National Conference on Weights and Measures / National Type Evaluation Program
Form 15: Proposal to Amend NIST Handbooks
General Information (See Instructions)
1. Date:
8-25-2014
2. Regional Association(s):
X Central (CWMA)
Northeastern (NEWMA)
X Southern (SWMA)
Western (WWMA)
3. Standing Committee:
L&R X S&T
PDC
4. Submitter Name:
Richard C. Suiter for KSI Conveyors Inc.
5. Street Address:
9819 N Anchor Bend
6. City:
McCordsville
10. Phone Number:
(317) 336-9819
7. State:
IN
11. Fax Number:
8. Zip Code:
46055
9. Country:
USA
12. Email Address:
Rsuiter700@aol.com
Proposal Information (See Instructions)
13. Purpose:
Add a definition to NIST Handbook 44 Appendix D for batching systems.
14. Handbook to be Amended:
X NIST Handbook 44
NIST Handbook 130
Section: Appendix D - Definitions
Paragraph: New
NIST Handbook 133
15. Proposal:
Add a definition to NIST Handbook 44 Appendix D – Definitions as follows:
batching system. – One in which raw materials are measured in pre-determined quantities by weight and/or liquid measure.
The value of the final product may be determined on the basis of the measurement of some or all of the raw material. The unit
of measure for the final product may be different from any of the units of measure for the raw materials.
16. Justification:
KSi Conveyors Inc. manufactures and distributes systems for treating agricultural seed in 31 states and 3 providences. The system
weighs hybrid seed, applies treatment chemicals and delivers a finished product that is normally sold on the basis of seed count.
Because the system utilizes hopper scale(s) that typically make multiple drafts of a predetermined quantity one state tried to
categorize the systems as an automatic bulk weighing system under Handbook 44 Section 2.22 Automatic Bulk Weighing Systems.
It is our contention that the system is really a batch weighing system and should fall under Section 2.20 Scales. Even though there
are numerous NTEP Certificates of Conformance for systems that perform batch weighing functions (including KSi’s) there is no
definition for a “batching system” in Handbook 44.
17. Other Contacts:
Paul Kaeb
2345 U Road
Sabetha KS 66534
18. Other Reasons For:
There are a variety of systems used in commerce that provide a finished product based on the measurement of raw materials. The
raw materials may be weighed or measured directly by the system, such as a ready mixed concrete batching system. Others may
have some raw material measure by a devices separate from the batch weighing system such as the drugs added to feed produced by
a livestock feed batching system. The final unit of measure for the finished product may be in different terms than that used to
measure the raw materials. Charges may be based on a formula for the final product and not actually in the measurements of each
ingredient in the recipe.
Submit Form Via Email To: don.onwiler@ncwm.net
1135 M Street, Suite 110 / Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
P. 402.434.4880 F. 402.434.4878 E. info@ncwm.net
W. www.ncwm.net
Revised: February 2011
Page 1 of 2
National Conference on Weights and Measures / National Type Evaluation Program
Form 15: Proposal to Amend NIST Handbooks
As examples a ready mixed concrete system will weigh the aggregate, sand, and cement. Water added to the mix may be weighed
or measured. In some cases other concrete additives, such as hardeners or drying agents are also added. The various amounts of
raw materials needed are determined by a “recipe” or the desired end product. Regardless of how the raw materials are measured
the final sale of concrete is based on a measurement of Cubic Yards that is transferred from the system into a ready mix truck for
delivery. The seed treatment system weighs seed that is fed into a treatment drum where treatment chemicals are applied based on
the recipe for the desired end product. The treated seed is then transferred into a conveyance means (truck, wagon, or seed box) for
delivery to the farmer. The final transaction is based on the number of seeds delivered.
There are numerous NTEP Certificates of Conformance, including those held by KSi for systems that operate as batch weighing
systems. Some examples are attached.
Adding a definition for batch weighing systems will help eliminate some confusion in the market place and will aid field officials in
making appropriate decisions on the classification of devices they encounter.
Some states evaluate the weighing systems used in the determination of the final quantity delivered by a batch weighing system
even though the final product is delivered in a different unit of measure. Testing the weighing elements provides a reasonable
assurance of the accuracy of the final product without having to measure the actual cubic yards in the case of concrete or counting
the seeds in the case of the seed treatment systems.
Just as the concrete consumer is only interested in the cubic yards of concrete received the agricultural consumer is actually
interested in the count of the seeds received not the weight. Modern equipment plants seeds by population per acre based on count
not by weight.
In 1985 the Specifications and Tolerances Committee, in its final report, reminded the Conference that the Automatic Bulk
Weighing Systems Code does not apply to batching systems, for which the Scale code applies.
The USDA affirms that when seed is treated it is no longer considered “grain” and has a separate definition for treated seed.
19. Other Reasons Against:
20. Evidence:
21. Additional Considerations:
22. Suggested Action:
Recommend NCWM Adoption
Developing Item
Informational Item
Other (Please Describe):
13. List of Attachments:
NTEP CC’s 95-143, 96-038, 07-114,10-072A1, 12-124, 13-092A1, 14-009
Final Report of the 1985 S&T Committee Item 304-3
For Regional Use Only
Comments:
Submit Form Via Email To: don.onwiler@ncwm.net
1135 M Street, Suite 110 / Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
P. 402.434.4880 F. 402.434.4878 E. info@ncwm.net
W. www.ncwm.net
Revised: February 2011
Page 2 of 2