ASTM E550-87(2019)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E550 − 87 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Guide for
Preparing Granular Pesticide Ground Applicator Calibration
Procedures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E550; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 Measuring Device—Tape of at least 25 m (50 ft) in
length, or other suitable measuring device.
1.1 This guide is for those who prepare granular pesticide
3.1.2 Marking Devices—Stakes or flags for marking a
ground applicator calibration procedures. The purpose is to
measured course.
encourage methods that will improve uniformity and accuracy
3.1.3 Containers—Paper, cloth, or plastic bags to collect
of application with granular applicators.
granules.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.4 Weighing Device—A scale for weighing granules in
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
grams (or ounces) or kilograms (or pounds).
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
4. Hazards
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 A cautionary statement for the safe handling of agricul-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tural chemicals shall be included with applicator calibration
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
procedures.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Recommendations
For specific hazard statements see Section 4.
5.1 The amount of granular material applied to a given area
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
is dependent on six factors. It is recommended that each of the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
following variables be given consideration when developing
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
specific calibration procedures:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1.1 Orifice Area—The area of the metering orifice must be
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
adjustedtoregulatetheflowrate.Theorificeareaisdetermined
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
by the orifice setting. Adjustments in the orifice setting should
always be made in one direction only such as from closed to
2. Significance and Use
open to reduce variability in output for a particular setting.
2.1 This guide covers the calibration of row, band, and
5.1.2 Ground Speed—A constant speed of the applicator
broadcast applicators. Attainment of accurate and more uni-
must be maintained for uniform application.
form application can reduce the quantity of active ingredient
NOTE 1—The flow of granules through the orifice is not necessarily
required for a given degree of control, thus improving envi-
proportional to ground speed, even on applicators that use a rotor whose
ronmental quality and safety at a more economical cost. A
speed varies with ground speed.
single-calibration procedure applicable in all situations is not
5.1.3 Product—Each agricultural chemical applied requires
feasible because of the nature of the variables involved in
a separate calibration since there is a wide variation in size,
chemical applications.
density, and shape of the granules. In addition, the nature of the
inert materials varies.
3. Apparatus
5.1.4 Width of Treatment—Calibration procedures should be
3.1 Apparatus needed will depend on the method of cali-
used to determine the amount in kilograms (or pounds) applied
bration. Common equipment items include the following:
per unit area of surface in hectares (or acres) actually covered
with the agricultural chemical. For band application, the area
actually treated is the area in the band and not the area of
cropland covered. Some row crop recommendations are based
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides,
Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agentsand is the direct responsibility of
on treating “in-the-row” rather than the area actually covered.
Subcommittee E35.22 on Pesticide Formulations and Delivery Systems.
In these cases, recommendations are generally based on the
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published November 2019. Originally
amount of granules per row length (grams per 100 m or ounces
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E550–87(
...