Agriculture

Durable and reliable, Interface provides sensor technologies that are used throughout the agriculture industry. Our powerfully built load cells perform in the most extreme environments, and Interface’s highly accurate measurement solutions continue to push the limits and outperform when it comes to our customer’s growing needs.

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AGRICULTURE MANUFACTURERS, FARM AND FIELD, INVENTORY MONITORING, EQUIPMENT TESTING, LIVESTOCK WEIGHING, AND GRAIN MONITORING APPLICATIONS

Agriculture Overview

Whether you are testing tractor engines or weighing feed in silos, the solutions that Interface offer are diverse in capabilities, capacities and use cases. From poultry weighing systems to drones used in crop inspections, our team of experts are able to ensure you get the right solution based on your exact requirements for equipment for your applications.

complete solutions provider

We have a variety of force measurement products that are designed for modern agricultural testing projects and as components for OEMs. Our Interface expert application engineers can help you with standard products as well as design customized solutions for all types of applications using our products that are used for harsh environments, material handling, complex agricultural machines, and extreme weather conditions, engine testing, all ensuring maximum safety and efficiency.

precise data results

Interface load cells and torque sensors are used to give precise data results that is reliable and quintessential for various applications in the agricultural field. For heavy load weighing applications, the A4200 Zinc Plated or A4600 Stainless Steel Weigh-check Load Cells paired with the 1280 Programmable Controller can give accurate measurements.

torque applications

For torque applications in tractors and other vehicles, we have different USB options for torque transducers such as the T12, T15, and T25 Rotary Torque Transducers. These options allow for easy integration with our numerous instrumentation solutions, including both digital and analog.

Wireless Products

Our wireless products have been used in equine reins testing. Our engineers designed a way to measure the bit of the reigns strong poll pressure, to study the cheekpiece tension of the reigns for the horse. We were able to produce a Wireless solution that included two SMA Miniature S-Type Load Cells, that was paired with multiple products from our WTS line. These products were the WTS-AM-1E Wireless Strain Bridge Transmitter Module, and the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station. The customer can see real-time results on multiple interfaces, such as their computer or the handheld device. A Bluetooth solution was also available for customers to this application. With the same load cells being used, it was paired with our BTS-AM-1 Module Bluetooth Telemetry System. All our WTS and BTS products come with the necessary soft-ware.

ideal for agricultural applications

Our Interface Load Cells, Torque Transducers, and Data Acquisition Systems are ideal for different kinds of agricultural applications. These products can be paired together to measure to ensure efficiency, sustainability, and proper production planning. Interface, Inc’s products can regulate through harsh weather conditions such has humidity and unbearable temperatures- while still maintaining a high testing and measurement performance.

Our custom solutions team will work alongside you to create the most effective and efficient solution based on your needs.

SmartFarming_InfographicPoster

Horticulture

Horticulture is defined as the science and art of producing sustainably cultivated plants, vegetables, and fruits. There is a growing awareness of the environment and sustainable living. It contributes to the quality of life while rehabilitating the environment.

As we strive to optimize yields, ensure plant health, and navigate a changing environment, a hidden force holds the key to further advancement: the power of measurement. Specifically, force measurement solutions offer a new lens for horticulturalists, providing crucial data on the intricate interactions between plants and their surroundings.

As horticulture innovation grows, the agricultural industry is witnessing the transformative power of Interface sensor technologies. Interface has made significant strides in measurement solutions using IoT and wireless, supporting e-agriculture and smart farming. Our diverse force measurement sensors are designed for horticulture use cases that are revolutionizing the way we cultivate and manage crops while valuing sustainability.

Horticulture Applications Using Interface Solutions

Product Harvesting and Weighing: Load cells are ideal for scales and equipment that accurately weigh harvested plants, fruits, vegetables, and flowers. This is crucial for inventory management and quality control.

Soil Moisture Monitoring: Load cells can be implemented into equipment that will weigh the soil to ensure or adjust the correct irrigation schedules based on water usage.

