Product Review: Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester
The Instrument Choice Team of Scientists regularly reviews new and popular products, so you can make more informed decisions when searching for the perfect scientific instrument for your application.
This edition reviews the NEW Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester, a modern, precise and durable moisture and temperature meter for baled hay, haylage, straw and silage.
About the Creators of Wile Products, FarmComp Oy
Farmcomp Oy is based in Finland and develops, manufactures, and markets various agricultural electronic products. The Wile series of grain and hay moisture meters first appeared on the scene in 1964. Since then, decades of valuable expertise and knowledge has been poured into the range, resulting in efficient, robust and precision measuring tools.
Introducing the Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester
The Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester is a dependable, robust and accurate handheld hay tester ladened with practical features and constructed to endure farming and agricultural environments.
Key Features and Benefits of the Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester
• Two devices in one: The Wile-500 measures temperature and moisture, so you no longer need two separate meters.
• Impressive measurement range: The meter is suitable for various products and for measuring moisture content of relatively moist haylage directly in stacks.
• The unique automatic density compensation assesses the bale's density, significantly improving the precision level of moisture content results.
• Continuous measurement: Forget continuously pressing and fiddling around with buttons; the Wile-500 handheld hay moisture meter automatically updates moisture readings each time you probe the bale.
• Built to last using high-quality components and a stainless-steel probe to withstand all farm-life can throw its way.
• Quick calibration: User-performed quick calibration takes mere seconds and can improve overall accuracy.
• Temperature compensation: Bale temperature for automatic temperature is required before taking a measurement. You can conveniently account for bale temperature in one of four ways:
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- Measure the current temperature
- Manually add a temperature
- Use the last stored temperature measurement value; or
- Select the value previously used from the memory of the device.
- Advanced memory holding: save and recall up to 1000 moisture measurement readings
- PC connectivity: A USB port on the handle allows for collected measurements to be downloaded to a PC so you can compare your harvests moisture data year on year.
- Backlit LCD screen: enables straightforward interpretation of measurements, no matter the ambient light conditions.
Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester Specifications
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Specifications |
|
|
Moisture measurement range |
Hay and haylage: 8% to 80%, Straw: 8% to 25% Hay Silage: 30% to 84% Corn Silage: 40% to 76% Alfalfa: 8% to 75% (percentage of water in weight at 15°C temperature) |
|
Moisture measurement typical accuracy |
10% to 20%: 1.4% 20% to 30%: 2% 30% to 50%: 4% 50% to 70%: 6% |
|
Reference method for moisture determination |
Oven dry method according to ISO 6496:1999, EY N:o 152/2009, with samples acquired using a core sampler drill from the moisture measurement depth. |
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Moisture measurement principle |
Electronic impedance measurement |
|
Density compensation |
Automatic, based on push force and motion measurement |
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Temperature compensation |
Semi-automatic, optional |
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Operating temperature range |
Handle/display: -10°C to +50°C, Probe: -10°C to +80°C |
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Temperature measurement range |
-10°C to +80°C |
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Measurement memory |
64 bales, with a total of 1000 moisture or temperature results |
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Dimensions |
Total: 810 mm x 105 mm x 45 mm, Probe length: 50 cm Weight (with battery): 800 g |
|
Battery |
9 V alkaline battery |
Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester Applications
The consequences of harvesting, baling and storing hay with incorrect moisture levels are many and costly. The Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester is an ideal device for:
- Crop farmers
- Buyers and traders; and
- Processors.
Conclusion
What do our scientists conclude about the Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester?
“The farm tough Wile-500 is built to not only endure but excel in harsh agricultural conditions. For an affordable and straightforward way to monitor product quality and reduce stock loss – look no further than the Wile-500”.
Go to the Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester product page
For more information on the Wile-500 Handheld Hay and Silage Moisture Tester, or assistance finding the best handheld hay moisture tester for your application, speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
Video: Unboxing the Wile-500 Hay and Silage Moisture meter
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