Optimizing yields with Zemic load cells in the Green Growth Yield Monitor

Agriculture has always relied on insight into the land, knowing which rows yield more and where the most input is needed. Today, accurate yield data plays an even greater role in helping farmers make these decisions more efficiently. Green Growth is an agritech company founded by engineers and data scientists with that same focus. With offices in the US, Latvia, and Spain, they develop smart farming equipment and retrofit solutions for yield monitoring to make the harvesting of crops such as potatoes, grains, and sugar beets more accurate. They serve contractors and large agricultural enterprises in Europe, the United States, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Their platform enables farmers to harvest with precision by generating yield maps, linking data to exact locations in the field, and ultimately reducing the use of fertilizer and seeds by optimizing distribution strategies season after season. Green Growth faced a challenge, as they needed a sensor that could withstand the harsh conditions on harvesters while still fitting into their Yield Monitoring kits. This case study explains how Zemic advised Green Growth and which sensor was the perfect match for this application. 

Zemic load cells & Green Growth

• Development of precision sensors
• Accurate yield monitoring and data-driven harvesting
• Robust load cells suitable for harsh agricultural environments
• Reliable force measurement when submerged in dirt, water, and dust
• Rapid availability and accessibility of multiple sensor options

How Zemic advised Green Growth

With the potential to reduce fertilizer use and lower seed and soil sampling costs by up to 30%, Green Growth’s yield monitoring system offers farmers a clear advantage during harvest. The system delivers up to 98% of harvesting accuracy while operating on existing machinery, eliminating the need for new equipment or complex installations. 

Green Growth's solution required a robust sensor capable of delivering accurate measurements even in harsh environments involving dirt, water, dust, and vibrations. During the development of the Yield Monitor system, Green Growth tested various load cell models, with Zemic Europe remaining closely involved to find the perfect match for these applications. Green Growth appreciated the build quality, accessibility, and availability of various Zemic sensors, which enabled them to experiment.

The Zemic B8Q shear beam load cell proved to be the most suitable sensor for this application. Thanks to its compact geometry, IP67 protection class, and reliable force measurements under load, this was the only sensor that met all these requirements.

The load cells are attached to compact rollers installed on the conveyor belt of a harvesting machine. The force measurements are analyzed and calibrated by Green Growth software. This provides real-time cloud mapping for the farmers and offers valuable insights for next year's harvest.

Key benefits for Green Growth: 

• A load cell that fits on the compact rollers
• Technical support and availability of sensors for testing
• Robust load cells for reliable force measurements

Which Zemic load cell is used? 

Green Growth uses the Zemic B8Q shear beam load cell, a stainless steel model with a compact design, suitable for various weighing and force measurement solutions. 

The Green Growth team was clear about what they needed: a sensor that simply wouldn't break.

“This load cell is designed for the harsh conditions of harvesting machines, where our sensors are constantly submerged in dirt, water, and dust yet must remain operational. Furthermore, it offers the most suitable geometry and capacity for our specific applications, including the installation of compact rollers on the conveyor belt.”– Green Growth

The B8Q load cell is widely used in various weighing solutions, including in the agricultural sector, for example in hopper, floor, and other electronic scales. The load cell features high accuracy, high-quality build for harsh environments, is easy to install, and has a low profile for a perfect fit in many applications.

Key features of the B8Q load cell:

• Stainless steel design
• Protection class: IP67 for reliable operation in harsh environments
• Low profile 
• T-end loading hole option
• Current calibrated (SC option)

Zemic has a specially equipped sensor department where our engineers work continuously on designing, sampling, and producing custom-made load cells and strain gauges. We gladly accept the challenge of developing the weighing solution for every project. 

You can find more information about our load cells, such as the various characteristics, here.

Read the entire case study here.