tbs              TDC8(5626 )P3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Draft  
Tanzania Standard  
Textiles – Sisal agricultural baler twines for automatic pick –up balers 
and similar machines – Specification s 
 
(Second edition)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 
1 
 0. FOREWORD  
0.1 This Draft Tanzania Standard 2nd edition  is be ing issued to introduce specifications on agricultural 
baler twines made from sisal. It is intended to provide a range of twines sufficient to meet all agricultural 
needs for harvesting twines under normal conditions. This Draft Tanzania Standard calls for  a test of the 
minimum strength and specifies the nominal linear density and runnage, the permissible variation, and 
the put – up of twine.  
0.2 In the preparation of this Draft Tanzania Standard  assistance was derived from  
BS EN ISO 5080:1999 – Sisal agric ultural twines   
 
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition which was developed in year  – 1992 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
2 
 Draft Tanzania Standard                  TDC8 (5626 )P2 
Textiles – Sisal agricultural baler twines for automatic pick - up balers and similar 
machines – Specification s 
 
1. SCOPE  
This Draft Tanzania Standard  classifies and covers the essential requirements of sisal baler twines, used 
in the baling of straw, hay or similar crops, where the twine is applied around a bundle of the crop by an 
automatic pick -up baler or similar machine. Recommendations for the car e and handling of  the twine are 
given in annex D.  
 
2. NORMATIVE REFERENCES  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies:  
a) TZS 3: Atmospheric conditions for testing  
b) TZS 4: Rounding off numerical values.  
 
3. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS  
For the purpose of this Draft Tanzania Standard , the following terms and defin itions shall apply:  
3.1 hairiness – ends of fibre standing out from the twine.  
3.2 spool  – cross – wound cylindrical unit of twine.  
3.3 pack  – parcel of two or more packages.  
3.4 sample length – length of twine taken from any one package sufficient to obta in the required number 
of specimens for strength, linear density and runnage determinations.  
3.5 specimen  – length taken from any test sample for testing purposes.  
3.6 runnage  – normal measure of the size of twine, expressed in meters per kilogram (see annex B).  
3.7 linear density  – mass per unit length of textile products such as ropes, lines, cords and twines. In the 
universal count system, it is expressed in tex or kilotex (see annex B)  
3.8 manufacturer’s batch – quantity from which a specified number  of packs will be drawn for testing.  
3.9 breaking load – maximum load recorded in a straight pull to a specimen test length of twine. (see 
annex C).  
3.10 package – container, as a box or case, in which something is or may be packed in.  
 
4. DESIGNATION  
A twine conforming to this  Draft Tanzania Standard  is designed by the term “sisal agricultural twine”, 
followed by this nominal runnage.  
Example of designation: A sisal agricultural twine having a length of 200m per kilogram is designated as 
follows:  
“Sisal agricultural twine No 200”  
  
3 
 5. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS  
5.1 The fibre used for the manufacture of the twine shall be of such quality and fineness as is necessary 
to produce twines having th e characteristics required (in T ables 1 and 2). 
The fibre shall be well  hackled, free from shorts and of the quality, fineness and colour necessary to 
produce twine having the characteristics required.  
 
5.2 The twine  shall be evenly and well spun and shall be substantially circular in cross section. 
Throughout its length, eac h package of twine shall be continuous and knotless. The package shall be 
designed for the twine to be drawn from the center. Each package shall be capable of working with 
continuity throughout its length.  
 
5.3 To ensure free running through machine, the t wine shall be as free from hairiness and winding 
corrugations as is practicable.  
 
5.4 Direction of twist – The twine shall have a Z twist (or right hand lay)  
 
5.5 Lubrication and treatment – Odorless and colorless lubricant shall be added for the purpose of 
dressing and preservation of the fibre. The twine shall be fully treated against vermin, insects and rot.  
 
