Ultrasonic Sensors in Agricultural Automation

In modern agriculture, sensors are used to reduce labor, increase production, and limit waste. Migatron offers intrinsically safe ultrasonic sensors for silos, grain elevators, chemical tanks and more.

turf harvesting equipment with ultrasonic sensors

Applications of Ultrasonic Level Sensors in Farming

Level monitoring in a grain bin with ultrasonic sensor

Non-Contact Level Sensors for Grain Bins

Featured Ultrasonic Sensor: RPS-409A-IS2

Grain bins require continuous, accurate level monitoring to prevent overfilling, optimize storage space, and automate auger control. The RPS-409A-IS2 Intrinsically Safe Ultrasonic Sensor is ideal for this use.

Why RPS-409A-IS2

  • Long-range capability (up to 216 inches) fits large storage bins.
  • Intrinsically Safe approvals for Hazardous Locations and Explosive Atmospheres.
  • Non-contact and durable—suitable for dusty and humid environments.

How It Works  

  • Mounted on the bin ceiling, the RPS-409A-IS2 monitors grain height in real time.
  • Its analog voltage output is fed into a PLC or digital panel meter (e.g., PD6000) for continuous display and alarm settings.
  • Calibration flexibility allows farmers to set high/low thresholds for alarms or automate unloading processes.

Stack Height Monitoring for Agricultural Materials

Featured Ultrasonic Sensor: RPS-4000

The RPS-4000 is a strong fit for long-range bulk material measurement because it is designed for level control of both liquids and bulk materials. It also includes signal conditioning to help distinguish real targets from false echoes and electrical noise.

How It Works:

  • The RPS-4000 ultrasonic sensor is mounted above the material stack, bin, or storage area.
  • The sensor emits ultrasonic pulse toward the material surface and measures the returning echo to determine distance.
  • As the stack height increases or decreases, the 4-20mA analog output changes proportionally.

Why RPS-4000

  • Up to 40 ft sensing range for larger agricultural storage and material handling applications.
  • 4-20mA output works well with common industrial control systems.
stack height measurement with an ultrasonic sensor

Sensors for Agriculture

Our line of Intrinsically Safe Ultrasonic Sensors are engineered to perform reliably in the dusty environments found in agriculture and farming. Whether you need hazardous area sensors of agriculture chemicals or bulk material level sensors for grain elevators, our sensors provide certified protection that is required for hazardous locations while delivering accurate, non-contact measurement you can trust.

Sensors That Work For Agriculture

Agricultural equipment depends on reliable sensing in dusty and humid environments. Our ultrasonic sensors provide non-contact measurement for solids, liquids, bins, tanks, hoppers, and conveyors, helping OEMs improve automation without adding moving parts or contact-based sensing components. 

Key Agriculture Applications

  • Grain bin and hopper level measurement
  • Feed, seed, and fertilizer level monitoring
  • Liquid level monitoring in tanks
  • Bulk material detection on conveyors
  • Equipment positioning and presence detection
  • High and low level alarm points
  • Filling process control and overflow prevention
  • Stack height and material height measurement

Ultrasonic Success Stories in Agricultural Applications

See how Migatron’s ultrasonic sensors solve real-world challenges in agriculture and farming applications: