Emilie Meyer
Pan testing is an essential procedure for farmers and agricultural workers to ensure the uniform distribution of fertilizer across fields. This process, also known as a spread pattern test, involves placing a series of containers or pans in a grid pattern to collect fertilizer during application. By testing the equipment in this way, farmers can verify the accuracy of their fertilizer spreader settings and application rates, preventing economic losses due to over or under-application of nutrients. The pans are collected after fertilizer application, and their contents are measured to determine the amount and consistency of the distributed product. This simple procedure helps farmers achieve maximum crop yields and reduce waste by ensuring the even and precise distribution of fertilizer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To ensure uniform and accurate applications of fertilizer, lime, and other soil amendments |
| Frequency | Twice a year: once before the pre-plant season and again before the top dress of nitrogen on corn in early June |
| Materials | Catch pan/calibration tray, scale, fertilizer or pesticide product, spreader |
| Procedure | Measure swath width of spreader, attach catch pan, adjust spreader settings, position spreader, collect and weigh product, compare to desired rate, adjust settings as needed |
| Results | Uniform and accurate fertilizer application, cost-effective nutrient application, avoidance of economic losses due to over- or under-application of nutrients |
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What You'll Learn
Calibration methods
Calibration is essential to ensure the cost-effective application of nutrients and to avoid over- or under-application, which can lead to economic losses. Here are the steps to calibrate your fertilizer spreader:
Materials
- Catch pan (a trough mounted underneath the spreader hopper) or calibration pans (simple aluminium trays with baffles to prevent granules from bouncing out)
- Scale (to weigh small amounts accurately)
- Fertilizer or pesticide product
- Spreader
Steps
- Measure Swath Width: Measure the distance between the wheels of your spreader.
- Prepare the Test Area: Mark a 50- or 100-foot strip in an unused turf area or on a paved surface. Use chalk or flags to indicate the starting and ending points.
- Attach the Catch Pan: Secure the catch pan to the spreader. If your model does not have a catch pan, weigh out 5 to 10 pounds of product and record the weight.
- Load the Hopper: With the hopper-opening lever closed, pour the product into the hopper.
- Adjust Spreader Settings: Refer to the product label and adjust the spreader setting to the recommended rate.
- Conduct a Test Run: Position the spreader before the starting line and begin walking at a comfortable pace.
- Weigh the Product: If using a catch pan, remove it, pour the product into a bucket, and weigh it. If not using a catch pan, collect the remaining product in the spreader and weigh it, subtracting the weight of the bucket.
- Compare and Adjust: Compare the weight of fertilizer applied in the test run to the desired amount. Adjust the spreader settings accordingly and repeat the process until you reach the target weight.
- Determine Application Rate: Use the formula: (Pan Contents (grams) / Pan Area (square feet)) × 96 = Application Rate (pounds per acre). Adjust your spreader settings to achieve the desired application rate.
- Verify Settings: Check the spreader gate, flow, and spinner vane settings. Measure the width of material application, taking into account factors like PTO speed, wind speed, and material bulk density.
- Fertilizer Pan Distribution Test: Place pans in a grid pattern across the field, skipping the first rows for tire tracks and repeating every 5 feet across the working width. Collect the pans after fertilizer application and pour the contents into vials to determine amount and consistency.
By following these steps, you can ensure your fertilizer spreader is accurately calibrated, optimizing nutrient application and maximizing crop yields.
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Catch pans
A catch pan is a trough that is mounted underneath the spreader hopper of a fertilizer spreader. It collects the granular product as you make a pass with the hopper holes open. If your fertilizer spreader model does not include a catch pan, you can use the calibration method for rotary spreaders, which involves spreading the product onto turf or pavement and determining how much was applied in the test run by subtracting the remaining amount in your spreader from the total amount you started with.
To use a catch pan, first, measure a 50- or 100-foot strip in a turf area that is not in use or where striping or burning from the product application will not be an issue. If turf is not available, you can mark off a strip on a paved area, but be sure to sweep up the fertilizer from the pavement after your test runs. Use chalk or flags to indicate the starting and end points of the strip. Next, attach the catch pan to the spreader. If a catch pan is unavailable, weigh out 5 to 10 pounds of product (or enough to complete the test run and have some leftover) and record the weight. Then, with the hopper-opening lever in the closed position, pour the product into the hopper. Adjust the spreader setting to the recommended setting on the product label for your desired rate. Position the spreader several feet before the starting line and begin walking at a brisk, comfortable pace.
