PSD- 4200 Livestock Scale Test Report

OMB Control No. 0581-0308

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
FAIR TRADE PRACTICES PROGRAM
PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS DIVISION

2a. Test Agency

3a. Scale Owner

b. Address

b. Physical Address of Scale

c. City

d. State e. Phone

1 Page

Livestock Scale Test Report

f. E-mail

c. City

4. Indicator Manufacturer 5. Serial Number 6. Model Number

d. State

7. Type of Indicator
Beam
Dial

Digital

Balance Indicator

8. Type of System
9. Scale Capacity 10. Scale Division 11. Accuracy Class 12. Platform Size 13. Used Capacity
Straight
Truss
Pipe
Not Marked
X
Pipe and Load Cell
Marked III
lbs
lbs
Marked III L
lbs
4 Cells
6 Cells
14. Primary Category Livestock Weighed 15. Accessories:
Cattle
Hogs
Sheep/Goats
Motion Detection
AZT (auto-zero)
Printer
Video Displays
Scoreboard
Computes: Head/Avg.Wt.
Scale & Computer are Interfaced Software Company __________________
16. Test Date
17. Previous Test Date
18. Condition of:
(mm/dd/yyyy)
(mm/dd/yyyy)
a. Gates and Racks _______________________________
b. Scale Deck ____________________________________
c. Scale Pit ______________________________________
d. Access to Scale for Testing _______________________
Test Data
19. SR (Sensitivity Response) or Discrimination Test – As Found Zero 20. Motion Detection – As Found
Load = __________ lbs Maximum Load = ____________ lbs
Range = ___________lbs
22. Test Weights
Position
Weight
(22a)
(22b)

Balance
Weights
(22c)

Error Weights
or Indicated
Weight
(22d)

Error
Column
c-d
(22e)

22. Test Weights
Position
Weight
(22a)
(22b)

Balance
Weights
(22c)

21. AZT (auto zero)
Range = _______________ lbs
Error Weights
or Indicated
Weight
(22d)

Error
Column cd
(22e)

Balance

23. Decreasing Load Test
Balance
1
8
25. Test Results

2
7

24. Shift Test
3
6

Marking approved indicates that the errors indicated on this test report are within the
accuracy requirements specified in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Handbook 44 as required in the regulations (9 CFR 201.71)

4
5
Approved
Condemned
Rejected
Other ___________

26. Remarks (If serial number has changed, please note here)
27. Receipt of Report Acknowledged (Signature):

28. Scale Inspector (Signature):

Response is required in order to assure that tests and inspections have been made on scales to show their accuracy so that livestock may be
weighed (9 CFR 201.72). Information held confidential (9 CFR 201.96).

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Explanation of Terms and Abbreviations
1. Test Weight Position (Corners and Sections).
The corners and sections of a scale platform are designated as shown in diagrams below when an observer is
standing in the weighing position facing the scale platform.