Irrigation System Monitoring: Precise irrigation systems using load cells can deliver water to growing beds while effectively reducing water waste and improving yields.

Fertilizer Management: Measurement sensors, including our Mini and LowProfile load cells, can monitor the weight of fertilizer containers or tanks. By monitoring the fertilizer used for plant growth, horticulturists can optimize fertilization practices for better crop health.

Greenhouse Robotics and Automation: Innovation in robotics is used in greenhouses, and to enable this, Interface’s multi-axis sensors can monitor robotic arms used in vertical farming structures to ensure functionality.

From soil rehabilitation to plant breeding, a wide range of metrology and science applications rely on accurate measurements in horticulture. This sector of agriculture plays a huge role in large-scale crop production, providing food for the global masses while simultaneously preserving biodiversity.

With our variety of force measurement sensors, our engineers design products customizable for horticulture applications in extreme environments and machines, all while ensuring maximum safety and efficiency.

Products Used in Horticulture Applications

Load Cells
Mini Load Cells
Torque Transducers
Instrumentation
Load Pins and Tension Load Links
Digital Instrumentation
Wireless and Bluetooth Telemetry Systems

Interface is a valuable partner to the agriculture industry and has developed a wide range of standard and custom solutions. Humanity survives when focusing on our relationship with the natural world. Horticulture dives into the finer nuances of plant care, emphasizing sustainable practices. Interface has thousands of measurement solutions that can aid in growing, managing, harvesting, and sustaining the world’s food supply.

Horticulture_InfographicPoster

Smart AG

Smart AG, also known as smart agriculture and farming, implements advanced digital technologies to enhance agricultural practices. These technologies pel the agriculture industry and continue to grow and develop, improving productivity, managing resources efficiently, and optimizing farming processes.

Interface’s standard and custom sensors are ideal for Smart AG testing and OEM applications. Combining our load cells and torque transducers with digital instrumentation, these measurement solutions improve agricultural processes. They support sustainable farming methods, using sensor-driven equipment and machinery to reduce waste, cut costs, and improve the quality and quantity of crop production.

The rise of IoT devices in connection with Interface load cells and wireless telemetry systems helps with applications used to monitor soil moisture, fertilization, and pest control. Load cells monitor the weight of the material being applied in equipment that applies fertilizers, pesticides, or seeds. This ensures precise application rates, reduces waste, and improves environmental sustainability.

There has also been a rise in the use of our sensors in automation and robotics, such as automated irrigation systems, livestock weighing, and drone crop surveying.

Smart AG Applications Using Interface Solutions

Interface measurement solutions play a crucial role in optimizing the performance and efficiency of smart farming equipment.For instance, their load cells are integrated into agricultural sprayers to precisely monitor and control the amount of fertilizer or pesticide applied. This ensures accurate and uniform distribution of chemicals, minimizing waste and environmental impact while maximizing crop yield. By accurately measuring the load and weight distribution, farmers can optimize the sprayer’s operation, reduce input costs, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

By implementing these technologies, Smart AG helps address challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and the growing global demand for food while minimizing environmental impacts. Interface’s products are reliable and precise and can be paired to ensure proper planning efficiency and sustainability.

Agricultural Machinery

The agricultural sector relies on advanced machines and technology to enhance efficiency, productivity, and safety. From heavy machinery in the fields to industrial weighing systems for livestock, measurement solutions support farmers and agricultural innovation.

Agricultural machinery, including tractors, combines, balers, and planters, operates under demanding conditions requiring precise force and torque measurements. These measurements are crucial for optimizing performance, ensuring safety, and enabling precision agriculture.

Tasks like tilling, harvesting, and material handling involve significant forces that must be accurately monitored to prevent equipment damage and maximize efficiency. Heavy construction equipment used in agriculture, such as excavators and bulldozers, rely on force measurements for digging and pushing operations.

