How to ensure your Ag Leader yield monitor is ready for harvest
Before you head to the field this fall, it’s important your Ag Leader yield monitor is ready to go. Because there are several items that need to be checked ahead of time, planning a pre-season harvest check well in advance of when you must go to the field will pay dividends. Not only does it provide a cushion for service that may need to be scheduled with a dealer, but it also allows extra time for any replacement parts or upgrades to be ordered and shipped.
9 key components
Here are nine key areas you should pay attention to when inspecting your combine each season.
Power system. Ag electronics get power from the combines batteries. Pay special attention to the power system on the machine with a well-maintained alternator/generator. Inspect for clean electrical ground connections all around.
Cable harness. There are several yield monitor components connected by a cable harness. The wires in the harness need to be inspected for wear damage that may cause a short circuit. Start with the main power cable at the battery up to the monitor in the cab and then back to each of the sensors.
Flow sensor. The flow sensor is mounted in the top of the clean grain elevator. Verify proper installation and paddle clearance. Paddle clearance is the distance from the tip of a paddle closest to the deflector plate in the clean grain elevator. This value must be within 3/8” to 5/8” for most combine models and 1 1/2” for Lexion combines. Also, be on the lookout for rodent damage to flow sensor wires on the load cell.
Deflectors, impact plate. Check for worn or broken deflectors that channel the grain toward the sensor. Make sure the impact plate is not worn thin or broken. You may want to look at a picture of a new one in the installation instructions to verify everything is as it should be.
Grain moisture/temperature sensor. Ensure there is no excessive wear on the grain moisture/temperature sensor. Make sure the sensor is clean and free of mud or crop residue. You should also verify that you have a good, clean electrical ground. Check the fuse, switch, and relay for the motorized auger that keeps grain moving past the moisture sensor and then verify the auger turns free.
Elevator speed sensor. The elevator speed sensor is located on the end of the shaft that drives the clean grain elevator. Make sure the tee cable is properly connected so that speed output is available to the combine gauges and the yield monitor.
Ground speed sensor. The ground speed sensor is located at the top of the transmission and uses a tee cable to share speed output between the combine gauges and the yield monitor.
Display. Check that the Display has the latest firmware upgrades installed. Check for the proper date (This may indicate a problem with the internal battery.).
Data. Make sure you have a working data card and that last year’s data is removed. Hook up the GPS receiver and get out in the open to verify your position and speed data is registering on the yield monitor.