2. SR (Sensitivity Response).
SR is a measure of the sensitiveness of a scale and is defined as the change in load required to change the position
of rest of the indicator a definite amount. The term SR does not apply to automatic indicating scales
3. Errors.
If the scale indication exceeds the value of the applied test load (overregistration) the error is designated as plus (+).
If the scale indication is less than the value of the applied test load (underregistration) the error is designated as
minus (-).
Suggestions to Owners of Livestock Scales
The following suggestions and recommendations are offered in the interest of improving maintenance and livestock
weighing practices.
1. Visibility.
less than ½ inch, and edges should be undercut.
The weighbeam, dial, or digital instrument should be
5. Stock Racks.
Stock racks should be of substantial wooden or steel
located so that the weighmaster has a full and
construction, and be firmly anchored to the platform.
unobstructed view of the platform, stock racks and
gates.
Stock racks should have a clearance of at least 3
inches from all adjacent structures and have adequate
The weighbeam, dial, or digital instrument should be
side protection to prevent interference during the
located so that the weighing will be done in full view
weighing.
of the interested parties.
2. Installation.
Entrance and exit gates on stock racks should swing
Careful installation by a competent scale mechanic
freely and have positive latches. The preferred
will tend to reduce maintenance costs and improve
location of gates is at the ends of the platform rather
weighing accuracy. Scales are precision devices and
than the sides.
require regular maintenance to assure continued
6. Maintenance.
accuracy.
The scale should be regularly serviced by a
competent scale technician.
Ready access to the scale pit should be provided
through the neck of the pit or by an outside entrance.
The lever system and structural steel in the pit should
be kept well painted.
For a fully electronic load cell scale, access to the
weighing elements (load cells) must be provided for
Pivots and bearings should be packed with a
the purpose of inspection and maintenance of the
protective grease. Periodically this grease should be
weighing elements.
removed and the pivots and bearings repacked.
3. Approaches.
Weighbeam notches and poises should be kept clean.
Approaches should be level and on the same plane as
The weighbeam should be protected by a fabric
the scale platform.
cover when not in use.
4. Scale Platform.
7. Testing.
The scale platform should be waterproof Concrete
Scales must be tested at least twice a year by a
platforms, scored, or well roughened, are
competent scale testing agency.
recommended.
Adequate provision should be made for access of the
Where cleats are used, they should be of metal or
testing equipment to the scale
sturdy wooden construction in the form of a hinged
grid.
Clearance around edges of platform should be not
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According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information is 0581-0308.
The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average .75 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of
information.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited
from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that
administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.
To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at
http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all
of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter
to USDA by: (a) mail:U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (b) fax:(202) 690-7442; or (c) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

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Instructions to Complete Livestock Scale Test Report Form PSD 4200
The scale inspector or person testing the scale must complete Form PSD 4200 to document the scale tests
required by the Packers and Stockyards Division.
Submit the completed form to the appropriate regional office of the Packers and Stockyards Division that
covers your state, as listed below.
If you have any questions regarding this form, please contact the appropriate regional office. If additional
forms are needed, please visit our website at https://www.ams.usda.gov
Regional Offices of the Packers and Stockyards Division
Agricultural Marketing Service, Fair Trade Practices Program
Atlanta Regional Office
Denver Regional Office
Des Moines Regional Office
75 Ted Turner Dr., SW, Suite 230 3950 Lewiston St., Suite 200
210 Walnut Street, Room 317
Des Moines, IA 50309-2110
Atlanta, GA 30303-3308
Aurora, CO 80011-1556
Telephone: (515) 323-2579
Telephone: (404) 562-5840
Telephone: (303) 375-4240
FAX: (515) 323-2590
FAX: (404) 562-5848
FAX: (303) 371-4609
e-mail:
e-mail:
e-mail:
PSDDesMoinesIA@usda.gov
PSDAtlantaGA@usda.gov
PSDDenverCO@usda.gov
States Covered
States Covered
States Covered
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA,
AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, MN,
LA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, MT, NM, NV, OK, OR, TX,
ND, NE, OH, SD, WI
NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, SC, TN, VA, UT, WA, WY
VT, WV
NOTE: Explanations of terms and abbreviations are provided on page 2 of the form.
Line No.
1

2
a
through
f
3
a
through
d
4

Subject
Page Number

Instruction
The page number is normally 1 of 1. If additional space is needed,
number pages identifying the current page number and the total
number of pages. For example, page 2 of 3.
Scale Test Agency Enter the name, address, city, state, phone number, and e-mail
address of the scale test agency.
Scale Owner
and Address

Enter the name of the scale owner and the address, city, and state
where the scale is located.

5

Indicator
Manufacturer
Serial Number

6
7
8

Model Number
Type of Indicator
Type of System

Enter the name of the manufacturer of the beam, dial or digital
indicator
Enter the serial number of the indicator being tested. If the serial
number has changed since the last test, show the previous serial
number in the remarks.
Enter the model number from the manufacturer’s ID plate.
Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of indicator.
Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of system.

9

Scale Capacity

Form PSD 4200

Enter the total scale capacity (maximum nominal capacity), in
pounds.

