DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A LOAD CELL YIELD MONITOR FOR PEANUT

A yield monitoring system, which uses load cells mounted below the basket, was developed for application to existing and new peanut combines. A tank weighing assembly (free movement in both lateral directions) mount was used with double ended shear beam load cells in a 90° configuration to create the most flexibility with least opportunity for binding at the mounts. Slopes less than 2° did not appreciably affect the load cell response. Moving average and regression methods were used to translate the continuous loading of the basket to incremental loading rates. The system was capable of reproducing input loading rates to within a 1.5 to 7.3% error over an assumed ground area of 20 m 2 to 10 m 2 (220 ft 2 to 110 ft 2 ), respectively (under static operating conditions). The larger the area (number of values) included in the average, the smaller the error, but the less sensitivity to changing yield conditions. Additional integration with position signals, improved filtering, and some method of adjusting for pod moisture and trash are necessary to fully develop the system for commercial application.