AgraTronix 01210 Manual Del Operador página 2

SAMPLING PROCEDURE
It is important to understand that even though the result of a particular read-
ing may be very accurate, it may be of little or no value unless the reading
is representative of the entire mass being tested. Always take several sam-
plings in various locations. The greater the variations in readings, the greater
the number of samples that should be tested.
1. Select material considered as typical of the batch.
2. Do not test badly chopped forages.
3. Make sure that the samples are as free from dust and foreign mat-
ter as possible.
4. Take three (3) to five (5) samples at various locations of the batch
and average the results.
5. Thoroughly mix each sample before taking material to fill the
sample bag.
6. Do not mix material which is obviously very dry with similar material
where the bulk is much wetter; for example, the layer of forage or
grain on top of a wagon which has travelled some distance.
7. DO NOT DELAY TESTS FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES ON
FRESH CHOPPED FORAGE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TESTS ON
MATERIAL WHERE FERMENTATION OR HEATING HAS TAKEN
PLACE OR WHERE MOLD FORMATION HAS STARTED.
IMPORTANT SILAGE TESTING NOTES AND REMINDERS:
1. Repeated tests on the same sample or a sample left in the
tester longer than a normal test duration (1 minute), may result
in false readings.
2. If the sample is too thick (less than 4 turns), or too thin (more
than 5-1/2 turns), it must be rejected, as false readings are
inevitable.
3. Remember, green material must be tested within 30 minutes of
chopping and before heating or fermentation has taken place.
4. We recommend the use of only Agratronix 1210 sample bags, which
are tested and made to standards which will produce reliable results.
5. If two decimal points show, one between each digit of the dis-
play, the tester is overloaded. The most likely cause is that the
sample is too wet and outside the operating range of the tester.
Check that no liquid has been squeezed from the sample bag and
contaminated the electrodes in the test chamber. Clean out the
sample chamber if necessary.
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