Bureau of Standards Handbook 44, "Specifications, Tolerances and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices", which is hereby corporated by reference. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register on January 11, 1989. These materials are incorporated as they exist on the date of approval and a notice of any change in these materials will be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. Handbook 44 is subject to change annually. This handbook is for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.

Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402. It is also available for inspection at the Office of the Federal Register Information Center, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC 20408.

(b) All scales used by stockyard owners, market agencies, dealers, packers, and live poultry dealers to weigh livestock or live poultry for the purpose of purchase, sale, acquisition or settlement shall be equipped with a printing device which shall be used for recording weight values on a scale ticket or other document used for this purpose.

(c) All vehicle scales used to weigh livestock or live poultry for purposes of purchase, sale, acquisition or settlement shall be of sufficient length and capacity to weigh the entire vehicle as a unit: Provided, That a trailer may be uncoupled from the tractor and weighed as a single unit.

(d) No scales shall be operated or used by any stockyard owner, market agency, dealer, packer, or live poultry dealer to weigh livestock, livestock carcasses or live poultry for purposes of purchase, sale, acquisition or settlement unless it has been found upon test and inspection, as specified in § 201.72 of the regulations, to be in a condition to give accurate weight. If a scale is inspected or tested and found incorrect or inaccurate or if any repairs, adjustments or replacements are made to a scale, it shall not be used until it has been inspected and tested and met all accuracy requirements specified in the regulations.

(7 U.S.C. 222 and 228 and 15 U.S.C. 46)

[49 FR 37374, Sept. 24, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 5074, Feb. 1, 1989; 54 FR 16355, Apr. 24, 1989]

§ 201.72 Scales; testing of.

(a) Each stockyard owner, market agency, dealer, packer, or live poultry dealer who weighs livestock or live poultry for purposes of purchase, sale, acquisition or settlement, or who weighs livestock carcasses for the purpose of purchase on a carcass weight basis, or who furnishes scales for such purposes, shall cause such scales to be tested by competent persons in accordance with the regulations at least twice during each calendar year at intervals of approximately six months. More frequent testing will be required in cases where the scale does not maintain accuracy between tests.

(b) Each stockyard owner, market agency, dealer, packer or live poultry dealer who weighs livestock, livestock carcasses or live poultry for purposes of purchase, sale, acquisition or settlement shall furnish reports of such tests and inspections on forms prescribed by the Administrator. The stockyard owner, market agency, dealer, packer or live poultry dealer shall retain one copy of the test and inspection report and shall file one copy with the regional office for the region in which the scale is located.

(c) When the scales used for weighing livestock, livestock carcasses or live poultry are tested and inspected by an agency of a State or municipality or other governmental subdivision, the forms ordinarily used by such agency for reporting test and inspection of scales shall be accepted in lieu of the forms prescribed for this purpose by the Administrator if such forms contain substantially the same information.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 05900001)

(7 U.S.C. 222 and 228 and 15 U.S.C. 46) [49 FR 37374, Sept. 24, 1984, as amended at 54 FR 16355, Apr. 24, 1989]

§ 201.72-1 Instructions for testing livestock and animal scales.

(a) Adoption of National Bureau of Standards codes in Handbook 44. Inso

far as they are applicable to livestock and animal scales the specifications, tolerances, and regulations for commercial weighing devices, as published in National Bureau of Standards Handbook 44, 3d edition, with amendments through July 1967, shall be applied to all livestock and animal scales under supervision of the Packers and Stockyards Administration, except insofar as differing provisions are set forth in § 201.72-2. The applicable portions of this handbook are set forth in § 201.72-2 and copies are available upon request from the local area supervisor or the Washington, D.C., office of the Packers and Stockyards Administration.

(b) Definition. (1) A proper test is one which fully discloses the accuracy and other performance characteristics of the scale under all conditions which may prevail during actual use. It includes the application of loads of standard test weights in successive stages to the maximum capacity at which the scale is used; it includes separate tests of individual components, such as fractional bars, poises, notches, and main levers of sections which independently may affect weighing accuracy; it demands a reasonably exact determination of the errors which develop; finally, it requires the recording in permanent form of all pertinent data developed during the test.

