P&SP-4200-i Page 1 of 3 

Instructions to Complete 

Livestock Scale Test Report 

Form P&SP-4200 

The scale inspector or person testing the scale must complete form P&SP-4200 to document the scale tests 

required by the Packers and Stockyards Program. 

Mail the completed form to the regional office of the Packers and Stockyards Program as listed below. The 

states covered by each regional office are listed below its address. 

 

Regional Offices of the Packers and Stockyards Program 

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

Eastern Regional Office 

Suite 230 

75 Spring Street 

Atlanta, GA 30303-3308 

Telephone: (404) 562-5840 

FAX: (404) 562-5848 

e-mail: 

PSPAtlantaGA.GIPSA@usda.gov

Western Regional Office 

3950 Lewiston St., Suite 200 

Aurora, CO 80011-1556 

Telephone: (303) 375-4240 

FAX: (303) 371-4609 

e-mail: 

PSPDenverCO.GIPSA@usda.gov

Midwestern Regional Office 

Room 317 

210 Walnut Street 

Des Moines, IA 50309-2110 

Telephone: (515) 323-2579 

FAX: (515) 323-2590 

e-mail: 

PSPDesMoinesIA.GIPSA@usda.gov

States Covered States Covered States Covered 

AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, LA, 

MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, 

NY, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV

AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, MT, 

NM, NV, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA, 

WY

IA, IL, IN, KY, OH, MI, MO, MN, 

ND, NE, SD, WI

For more information, see Instructions for Testing Livestock and Animal Scales available from a regional office 

or via our web site at http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/pubs/live.pdf. 

If you have any questions regarding this form, please contact the appropriate regional office of the Packers and 

Stockyards Program listed above. 

NOTE: Explanations of terms and abbreviations are provided on page 2 of the form. 

Line No. Subject Instruction 

1 Page Number The page number is normally 1 of 1. If additional space is needed or when 

testing multiple indicator/platform installations, number pages identifying 

the current page number and the total number of pages. For example, page 2 

of 3.

2 Scale Test Agency Enter the name, address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and e-mail 

address of the scale test agency.

3-7 Scale Owner Enter the name of the scale owner and the address, city, county, and state 

where the scale is located. (Directional addresses may be helpful in rural 

locations. Attach a separate sheet to the form to provide directions.)

8 Scale 

Manufacturer 

Enter the name of the manufacturer of the beam, dial or digital indicator

9 Model Number Enter the model number of the indicator from the manufacturer’s ID plate. 

10 Serial Number Enter the serial number of the indicator found on the ID plate. 

11 Type Indictor Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of indicator and check the 

printer box if it has printing capabilities. 

12 Balance Indicator Enter the name of the manufacturer of the balance indicator installed on 

beam scales. 

13 Pit Depth If indicator is below ground, enter depth of pit in feet.

14 Lever Type Enter the type or design of the lever system or load cell. (For example: “S” 

or straight; “A” or truss; pipe; pipe and load cell; 4-cells; 6-cells.)

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

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P&SP-4200-i Page 2 of 3 

Line No. Subject Instruction 

16 Scale Division Enter the minimum scale division quantity, in pounds. 

17 Class of Scale Check the appropriate box to indicate if the scale is non-marked, or marked 

III or III L. NOTE: The scale may be marked as both III and III L. 

18-19 Platform Size and 

Capacity 

First: Inside the rack, measure and enter the length and the width of the 

platform in meters or feet; indicate which measurement (for example, feet) is 

used. Enter the length x width in line 18. 

Second: Multiply the length times the width to determine the size of the 

platform. 

Third: Use the following chart with the platform size to determine the 

capacity. See the example following the chart. Enter the scale capacity in 

line 19. 

Livestock Scales Capacity 

Category of Livestock 1 square meter 1 square foot 

Cattle 540 kg 110 lbs 

Hogs and Calves 340 kg 70 lbs 

Sheep and Lambs 240 kg 50 lbs 

Examples: 

Platform size – length: 4 m. width: 2.5 m. 

4m x 21⁄2m = 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. Subject Instruction 

20 Species Weighed Enter the category of livestock that are weighed. (For example, steers, 

heifers, cows, bulls, calves, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, and mules.)

21 Accessories Check the appropriate box to indicate each of the accessories that are part of 

the scale.

22 Access to Scale Enter your observation and opinion as to access to the scale for testing. 

23 Test Date Enter the date (month, day, and year) you tested the scale. 

24 Last Test Date Enter the date (month, day, and year) the scale was last tested. 

25 Condition of Parts 

of the Scale 

Enter the housekeeping and maintenance condition of the scale. Specify the 

condition for the (1) gates and racks, (2) scale deck, and (3) scale pit.

26 Test Results The State official or the scale company that conducted the test enters the test 

results. 

Test Data 

27 Sensitivity 

Response 

Enter the Sensitivity Response (SR) on beam scales, or the discrimination on 

dial and digital scales, in pounds, at zero and maximum test loads. 

28 Motion Detection Enter the range in pounds (plus – minus) at which motion detection prevents 

printing of weight values. 

29 Auto Zero Enter the range in pounds (plus – minus) at which the scale will 

automatically reset to zero after minor balance changes. 

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Line No. Subject Instruction 

30a-e Test Data It is important 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: 

 Column Enter Test Data 

(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 4 from column 3; enter the amount, in 

pounds, as the error. 

31 Decreasing Load 

Test and Balance 

For dial and digital scales only, enter the test data for the decreasing load test 

and the resulting balance. It is important 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: 

 Column Enter Test Data 

(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 4 from column 3; enter the amount, in 

pounds, as the error. 

On the balance line, enter the amount the scale indicated after the test. 

32 Remarks Use the “Remarks” section to enter needed explanations, comments, 

adjustments you made, recommendations needed to correct a defective 

condition, etc. 

33 Receipt Signature The owner or responsible person must sign the form acknowledging receipt 

of a copy of the test report form. 

34 Inspector Signature The scale inspector or person(s) testing the scale must sign the test report 

form. 

Expires 11-30-2017