If you use a catch pan, remove it from the hopper, pour the product into a bucket, and weigh the product. If you did not use a catch pan, pour the remaining product in the spreader into a bucket and weigh it, subtracting the weight of the bucket. Now, you must determine if the amount of product collected in your calibration test run equals the rate you want to apply to the turf. For example, if you want to apply a 30-0-10 fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound of nitrogen (N) per 1,000 square feet, you will make two coverage passes perpendicular to each other, with each pass delivering half the desired rate (0.5-pound N per 1,000 square feet). First, use the following formula to determine how much fertilizer will be needed to apply 0.5-pound N per 1,000 square feet to the turf: pounds of N per 1,000 square feet desired for application ÷ percent of N in fertilizer.
The catch pan method is a type of pan test. Pan tests are sometimes called spread pattern tests and are used to test the uniformity of the amount of nutrients being applied to a field. This involves placing a series of containers across the field or in a grid pattern. They are left for the duration of the application of fertilizer or lime, then collected, and the product is poured into measuring vials to determine the amount and consistency of the product. Pan tests are important because the quality of fertilizer varies, and the only sure way of knowing that you are spreading accurately is to test your machine over trays.
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Measuring distribution
Materials and Setup:
Firstly, gather the required materials: a catch pan, scale, and your fertiliser spreader. The catch pan is a trough that collects granular fertiliser as you perform a pass with the hopper holes open. If your spreader model does not include a catch pan, you can use the calibration method for rotary spreaders, which involves spreading the fertiliser onto a turf or pavement and calculating the amount applied. Choose a scale that can accurately weigh small amounts, as calibration errors can have a significant impact when treating large areas.
Measuring Swath Width:
Measure the swath width of your spreader, which is the distance between the wheels. This will help you determine the placement of the catch pans or containers.
Test Strip Preparation:
Prepare a test strip by measuring a 50- or 100-foot section in an unused turf area or a paved surface if turf is unavailable. Mark the starting and ending points with chalk or flags.
Catch Pan Setup:
Attach the catch pan to the spreader, and ensure it is securely mounted underneath the spreader hopper. If a catch pan is unavailable, weigh out 5 to 10 pounds of fertiliser (enough for the test run with some leftover) and record this weight.
Hopper and Spreader Settings:
With the hopper-opening lever closed, pour the fertiliser into the hopper. Adjust the spreader setting to the recommended rate on the product label. If no label is available, consult your operator's manual for guidance on initial settings.
Performing the Pass:
Position the spreader a few feet before the starting line and begin walking at a comfortable, brisk pace. After completing the pass, if you are using a catch pan, remove it from the hopper and pour the collected fertiliser into a bucket to be weighed. If you did not use a catch pan, pour the remaining fertiliser in the spreader into the bucket and weigh it, subtracting the weight of the bucket.
Calculating Application Rate:
Compare the weight of fertiliser applied in your test run to the desired amount. If using a catch pan, you can calculate the application rate using the formula: (Pan Contents (grams) / Pan Area (square feet)) x 96 = Application Rate (pounds per acre). Adjust your spreader settings to increase or decrease the application rate accordingly.
Placement of Containers:
For a more comprehensive distribution test, place a series of containers such as aluminium trays or shallow cake pans, across the field in a grid pattern or in a row wider than the anticipated spreader swath. One pan should be placed in the centre, with an equal number of pans to the right and left. These pans collect fertiliser during the application and are then used to determine the distribution pattern and consistency of the product.
By following these steps and measuring the distribution of fertiliser during a pan test, you can ensure that your fertiliser spreader is calibrated correctly and that the application of nutrients is uniform and economical.
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Adjusting settings
Adjusting the settings of your fertilizer spreader is crucial for achieving uniform and accurate applications. Here are the steps to adjust the settings:
Step 1: Gather Materials
Along with your fertilizer and spreader, gather the necessary materials, including a catch pan, a scale, and any other calibration tools provided with your spreader. The catch pan collects the granular product as you perform a test run. If your spreader does not have a catch pan, you can use the calibration method for rotary spreaders by spreading the product onto a surface and calculating the difference between the initial and final amounts. Choose a scale that can accurately weigh small amounts, as calibration errors can be amplified when treating large areas.