5.6 Colouring  – Twine s may be coloured at the purchaser’s request.  
 
5.7 Twine shall have linear density, runnage and strength characteristics given in Table 1.  
 
Table  1 – Twine classification and properties  
Twine  
No. Description  Linear density  
(tex) Runnage  range  
(m/kg ) Minimum breaking  
Load  
(daN) 
1 Binder twine  3333 -2941  300-340 44 
2 Light  5263 -4545  190-220 129 
3 Medium  6250 -5882  160-170 133 
4 Medium/heavy  7143 -6667  140-150 144 
5 Heavy  8333 -7692  120-130 184 
 
NOTE – The SI unit for force is the newton (N). A load of 1kg = 0.981 decanewton (daN). Further details are 
given in annex E . 
6. PUT UP  
6.1 Package  and packs shall c omply with the requirements of T able 2.  
6.2 Each package  shall be suitably wrapped by the manufacture. The end from which the twine has to be 
drawn shall be indicated and the other end shall be readi ly accessible for joining to an adjacent package . 
6.3 The packs shall be suitably secured for normal handling during transportation and storage.  
  
4 
 Table  2 – Put - up of baler and binder twine  
 
 
Type of  
Twine   
 
Twine  
No. Dimensions of package  
(not exceeding)   
 
Net weight  
of package  
(kg)  
 
package  
per 
pack   
 
Weight of pack  
(Nominal)  
(Kg) Height  
max 
(mm) Diameter  
max 
(mm) 
Baler  twine 1-4 254 254 8.85± 23  2 18 
Binder  twine  0 197 152.4  4.3± 11  6 25 
 
7. MARKING  
7.1 Each package or each bundle of twines shall have a label securely attached which shall be clearly 
and legibly marked with the following:  
a) manufacturer’s name and or trade mark;  
b) twine number;  
c) the material;  
d) the length of twine and  
e) any other marking required by the buyer.  
7.2 The packages or bundl es may also be marked with tbs Certification Mark.  
NOTE – The tbs Certification Mark may be used by manufactures only under license from TBS. Particulars 
of conditions under which the licenses are granted may be obtained from TBS . 
8. SAMPLING  
Sampling shall be as representative as possible of the batch that is to be subjected to the measurements 
and tests, and samples shall be selected away from the ends of the packages at points where they are in 
true lay.  
8.1 Lot - A quantity of packages  of the same l inear density, same type, and same dimensions, 
manufactured under similar conditions and delivered to a buyer against a dispatch note shall constitute a 
lot. 
8.2 The conformity of the lot shall be determined on the basis of test carried out on the same sam ple 
selected from it.  
8.3 The number of package  to be selected at random from a lot shall be as give n in Table 3 : 
 Table 3 – Sampling plan  
 
Lot size   
Sample size  
0 to 10 packages  1 
11 to 100 packages  10 
101 and above  100 
   
5 
 8.4 For evaluating the length, linear  density, breaking load and  the number o f packages selected 
according to 8.3 shall constitute the test sample.  
For evaluating the gross mass of the lot all the package  in the lot shall constitute the test sample.  
8.5 Length per package  – The length of twine per package of each package tested shall be determined 
in accordance with the method given in annex A and shall be not less than the length declared.  
8.6 Linear density and runnage – The linear density and runnage of sample lengths shall be determined 
in accordance with the method given in annex B and shall be in accordance with the appropriate figures 
given in Table 1.  
8.7 Breaking Load  
8.7.1 The breaking load of each sample shall be determined in accordance with the method given in 
annex C and shall be not less than that given in Table 1.  
8.7.2 For the breaking load test, take into consideration only the results obtained when the break occurs 
between the grips of the testing machines. If one of the ten specimens f rom a sample spool  fails to reach 
the minimum breaking load specified in Table 1 for which the twine being tested, the results shall be 
rejected and another package of twine sampled in its place.  
This retest procedure is applicable to all sample packages r epresenting a batch.  
Should any test result from the reset sample package or packages fail to reach the minimum breaking 
load requirement, the batch represented by the sample packages shall be deemed to comply with the 
requirements of t his Draft Tanzania S tandard . 
8.8 Criteria for conformity – The lot shall be declared as conforming to this D raft Tanzania Standard if 
the condition s below are satisfied:  
a. The length of each package  is not less than the specified length and  
b. The average values of the test results in respect of other requirements conform to the 
requirements specified in the standard.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
6 
 ANNEX A  
METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF LENGTH PER PACKAGE  
Before removing any twine from the package  determine the mass of the package and express in k g to an 
accuracy of ± 1%. To calculate the length of twine, multiply the package mass by the runnage (in meters 
per kg) as determined in annex B, and record the result as length per package in meters to the nearest 5 
meters.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
7 
 ANNEX B 
DETERMINATION OF LINEAR DENSITY AND RUNNAGE  
B.1 PRINCIPLE  
Weighing, underspecified conditions, specimens of specified length, and then  followed by calculation of 
the linear density and the runnage (or length in meters per kilogram).  
B.2 APPARATUS  
B.2.1 Balance, accurate to 0.5g.  
B.2.2 Wrap -reel of known perimeter . 
B.3 SPECIMENS  
Selection  
Select 10 m (heavier twine) or 20m (lighter twine)  from each package , proceeding in the following manner : 
Directly from the center of each package, in an anti-clockwise direction, draw the first  10m of twine  and 
discard them. Then draw 30m of twine and wind them as adjacent turns (without overlapping) on the 
wrap -reel, exercising, and just sufficient tension on the twine to maintain  straightness.  
Each speci men of 30m thus obtained constitutes a test piece.  
B.4 PROCEDURE  
Weight e ach specimen to the nearest 0.5 g (let m, be the mass obtained in grams)  
B.5 EXPRESSION OF RESULTS  
B.5.1 Calculation of linear density  
For each specimen, calculate the linear T, in Tex, using the following formula  
                   
