Capacitive sensor for chopped maize throughput measurement

Instantaneous throughput measurement during the harvest is one of the possibilities of data collecting for precision agriculture purposes. In this research, a parallel plate capacitive throughput sensor for the purpose of chopped maize throughput measurement has been tested. Laboratory measurements were taken to determine the dependence of capacitive throughput sensor output value on chopped maize throughput. This dependence was recognised as non-linear which is in good agreement with our previous findings. Coefficients of determination for power function reached value R2 = 0.99. Changes in chopped maize volume density influenced the measurements significantly. Changes in plant material moisture content mainly involve changes of material volume density; however, changes in material moisture content itself can also influence capacitive throughput measurements especially for materials with lower values of material moisture content. It must be respected during capacitive throughput sensor operation.