In the Physical Computer Management, you choose what mode the truck will be in. This topic explains how feeding typically works in each mode.
In this mode, a feed truck is used to build loads and deliver them. First, a load is built using the Mix New Load window. Then the Bunk Call/Feed Delivery window is used to deliver the load to pens of cattle. Once all the feed is delivered, the Mix New Load window is used to build the next load and this cycle continues until feeding is done for the day.
Between each load, Fusion will either sync or offer to sync, depending on how you have things set up in the Preferences window in the truck. You should sync as often as your setup allows to ensure that other people using Fusion (in the office, at chuteside, or other feed trucks) have the most up to date information. Also, if something goes wrong with the truck computer, you want Fusion Server to have as much feeding information as possible.
After a load is built, if Fusion detects that there was some feed from the previous load that wasn't delivered, it will automatically distribute it among the pens last delivered to as long as the amount of feed left over is small. If it isn't small, the driver will be asked if they want the left over feed auto-distributed or just ignored. It is also possible to blend part of a load into the next load. In that case, the left over feed is not auto-distributed. Instead, it becomes part of the next load.
This mode should be used in a loader who's sole purpose is to build loads for delivery trucks. The loader can be connected to one or more scale heads and switch between them so that it can build multiple loads in sequence while delivery trucks are out delivering previous loads. When in this mode, the Fusion Truck Main Menu window will have a large Load Menu Window button that should be clicked to begin feeding.
This will show the Loader Menu window. A full sync will automatically occur each time this window is shown. In the middle of the window, Fusion will show which scale head is currently being used. If you are using multiple scale heads, you'll touch the Switch To Next Box button to switch to the scale head associated with the feeding box you want to load next. Once the correct scale head is current, click the Zero Scale and Make a Load button which zeros the scale head you just switched to and then opens the Mix New Load window.
After you have finished making the load, click the Deliver Load button in the Mix New Load window. The load will be saved, Fusion will sync this information back to the server, and the Loader Menu window will be shown be shown again so you can continue the cycle.
If you have left the loader for a while, you can use the Full Sync button to force Fusion to sync again from this window. You can also use the Main Menu button if you want to return to the Fusion Truck Main Menu window.
Note that the actual quantity recorded for a load is based on the scale system in the loader, not the weight recorded in the delivery truck, when in this mode. Also note that Fusion doesn't try to auto-distribute feed in this mode as it does in the Normal mode. In addition, you cannot blend a previous load in this mode. Finally, the Mixing Timer window is not available in this mode.
This mode is for the delivery trucks that are receiving the loads the Multi-box Loader is making. When in this mode, the Fusion Truck Main Menu window will have a large Delivery Truck Menu Window button that should be clicked to begin feeding.
This will show the Delivery Truck Menu window. A full sync will automatically occur each time this window is opened. It then lists all the loads that have been made recently at the location, sorted so the most recent one is at the top. The list shows the Load Number, Ration, the Scale Head that was current when the load was build, the Time when the load was built, and how large the load is (Load). The last column, Delivered, shows how much of the load has already been delivered. Of course, the accuracy of this column depends on how much information Fusion Server has at the moment, but it may help in determining which loads are currently available in the feed boxes.
When you are ready to receive a load into the delivery truck, select it and touch the Choose Load button. Fusion will zero the scale in the delivery truck and ask you to dump the load into the truck. Once the load is in the truck and the scale has settled, click the Proceed button that will be showing and Fusion will adjust the weights for the load. It will then show you the Bunk Call/Feed Delivery window so you can deliver the feed. The Mix Timer window will also be shown.
If you select the load that Fusion thinks is already on the truck, you will be taken directly to the Bunk Call/Feed Delivery window and the scale will not be affected.
If there are more than 200 lbs left on the truck when you choose a load, you will be asked if you want to blend the previous load or zero the scale. If you choose to blend the load, Fusion will account for the ingredients left in the truck from the previous load. However, you must be aware that for Fusion to correctly account for ingredients in the inventory system and for traceability purposes, Fusion does not change the target or actual quantities for either load involved in the blend. Nor does it change the target quantities for any of the ingredients in either load. However, it does increase the actual quantities for ingredients in the new load to reflect the amount that is blended. In practice this ensures that Fusion will calculate invoices, inventory, and other reports correctly, but it does mean that when you view the actual quantities for ingredients in the Daily Feed Detail window, their sum will not match the load's actual quantity when viewing from the delivery truck's perspective. It will also show the actual quantities column in yellow and provide a gear gear button so you can switch back and forth between the two perspectives. Fusion treats this as a manually edited load and shows a note to explain what is going on.
When you have delivered the entire load, click the Mix New Load button in the Bunk Call/Feed Delivery window to return to this window and start the cycle all over again.
If you click the Refresh button, Fusion will do another full sync and refresh the list of loads. You can also touch the Main Menu button to return to the Fusion Truck Main Menu window.
Note that the actual quantity recorded for a load is based on the scale system in the loader, not the weight recorded in the delivery truck, when in this mode. However, the amount of feed delivered to each pen is based on the scale in the delivery truck. Also note that Fusion doesn't try to auto-distribute feed in this mode as it does in the Normal mode.
