AGTRON RATE & BLOCKAGE MONITOR
Some Agtron benefits as tested during an independent 2020 Bourgault factory bench test:
- The Agtron sensor was the most accurate for determining flow variance.
- Flow-through unrestricted sensor (no seed damage, no increased fan requirements).
- Sensors have no bend, preventing the sensor from causing blockages as the bend tends to plug product, or wear out the bend requiring cleaning and frequent replacement of wearing parts.
- Simple installation, easy maintenance.
- 1 ECU for the entire bar is a much more efficient design.
- New: Optional tank delivery sensors (mainly used for single shoot canola setups).
- 3 year warranty program on all Agtron parts (not just on selected items!).
The factory bench test showed that smashing seed into an angled acoustic impact plate caused damage to seed and required an increased fan speed of 300 rpm or more. The change of seed flow direction after hitting an acoustic impact plate caused blockages, seed treatment and inoculant loss, and can potentially cause a large draw on your hydraulic requirements, depending on seeder bar width.
That is why the Agtron seed blockage monitor uses straight-through dust proof infrared optical sensors that can measure both Rate problems and detect Blockages. This means the Agtron system can pick up problems as the rate changes before the hose or whole head is blocked up.
This system only needs 1 ECU per seeding-bar, even when double-shooting. Depending on the accuracy you require, varying quantities of sensors can be installed per loop. For example you can have more sensors on your seed loop than your fertiliser loop if you prefer that. If you only care about heads blocking up, one sensor per head will do the job.
All this means the initial cost for a new kit can be kept down as much as possible and kits are quoted exactly to suit your seeding rig and requirements. We send these kits via freight to customers Australia-wide. The Agtron system is easy to setup as most of our customers install these systems themselves on-farm. On top of all this, Agtron has a warranty program of 3 years on the entire system.
LEGEND BASIC (WIFI)
Only one 12V Legend ECU is needed per seeding bar for both single and double shoot. The ECU on the bar creates a Wifi signal that is then picked up using a tablet in the cab. That means no outside phone connections are needed. The only cabling needed on the bar is the loop around the heads connecting all sensors & the single ECU.
The signal in the cables can go both ways, which helps to determine where any errors might be. For example if a cable is pinched, the system shows you between which sensors the problem is. You can also turn individual sensors off if the run is not used.
This system comes with a history feature, that records every minute what each sensor is doing (Green, Yellow or Red). This means if you have many red blocks in the history, it indicates past issues and you can hold the driver accountable.
Instead of a loud annoying audible alarm that drivers tend to turn off, this Agtron Legend system uses a visual alarm for a very good reason. When you do a headland turn at the end of your run, you raise your bar and stop seed flow which in turn triggers the system to show everything is 'blocked' with red sensors. After your turn is completed, the bar is pushed down and seed flow starts up and all sensors turn green again. This gives you independent confirmation at the end of every run that your system is fully working.
The Legend Basic system has a Predictive Section Aware feature that can be enabled by the user at any time. It works by grouping sensors on heads together. When a group does not detect any seed or fert at the same time, these sensors will go purple. This could still indicate a blockage, but the driver can verify this by checking the section to ensure the system is correct.
It is advised that you wire the ECU straight to the battery, and the earth on your isolator.
Advantages of the Legend system over the older ART system:
- Easy to understand app
- 2x faster notification of blockages
- Not affected by wire breaks
- 10x higher seed rates
- 5x more resistant to chemical buildup
- Improved snap-fit sensor cable connections
- Built in GPS ground speed
- Section Aware compatible
- Compatible with tank delivery sensors
LEGEND ADVANCED / SECTION AWARE (WIFI)
This ECU connects to the air seeder control system which enables it to see what sections on your bar are active, making it fully Section Aware. This stops the system from alarming when a section is inactive.
The Legend Advanced system works with most section aware tanks from Bourgault, Seedhawk, Deere, Morris and some Seedmaster. If it has the common solenoid hookup, it is likely compatible.