Interface sensor technologies provide the accuracy and reliability essential for optimizing agricultural machinery and systems. Our high-performance force, torque, and weight measurement and instrumentation solutions deliver precise force and torque measurements, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of equipment from design to performance optimization.

Types of Agriculture Machinery and Equipment Using Interface Products

Tractors for drawbar pull measurement, power take-off (PTO) torque measurements, lifting force capabilities, and wheel load monitoring.
Combine Harvesters for measuring cutting force, monitoring threshing force, and monitoring yield related to force and weight.
Forage Harvesters for cropping force measurement and for feed roller pressure monitoring.
Balers (Round and Square) for bale density measurement and tension monitoring of baling mechanisms.
Plows and Tillers for draft force measurement and soil resistance analysis.
Seeders and Planters for monitoring downforce measurement (seed placement) and seed delivery force.
Sprayers for boom arm stress monitoring.
Loaders and Skid Steers for lifting capacity measurement and bucket force analysis
Agricultural Truck, Trailers, and Wagon load and weight measurement and capacity monitoring.

Interface load cells, torque transducers, and OEM solutions are ideal for these applications due to their high accuracy, reliability, and durability in harsh agricultural environments. Integrating these sensors into existing machinery allows for real-time monitoring of critical parameters, enabling optimized performance, preventive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. Interface’s capacity to provide customized solutions further addresses the specialized needs of agricultural equipment manufacturers, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance in diverse applications.

Interface Solutions for Agricultural Machinery for Testing and OEMs

Load Cells
Mini Load Cells
Rotary and Reaction Torque Transducers
Multi-Axis Sensors
Load Pins, Shackles, and Tension Load Links
DAQ Systems
Indicators and Weighing Instrumentation
Wireless Load Cells
Wireless Telemetry Systems
Custom Sensors

Built for Harsh Agricultural Conditions

Agricultural equipment must perform reliably in unpredictable weather, from heavy rain and humidity to extreme temperatures. Interface offers a wide range of sensors engineered to withstand these harsh environments while maintaining exceptional accuracy and performance.

With a proven track record in force measurement solutions, Interface is a trusted partner for the agriculture machinery and equipment industry. Whether you need standard sensors or custom-engineered solutions, we are committed to delivering precision and reliability for agricultural technology manufacturers worldwide.

Farming

To meet growing global demand for efficient, high-production farming, this sector of the agricultural industry is rapidly adopting sensor-based solutions for century-old tasks such as planting, inspecting, harvesting, and transporting crop yields.

By accurately measuring torque, weight, and tension, farmers can prevent catastrophic equipment failure, minimize soil compaction to preserve land health, and optimize resource distribution. In an industry where a single percentage point in yield or fuel efficiency can define success, Interface sensors provide the foundational data needed to build a resilient, sustainable, and high-output food supply across land, sea, and air.

Whether it is a multi-ton autonomous tractor, a drone spraying crops, or a system for weighing the output of a seaweed farm anchored off the coast, the success of the equipment hinges on the ability to measure physical forces with extreme accuracy. Interface provides load cells, torque transducers, data acquisition systems, and wireless systems that are modernizing farms across land, at sea, and in the air.

Challenges of Modern Farming Environments

Harsh conditions are commonplace in farming. Machinery must resist humidity, mud, and dust. Interface ATEX, stainless steel, and sealed sensors maintain high performance in these extreme environments.

Machine optimization is core to OEMs and component makers in the farming equipment industry. To prevent soil compaction, machinery is becoming lighter yet stronger. This requires rigorous fatigue, stress, and torque testing during the design phase.

Aerial stability for equipment used in airborne crop management is gaining in application. Farming drones require precise payload and slosh monitoring to maintain stability during flight.

Subsea performance demands durability in sensor design and IP-rated solutions. Aquaculture systems must withstand saltwater corrosion and storm forces, requiring rugged wireless load pins and shackles.

