Weigh Platforms
Spring Balance Model 327G
Electronic Model 327GE
Instruction Manual
& Operating Guide
Spring Balance Model 327G
Electronic Model 327GE
Contents
Weigh Platforms - Models 327g & 327ge
Pages
Safety Notes and Warnings ...................................................... 4
Introduction and Intended Use / Features and Specifications .... 5
Installation ............................................................................... 6
Fitting the Spring Balance Head................................................ 7
Operating Instructions.............................................................. 8
Maintenance ............................................................................ 9
Electronic Weigh Head - Instructions for use.................... 10 - 13
Electronic Weigh Head - Safe Installation / Maintenance ........ 14
Rev. A
3
Safety Notes and Warnings
Ensure the operator in charge of the weighing operation is an experienced stock
!
person who can maintain a high standard of animal welfare.
Ensure that there is sufficient space in the area designated for weighing to allow the
!
operator to work safely and efficiently.
The adjoining Race and Penning to the weigher should be of sufficient build for the
!
safety of both animals and operators.
Do not have any auxiliary hurdles or gates attached directly to the crate as this will
!
provide inaccurate readings. If hurdles are to be used these should be attached to
the posts provided which fit into the sockets on the weigh platform base.
Note: Check also the instruction leaflet provided by Salter Brecknell (Electronic weigh head
manufacturer) provided with this product for details on EMC compliance and declaration of
conformity.
Retain all instructions in a safe place for future reference.
4
Introduction and Intended Use
Ritchie weigh platforms models 327G (spring balance) and 327GE (electronic) were designed
for, and intended to be used by, the agricultural industry for the weighing of animals.
The unit has been designed to operate with the Ritchie Cattle handling Crate model numbers
300g, 339 and 339g.
However other makes of cattle handling crates may be fitted using the fastenings supplied and
fitted in accordance with our instructions.
The platform requires a ‘back weight’ of 350 - 500 kgs which is normally provided by the unladen
weight of a handling crate in order to zero the weigh head.
The platform may be used for other weighing purposes providing an alternative ‘back weight’ is
fitted. i.e. Heavy steel plate floor.
Note:- The platform does not conform to DTI certification and is illegal to be used for selling
by weight.
These weighers should only be used by an experienced stock person, who can maintain
a high standard of animal welfare.
Deviations from the intended use should not take place without the notice and approval
of David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd.
Features & Specifications
! Robust RHS frame
! Pivotting centre pillar allows complete access to side of cattle crate.
! Eight sealed self aligning bearings.
! Ground clearance allows access by forklift tines for around farm movement.
! Raised corner pads to keep mechanism muck free.
! Lugs are provided to attach the Ritchie Cattle Handling Crate No. 300g, 339 and 339g allowing
easy transportation as a complete unit.
! Hot Dipped galvanised finish.
Weigh Heads:-
! Spring Balance model 327G - weight capacity 1500 kgs.
! Electronic weigh head model 327GE - is supplied complete with the Salter electronic weigh
head no. LS300, which can read to 1500 kgs and is rated to IP65 making it ideal for use in the
harshest of environments. The unit is fitted with an internal battery and is supplied with a
charger unit. Features include on/off zero, lbs/kgs, print and hold facilities.
5
Installation
Single Pivot
End
20 - 25 mm
Fig 1
Load Support
‘U’ Bolt
PARALLEL
Site the weigh platform on a level and firm
base. Failure to do so may result in inaccurate
weighing.
The crate can be positioned with the weigh
head on either the left or right side.
Note that the weigh platform has a single
pivot to one end with a double pivot to the
opposite end.
Lower the Ritchie Continental Cattle Crate
or improved access cattle crate onto the
weigh platform and attach the single pivot
end first using the ‘U’ bolts provided.
Important! -Ensure that the load supports
are sitting parallel to the crate floor as Fig 1,
with the ‘U’ bolt 20 - 25mm up from the
bottom of the post.
Fig 2 - illustrates incorrect fitting!
Fix the ‘U’ bolts to the opposite double
6
pivotting end, again ensuring the load
supports and the cage floor are parallel.
NOT PARALLEL
Incorrectly
fitted
Fig 2
For other makes of cattle crate - brackets may
have to be fabricated to suit utilising the ‘U’
bolt locations on the load supports.
It is recommended that you do not weld
directly onto the weigh platform!
Fitting the Spring Balance Head
If the weigh head is supplied separately
or has been removed, attach the weigh
head using the hook bolt provided.
Next attach the lower end of the weigh
head to the link bar using the bolt
provided.
Adjust the top nut of the
hook bolt till the cam rests
at the 11 o’clock
position in the foot
pedal catch, Fig 4.
Empty the contents of
the oil bottle into the
dash pot of the
weigh head.
To zero:-
To zero the scale,
ensure the column
carrying the weigh head is
in the vertical position, and
that the crate is empty. Depress
the foot pedal and hold the pedal in
the down position and turn the tare
screw to zero the needle pointer.
Hook Bolt
Tar e Screw
Cam
Dash Pot
Link Bar
Handle
with oil bottle in
transit location
Fig 3
See page 10 for Electronic weigh head instructions.
Foot Pedal
Fig 4
7
Operating Instructions
Fig 5
Attach
Hurdles
to Post
To operate:-
Do not have any auxiliary hurdles or gates
attached directly to the crate as this will
provide inaccurate readings. If hurdles are to
be used attach them to the two vertical posts
supplied with the weigh platform, Fig 5.
