Form P&SP-4200 Expires 11-30-2017 Page 1 of 3 

 OMB Control No. 0580-0015

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

GRAIN INSPECTION, PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ADMINISTRATION

PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS PROGRAM

LIVESTOCK SCALE TEST REPORT

1 Page No.

2 Test Agency (Name, address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and email address)3 Scale Owner 

4 Address 

5 City 6 County 7 State 

8 Scale Manufacturer (Indicator) 9 Model Number 10 Serial Number 11 Type Indicator 

 Beam  Dial  Digital  Printer 

12 Balance Indicator (Name)

13 Pit Depth 

Ft. 

14 Type Levers 15 Scale Capacity 

Lbs. 

16 Scale Division (d) 

Lbs.

17 Class of Scale  Not Marked 

 Marked III  Marked III L 

18 Platform Size 

X 

19 Platform Cap. 

Lbs.

20 Category of Livestock Weighed 21 Accessories: 

 AZSM (auto-zero)  Motion Detection  Video Displays  Scoreboard 

 Scale & Computer are Interfaced  Computes: Head/Average Weight 

22 Access to Scale for Testing 

23 Test Date 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

24 Last Test Date 

(mm/dd/yyyy)

25 Condition of: 26 Test Results 

a. Gates and Racks

 Approved  Condemned

 Rejected  Other_________

b. Scale Deck

c. Scale Pit

Test Data 

27 SR (Sensitivity Response) Or Discrimination Test 

Zero Load = ______________ Lb. Maximum Load = ______________ Lb. 

28 Motion Detection 

Range = ______________ Lb. 

29 AZSM (auto zero) 

Range = ______________ Lb. 

Test Weights Balance 

Weights 

(Pounds) 

(30c) 

Error Weights 

or 

Indicated Weight 

(30d) 

Error 

Column 3 – 

4 

(Pounds) 

(30e) 

Test Weights Balance 

Weights 

(Pounds) 

(30c) 

Error Weights 

or 

Indicated Weight

(30d) 

Error 

Column 3 – 4 

(Pounds) 

(30e) 

Position 

(30a) 

Pounds 

(30b) 

Position 

(30a) 

Pounds 

(30b) 

Balance 

31 Decreasing Load Test (Dial and Digital Scales Only)

Balance 

32 Remarks

33 Receipt of Report Acknowledged (Signature): 34 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). 
Form P&SP-4200 Expires 11-30-2017 Page 2 of 3 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where 

applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s 

income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 

communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of 

discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-

6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

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 collection is 0580-0015. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to

average 45 minutesper 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. 
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-Section Scale 

L. 

1 

Sec. 1 

Center 

Sec. 2 

2 

R. 

4 

3 

Beam 

4-Section Scale 

L. 

1 2 3 4 

R. 

Sec. 1 Sec. 2 Sec. 3 Sec. 4 

8 7 6 5 

Beam 

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. 

 The weighbeam, dial, or digital instrument should be 

located so that the weighmaster has a full and 

unobstructed view of the platform, stock racks and gates. 

 The weighbeam, dial, or digital instrument should be 

located so that the weighing will be done in full view of the 

interested parties. 

5. Stock Racks. 

 Stock racks should be of substantial wooden or steel 

construction, and be firmly anchored to the platform. 

 Stock racks should have a clearance of at least 3 inches 

from all adjacent structures and have adequate side 

protection to prevent interference during the weighing. 

 Entrance and exit gates on stock racks should swing 

2. Installation. 

 Careful installation by a competent scale mechanic will 

tend to reduce maintenance costs and improve weighing 

accuracy. Scales are precision devices and require 

regular maintenance to assure continued accuracy. 

 Ready access to the scale pit should be provided through 

the neck of the pit or by an outside entrance. 

 For a fully electronic load cell scale, access to the 

weighing elements (load cells) must be provided for the 

purpose of inspection and maintenance of the weighing 

elements. 

 freely and have positive latches. The preferred location 

of gates is at the ends of the platform rather than the 

sides. 

6. Maintenance.

 The scale should be regularly serviced by a competent 

scale technician. 

 The lever system and structural steel in the pit should be 

kept well painted. 

 Pivots and bearings should be packed with a protective 

grease. Periodically this grease should be removed and 

the pivots and bearings repacked.

3. Approaches. 

 Approaches should be level and on the same plane as 

the scale platform. 

4. Scale Platform. 

 The scale platform should be waterproof. 

 Weighbeam notches and poises should be kept clean. 

 The weighbeam should be protected by a fabric cover 

when not in use. 

 Concrete platforms, scored, or well roughened, are 

recommended. 

 Where cleats are used, they should be of metal or sturdy 

wooden construction in the form of a hinged grid. 

 Clearance around edges of platform should be not less 

than 1⁄2 inch, and edges should be undercut. 

7. Testing.

 Scales must be tested at least twice a year by a 

competent scale testing agency. 

 Adequate provision should be made for access of the 

testing equipment to the scale. 

Form P&SP-4200 Expires 11-30-2017 Page 3 of 3