as in the prior art is avoided also serial sampling of the particle sensor data is avoided to increase the information rate instead a comparator that includes a diode in a feedback loop so as to function as a latch is used in conjunction with a serial shift register that has parallel data input lines this enables a microprocessor to monitor the output from a multiple bit memory element which stores a digital representation of the outputs of plural sensor elements at a higher rate than attainable in the prior art as a result of the increased rate at which information can be obtained from the particle sensor elements the microprocessor can not only provide particle flow blockage status data but can also provide particle flow rates for the monitored particle flow paths application_number US 95605397 A description fig1 shows a side view of a tractor 20 intended to represent various types of farm tractors that perform various tasks in a high volume agricultural environment as may be present on a farm in the depiction of fig1 the tractor 20 is towing an air seeding system 22 including a tool bar 24 and an air cart 26 by a tow bar 28 the air seeding system 22 can be any known air seeding system such as the 735 air seeder and 737 air hoe drill both available from the john deere company the tool bar 24 creates multiple parallel furrows in the soil of a field area to be planted dispenses a controlled quantity.