The Wagner L601-3 is a hand-held, pinless moisture meter built for primary mills and wood products plants where lumber has to be scanned quickly. Wagner designed it for the demanding environment of the mill floor, where boards are checked end to end rather than spot-tested.
Even large boards can be scanned from end to end in seconds, which makes moisture measurement easier, more thorough and more accurate than checking a few spots with pins.
The L601-3's Wood-Friendly™ electromagnetic waves penetrate beyond the surface to a depth of 25.4 mm (1 in) and give an instant averaged reading of the board's moisture content (MC) over a 63.5 × 63.5 × 25.4 mm (2.5 × 2.5 × 1 in) scanning area.
All Wagner Meters Read in the Wood, Not on the Wood
Wagner states that this meter's readings are virtually unaffected by wood temperature or by moisture sitting on the surface of the board.
Primary mills can take readings with confidence on wood just pulled from the kiln. Other wood manufacturing facilities can rely on repeatable readings when measuring boards end to end, which matters when every wet spot has to be found, for example in the production of laminated beams.
Key Features
- Available in two versions, pre-calibrated for either Douglas-fir (DF) or Southern yellow pine (SYP). Either way, the instruction manual includes species adjustment tables for more than a hundred of the most used hardwood, softwood and imported species.
- Non-invasive scanning that does not mar or damage the surface of the wood being tested.
- Low battery light that warns when voltage has dropped to the point where the batteries must be changed for the meter to function properly.
- An optional Calibration Verification Block (CVB) can be purchased separately to confirm the meter is properly calibrated.
- Automatic shut-off (battery saver).
- 1-year warranty.
Which Calibration Is This Listing?
CCW's part number WE890-60131-001 carries Wagner part number 890-60131-001. Wagner distributors list 890-60131-001 as the Douglas-fir (DF) version and 890-60131-002 as the Southern yellow pine (SYP) version. If you need the SYP calibration, ask us before ordering. Neither species is native to Australia, so plan to use the species adjustment tables in the manual for local timber.
Specifications
| Size | 215.9 × 101.6 × 95.25 mm (L 8.5 × W 4 × H 3.75 in) |
|---|---|
| Scanning area | 63.5 × 63.5 mm (2.5 × 2.5 in) |
| Scanning depth | 25.4 mm (1 in) |
| Display resolution | 1.0% |
| MC range | 5–30% |
| Weight | 0.453 kg (16 oz) |
| Power | 4 × AA batteries (Wagner quotes about 50 hours of continuous use) |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Wagner part number | 890-60131-001 |
Operating Advice
- Scan with the sensor flat on the board face. The reading is an average of the scanning area, so move along the board to find wet spots rather than relying on a single reading.
- Apply the species adjustment from the manual for any species other than the one the meter is calibrated for.
- Replace all four AA batteries when the low battery light comes on; readings taken on low voltage should not be trusted.
- Check the meter against the CVB at the start of a QC shift or after the meter has been dropped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the L601-3 damage the timber?
No. It is a pinless meter that uses electromagnetic waves, so it does not mark the surface.
How deep does it read?
To 25.4 mm (1 in), averaged over a 63.5 × 63.5 mm (2.5 × 2.5 in) area.
Can I use it on species other than Douglas-fir or Southern yellow pine?
Yes. The manual includes species adjustment tables for more than a hundred species. Specific gravity determines the correction.
Does it store readings?
No. The L601-3 is a direct-reading meter. For recorded readings and stack probing, Wagner's recording meter is the L5300, which has replaced the L622 in Wagner's range. Ask us about availability.
How do I check it is still accurate?
Use the optional Calibration Verification Block, sold separately.
Downloads
- Specific Gravity Determination Help
- L601-3 Handheld Moisture Meter PDF Douglas Fir Manual
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