1、Designation: E 550 87 (Reapproved 2008)Standard Guide forPreparing Granular Pesticide Ground Applicator CalibrationProcedures1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 550; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision
2、, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This guide is for those who prepare granular pesticideground applicator calibration procedures. The purp
3、ose is toencourage methods that will improve uniformity and accuracyof application with granular applicators.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard. The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-tion only and ar
4、e not considered standard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations pr
5、ior to use. For specific hazardstatements see Section 4.2. Significance and Use2.1 This guide covers the calibration of row, band, andbroadcast applicators. Attainment of accurate and more uni-form application can reduce the quantity of active ingredientrequired for a given degree of control, thus i
6、mproving envi-ronmental quality and safety at a more economical cost. Asingle-calibration procedure applicable in all situations is notfeasible because of the nature of the variables involved inchemical applications.3. Apparatus3.1 Apparatus needed will depend on the method of cali-bration. Common e
7、quipment items include the following:3.1.1 Measuring DeviceTape of at least 25 m (50 ft) inlength, or other suitable measuring device.3.1.2 Marking DevicesStakes or flags for marking ameasured course.3.1.3 ContainersPaper, cloth, or plastic bags to collectgranules.3.1.4 Weighing DeviceA scale for we
8、ighing granules ingrams (or ounces) or kilograms (or pounds).4. Hazards4.1 A cautionary statement for the safe handling of agricul-tural chemicals shall be included with applicator calibrationprocedures.5. Recommendations5.1 The amount of granular material applied to a given areais dependent on six
9、factors. It is recommended that each of thefollowing variables be given consideration when developingspecific calibration procedures:5.1.1 Orifice AreaThe area of the metering orifice must beadjusted to regulate the flow rate. The orifice area is determinedby the orifice setting. Adjustments in the
10、orifice setting shouldalways be made in one direction only such as from closed toopen to reduce variability in output for a particular setting.5.1.2 Ground SpeedA constant speed of the applicatormust be maintained for uniform application.NOTE 1The flow of granules through the orifice is not necessar
11、ilyproportional to ground speed, even on applicators that use a rotor whosespeed varies with ground speed.5.1.3 ProductEach agricultural chemical applied requiresa separate calibration since there is a wide variation in size,density, and shape of the granules. In addition, the nature of theinert mat
12、erials varies.5.1.4 Width of TreatmentCalibration procedures should beused to determine the amount in kilograms (or pounds) appliedper unit area of surface in hectares (or acres) actually coveredwith the agricultural chemical. For band application, the areaactually treated is the area in the band an
13、d not the area ofcropland covered. Some row crop recommendations are basedon treating “in-the-row” rather than the area actually covered.In these cases, recommendations are generally based on theamount of granules per row length (grams per 100 m or ouncesper 1000 ft of row).1This guide is under the
14、jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides andAlternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E35.22on Pesticide Formulations and Delivery Systems.Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published November 2008. Originallyapproved in 1975. Last previous edition appro
15、ved in 2002 as E 550 87(2002).1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.5.1.5 Rotor SpeedConsult the manufacturers literaturefor recommended rotor speeds that will give maximum effi-ciency.5.1.6 Climatic ConditionsCalibration a
16、djustments mustbe made for changes in flow due to temperature and humidityvariations.6. Calibration Procedures6.1 Perform the following basic steps for the calibration ofgranular applicators:6.1.1 Lay out a measured course in the field where theapplication will take place or in an area having simila
17、r soil andterrain conditions. To minimize the error in collecting granules,the acceleration and deceleration distances should be as shortas possible and the total distance driven should be as long aspractical.6.1.2 Determine the ground speed that will be used. Exceptfor the orifice setting, ground s
18、peed is the most significantfactor affecting the application rate. Therefore, it is importantto maintain a uniform speed during calibration and application.6.1.3 Determine and set the initial orifice setting. Bothchemical and equipment manufacturers furnish application ratecharts that are intended t
19、o be a starting point for determiningthe correct orifice setting.6.1.4 Fill the hopper(s) at least12 full and operate theapplicator until the granules are feeding from all units.6.1.5 Attach a collection container under the opening(s).6.1.6 Operate the applicator over the measured course at thespeed
20、 determined in 6.1.2.6.1.7 Weigh the granules collected from each unit of theapplicator. A sufficient quantity of material must be collectedduring the test to allow for accurate weighing on the scales.6.1.8 Calculate the application rate in accordance with 7.1.6.1.9 Compare the amount collected in 6
21、.1.6 or calculated in6.1.8 with the recommended rate. If necessary, reset theapplicators and recalibrate until the delivered application rate iswithin 5 % of the recommended rate.6.1.10 Recalibrate frequently to compensate for anychanges due to the variables listed in Section 5.7. Calculations7.1 Th
22、e granular application rate may be determined by oneof the following methods:7.1.1 Granular application rate as calculated is the amountof granules per unit area. The quantity used is the total quantityof granules used by the applicator on a measured course. Thearea covered is the area actually trea
23、ted on a measured course.Granular application rate 5quantity used kg or lb!area covered hectares or acres!(1)7.1.2 In-the-RowIn-the-row applications are calculateddirectly by measuring the quantity in grams per 100 m (ouncesper 1000 ft of row).NOTE 2If a chemical manufacturer lists the application r
24、ate for“in-the-row” applications as pounds per 40-in. row acre, it should beconverted to ounces per 1000 ft of row by multiplying times 1.22.7.1.3 MiscellaneousTables, charts, and special slide rulescan be used where applicable. Special factors can be used if thelength of the measured course is sele
25、cted so that a knowndecimal or fractional part of an acre or hectare is covered withthe application width used.8. Keywords8.1 agricultural; calibration; equipment; granular; groundapplicator; pesticideASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in conne
26、ction with any item mentionedin this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the riskof infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsi
27、ble technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standardsand should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful co
28、nsideration at a meeting of theresponsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100
29、 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or serviceastm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).E 550 87 (2008)2
