Getting the right feed to the right cow is always a challenge, but having inaccurate or non-functioning load cells on TMR mixers make that task almost impossible.
Diamond V feed specialists checked the load cell accuracy on 25 TMR mixers on 19 dairies in eastern Wisconsin recently. Those TMR mixers had a total of 101 load cells (each mixer has three to six load cells, depending on make and model). Twenty nine of the load cells were either out of tolerance or deemed faulty, say Tom Oelberg and Kristy Pagel, both with Diamond V.
Causes of the faulty cells could have been caused by:
• Feed or mud between the mixer box and frame.
• Kinked or exposed wire between the load cell and scale head.
• Load cells moved out of position or damaged.
• Damaged strain gauges within the load cells themselves.
• Load cells inaccurately calibrated.
If you suspect load cells are not functioning correctly, you’ll need to call your mixer dealer for assistance. In turn, the dealer may have to call a certified scale tester if the dealer is unable to calibrate or fix the cells.
You can read the full Diamond V report on load cell calibration here.