If using a Ritchie model 300g cattle crate it
will be necessary to shorten these posts to
10mm above the hurdle lug as shown, Fig 6.
Ensure the column carrying the weigh head
is in the vertical position.
Allow the animal to enter the handling crate
and settle.
To weigh, depress the foot pedal and hold
the pedal in the down position when reading
the weight.
8
10 mm
Fig 6
When weighing an animal is complete,
remove your foot from the foot pedal. When
the animal is released from the handling
crate, the cam will return to the ‘locked’
position on the foot pedal mechanism.
T o gain access via the side doors of the Ritchie
Cattle Handling Crates, pull the handle on
the upright column towards you and pivot
the column to either the left or right side to
suit, Fig 5.
Important - No weighing can take place
whilst the column is in a pivoted position.
Maintenance
All bearings are sealed and do not require
grease. However nipples are provided and
grease can be applied at your discretion,
Fig 7 (circled).
Whilst in use, periodic greasing of the cam
and light oiling of the pedal pivot is
recommended, Fig 8, (circled).
Fig 7
Fig 8
9
Electronic Weigh Head LS300
Load Cell Cable
Fig 9
Power Socket
The LS300, with its specially designed animal
averaging software, has been designed to give
a quick and easy method for obtaining an
accurate weight of a live animal, even if the
animal is moving around.
The indicator comes as standard with an
inbuilt rechargeable battery and a back-lit
display to allow you to use it in poorly lit areas
and where mains power may not be available.
Installation
Unpack the indicator and components from
the box.
Charge the indicator as instructed opposite.
10
When the indicator is fully charged, attach it
to the load cell assembly with the knobs
provided.
Connect the load cell cable to the left hand
socket on the underside of the indicator and
switch on the unit.
Recharging the indicator
Disconnect the load cell cable and remove the
indicator from the load cell assembly.
Attach one end of the charger unit to the
centre socket on the underside of the indicator
and the other end to a power socket (indoors).
It will take around 12 hours to fully charge
the battery.
Scale Operation
Allows the indicator to toggle between kg and lb.
Short press to zero any weight presently displayed.
Long press to switch scale off.
Activates animal averaging function. Allows an animal
to step on the scale, once the weight gets within an
allowable tolerance band the scale will display the
average weight of the animal.
This reading will remain on the scale after the animal
has been removed.
By pressing the Hold key for a second time, this will
release the held weight shown on the display and
return the scale back to displaying live weight.
Allows the displayed weight to be sent to a printer
(if fitted).
Used to switch on scale.
11
Preparing to Weigh
Switch on the indicator by pressing the On
key
(The display will count down from 5 to 1 before
displaying Zero).
With no animal on the weigh platform
depress the foot pedal and hold down until
the weight is displayed, then press the
Zero key.
(Display will zero off any weight shown on the
display).
Release the foot pedal.
(Display will show negative weight).
Normal Weighing
Move animal onto the weigh platform,
depress the foot pedal and hold down until
the weight is displayed.
(The display will show actual weight of the
animal).
55555
Stable Hold
Kg
0.0
Stable Hold
Kg
102.5
Stable Hold
Weighing using Hold function
Press the Hold key
(Hold annunciator will flash).
12
Kg
0.0
Stable Hold
Once the animal is positioned correctly in
the weigher the indicator will
automatically calculate the animal’s
average weight, even if the animal is
moving around.
Once calculated, the hold annunciator will
stop flashing and the animal’ s weight will
be displayed.
This weight will remain on the display until
the Hold key is either repressed or the
scale is switched off.
The Hold key can also be pressed when
the animal is already on the platform. This
allows the operator to quickly resample
the animal’ s weight if the first reading was
thought to be incorrect.
Kg
102.5
Stable Hold
To release the held weight
Press the Hold key again to release the
hold function.
(The scale will return back to displaying the live
weight).
Turning scale off
The indicator will automatically turn off
after 10 minutes if not used, but a long
press on the OFF key will manually switch
off the scale.
Kg
0.0
Stable Hold
Stable Hold
13
Warnings
Safe Use
Safe installation
Safety
!
For your protection all mains (110V or 230V)
equipment used out of doors or in wet or
damp conditions should be supplied from a
correctly fused source and protected by an
approved RCD to BS7071 or BS7288 or
IEC1008-2-2 BS EN 61008: 1995.
The mains lead must be connected to a supply
outlet with a protective earth contact. The
electrical supply at the socket outlet must
provide over current protection of an
appropriate rating.
IF IN DOUBT SEEK THE ADVICE OF A
QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN.
Pluggable equipment must be installed near
an easily accessible socket outlet. Permanently
connected equipment must have a readily
accessible disconnect device incorporated in
the fixed wiring.
Caution - Cleaning the
Indicator / Weigh Head
!
Harsh abrasives, solvents, scouring cleaners
and alkaline cleaning solutions, such as
washing soda, should not be used especially
on the display window. Under no
circumstances should you attempt to wipe the
inside of the machine.
The outside of the product is waterproofed
to IP65 and should be wiped down with a
clean cloth, moistened with water containing
a small amount of washing up liquid or
proprietary detergent.
Note: When the electronic weigh head is not
in use store indoors in dry conditions to
prevent moisture damage.
To avoid the possibility of electric shock
or damage to the machine, always switch
off the machine and isolate from the
power supply before carrying out any
routine maintenance.
14
David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd,
Carseview Road, Forfar, Scotland, DD8 3BT
Tel: 01307 462271 fax: 01307 464081
e-mail: agrisales@ritchie-uk.com
www.ritchie-uk.com
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