Apparatus for measuring agricultural yield

An apparatus for measuring the pressure of clean yield product conveyed by an agricultural crop processing machine through a flow path, said apparatus comprising:

• means including an actuating arm for producing a signal indicative of a pressure being applied to the actuating arm;
• and
• means for mounting the signal producing means to an agricultural crop processing machine to situate the actuating arm to intercept clean yield product being conveyed by an agricultural crop processing machine,
• whereby the actuating arm has a dimension that is substantially less than the dimension of the flow path as viewed in cross section taken transversely to the direction of flow of the clean yield product so that clean yield product flows against and past the actuating arm.

In combination:

• an agricultural combine having means for separating waste from a crop to provide a clean yield product and means for conveying clean yield product from the waste separating means through a path to a point of use;
• and
• means for measuring the pressure of flow of clean yield product conveying in said path, said pressure measuring means including an actuating arm, means for mounting the pressure measuring means to the combine so that the actuating arm intercepts clean yield product conveying in said path, and means for giving an indication of pressure applied by conveying clean yield product on the actuating arm to thereby determine the volume/mass of conveying clean yield product,
• whereby the actuating arm has a dimension that is substantially less than the dimension of the flow path taken transversely to the direction of flow of the clean yield product,
• whereby the actuating arm intercepts substantially less than the entire flow of clean yield product from the conveying means.

An apparatus for determining flow volume of clean yield product in an agricultural crop harvesting device, said apparatus comprising:

• a substantially rigid first actuating arm;
• means for mounting the first actuating arm to the combine so that the actuating arm intercepts clean yield product advanced through a path defined by the combine;
• and
• means responsive to a pressure being applied to the arm for providing a signal indicative of a pressure being applied by conveying clean yield product to the actuating arm,
• said actuating arm having a dimension that is substantially less than the dimension of the path of advancing clean yield product taken transversely to the direction of advancement of the clean yield product.