Examples of Farming Applications Using Interface Products

Tractor PTO Torque Testing and Analysis
Autonomous Farming Vehicle Drivetrain Validation
Silo and Grain Storage Weighing
Farming Drone Payload and Spray Calibration
Underwater Farming Mooring and Fish Pen Safety
Robotic Weeding
Vertical Farm Management
Livestock Health and Breeding Weight Monitoring
Irrigation System Flow and Volume Regulation
Farming UAV Structural Stress and Impact Testing
Seaweed Farming Storm Resilience Monitoring

Interface offers a ruggedized ecosystem of hardware designed for the “smart farm” of the future. Our LowProfile™ and Wireless Load Cells are the industry standard for silo weighing and farming machinery monitoring, while our Rotary Torque Transducers are essential for tractor and heavy equipment analysis to prevent drivetrain failure. For the emerging fields of aerial and subsea farming, our Miniature Load Cells and Wireless Shackles provide high-accuracy data without complex cabling in hard-to-reach environments.

Interface Products Used in Farming

LowProfile™ Load Cells
Weigh-Check Load Cells
Wireless Load Cells
Torque Transducers
Miniature Load Cells
Load Pins and Wireless Load Shackles
Tension Load Links
Multi-Axis Sensors
Wireless Telemetry Systems (WTS)
Digital Instrumentation and DAQ Systems

To translate these critical measurements into actionable data, Interface provides a robust suite of electronics and support equipment. Our Digital Instrumentation and Data Acquisition (DAQ) systems are often paired with Wireless Telemetry Systems to enable real-time monitoring of moving machinery without the risk of cable damage. These components are frequently housed in protective Enclosures to shield them from the elements on active job sites.

By offering Complete Systems, Interface ensures that every sensor and instrument works in perfect harmony, providing a turn-key solution for validating the design, safety, and performance of farming equipment.

Farming Application Use Cases

Farming, Irrigation, and Vertical Farming – Wireless force measurement ensures adequate water volume for safe production. MBI Miniature Beam Load Cells are installed in crop trays to send real-time data to control systems for precise irrigation management.

PTO Torque Analysis – By bolting a T27 Bearingless Torque Transducer to a tractor’s PTO shaft, manufacturers monitor power across soil types. This prevents gearbox shearing and allows for the design of fuel-efficient engines.

Spray Drone Payload Calibration – Miniature Load Cells integrated into drone liquid tanks measure “slosh” and real-time weight. This data enables the flight controller to automatically adjust motor speeds, maintaining stability as the tank empties.

Smart Silo and Grain Management – Weigh-Check or Wireless LowProfile™ Load Cells installed on silo legs provide live inventory data independent of crop type, allowing for real-time distribution monitoring via industrial base stations.

Why Interface for Farming?

Interface is the trusted partner for farmers, equipment OEMs, and engineers. We offer a ruggedized hardware ecosystem designed for the “smart farm,” providing the precision needed to enhance performance in extreme environments. From standard components to custom-engineered robotics solutions, Interface ensures maximum safety, efficiency, and sustainability for the global food supply.

Agriscience and Biotech

Agriscience and biotechnology (biotech) are rapidly advancing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and biological innovation. By integrating principles from genetics, molecular biology, and agricultural engineering, this field enables the development of high-yield crops, disease-resistant plant varieties, precision farming systems, and bioengineered products.

Leveraging sensor technologies, automation, and data analytics in agriscience and biotechnology is shifting traditional farming toward a highly optimized, technology-driven practice. A key component of this technological evolution is the use of Interface’s load cells, which provide highly accurate force, torque, and weight measurements that advance science and innovation.

Agriscience and Biotech Applications Using Interface Products

Precision fermentation and bioreactor weighing
High-throughput plant watering and harvesting systems
Centrifuge and agitator torque monitoring
Automated liquid handling and pipetting
Grain cart and silo weighing
Seed tender and planter monitoring
Fertilizer and pesticide dispensing
Soil compaction testing
Irrigation system pressure and tank monitoring
Precision fermentation and bioreactor weighing
Packaging and vial capping force measurement

Interface Load Cells in Biotechnology Laboratories And Agriculture Equipment

In biotech laboratories, load cells are commonly integrated into bioreactors and fermentation systems. These systems require precise monitoring of media, reagents, and biomass to maintain optimal growth conditions. Interface load cells and torque transducers provide accurate measurement of contents, enabling automated feeding, mixing, and harvesting. This precision is essential for maintaining experimental consistency and scaling production from lab to industrial levels.

