed, you won’t save in the long run.
  • Get an Imbotec Delmhorst Hay meter and rest assured of a decade of accurate results!

Many Choices what shall I purchase?

For a Value priced Starter Kit, get a F-2000 package. Choose between a 10” long prod (F-2000-10) or 18” prod (F-2000-18). Or just get both prods for around $60 extra.

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If you want an automatic Moisture Meter that can be mounted on your baler and measure automatically as you operate, then we recommend the FX-2000. This moisture meter will automatically display Moisture readings every 4 seconds. Eight measurements averaged every four seconds provides real time results. The Delmhorst FX-2000 moisture meter system is available in 3 variations.

  1. FX-2000 hay moisture meter with power supply and mounting hardware, (FX-2000w/ps)         
  2. Above with an 831 windrow probe, 10”prod and handle, (FX-2000 Deluxe 10”)
  3. As in #2 but with an 18” prod instead of the 10” prod, (FX-2000 Deluxe 10”)

For superior durability and an amazing 5-year warranty, choose one of our European-made, one-piece MIZA meters that measure both moisture and temperature in baled hay, and need no accessories.  The stainless steel shaft on these meters extends right down to the base of the ergonomically designed wooden handle, eliminating a key stress point and protecting the probe from breakage.

 

 

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