OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place scale on a flat, level surface. The scale is a delicate
and sensitive device
and should be treated
with care.
2. Place empty Specimen container on center of scale
platform.
3. Turn the scale on (if using electronic
scale).
4. Gently place and measure 100g of sample material into specimen
container. For
cotton or hay use 10g
to allow for ventilation during drying process.
5 Spread material evenly in
specimen container.
6. Place specimen container on evaporation
unit.
7. Plug in cord of evaporation unit into 110 volt A.C. current to
turn on unit.
9. Dry sample for 30 minutes or established drying time. Then place
the sample
Onto the mechanical scale or digital scale and
record the new weight.
10. Return the sample and dry for another 10
minutes.
Place the sample onto the scale and record the second reading
measurement. Repeat this step until no change in
measurement.
11. The final material weight represents the dry matter. The change
in weight
represents the
moisture content of the original sample. For
example:
Beginning Weight =
100g 10.0g
End Weight = 87.4g
8.7g
Moisture Content =
12.6% 13%
12. Add all the time intervals together to establish the typical
drying time for the
material being
measured.
The
Koster Moisture Tester determines
moisture by using a faster version of
the Oven
Drying Method as recommended by the USDA for crops.
The typical time
for testing some of the most popular crops is as
follows:
Typical Drying Typical Moisture Content
Crop
Time (minutes) for
Safe Storage*
Corn
80 15% or
less
Corn (ensilage) 30
60 to 65%
Wheat/Barley
30 15% or
less
Hay (10 grams) 25 25%
or less
Silage/Haylage 25
40 to 60%
Oats
20 15% or
less
Rye
25 15%
or less
Cotton (seed, 10g) 90 7.5%
or less
Cotton (lint, 10g) 20 7.5%
or less
Herbs
30-60+
as
desired
Rice
80 14% or less
Peanuts (shelled)
60 10% or less
* Extended
storage times may require lower moisture levels, please consult your local
agricultural agent for your specific crop.
Many factors including temperature, humidity and variety of crop
affect the time required to evaporate moisture and consequently the time
required to make a moisture test. We recommend that you establish the drying
times for the particular crops you harvest within your
area.
