Grain Moisture Meter

Shimana's Moisture Meter

 

The strategies designed to keep moisture levels down require a way to detect the moisture level. This is where the grain moisture detector becomes useful. There are numerous different types of detectors with different sizes, accuracies and price points. The ideal detector to export to a developing country, such as Nepal, would be a portable model with a relatively low price point. Shimana, a Canadian company, makes a model that fits these criteria (“Process Instruments,” 2015). The model made by Shimana follows a probe design, and consists of a probe attached to a monitor.  In addition, this particular model also comes with a carrying case designed to protect the sensor(“Process Instruments,” 2015). An image of this product can be seen in Figure 1. The specific name of this product is Grain Moisture Meter, with the part number  SHGLMM017 and can be purchased online from the company’s direct retailer Process Instruments  (“Process Instruments,” 2015).

 

This meter works with a wide variety of grains and grains in different conditions. Some examples of detectable grains are soybean (whole and ground), rice (paddy-whole, paddy-ground and milled) and many more (“Process Instruments,” 2015). The entire list of these is shown in Table 1. The grains on this include the major grain crops grown in both Canada and Nepal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The device is rather simple to use and displays information clearly. Therefore, it would be easy for almost any individual to operate. For starters, to use the device, it first must be powered on. After this the correct grain code for the type of grain being tested must be inputted into the device- the codes are the same as those found in Table 1. Next, then the probe can be placed into the grain sample. The moisture level will be detected then displayed on the screen. In addition, for simplicities sake an LED light attached will produce a colour based on the content (“Process Instruments,” 2015). A green light indicates the moisture level is below the alarm limit, this is factory set to 13%. A red light indicates the moisture level is above the alarm limit, which is factory set to 18% and a yellow light indicates it is between the alarm limits (“Process Instruments,” 2015).  A green light is the ideal colour to detect. These alarm limits are able to be changed to the user’s preferences. The device is able to detect the moisture percentage of grains within an accuracy of 0.5% between a range of 6-30% moisture content (“Process Instruments,” 2015).

 

 

            The cost of this product is $238.00 CDN from the Shimana’s direct retailer Process Instruments. In addition to this cost, four AA batteries need to be added to power the device. The location of production is unknown as the company never returned attempts to contact them, and no information was offered online.

 

            Shimana is a branch of Digital Measurement Metrology (DMM), a Canadian company. DMM is based out of Brampton, Ontario and has been in operation since 1989 (“Digital Measurement Metrology,” 2015). The primary work done by this company involves the sale, calibration, repair and installation of precision measurement equipment (“Digital Measurement Metrology,” 2015).  The company has a large and diverse product line of different measurement devices and gauges. Furthermore, this company currently exports items, but no information has been provided as to the scale and location of this. Even still, with this company already involved in foreign trade, expanding into Nepal or another country could be more easily done.