(2) A competent testing agency is one which employs experienced personnel and utilizes a sufficient amount of standard test weights to conduct tests in accordance with the procedure described in the instructions which follow. Agencies which the Administration considers competent, on that basis, include certain weights and measures departments, railroad scale departments, commercial scale repair and service companies, and stockyards or packers having adequate test equipment and employing qualified scale mechanics or servicemen.

some

(3) A suitable interval between tests is a period of approximately 6 months. In instances where tests and inspections disclose that a scale does not maintain its accuracy between tests or is otherwise undependable, or is mechanically deficient as regards con

struction, installation, or maintenance, more frequent tests may be required.

(4) Livestock scale: A scale equipped with stock racks and gates and adapted to weigh livestock standing on the scale platform.

(5) Animal scale: A livestock scale adapted to weighing single heads of livestock.

(6) Sensitivity response or SR: The change in load required to change the position of rest of the indicating element or elements of a nonautomatic indicating scale a definite amount at any load.

(c) Sensitivity response-(1) Test for sensitiveness for nonautomatic indicating scales. The test for sensitiveness shall be conducted on all nonautomatic indicating scales. SR tests shall be made at zero load and at the maximum test load applied to the scale by either increasing or decreasing the test-weight load on the load-receiving element of the scale. The response of the scale shall be as follows:

(i) On a scale with a trig loop but without a balance indicator. The position of rest of the weighbeam shall change from the center of the trig loop to the top or bottom of the trig loop, as the case may be.

(ii) On a scale with a balance indicator. The position of rest of a single indicator on a scale having a nominal capacity of 500 pounds or greater shall change 0.25 (4) inch or the width of the central target area, whichever is greater.

(d) SR requirements. (1) The maximum SR on a scale not equipped with a balance indicator shall be the value of two of the minimum graduated intervals on the weighbeam.

(2) The SR on a scale equipped with a balance indicator shall be the value of the minimum graduated interval on the weigh beam.

(e) Tolerances. (Applicable with respect to the performance or accuracy of scales.)

(1) Acceptance tolerances. Acceptance tolerances shall apply as follows:

(i) To any equipment about to be put into commercial use for the first time.

(ii) To equipment that has been placed in commercial service within

the preceding 30 days and is being officially tested for the first time.

(iii) To equipment that has been returned to commercial service following official rejection for failure to conform to performance requirements and is being officially tested for the first time within 30 days after corrective service.

(iv) To equipment that is being officially tested for the first time within 30 days after major reconditioning or overhaul.

(2) Maintenance tolerances. Maintenance tolerances shall apply to equipment in actual use, except as provided in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

(3) To tests involving digital indications or representations. To the tolerances that would otherwise be applied, there shall be added an amount equal to one-half the minimum value that can be indicated or recorded.

(4) Minimum tolerance values. (The smallest tolerance that may be applied to a particular scale.)

(i) For livestock scales. The minimum maintenance and acceptance tolerance shall be 2 pounds, or one-half the value of the minimum graduated interval, whichever is greater.

(ii) For animal scales. The minimum maintenance tolerance and acceptance tolerance shall be 1 pound.

(5) Basic tolerance values—(i) Application. Basic tolerance values shall be applied to weighbeam, reading face, and unit-weight indications, and to recorded representations.

(ii) For livestock and animal scales. The basic maintenance tolerance on livestock and animal scales shall be 2 pounds per 1,000 pounds of test load (0.2 percent). The acceptance tolerance shall be one-half the basic maintenance tolerance.

