FAQs

First, check your wiring using the Test: Valve Wiring screen. For example, when you press your sprayer’s left up switch, the display should show LUP.  

If all functions show correct wiring, but Test: Try Valves cannot move the booms, you may have an open center or load sensing hydraulic system that uses a Master valve (also known as a dump valve, jam valve, or unload valve).

You need to connect the RiteHeight MASTER output in the junction box to the Master valve using the WA0226 Extra Solenoids cable and enable the MASTER output in the Machine Setup menu.

The Master valve is usually located at the very end of the hydraulic manifold and has a single solenoid that usually looks different from the other solenoids on the manifold.  The Master valve is located under the tank on John Deere sprayers, on a small square manifold with two solenoids (the Master solenoid is the smaller solenoid of the two).

Many pull-type sprayers do not have separate up and down solenoids for each cylinder.  Instead, they have only one solenoid for each cylinder and use a Directional valve to control the direction of oil flow (into or out of the cylinder).  In the Machine Setup menu, enable the DIR. VALVE.  Use the WA0226 Extra Solenoids cable to connect the DIR output of the RiteHeight junction box to the Directional Valve on your sprayer.  The Directional Valve is usually located at one end of the hydraulic manifold and usually looks different from the other solenoids.

Use the Test: Try the Valves option to test whether the RiteHeight system can move each boom up and down. 

If not, use Test: Valve Wiring to check if the connections to the solenoids are correct.  For example, when you press your sprayer’s left up switch, the display should show LUP. 

If you experience this, please check the following:

– First, make sure you have run the Self-Cal procedure, as described in the manual.  Ensure the oil is at full pressure and operating temperature, and the sensors are pointed at flat ground (a gravel yard is ideal).  On a pull-type sprayer, make sure the tractor’s remote flow rate is the same during Self-Cal as when you are spraying.
– Make sure the Deadband is not set too small.  A value of 6.0″ (15 cm) generally works well.
– Try changing the Motion Control settings to a slower setting.  Start by adjusting the LEFT DOWN and RIGHT DOWN settings first.
– Check the Quick Raise Height setting and ensure it is not set too close to the target height.
– You can help stabilize boom control operation by minimizing the uncontrolled motion of the boom. Ensure that any shock absorbers are in good condition, and replace them if necessary. If the boom has an auto-levelling feature, adjust it for minimum action or consider locking it out completely.
– If your boom hydraulics are very fast, it may be necessary to install flow restrictors. This reduces the hydraulic flow rate, helping to achieve stable control. You can use one-way flow restrictors to reduce the downward speed of the boom hydraulics but maintain fast upward speed.

If the RiteHeight system is not raising the booms fast enough to keep them from hitting the ground, try the following:

– Reducing the CONFIG Delay for Up setting will cause the RiteHeight system to lift the booms more quickly.
– Setting the CONFIG Quick Raise Height to 10 inches (25 cm) below the target height will cause the RiteHeight system to lift the boom immediately when it gets too close to the ground, skipping the usual Delay for Up time.
– Avoid setting the MOTION CONTROL settings for LEFT UP and RIGHT UP too slow. Usually, the default value of 3 works well.
– The RiteHeight system can only move the booms as fast as the hydraulics will go.  For a pull-type sprayer, try increasing the tractor’s remote flow rate — but remember to repeat the Self-Cal procedure when you change the flow rate.  On some sprayers, restrictor orifices are installed in the lines to the boom lift cylinders. Removing these orifices or replacing them with less restrictive orifices can speed up boom movement.
– If the booms move faster going down than up, consider installing one-way flow restrictors to reduce downward speed but maintain full upward speed.

This indicates the sensor is working but is not getting a reading. This can happen if the boom is very high above the ground. If you are seeing — all the time for a sensor, check for dirt or debris on the sensor.  Also, check the sensor cable to see if it has been pinched or damaged.

This indicates the sensor is not functioning.  Check the sensor cable to see if it has been pinched or damaged. If you see no apparent problems, you can try swapping the sensor with another to see if it works there.

This message indicates that the console (box with keypad and display) in the cab cannot communicate with the junction box (square box where the sensor and solenoid cables connect).

Check the WA1055 (or RH229) cable to see if it has been pinched or damaged.  

Then check inside the junction box to ensure the WA1055 cable is wired correctly (wiring instructions are inside the junction box lid).

