Start With the Gear Meter
Choosing a flowmeter for a Mixmate Flow Stack usually comes down to one simple question: what products are you planning to run through it?
For most applications, we recommend a gear meter. It is a reliable, cost-effective option that comes pre-calibrated and works well with the majority of agricultural chemicals.
There are, however, situations where a magnetic flowmeter, or magmeter, is the better choice. Higher-use-rate products, thicker chemicals, certain products with known compatibility concerns, and applications where speed is especially important can all point toward a magmeter.
Here’s how to decide which is right for your Flow Stack.
The Gear Meter: The Right Choice for Most Applications
The gear meter is our starting point for most Flow Stack configurations. In fact, it is the meter we recommend roughly 90% of the time.
Gear meters work well with a wide range of agricultural chemicals and provide the accuracy and reliability needed for typical bulk chemical applications.
One of the things we particularly like about the gear meter is that it comes pre-calibrated and does not require routine recalibration. That makes it a simple, dependable option for an operation that wants to install the Flow Stack and get to work without having to regularly check or adjust the meter.
If you’re running typical agricultural chemicals at moderate application rates, the gear meter is usually the place to start.
When Does a Magmeter Make More Sense?
A magmeter isn’t necessarily a better flowmeter. It is simply better suited to certain applications.
There are several situations where we may recommend a magmeter instead of the standard gear meter.
– Higher-Use-Rate Products
One of the first things we look at is how much product you’re applying per acre.
As a general rule, we start looking more closely at a magmeter when a product is being applied at more than about 48 ounces per acre.
Higher application rates mean larger volumes of chemical need to move through the Flow Stack. A magmeter can provide higher flow rates, which can help keep the overall loading process moving efficiently.
– Thick Chemicals
Product viscosity is another important consideration.
Some chemicals are considerably thicker than others. As product viscosity increases, the characteristics of the flow through a meter can change.
For thicker products, a magmeter can be a better choice because it can move the product at a higher flow rate and is well suited to these types of applications.
– Certain Chemicals Have Known Compatibility Concerns
Chemical compatibility is another reason to consider a magmeter.
Not every chemical is a good match for every type of flowmeter. There are specific products where we recommend using a magmeter because of known compatibility concerns with gear meters.
Veltyma is one example. Because of known compatibility issues with gear meters, we recommend a magmeter when measuring Veltyma through a Flow Stack.
Other products that may lead us toward a magmeter include Degree Xtra and FullTime.
The important takeaway is that flowmeter selection should consider the actual product being measured—not simply the fact that it is a liquid chemical.
When Speed Matters
Sometimes the issue isn’t whether a gear meter can measure the product. It’s how quickly you want to move it.
Magmeters can provide higher flow rates than the standard gear meter, which can make a noticeable difference when you’re moving large volumes of chemical.
This can be especially important for operations such as aerial applicators, where chemical volumes can be high while carrier rates are relatively low.
In those situations, spending additional time moving chemical through the Flow Stack can slow down the entire loading process. A magmeter can help increase the rate at which those products are transferred.
If speed is a major priority, a magmeter may be worth considering even when the chemical could otherwise be handled by a gear meter.
What About Accuracy?
Both meter types can provide the accuracy needed for automated chemical mixing.
One reason we prefer the gear meter for most applications is its simplicity. The GPI Flomec gear meters we use come pre-calibrated, and under normal operation they do not require routine calibration changes.
Magmeters can also provide excellent accuracy, but we recommend periodically checking their calibration to make sure they continue to perform as expected.
For customers who want a straightforward meter that doesn’t require much attention after installation, the pre-calibrated gear meter is an attractive option.
A Simple Way to Choose
For most Flow Stack applications, start with the gear meter.
Then consider whether your particular products or operation give you a reason to move to a magmeter.
– Gear meter
A good choice for:
- Most agricultural chemicals
- Typical application rates
- Operations where speed is not the primary concern
- Customers who want a simple, pre-calibrated meter
- Applications where the chemical is compatible with the gear meter
– Magmeter
Consider a magmeter for:
- Products applied at higher rates, particularly above about 48 oz/acre
- Thicker chemicals
- Products with known gear-meter compatibility concerns
- Chemicals such as Veltyma, Degree Xtra, or FullTime
- Operations where faster chemical transfer is important
- High-volume applications such as aerial application
The goal isn’t to choose the most expensive meter. It’s to choose the meter that fits the product and the way you operate.
What If You Need Legal-for-Trade Measurement?
Some operations have requirements beyond normal chemical mixing and need a flowmeter that can be used in a legal-for-trade application.
We do have options for building Flow Stack systems with legal-for-trade measurement. However, these are custom configurations and cannot simply be added to an off-the-shelf Flow Stack.
If legal-for-trade measurement is part of your application, let us know when you’re configuring the system so we can build the appropriate setup from the beginning.
Still Not Sure Which Meter You Need?
The right flowmeter depends on the products you’re handling, their application rates, and how quickly you want to move them.
For roughly 90% of Flow Stack applications, the gear meter is the right place to start. When you’re dealing with high-use-rate products, thick chemicals, known compatibility concerns, or an application where speed is especially important, a magmeter may be the better choice.
If you’re not sure which one fits your application, give us a list of the products you plan to run through your Flow Stack and we’ll help determine which meter makes the most sense.