data processing unit receives data from the scale and determines a moisture content based on the data application_number US 85805901 A description while it is to be understood that practice of the present invention is suitable for moisture testing of any concentrate the following description will focus on an analyzer constructed in accordance with the present invention adapted for testing of iron ore concentrate fig1 depicts an on line moisture content analyzer 10 that can be located in an ore processing facility operation of the various components of the analyzer is controlled by a controller shown generally within a housing 12 the analyzer 10 has a supporting structure shown generally as 20 that supports a sliding carriage 30 that rides on rails 32 the supporting structure 20 also supports a laboratory grade scale 60 and a sample plow 41 an oven 50 is located in proximity to the supporting structure and is accessible by a sample holding arm 35 that releasably grips a sample pan 40 the sample pan 40 has a handle 145 with several docking holes not shown that engage corresponding pins 132 fig4 on a gripping member 37 according to the invention the sliding carriage moves the arm 35 from a sample conveyor 92 such as a roach model 350 sb conveyor equipped with a variable speed drive motor assembly where it receives an ore concentrate sample in the pan 40 to the scale 60 where the sample is weighed after the sample is weighed the arm.