First perform the Belt Length calibration, and then the Tare calibration.  Then go to the Run screen and clear the load weight (press the down arrow on the console).  Now run a substantial quantity of product over the conveyor.  A full truck load makes a good calibration weight.  You need to have the actual weight of product, for example from a truck scale.  After you finish running the load of product over the conveyor, note that the Run screen will show a load weight, which is most likely quite wrong.  Exit the Run screen and go to Calibration: Span.  The first number displayed is the Monitor weight from the Run screen.  Simply accept this by pressing ENT.  You are then prompted to enter the Actual weight of the product.  Use the arrow buttons to enter the weight and press ENT.  Then press ENT again to confirm you want to save the new calibration data.  You can now go back to the Run screen and select the next load number (right arrow button).  The next batch of product should be weighed accurately.

Each Span calibration builds on the previous Span calibration.  Performing several Span calibrations in quick succession makes it very difficult to confirm the accuracy of any of them.  Stop doing Span calibrations for a while, and record several load weights in a row.  If you see that the conveyor scale’s weights are consistently off by the same percentage, then perform a single Span calibration to correct the error.  Then watch several loads to assess the accuracy of the calibration.

The count during Belt Length calibration shows the revolutions of the conveyor drive shaft.  If the conveyor is running but the count stays at zero, there is a problem with the drive shaft sensor.  Check that the sensor is installed close enough to the magnet — there should be about 1/4 inch (6mm) between the sensor and the magnet at closest approach.  Check that the sensor connector is firmly plugged into the cable.  Check for damage to the sensor or the cable.

A good installation and consistent operation can produce results within 1%.  If you’re seeing significant weight errors check the following:

– Make sure the load cell weighing roller or area is exactly in line with the rollers or supporting floor before and after the weighing area. Use a straight edge (such as a 4ft bubble level) to check this.  Adjust the load cells up or down until everything is exactly in line within 1 mm. 

– In the TEST menu check the load cell readings.  You will see numbers for both load cells.  With an empty belt, the readings are usually in the range of 5 to 20 pounds (3 to 10 kg).  If one or both readings are very high or very low, check whether the load cell wiring in the junction box is correct.  Also check the load cell cables for damage. 

– The two load cell readings should be relatively close, normally no more than 1 or 2 pounds different.  If they differ by more, check to see if there is a mechanical reason for the difference.  However, do not adjust the load cells up or down if they are already aligned accurately (as explained above) — mechanical alignment is more important than matching weight readings.  Push on each load cell separately and make sure you see a response on the display.  Check to make sure the arrows on the load cells point down (in the direction of the force).

– Make sure that you perform occasional Tare calibrations.  Typically a Tare calibration should be done once a day, after the belt has had some time to warm up.  If dirt or mud is building up or flaking off, more frequent Tare calibrations may be necessary.  You can test the quality of the Tare calibration by watching the load weight in the Run screen with the belt running empty.  After running for 1 minute, the load weight should drift up or down by less than 10 pounds. 

– If a fresh Tare calibration still shows the load weight drifting too much, repeat the Tare Length calibration and let the belt go around an extra time or two.  The Tare Length should typically run between 30 and 60 seconds.

– If the drive shaft runs very slowly, some weight may be missed.  Use TEST: SPEED SENSOR to check the shaft RPM at slowest operating speed.  If it is less than 30 RPM, go to CONFIG: INTPUT/OUTPUT: BELT SENSOR and reduce the Min Belt RPM setting to a value slightly lower than the lowest operating RPM. 

– If the conveyor is inclined, look for roll-back during operation.  If there is significant roll-back in the load cell weighing area, accurate weighing will be impossible.  Consider slowing belt speed to keep the belt fuller, which usually reduces roll-back.

– When comparing with load weights from a truck scale, make sure that all the product that passes over the load cells ends up in the truck. 

This can happen with slow conveyors.  Use TEST: SPEED SENSOR to check the shaft RPM at slowest operating speed.  If it is less than 30 RPM, go to CONFIG: INTPUT/OUTPUT: BELT SENSOR and reduce the Min Belt RPM setting to a value slightly lower than the lowest operating RPM. 

This message indicates that the console (box with keypad and display) in the cab cannot communicate with the junction box (square box where the sensor and solenoid cables connect).  Check the WA1055 cable to see if it has been pinched or damaged.  Then check inside the junction box to make sure the WA1055 cable is wired correctly (wiring instructions are on the inside of the junction box lid).

The console has a built-in clock with battery backup.  During installation you need to set the date and time in the Config menu.  Once this is done, the internal backup battery will maintain the date and time for up to 5 years.  When the battery is depleted, you will see the “Clock not set” message again.  You will need to replace the battery (type 1225).  For complete instructions, refer to the manual.

Use TEST: SPEED SENSOR to check the shaft RPM with the conveyor running at normal speed.  If the RPM jumps around a lot, there may be an electrical noise problem interfering with the shaft sensor.  Make sure the shaft sensor cable is routed away from any electrical wires or conduit.