Patent ID: 8028620
Filing Date: 2011-10-04
Classification: A01F

Abstract:
1. A system for applying inoculants to forage material comprising: an inoculant container for storing and dispensing an amount of inoculants, and an auger disposed in the container for controllably dispensing the inoculants; a conveying line for conveying the inoculants from the container to a pre-designated location; a forage material transport element for transporting the forage material from a field to a processing machine above the ground; a moisture sensor for sensing moisture in the forage material after it is transported into the processing machine, and prior to the forage material being transported to a baling chamber of the processing machine and after the forage material has cleared a pick-up reel of the machine; and a controller for receiving signals from the moisture sensor indicative of the moisture content of the forage material, and said controller transmitting a control signal to vary the speed of the auger in order to dispense a pre-determined amount of inoculants in response to the sensed moisture content, said moisture sensor including at least one of a contact type moisture sensor that is placed in direct contact with the forage material as it is transported into the machine, and a non-contact sensor placed in communication with the moving transported forage material.