(f) Official inspection and test procedures for livestock and animal scales-(1) Inspection procedure. Before the actual test of any livestock or animal scale is begun, a thorough visual inspection should be made of the scale installation. The weighbeam shelf pillars and/or the dial cabinet should be firmly anchored to a solid foundation. The scale platform should be cleaned of debris and foreign matter which might adhere to the test weights or otherwise be removed

during the test and cause a change in zero-load balance. No other changes or cleaning should be performed since it is important for the scale to be tested "as found" if the results are to truly indicate characteristic weighing performance.

(2)

Test

procedure-weighbeam scales (i) Zero-load balance. With the stock-rack gates closed or otherwise secured in "clear positions" and with all poises at zero, the scale should be accurately balanced at zero with 20 or 25 pounds of small demonination weights on the platform. These balance weights will be used to accurately measure errors and balance changes during the test.

(ii) The SR (sensitivity response). On scales equipped with balance indicators a change in load equal to the minimum weighbeam graduation shall change the position of rest of the indicator 0.25 (1⁄4) inch or the width of the central target area, whichever is greater. On scales not equipped with balance indicators the SR value at zero load should be determined by increasing or decreasing the amount of balance weights necessary to move the weighbeam from a position of rest in the center of the trig loop to a position of rest either at the top or bottom of the trig loop.

(iii) Shift test. A corner test conducted with tests weights equal to approximately one-fourth the nominal capacity of the scale should be applied and centered, as nearly as possible, successively over each main load bearing. In the case of scales of more than two sections, in lieu of a corner test, a shift test should be conducted with a halfcapacity test load successively concentrated on each section of the scale. The amount of error is determined by increasing or decreasing the amount of balance weights on the scale platform to produce a correct balance of the weighbeam or indicator. After the shift test is completed, all test weights should be removed from the scale platform and the zero-load balance carefully checked. Any change from the original amount of balance weights will represent a zero-load balance change, and the new amount will be the basis on which errors at succeeding stages of the test will be computed.

An alternate method is to obtain a new zero-load balance after recording the amount of balance change.

(iv) Increasing-load test-(a) Center test. The fractional bar of the weighbeam should be tested successively at one-half capacity and at full capacity. The fractional poise is then restored to its zero position and the intermediate bar, usually graduated to 900pound capacity by 100-pound intervals, should next be tested at each notch to its capacity. If the scale is not equipped with an intermediate bar, each 100-pound notch should be tested on the weighbeam up to 1,000 pounds.

(b) Distributed-load test. The test should then continue with the main poise set at either successive or alternate 1,000-pound notches and with test loads of corresponding value applied to the platform in a reasonably uniform distribution pattern. At each load the amount of balance weights should be decreased or increased as required to produce a correct balance of the weighbeam or indicator. Any difference between the value of balance weights at zero-load and the load at a given notch will represent the error value. The increasing-load test should proceed up to scale capacity (or "maximum used" capacity). “Maximum used capacity" is determined by multiplying square feet of platform area by 110 pounds for cattle, by 70 pounds for calves and hogs or by 50 pounds for sheep. During this test printed weight values should be checked for accuracy and legibility by operating the weight recording device at representative loads.

(v) The SR (sensitivity response). Value at maximum load should be determined as previously described in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section. The test load should then be removed from the scale platform and the zeroload balance again checked by means of the balance weights.

(3) Alternate test procedure-weighbeam scales. (i) Another commonly accepted testing procedure, which is also approved by the Packers and Stockyards Administration, consists of conducting the increasing-load test first and the shift test last. However, there is a practical advantage in conducting the shift test first, since, in many in

stances, less weight handling is required if adjustments are made following such tests.

(4) Test procedure-automatic-indicating scales. (The testing procedure for automatic-indicating or dial scales corresponds basically to the procedure for testing weighbeam scales.)

(i) Method of determining errors. The use of balance weights is also recommended when testing automatic-indicating scales since certain scales equipped with automatic-weight recorders will not print at dial chart capacity or if overregistration is indicated at chart capacity without the application of a unit weight. This is also applicable on scales which are underregistering at zero when a unit weight is applied. On all other weight determinations made during the test no balance weights are removed since the actual printed weight determines the

error.