In agriscience research, Interface load cells are embedded in seed drills and fertilizer spreaders to monitor and control the exact quantity of materials dispensed. This reduces waste, minimizes environmental impact, and improves crop yield. Similarly, load cells are used in livestock control and management systems to monitor animal weight, helping farmers track health, optimize feeding schedules, and ensure proper growth rates.

Interface sensors, including our load cells, multi-axis sensors, and instrumentation, are used in R&D environments for material testing, such as measuring plant strength, soil compaction, or root resistance. These insights help scientists develop more resilient crop varieties and better soil management practices.

Interface Solutions Used in Advancing Agriscience and Biotech

Load Cells
Mini Load Cells
Torque Transducers
Multi-Axis Sensors
Load Pins and Tension Load Links
Instrumentation
Wireless and Bluetooth Telemetry Systems
DAQ and Complete Systems
OEM and Customized Sensors

Overall, the integration of Interface load cells into agriscience and biotechnology enhances accuracy, efficiency, and scalability across both research and commercial operations. Their role in enabling precise measurement underpins many of the innovations driving the science and research into actual production.

Additional Resources

Products Request a Quote Interface Product Guides

Agriculture Solutions from the IQ Blog

Cultivating Precision in Horticulture with Force Measurement

June 4, 2024/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface offers a diverse range of force measurement solutions specifically designed for horticultural applications. Interface load cells, torque transducers, instrumentation and multi-axis sensors are grounded in science and technology, helping to revolutionize crop cultivation and management. By measuring the intricate forces, harvesting and planting sensor data provides a deeper understanding of plant-environment interactions.

Year in Review of Top Interface Solutions and Applications

January 5, 2024/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface is at the forefront of innovative use cases and applications, providing quality devices worldwide to gather precision measurements. Interface unveils the top industry solutions, product use cases and applications that define force measurement in 2023.

Conveyor Belts Use Load Cells to Keep Things Moving

December 26, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface force measurement solutions are used for conveyor belt design, testing, monitoring, and maintenance systems. Load cells can monitor the load distribution across belts on a production line, ensuring balanced operation, alignment, and preventing the overloading of individual components. Sensor-enabled conveyors are critical in construction, mining, manufacturing, logistics, maritime, and agriculture heavy equipment, systems, and machinery.

Force Measurement Solutions for the Forestry Industry

December 7, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface products are ideal for the forestry industry, whether designing heavy-duty machinery using load cells to prevent overloading or protecting operators with sensor-based alarm systems and monitoring tools. Interface sensors are used in forestry heavy equipment, forest and timber management, logging, wood product manufacturing, pulp and paper manufacturing, and recycling forest products.

Interface Measurement Solutions for the Natural Resources Industry

October 11, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface offers various sensor technologies for research, development, extracting, processing, and preserving natural resources. Our load cells and instrumentation are critical in measuring and monitoring forces, loads, and weight in different processes, equipment, tools, and technologies used in the natural resources industry. The data acquired from Interface load cells provides tremendous value in innovation, R&D, and optimization.

Interface Sensors Optimize Food Canning and Production

October 10, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface provides force measurement sensors and systems for equipment, devices, and machines that produce and package consumable products across various use cases. From harvesting and sorting to processing and packing, force measurements improve quality control, efficiency, and safety in food production and packaging.

Wireless Telemetry Systems 101

September 8, 2023/in 101 Series, Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface offers a wide range of wireless telemetry products including load cells, transmitters, bases, communication modules and data acquisition systems. A wireless telemetry system enables the remote measurement and transmission of data from one location to another without the need for physical wired connections. Components in wireless telemetry systems typically include sensors, transducers, instrumentation, communication modules, transmitters, displays and printers. Learn more about Interface WTS products in our Wireless Telemetry Systems 101 overview.

