Farms and agricultural businesses often manage tanks spread across large properties, remote paddocks, workshops and customer sites. Checking every tank manually can take time, while an unnoticed low level may interrupt irrigation, machinery operation, feeding or product distribution.
Remote tank monitoring gives authorised users access to reported levels, trends and configured alerts without travelling to every tank for each routine check.
What Can Be Monitored?
A LevelCon system can be configured for a range of agricultural liquids and stored materials, including:
- Water tanks and reservoirs
- Diesel and compatible liquid fuels
- Lubricating oils
- Liquid fertilisers
- Liquid livestock feed
- Selected chemicals and agricultural liquids
- Flow through compatible meters
The correct solution depends on the material, tank, sensor technology and site conditions. A product-compatible sensor must be selected for every application.
How Remote Tank Monitoring Works
- A sensor measures the tank level, pressure, distance to the product surface or another required parameter.
- A monitoring gateway collects the reading and sends it through the configured communications service.
- The LevelCon platform displays reported measurements, historical trends and configured alerts.
- Authorised users check the information from a computer or mobile device.
The sensor may connect directly to the gateway by cable or communicate through a compatible LevelCon wireless network. Wireless does not necessarily mean that every component is cable-free.
Choosing a Sensor for an Agricultural Tank
Hydrostatic pressure sensors
A submersible hydrostatic sensor estimates liquid level from pressure. It can suit many water and compatible liquid tanks, provided the sensor materials and cable are suitable for the stored product.
Radar and ultrasonic sensors
Non-contact sensors measure from above the product surface. They can be useful when contact with the liquid is undesirable, but foam, vapour, condensation, dust, internal obstructions and mounting position may affect performance.
Float gauges and other instruments
LPG tanks, existing gauges, flowmeters and compatible industrial instruments may require different sensor arrangements. Their interfaces and installation requirements should be checked before a gateway is selected.
Using the LevelCon F200
The LevelCon F200 replaces the discontinued StarPin. It is a field-installed gateway that connects compatible sensors to the LevelCon cloud platform.
The F200 supports several common industrial interfaces, including RS-485, RS-232, 4–20 mA, 0–5 V, I²C and pulse input. Its integrated solar reservoir and serviceable primary battery make it suitable for selected remote locations where mains power is unavailable.
For mobile tanks and trailers, the F200 also provides motion-activated multi-GNSS location capability. The reporting interval, network coverage and installation must be assessed against the intended tracking requirement.
Practical Benefits for Agricultural Operations
Reduce routine inspection trips
Remote readings can reduce travel performed solely to check tank level, particularly where tanks are spread across a large property or located at customer sites.
Plan refilling and deliveries
Reported levels and historical trends can help staff prioritise water, fuel, fertiliser or feed replenishment before a tank reaches a critical level.
Respond to level changes
Configured alerts can notify authorised users when a reported level crosses a threshold or when selected events occur. Alerts support faster investigation but do not replace site inspections or emergency procedures.
Monitor several locations in one platform
The LevelCon platform can display connected tanks and assets in a central dashboard, helping teams review distributed inventory without maintaining separate manual records for each location.
Questions to Answer Before Selecting a System
- What material is stored in the tank?
- What are the tank dimensions, shape and capacity?
- What level range and accuracy are required?
- Is the tank stationary or mobile?
- Are there foam, vapour, dust, agitation or internal obstructions?
- What power and cellular coverage are available?
- How often does the organisation need a reported reading?
- Are there hazardous-area or chemical-compatibility requirements?
- Who needs access to alerts, reports or API data?
Remote Monitoring Is More Than the Gateway
The gateway is only one part of the system. Reliable monitoring depends on selecting the correct sensor, installing it properly, configuring the tank dimensions and confirming the communications service.
Metromatics can help assess these requirements and recommend a suitable combination of sensor, F200 gateway and LevelCon platform services.
Discuss Your Agricultural Monitoring Requirement
Contact Metromatics with details of the tanks, materials, locations and information you need to monitor. We can help configure a LevelCon solution for agricultural applications throughout Australia and New Zealand.