The F400 Platemeter works in a similar way to the F300 using an electronic digital counter unit to record the grass height and number of plonks. A formula (user adjustable) is used to display the Average grass yield in KgDM/ha.
The average height and KgDM/ha figures from each field measured are stored in the memory ready to be downloaded via a USB cable (included) into the PPlus software to display the grazing wedge of the farm walk.
The Platemeter displays the paddock list on the built in display as well as showing paddock sizes, previous readings and grass growth since last reading.
The F400 is powered by a re-chargeable battery for ease of use, charging is provided when the F400 is plugged into a computer with the USB cable provided, or by using a standard USB charger.
The order the fields are walked in is pre-set on the software, however as the paddock list is displayed on the platemeter screen, the walk order can be easily changed when in the field.
Up to 280 paddocks (fields) can be stored in the F400 memory. The F400 also features an auto calibration function, Anti Roll feature to eliminate false readings as well as the ability to record grazing state. All this information is downloaded to the software when the F400 is connected to the PC with the supplied USB cable.
Can I use the F400 With Agrinet?
Yes, the figures from the F400 can be transferred into Agrinet by first downloading into PPlus software that comes with the Platemeter, then exporting from PPlus to Agrinet.
All our platemeters work on the same principle; the plate sits on top of the grass sword and the shaft falls to the ground level measuring the height of the sward as well as taking the density into account.
F75 Manual Platemeter
The F75 platemeter is the entry level model; the height is measured by two mechanical counter units, with the figures recorded in a suitable notebook before and after walking the paddock. Using a simple formula can be converted into KgDM /ha. Some users use an excel spreadsheet to assist.
F200 Electronic Platemeter
The F200 platemeter is our most popular model. This plate meter uses and electronic counter to register the height. The counter then uses an adjustable formula to display the KgDM/ha figure on the screen. The display shows a rolling average figure- the average over the total number of plonks in the paddock. At the end of the field this figure is recorded in a notebook etc. and the electronic counter is reset to zero ready for the next field. Once all the fields are walked, the figures can be entered into the Free PC software (provided) once back in the office.
F300 Electronic Platmeter with USB Download
The F300 platemeter works on the same principal as the F200, however there is no need to write the figures down once a field is measured. The F300 utilises a basic memory that allows the readings to be stored and downloaded via USB cable into the Free PC software once the farm walk is complete.
The F300 memory can store up to 100 paddocks of data. The walk order has to be pre-set on the PC software before the fields are measured.
F400 Advanced Electronic Platemeter with USB Download
The F400 platemeter offers many extra features over the other models. The simple to use display allows the user to scroll through the list of, and select, whichever paddock they want to measure. There is no need to pre-set the walk order on the PC. Once the farm walk is complete, the readings are downloaded by USB cable to the PC based software.
The F400 also offers; 280 paddock memory, anti-roll feature eliminating false readings and an automatic calibration feature amongst others.
G1000 Bluetooth Platemeter
The G1000 platemeter connects via Bluetooth the Free App (iOS & Android) that displays and shares all the platemeter readings in a simple and easy to use format. The paddock to be measured is selected from a list on the app and the platemeter readings are automatically recorded. The app displays the grazing wedge and cover data, which can be attached to an email and exported, or sent directly to Agrinet.
The G1000 can also be used without the app with the built in screen showing the KgDM/ha in the same way as the F200 - See G1000 for further details.
What if I want to use Agrinet?
All our range of platemeters will work with Agrinet.
The G1000 Bluetooth platemeter comes with an app that automatically synchronises with agrinet.
F400 and F300 data can be downloaded into Agrinet via the P-Plus software (provided with the platemeter).
F200 and F75 readings can be manually entered into your Agrinet profile