Interface Measurement Solutions Support Smart Cities

August 31, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

Interface load cell technologies are used in the design and development of smart cities. Force measurement data is valuable for assessing and improving the overall efficiency and sustainability of a city. Load cells are versatile and essential tools for a diverse range of smart city applications. They provide accurate and reliable measurements that can be used to improve safety, resource management, and sustainability. Interface load cells can be used to measure a variety of parameters in smart city development and management, from water resources to recycling. They are used in all types of building material and structural tests.

Interface Solutions for Heavy Equipment

July 20, 2023/in Blog, Infrastructure /by Jamie Glass

Interface force measurement solutions play a crucial role in the design, testing, and use of heavy equipment and vehicles including excavators, bulldozers, loaders, cranes, lifts, mixers, pavers, and compactors. Many considerations in designing heavy machinery are mandated by force limitations and equipment performance testing. Measurement for testing and monitoring come from our high-accuracy load cells, load pins, tension links, load shackles and other weight, force and torque measurement products.

Vertical Farming for Sustainable Food Production on Earth and Beyond

April 20, 2023/in Blog /by Jamie Glass

While vertical farming is currently being explored as a way to increase food production on Earth, it also has applications in space R&D and for food sustainability projects. Interface’s case study, Vertical Farming on Earth and in Space, explores applications, products and solutions for challenges related to farming on earth and beyond. These solutions utilize load cells, multi-axis sensors, wireless instrumentation and devices for irrigation and growth monitoring systems, robotics, and farming equipment . The case study highlights innovation used in collaboration of industries in agriculture, space, and automation.

Industry Solutions

Product Applications

Interface Guides

Custom Solutions

Company Overview

Agriculture

AGRICULTURE MANUFACTURERS, FARM AND FIELD, INVENTORY MONITORING, EQUIPMENT TESTING, LIVESTOCK WEIGHING, AND GRAIN MONITORING APPLICATIONS

Agriculture Overview

complete solutions provider

precise data results

torque applications

Wireless Products

ideal for agricultural applications

Horticulture

Smart AG

Agricultural Machinery

Farming

Farming Application Use Cases

Agriscience and Biotech

Agriculture Applications

Additional Resources

Agriculture Solutions from the IQ Blog

Cultivating Precision in Horticulture with Force Measurement

Year in Review of Top Interface Solutions and Applications

Conveyor Belts Use Load Cells to Keep Things Moving

Force Measurement Solutions for the Forestry Industry

Interface Measurement Solutions for the Natural Resources Industry

Interface Sensors Optimize Food Canning and Production

Wireless Telemetry Systems 101

Interface Measurement Solutions Support Smart Cities

Interface Solutions for Heavy Equipment

Vertical Farming for Sustainable Food Production on Earth and Beyond

Industry Solutions

Product Applications

Interface Guides

Custom Solutions

Company Overview

Agriculture

AGRICULTURE MANUFACTURERS, FARM AND FIELD, INVENTORY MONITORING, EQUIPMENT TESTING, LIVESTOCK WEIGHING, AND GRAIN MONITORING APPLICATIONS

Agriculture Overview

complete solutions provider

precise data results

torque applications

Wireless Products

ideal for agricultural applications

Agriculture Applications

Additional Resources

Agriculture Solutions from the IQ Blog

Interface Products used in Agriculture

1200 Standard Precision Universal LowProfile Load Cell

1100 Ultra Precision Universal LowProfile Load Cell

T27 Bearingless Hollow Flange Style Rotary Torque Transducer

2400 Standard Stainless Steel Low Capacity Universal Load Cell

1280 Programmable Weight Indicator and Controller

INF-USB3 Universal Serial Bus Single Channel PC Interface Module

SSB Sealed Beam Load Cell

SMA Miniature S-Type Load Cell

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