If you grow, store, or process crops, the Perten AM 5200 Grain Moisture Analyser is an invaluable tool to assist.

This grain moisture meter makes it easy to rapidly, regularly and reliably measure the moisture content, specific weight, and temperature of many agricultural products.

As UK food safety and quality experts, we know that there’s no better way to protect crops’ value and prevent spoilage than by monitoring those variables.

What is the Perten AM 5200?

The Perten AM 5200 Grain Moisture Analyser is a second-generation grain moisture meter that’s remarkably powerful and adaptable.

It can be installed as a standalone moisture grain reader at a terminal, or incorporated into an automated testing system.

The moisture grain reader measures the dielectric constant of crops (i.e. their ability to store electrical energy). The more moisture samples contain, the greater their conductivity.

By operating at a high frequency, the moisture meter penetrates crops deeply for definitive results.

Rest assured the Perten AM 5200 doesn’t suffer from the rebound effect when analysing fresh-field samples, unlike outdated meters (which often give readings up to 1% lower than actual moisture content).

Technical specifications

Perten’s grain moisture meter is precise, fast and versatile:

·         Parameters: moisture (as a percentage), specific weight (in kg/hl or other formats), temperature (°C or °F)

·         Measurement technique: RF dielectric constant at 150MHz

·         Sample size: 700ml

·         Sample temperature range: -20 to 45 °C/-4 to 113 °F (moisture <18%); 0 to 45 °C/32 to 113 °F (moisture >18%)

·         Analysis time: under ten seconds

·         Display: 5.7” colour touch screen (responds to bare/gloved hands and stylus pens)

·         Connectivity: 1x Ethernet and 2x USB ports

·         Power requirement: 115/230 V, 50/60 Hz

·         Dimensions: 415 x 424 x 353mm

·         Net weight: 18.3kg

What’s included?

·         Perten AM 5200 benchtop moisture grain reader, featuring a die-cast aluminium measurement cell large enough for representative samples, removable catch drawer and intuitive user interface

·         Mains power cable

·         Instruction manual

Optional equipment:

·         Flow-through catch drawer (empties grain into a receptacle in flow-through mode to make analysing multiple samples even faster)

·         USB keyboard, barcode scanner and memory stick

·         Serial ticket printer

What can the Perten AM 5200 be used for?

This grain moisture meter can be used to measure the following simultaneously:

Moisture content

Regularly analysing crops with the Perten AM 5200 Grain Moisture Analyser helps you to ensure they reach or maintain ideal moisture levels.

You can avoid problems caused by excess moisture (primarily mould) or dryness (such as mite infestations) and optimise drying or storage conditions.

Specific weight

The Perten AM 5200 calculates samples’ specific weight – a well-established measure of quality. This enables you to assess crops’ condition and density, and estimate yields.

Temperature

The moisture meter’s temperature readings can help you to meet cooling targets for grain and other crops and store them at safe temperatures (typically below 15 °C).

Heat encourages insect activity and the growth of fungi (which release harmful mycotoxins) and bacteria. The readings will alert you to temperature spikes, so you can eliminate hotspots.

Which agricultural products can it analyse?

The main products the moisture meter can analyse are:

Grains

Wheat, barley, oats, etc. are vital to the production of baked goods, animal feed and more. Too moist and grains decay; too dry and they’re hard to grind. With Perten’s moisture grain reader, you can check their moisture content remains around 14% for safe storage.

Beans

Fava, runner and haricot beans are widely grown in the UK. Moisture levels need to drop to 12-14% post-harvest; otherwise, beans can rot or become brittle.

Lentils

Brown, green and red lentils enhance curries and soups. In storage, they need to maintain moisture levels of 12-14%. Using the Perten AM 5200 will help you to avoid fermentation or cracking.

Oilseed rape

UK farmers harvest hundreds of thousands of tonnes of oilseed rape yearly. Unless the moisture content remains at 6-8% in storage, the crop can go rancid or produce little vegetable oil.

Pulses

Using the moisture meter to analyse pulses such as peas can guard against fungi and cracking. A moisture content of 12-14% is ideal for storage.

Seeds

Future harvests depend on the quality of seeds. If they’re too moist, they can germinate prematurely. If too dry, they can die. Moisture levels of 10-12% are appropriate for storing many seeds.

How to calibrate the Perten AM 5200

The Perten AM 5200 Grain Moisture Analyser uses the Unified Grain Moisture Algorithm (UGMA) for accurate readings regardless of crop type.

That means you only calibrate it once, not for each product in turn.

Calibration involves tapping ‘Import/Export’ on the grain moisture meter display then ‘Update via Internet’ to download the relevant files.

How easy is the Perten AM 5200 to use?

The Perten AM 5200 makes analysing samples easy:

1.         Select the product on the moisture grain reader’s display. Enter sample ID/information if you wish.

2.         Pour sample into funnel. Analysis begins automatically.

3.         Results are displayed within seconds.

How often should the Perten AM 5200 be used?

It’s advisable to use the grain moisture meter to analyse stored crops fortnightly in warm weather and monthly in cool weather.

You’ll want to use it more frequently around the crucial harvest period.

Who can it be used by?

Anyone handling crops can benefit from using the Perten AM 5200 to check products’ quality and ensure targets/standards are reached; for example:

·         Farmers

·         Grain elevator and mill staff

·         Commodity traders

·         Food processing facility staff

·         Grain analysts

Key applications for the Perten AM 5200

Harvest moisture monitoring

The grain moisture meter enables you to determine the perfect time to harvest crops (for example, many grains should ideally be harvested with moisture levels of 14.5-18%).

On-farm storage management

Monitoring moisture content, weight and temperature means you can reduce energy costs by ensuring dryers aren’t overused, optimise storage conditions and nip problems in the bud.

Incoming goods inspection in mills

With the Perten AM 5200, you can check suppliers’ products satisfy safety/quality standards before processing them.

Laboratory-grade quality control

The moisture meter’s superior accuracy means you can have total confidence in its readings. Enjoy robust quality control whether you’re analysing crops in a grain lab or non-scientific setting.

Comprehensive moisture, weight and temperature analysis for UK crops

The comprehensive, precise moisture, specific weight and temperature readings provided by the Perten AM 5200 Grain Moisture Analyser can revolutionise harvests, prevent spoilage and protect revenue.

Contact Calibre Control today to find out more or order your moisture meter.