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Line No.
10

Subject
Scale Division

Instruction
Enter the minimum scale division quantity, in pounds.

11

Accuracy Class

12

Platform Size

Check the appropriate box to indicate if the scale is not marked, or
marked III or III L. NOTE: The scale may be marked as both III
and III L.
To determine platform size, measure the length and the width of the
platform inside the rack in meters or feet (indicate which
measurement is used). Enter the length and the width in line 15.

13

Used Capacity

Multiply the platform length times the width to determine the area of
the platform. Multiply the calculated area with the corresponding
weight using the primary category of livestock weighed from the
following chart. Enter the used capacity in line 16.

Livestock Scales Capacity
Category of
1 square meter
Livestock
Cattle
540 kg
Hogs and Calves
340 kg
Sheep and Lambs
240 kg

1 square foot
110 lbs
70 lbs
50 lbs

Examples:
Platform size – length: 4 m. width: 2.5 m. 4m x 2½m = 10 m²
10 x 540 kg = 5,400 kg Capacity
Platform size – length: 14 ft. width: 8 ft. 14’ x 8’ = 112 sq. ft.
112 x 110 lb = 12, 320 lbs Capacity

Line No.
14
15

16
17
18

Form PSD 4200

Subject
Primary Category
of Livestock
Weighed
Accessories

Test Date
Previous Test
Date
Condition of:

Instruction
Check the appropriate box to indicate the primary category of
livestock that are weighed.
Check the appropriate box to indicate each of the accessories that are
part of the scale. Add software company if scale and computer are
interfaced.
Enter the date you tested the scale (mm/dd/yyyy).
Enter the date the scale was previously tested (mm/dd/yyyy).
Enter the maintenance condition of the scale. Specify the condition for
the (a) gates and racks, (b) scale deck, (c) scale pit and (d) access to
scale for testing.

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Line No.
19

20
21

22
a
through
e

Subject
Sensitivity
Response /
Discrimination

Test Data
Instruction
Enter the Sensitivity Response (SR) on beam scales, or the
discrimination on dial and digital scales, in pounds, at zero and
maximum test loads (As Found).

Motion Detection Enter the range in pounds (plus – minus) at which motion detection
prevents printing of weight values. (As Found)
AZT (auto zero) Enter the range in pounds (plus – minus) at which the scale
will automatically reset to zero after minor balance
changes. (As Found)
Test Weights

It is important that you conduct the test in accordance with Handbook
44 procedures and that you fill out the test report in the sequence and
in the manner you conduct the test. If you begin a test and determine
that the scale is defective, and then correct the defective condition,
record this in sequence on the test report. Enter each of the following
in the respective columns:
(a) The location or position on the platform of the test weights.
(b) The total amount of test weights on the scale, in pounds.
(c) The amount of correction weights, in pounds, used to
balance the scale at zero load.
(d) On beam scales: the amount of error weights, in
pounds, added or removed, to balance the scale. On
dial and digital scales: the indicated or printed weight.
(e) Subtract column d from column c; enter the
amount, in pounds, as the error.

23

Decreasing Load
Test

24

Shift Test

For dial and digital scales only, enter the test data for the decreasing
load test and the resulting balance.
On the balance line, enter the amount the scale indicated after the test.
For a 2 section scale, use ¼ scale capacity centered over load bearing
points. For a scale with more than 2 sections, use minimum test load
(10,000 lbs) or ½ rated section capacity.

25

Test Results

26

27
28

Form PSD 4200

The scale inspector or person(s) testing the scale enters the test
results.
Remarks
Use the “Remarks” section to enter needed explanations, comments,
adjustments you made, recommendations needed to correct a defective
condition, etc. If the serial number of the indicator has changed since
the previous test, list previous indicator serial number here.
Receipt Signature The owner or responsible person must sign the form acknowledging
receipt of a copy of the test report form.
Inspector
Signature

The scale inspector or person(s) testing the scale must sign the test
report form.

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