How to Take a Measurement on the IC-FR5120 Fruit Hardness Tester (20 kg)

The key times for managing fruit ripeness are; when choosing the best times to harvest and during storage, as the fruit continues to ripen. 

Fruit hardness is an accepted standard measure of ripeness, and a portable fruit hardness tester is a very efficient way for growers to determine the maturity of their produce.  The IC-FR5120 Portable Fruit Hardness Tester with four different sized tips (3mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 11mm) is well-suited for assessing crops like pears, apples, strawberries, and grapes.

Figure 1 Watch an Instrument Choice scientist demonstrate how to measure fruit hardness using the IC-FR5120 portable hardness tester

How to Take a Measurement on the IC-FR5120 Fruit Hardness Tester (20 kg)

Materials

You will need;

• The IC-FR5120 Portable Fruit Hardness Tester (20 kg)
• Penetrometer Tip (Included)
• 6 x AA Batteries
• Small screwdriver
• Fruit to be measured

Method

1. Unscrew and remove the battery compartment door.
2. Install the six AA batteries.
3. Replace the battery compartment door and screw it into place.
4. Switch the meter on by moving the power switch so that it lines up with "I".
5. Select an appropriately sized measuring tip for your application. Use a small measuring tip for small soft fruit and a larger tip for larger firm specimens.
6. Screw the tip onto the sensing head on the top of the meter.
7. Move the top sliding button to choose your unit of force readout. Choose between; kg, N or lb.
8. Remove a thin slice of the skin so that the flesh of the fruit you wish to measure is showing.
9. Press the "ZERO" key to ensure the meter setting is at zero.
10. Press the tip of the sensor into the fruit, down to the etched line on the tip. For accurate measurements, the meter and the object measured must be directly in line, and you need to apply force evenly. See figure 1 (below) for an example.
    
    
    Figure 1 When taking a fruit hardness measurement, ensure the meter and measured fruit are in line and force is applied evenly
    
    
11. As you press, the force value will display on the LCD. At any time, you can select between fast and slow sampling time by pressing the FAST/SLOW button.
12. If you wish to view and hold the peak value on the LCD, move the bottom slide button to "Peak H". This action will freeze the highest recorded displayed reading for each measurement.
13. After taking a measurement, re-zero the meter so that it is ready to perform further measurements.

Conclusion

The IC-FR5120 portable hardness tester, with its included tips, is well-suited for assessing most varieties of fruit's ripeness throughout the growing and distribution stages.  

For more information on the IC-FR5120 portable hardness tester, see the links below or contact us!

Additional links

• View the IC-FR5120 portable hardness tester here
• Browse all Portable Fruit Hardness Testers
• Watch "How to Take a Measurement on the IC-FR5120 Portable Fruit Hardness Tester (20 kg)"
• Want to see what comes in the box? Watch an Instrument Choice scientist "Unboxing the IC-FR5120 Portable Fruit Hardness Tester (20 kg)"