Modifying a carter flail forage harvester to stabilize the weighing system

The single bending-beam load-cell weigh system that is standard equipment on a Carter flail forage harvester allows the forage collection weigh basket to pitch and sway. This movement can allow some forage to be lost when it is blown past the basket. In addition, this movement requires additional time for the basket to stabilize at the end of each plot before a weight can be recorded. A specialized frame with three bending-beam load cells was designed and constructed to restrict movement of and to support the forage collection weigh basket. Total cost of materials for this modification was about $750. The modifications can be completed with normal shop tools and are readily interfaced with standard equipment on the Carter harvester. The modified support bracket and weigh system performed well, harvesting nearly 10 000 forage plots annually. Compared with the single bending-beam load cell weigh system, the modified support bracket and weigh system reduced pitch and sway of the forage collection weigh basket, was equally precise, and required an average of 7 s less for the basket to stabilize at the end of each plot.