Step 2: Measure Swath Width
Determine the swath width of your spreader by measuring the distance between the wheels. This will help you place the catch pans or containers effectively during the pan test.
Step 3: Prepare a Test Strip
Select an area of turf or pavement that is not in use or where any fertilizer application will not cause issues. Measure a 50- or 100-foot strip and mark the starting and ending points with chalk or flags. If a turf area is unavailable, you can use a paved area, ensuring you sweep up any fertilizer afterward.
Step 4: Attach the Catch Pan
Secure the catch pan to the spreader, positioning it underneath the spreader hopper. If your spreader does not have a catch pan, weigh out a sufficient amount of product (5 to 10 pounds) for the test run and record the weight.
Step 5: Adjust Initial Settings
With the hopper-opening lever closed, pour the product into the hopper. Adjust the spreader setting to the recommended setting on the product label for your desired application rate. This initial setting will serve as a starting point for calibration.
Step 6: Perform a Test Run
Position the spreader a few feet before the starting line and begin walking at a comfortable, brisk pace. This test run will simulate the application process, allowing you to collect data for calibration.
Step 7: Weigh the Product
If using a catch pan, remove it from the hopper and pour the collected product into a bucket. Weigh the product to determine the amount collected during the test run. If you did not use a catch pan, pour the remaining product from the spreader into a bucket and weigh it, subtracting the weight of the bucket.
Step 8: Compare and Adjust
Compare the weight of fertilizer collected in the test run to the amount required for your desired application rate. If the amount collected is less than the desired rate, increase the spreader setting to provide larger hopper openings. Conversely, if the amount exceeds the desired rate, reduce the setting to make the hopper openings smaller. Repeat the test run and weighing process until you achieve the target weight.
Step 9: Fine-Tune Settings
Refer to your operator's manual for guidance on fine-tuning the application rate and distribution. You may need to adjust the spreader vanes if the material distribution is uneven across the working width. The manual will provide insights into optimizing the settings for uniform fertilizer application.
By carefully following these steps and making the necessary adjustments, you can ensure that your fertilizer spreader is calibrated accurately, resulting in efficient and effective fertilizer distribution.
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Testing procedures
Firstly, gather the necessary materials: a catch pan, scale, and your fertilizer spreader. The catch pan is a trough that collects the granular product as you test. If your spreader model does not include a catch pan, you can use the calibration method for rotary spreaders, which involves spreading the product on turf or pavement and then calculating the amount applied by subtracting the remaining product in the spreader from the initial amount. Choose a scale that can accurately weigh small amounts, as calibration errors can be magnified when treating large areas. You will also need to measure the swath width of your spreader (the distance between the wheels).
Next, prepare a 50- or 100-foot strip on a turf area or, if unavailable, mark off a strip on a paved area. This area should be somewhere that you won't mind potential striping or burning from the fertilizer application. Use chalk or flags to mark the start and endpoints.
Attach the catch pan to the spreader, and if your model doesn't have one, weigh out 5 to 10 pounds of product, ensuring you have enough for the test with some leftover. With the hopper-opening lever closed, pour the product into the hopper. Adjust the spreader setting to the recommended rate on the product label, if available. Position the spreader a few feet before the starting line and begin walking at a comfortable, brisk pace.
If you're using a catch pan, remove it from the hopper, pour the contents into a bucket, and weigh it. If you didn't use a catch pan, pour the remaining product into a bucket and weigh it, subtracting the weight of the bucket. Now, compare the weight of fertilizer applied to the desired amount. If you applied less than the desired amount, increase the spreader setting to provide larger hopper openings. If you applied more, reduce the setting to make the openings smaller. Repeat this process until you reach the target weight.
To determine the spreader's effective swath width, place shallow cake pans or boxes (1 square foot by 1-2 inches high) a foot apart in a row wider than the anticipated swath. Place one pan in the center, with an equal number of pans on either side. You can also place pans across the field or in a grid pattern, leaving them for the duration of the fertilizer application. Afterward, collect the pans and pour the product into measuring vials to determine the amount and consistency.
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