ME Blockage measures the flow in all agricultural implements where individual particles are conveyed with air or by free-fall.

The sensor is primarily used to monitor the flow of fertilizer in precision planters as well as to monitor seeding in pneumatic seeders. Thanks to the modular design ME Blockage can be adapted to any hose diameter, enabling other application options.

The blockage sensor detects all common materials – ranging from large seeds like maize, soya and fertilizers via all sorts of cereals through to fine seeds and micropellets.

The system can be used in different ways. It is either integrated in the existing seeder and thus communicates with the job computer or the system operates independently and is directly integrated on the ISOBUS as an implement. A stand-alone version, consisting only of implement monitoring, is also possible.

The PLANTirium sensor is the first seed tube sensor that uses imaging sensors. This technology enables the detection of small seeds such as rapeseed or larger seeds such as corn or sunflower seeds, even in difficult conditions. A pattern recognition method is used to distinguish debris from seeds inside the seed tube.

Also, the sensor recognises overlapping seeds as multiples. Active sensor re-adjustment provides reliable compensation for debris accumulating on the sensor (e.g. dust, dressing).

It has an interface for parameterisation and to update the software, and it is capable of sending status messages about its status (e.g. cleaning required) to the master control unit.

The sensor consists of a sending and a receiving unit.

The sender produces a light beam in the near-infrared wavelength range. The receiver, which exhibits its maximum sensitivity in this wavelength range, is spatially positioned at a distance opposite to the sender. If this light beam is interrupted by seed grain, it produces an output signal of the sensor.