The Precision Information Processor (PIP) for Automatic Hay Preservative Application

All Automatic hay preservative applicators for large square balers now come with an additional Precision Information Processor (PIP).  The PIP stores bale information collected during baling and the preservative application process and uses that information to create a unique profile for every bale made.   The automatic preservative application process will remain as easy and reliable as it always has been, but the addition of the PIP gives the producer the option to expand the automatic system to include bale identification.  The Crop ID Bale Identification System utilizes the information from the PIP to create a readable tag that attaches to every bale made.

The Tagger


tag on bale


inside of tag showing antenna and microchip

The Tagger
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has grown rapidly and has applications ranging from retail merchandise control all the way to automated highway toll collections.  The tagger does essentially the same thing, but for your large square bales.  A 16.5” x 16.5” x 30” tagging device mounts on the top of the bale chamber.  The tagger holds a roll of 850 vinyl tags that contain a tiny microchip and antenna for receiving and transmitting.  As the bale is passing through the chamber, two arms on the tagger reach down and lift the twine just long enough to wrap a RFID tag securely around the twine, applying one tag per bale.   As the bale is pushed out of the chamber, it passes under an antenna mounted at the rear of the chamber.  The tagger uses a radio frequency transmitter to send specific bale information to the receiver antenna in the tag.  This bale information is stored in the tags microchip and includes:

• Bale ID Number
• Field Name
• Date and Time Bale Was Made
• Average Moisture of Bale
• High Moisture of Bale
• Amount of Hay Preservative Applied
• Bale Weight (calculated average of previous three bales if your baler is equipped with a bale scale)

The Bale Tag Scanner

The uses for tagged bales are numerous, ranging from inventory control to management applications.  To view the information contained on the tags, a RFID tag scanner is required.  The tag on the bale transmits its information to a receiver in the scanner.  The scanner translates the information from each tag and displays it on the screen. The push button keypad can then be used to navigate bale information to sort and group bales, accepting or rejecting bales based on the operator’s criteria.  All data can be saved to a removable USB drive and downloaded to a computer.  The bale tag scanner can be used in two different ways, hand-held or loader-mounted.

In hand-held operation, the scanner can read bale tag information on one bale at a time from a distance of up to ten feet away.  The tag does not have to be visible in order to be read.