Setup Guide - Cattle
How to Setup a New Optiweigh - Cattle
This article explains how to setup a new Optiweigh Cattle unit when it is first being put in the paddock.
Tools:
- Scissors/Knife
- 19mm Spanner / Socket or shifter
- Pliers
- Smartphone with up-to-date Optiweigh app installed
- 8mm Spanner
Be careful unloading your Optiweigh Unit. While it is designed to be robust in the paddock there are electronic components (such as the antenna) that can be broken easily whilst unloading.
Preparation
1. Remove the plastic wrapping from your Unit
2. Remove the straps securing the Unit to the pallet and then remove the wheels and axles from the unit
3. Take the packaging off the wheels and axles then remove the bottom bolt and pull the axle bar out of the axles
Assembly
1. Slide the wheels into the axle slots at the front of the machine
2. Insert Axle bar then tighten bolts
3. Attach top links to unit then axle. *Ensure nut is on unit side*
Lift the wheel to line the holes up!Towing
1. Take out the bottom pin and lower the drawbar
2. Take out the top pin then flip the stiff bar and insert the pin back in to the front of the unit to lock it in place
Whilst towing, leave the spare pin in the top box to ensure it doesn't get lost
3. Once the drawbar is locked in place, lift the unit using the jacks on each side.
a. Use the toggle to change directions (lifting/lowering)
b. Pin the handle in place to make it easier and to ensure it doesn't get lost
4. Lift on to a towball and ensure it is locked before driving off
Do not exceed 40km/h
5. After towing, lower it down by following these instructions in reverse
The unit will zero itself but it is a good habit to zero the unit after towing follow this link for detailed instructions: Zeroing the Unit
6. Zero the unit
a. Connect to the unit WiFi
b. Open Optiweigh App -> Unit Maintenance -> Check Unit
c. Press 'Zero' then stand on the platform to test your weight
Test the tag reader at the same time by waving a RFID tag in front of the reader and listening for a beep!
Usage and Adjustment
Setup in paddock
Place the unit near to water or where the animals camp
This is a very important part of attracting animals, the unit must be where the animals spend time
Ensure the solar panel is facing North
Ensure the the unit is placed on level ground
Adjusting the Force Panels
The force panels on the side can be adjusted to fit the size of animals going on the machine
Instructions:
1. Unscrew the bolt at the bottom of the force panel
2. Flip them inside or out
3. Screw the bolt back on
As a general rule of thumb animals that are:
<200kg = Both panels in
200-500kg = One in, one out
>500kg = Both out
Adjusting the Lick Tub
The lick tub can be adjusted depending on size and shyness of cattle
Instructions:
1. Take out the R-Clips on the sides of the tub tray
2. Lift the tub/tray and slot it in the desired spot
3. Put the R-Clips back in
In general, the tub will never have to leave the middle
For very large animals, the tub may need to be moved back
For very shy animals, the tub may need to be moved forward
The further forward the tub comes, the worse the tag reader will scan
Using the Lick Tub
The lick tub has a limiter bolted on to the bottom of it. This is to stop animals gorging loose product and finishing it too quickly
When filling the tub with loose lick, ensure you take the limiter out, fill the tub, then put the limiter on top
When using blocks, the limiter can stay on the bottom, but ensure you unscrew the bung to stop the tub from filling with water and ruining the block
Connections and Status Lights
Before leaving the unit, it's good practice to check on the connections and status lights
Connections
Ensure the three green plugs for EID, Power, and Load bars are plugged in hard up to the WIC2 box with no wiggle
Ensure the two gold connectors for GPS and Comms are screwed in tight (hand tight + half turn with 8mm spanner)
Status Lights
All lights should be solid green on the WIC2 Box. To diagnose a light that isn't solid green, read this document: WIC2 Status Lights
The main three reasons for red or flashing lights are:
1. Load bars going red means the unit needs to be zeroed (instructions above)
2. WiFi, Load Bars, EID lights flashing green means the unit is in test mode, or there is weight on the platform
3. Comms light flashing green or solid red means the unit is searching for a connection. Often it will take 2-5 mins for the unit to connect, otherwise, feel free to call Optiweigh Support.
If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to call the Optiweigh Support team on 1300 678 493
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