  
 Where  
m, is mass, in grams of the specimen, and  
l, is the length, in meters, of the specimen.  
 
B.5.2 Calculation of runnage  
Calculate the runnage L, in meters per kilogram of twine, using the followin g formula  
              
  
 
Where  
T, is the linear density  
B.5.3  If a specimen is outside the tolerance, a check test shall be carried out on another package.  
B.5.4  If the result of the check test is found to be within the limits of the permitted tolerances, it is the 
result of the check test which is adopted for the value of the linear density.   
8 
 ANNEX C  
METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF BREAKING LOAD  
Test the twine on a te nsile testing machine of appropriate capacity and type.  
A sample length for the determination of breaking load values shall consist of 10 test specimens.  
The test specimen sha ll have a minimum length of 500 mm between the centers of the bollards at the 
comm encement of the test. The rate of transverse of the straining head for constant - rate-of-extension 
(CRE) and constant -rate-of-transverse (CRT) machines shall be within ±10%, numerically equal in mm 
per minute to the effective length in mm of the test spec imen.  
Having discarded the first 10 meters, draw specimens of twine directly from the center of the package  to 
the grips of the testing machine, care being taken to avoid loss of twist, other than that inevitably lost in 
drawing out the twines.  
Apply the l oad until the specimen breaks, and record the maximum load attained.  
Record the breaking load for each specimen in daN  to the nearest daN. If any specimen slips in either of 
the grips or bollards or breaks in or at either of the grips or bollards at a load  less than the specified 
breaking load, the test on the specimen shall be disregarded and a further specimen tested.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
9 
 ANNEX D  
RECOMMENDATION FOR THE CARE AND HANDLING OF SISALTWINES  
D.1 REMOVAL – Twine should always be removed from the center of a package  in an anti -clockwise 
direction.  
D.2 MACHINE PARTS – See that the surface condition of machine operating parts is good and that all 
parts are smooth and free from rust and paint.  
D.3 HANDLING  – Packages and packs of twine should be handled with care and stored the right way up, 
otherwise doming of the package may result.  
D.4 LOCAL ABRASION  – Unprotected packages  should not be thrown on the ground or against hard 
objects since abrasion scars may c ause considerable weakening of the twine.  
D.5 STORAGE – Twines should be stored in a cool dry place to prevent damage caused by damp and/or 
heat.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
10 
 ANNEX E  
EQUIVALENT BREAKING LOADS IN DECANEWTONS (daN)  
 
Table  4 – daN equ ivalent for kg values given in T able 1.  
kg daN 
45 
132 
136 
147 
188 44 
129 
133 
144 
184