LEGEND APP
LEGEND BASIC WIFI
2024 APP (version 4.5.0) (Does not work with Android version 9 or earlier).
BASIC LEGEND WIFI APP (ANDROID ONLY)
2023 MANUAL
LEGEND ADVANCED WIFI (SECTION AWARE)
2024 APP (version 2.5.0)
LEGEND ADVANCED WIFI APP (ANDROID ONLY)
2023 MANUAL
If you have purchased a Legend kit before 2020, please send us your Legend ECU and we can upgrade it for free.
If you have purchased your kit in 2020 or after, the App will upgrade the ECU upon first connection when the new app version is installed on your tablet. Please use your ECU serial number in the update when prompted.
*Important* This app does not work with iPads!
GENERAL OPERATION
Each dust proof blockage sensor has 4 infrared eyes that count seed and fertiliser particles as they go through the sensor. The blockage sensors are suitable for both seed and fertilizer, and are a straight-through sensor as this prevents causing blockages. After adding the blockage sensors and wiring to your bar, follow the manual to run the basic setup. Once your system is on your bar and set up correctly, you do the final calibration while seeding. This is because the system needs a benchmark of particles per second to keep track of. Once the system has this benchmark set, it keeps track of the up and down movements of your seed / fert. If your rates vary too much from your benchmark (for example when half your head is blocked), a rate alarm will go off. If a sensor does not detect any moving particles, it will trigger a blockage alarm.
TANK DELIVERY SENSORS
Agtron's Tank Delivery Sensors are compatible only with the Legend Basic and Legend Advanced (Wi-Fi) kits. They are mounted on primary hoses by drilling a 23/32" hole in the pipe and mounting the sensor head inside the hole. They are primarily used when single-shooting Canola, to monitor the flow of Canola before it is mixed in with the fertilizer. They can be used with other products as well if required.
The Tank Delivery Sensors must be used on a separate loop than any other sensor installed. The Legend Basic ECU has 2 available loops, and the Legend Advanced ECU has 3.
Only the Legend Advanced ECU can monitor 3 loops (for example 1 for seed, 1 for fertilizer, and 1 for tank delivery). This ECU can be used without the Section Aware feature.
For large diameter hose (6+ inch), two sensors are required per hose, installed directly opposite each other as they can work as a reflective pair.
NEED A QUOTE?
If you would like a quote, use our online quote request form or give us a call. We will need the following information to provide an accurate quote:
- Is your bin tow-between, or tow-behind?
- Is your bar single shoot, or double shoot
(i.e. seed & fert together or separate)?
- How many heads on your bar per loop
(i.e. 6 seed + 6 fert)?
- How many sensors per head do you require?
- What is the Internal Diameter of the hoses coming out of the heads? (Usually 25mm or 32mm).
- Roughly how wide is your bar?
- Do you want to monitor your tank delivery hoses?
(This can be especially important if you are single shooting with Canola).
- How many tank delivery hoses do you require to be monitored?
- If yes, what is the diameter of the tank delivery hose?
(6 inch and up requires 2 sensors per hose)
- If yes, are your tank delivery hoses smooth or ribbed?
(This determines if you require brackets to hold the sensors).
RATE & BLOCKAGE MONITORS
To prevent strips in your paddock, the Agtron system uses in-line seed blockage sensors that have 4 infrared eyes each to detect movement of seed and fertiliser. You calibrate the system while seeding, as this provides the baseline rate that the seed blockage sensors keeps track of. Once the rate changes outside of the set parameters, a rate alarm or blockage alarm will go off, indicating a problem often caused by seed blockages or if the bin is empty. These seed drill blockage monitors come in various models to suit different seeder setups.
These blockage monitors work well with air seeders of virtually all brands, including John Deere, Morris, Seed Hawk, Bourgault and more. The latest Agtron blockage monitors include Section Aware functionality to work with your seeder, and is either WIFI or IsoBus compatible.