(ii) Zero-load balance. Carefully balance the scale at zero with 20 or 25 pounds of balance weights on the platform. The weight recorder should be activated so that a comparison can be made of the recorded and visual zeroload balance. (SR requirements are not applicable to automatic-indicating scales.)

(iii) Shift test. A corner test conducted with test weights equal to approximately one-fourth the nominal capacity of the scale should be applied and centered, as nearly as possible, successively over each main load bearing. In the case of scales of more than two sections, in lieu of a corner test, a shift test should be conducted with a halfcapacity test load successively concentrated on each section of the scale. It is recommended that the shift test be conducted by employing unit weights when the nominal capacity of the scale is sufficient to permit this. By this means it can be determined if the source of any errors developed during the test can be attributed to the lever system of the scale. After the shift test is completed, all test weights should be removed from the scale platform and the zero-load balance checked.

(iv) Increasing-load test-(a) Center test. Test weights should be applied in

100-pound increments up to 1,000 pounds. (b) Distributed-load test. Test weights in 500- or 1,000-pound increments should be applied until scale capacity (or "maximum used" capacity) is reached. Many agencies consider it desirable in testing the dial chart to apply test loads at the four points representing each quarter of the readingface capacity. This procedure has merit particularly if the testing agency is also to repair or adjust the scale. However, in all instances such scales should be tested to the full capacity of the dial chart and all unit weights normally used should also be tested.

(v) Decreasing-load test. This is a special supplementary test for automatic-indicating scales only, during which the performance of the scale is tested, when the test weight load is being reduced. In this test, an observation is made and any error recorded with a test weight load equal to onehalf of the maximum applied test load.

(vi) Zero-load balance. The test weight load should be removed from the scale platform and the zero-load balance again checked. Any balance shift at zero should be recorded. The balance weights used to ascertain errors in the scale during the test should be removed and the scale restored to a zero-load balance.

(5) Test procedure-dual weighing installations. Such installations usually consisting of a weighbeam and dial connected to a single lever system and installed to function independently of each other should be tested by observing and recording separately the performance of each unit. Such tests may be conducted and recorded simultaneously.

(g) Record of test results. The results of each test should be recorded in full detail on official forms No. PS-212, provided by the Administration. (An exception may be made in the case of a State, county, or municipal agency which utilizes forms supplying substantially the same information as is provided for on the official Administration forms). Essential information to be recorded includes:

(1) Identification of the scale by ownership, location, scale number, nominal capacity of the weighbeam or other indicating elements, and the species of livestock weighed.

(2) Identification and address of the scale testing agency and the signature of the local Administration representative present during the test.

(3) Identification of the scale manufacturer, type of scale and serial number of weighbeam and/or dial, and the value of the minimum gradua tions on weighbeam or dial face.

(4) A statement of the maximum and minimum loads of livestock weighed.

(5) Identification of the balance indicator manufacturer, and designation whether the scale tickets are serially numbered.

(6) The date of the present test and of the last preceding test.

(7) The year the scale was installed, size of the scale platform, condition of the approaches, and the depth of the pit.

(8) Data showing the SR value at zero and capacity loads, the amount and position of applied test loads, the errors indicated or printed, and the amount of any zero-balance changes. At the conclusion of the test the scale should be inspected thoroughly and any faulty conditions of installation, construction, or maintenance which may affect the weighing performance should be reported. There should also be included a report of any adjustment or repairs made at the time of test, and of any recommendations made for future repairs, maintenance, or replacement. The test results and other observations are to be recorded on the report under the proper headings as the test proceeds and immediately after observations are made. An original and two carbon copies of the report must be prepared. The original must be forwarded to the area supervisor of the Packers and Stockyards Administration. One copy is for the scale owner and one is for the scale testing agency. Sample reports of weighbeam and dial livestock scale tests conducted in compliance with official instructions are available upon request to the area supervisor or may be obtained