Examiner Update Events 2015 - NSTS - Home · · 2016-01-04Does not apply to knapsack, hand-held or pedestrian controlled machines ... Crop assurance scheme have access to the NSTS
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NSTS Examiner Updates
NSTS Review
Number of tests 2014/15 15,431
• Granular tests
• 2014/15 501
• Fogger tests
• 2014/15 42
Faults found on sprayers 2014/15 59.8% Main faults Filters 31.2% DCV leaks 30.4% Static leaks 26.3% Pressure leaks 24.9% Contents gauge 23.6% Nozzle (sets) 22.7% Poor hose condition 21.6% Induction leaks 16.4% Pressure gauge 15.8% PTO guard 15.7% Hydraulic leaks 15.6% Boom returns 15.2% Spray patterns 15.2% Operating labels 14.5%
NSTS Examiner Updates
• Qualified/active examiners
• Liquid 642
• Granular 59
• Fogger 9
• Test Centres 246
• Including branches 371
NSTS Examiner Updates
Important Dates – Sustainable Use Directive requirements
26 November 2015
All those applying pesticides professionally must have a recognised Certificate of Competence
Pesticides can only be purchased by certificate holders or where they are being applied by a certificate holder
26 November 2016
All vehicle mounted, where the operator rides on the machine, must be tested
Does not apply to knapsack, hand-held or pedestrian controlled machines – need to be regularly inspected by a competent person and results recorded
These dates and requirement apply to all EU Member States
NSTS Examiner Updates
26 November 2016
All machines tested - unless they are less than 5 years old
Machines with boom widths over 3 metres and air blast sprayer – must be tested again by 26 November 2020 and there after every three year
Machines with 3metre or less boom widths – tested by 26 November 2016 and then every six years
‘Low scale of use category’
NSTS Examiner Updates
Low scale of use - Annex 4 of the National Action Plan
• Sprayers with 3m or less boom width
• Granular applicators
• Slug pellet applicators
• Fogging, misting and smoking equipment
• Weed wipers
• Boat mounted applicators with 3m boom width or less
• Batch dipping
• Seed treatment
• Conveyor/roller tables
• Sub-surface applicators
• Other specialist applicators
NSTS Examiner Updates
• Crop assurance and supermarket protocols Annual testing will remain • Farmers having their sprayers tested annually will satisfy both SUD and crop
assurance • Does include micro-granule and pellet applicators • Livestock farms Same requirements as SUD • Amenity Same requirements as SUD
NSTS Examiner Updates
Crop assurance scheme have access to the NSTS database for verification Only see – Name and address of machine owner, machine, date of test and result of test Can search on Test Report number or Name and Post Code Shows previous tests for that name and post code
NSTS Examiner Updates
Completing the Test Report form • Accurate and complete information is key
• Full address including Post code
• Details of machine
• Date of Test – up to one month forward dating – No back dating
• Hectares important – particularly for small machines working in amenity
NSTS Examiner Updates
Future challenges for NSTS • Coverage in remote areas – Have van will travel
• Encourage farmers to take part in group tests
• Amenity sector
• Specialist machines
• Promotion – brochures, adverts, regular articles, press releases
Initial Trials
Android
• 19th March – 8 Examiners
• First reports in 24th March
• 22nd July – more Examiners trying app
• 18th September – Version 2.8 (current)
• 500 reports completed electronically
Initial Trials
iPad
• 8th July – trials at NSTS
• Sent to Apple 24th September
• Verified 2nd October
• Used by Examiners from 10th October
• All tests will be reported electronically from 01.01.2017
Examiner Qualification
City & Guilds Assessor Day
• First update since 2002
• More detail with legislation and pesticide safety
• Assessors updated on new test procedure ready for new Examiners working to EN 16122
Test Procedure
EN 16122
• Released on 31st March 2015
• Fully implemented by NSTS Examiners by 26th November 2016
• Small number of additional test items
• Some checks incorporated into current test items
Additional test items
• Boom widths over 10 metres need a device to stop damage to nozzles if boom hits the ground
Additional test items
• Forward speed check
1. Minimum 50 m run
2. Machine set at normal operating speed
3. Check against sprayer computer/settings
Additional test items
• Flow rate check
Calculate average nozzle flow rates and record against sprayer computer in litres/hectare
Volume(l/ha) X Speed(km/h) X Nozzle spacing(m)
600
= nozzle output (l/min)
Other test items
• Filling the sprayer with water. Extra checks on large tanks if not filled to capacity
• Pressure gauges. Minimum diameter 63mm. 0.2 bar graduations for working pressures up to 5 bar; 1 bar between 5 and 20 bar.
Other test items
• Pressure gauge check against master gauge. 4 different pressures at rising and falling
• Check for leaks at maximum obtainable pressure with section valves closed
• Boom on/off lever reached from driver seat
• Tank agitation – with largest set of nozzles fitted
Other test items
• Able to remove filter without liquid running out, except that in the housing
• Induction hopper cannot let anything larger than 20mm through
When do these need to be in place?
• For current tests, advise upgrades before or at next test.
• All in place by 26 November 2016
Granular Applicators
• 2 meetings held to update granular guidance notes
• NSTS, machine manufacturers, Gowan, Examiners
• Look at applying the test to a wider range of machinery
Granular Applicators
• Output check changes
- Can collect from more than 1 nozzle when spacing is below 1 metre
- Guidance on distribution test
Use trays or corrugated sheet
calculate quantity at 0.5m resolution
minimum distribution width 6 metres
Fertiliser Spreaders
• City & Guilds qualification
• Minimum requirement of test kit
47 trays
fertiliser testing equipment
test tubes
• Training
Fertiliser Spreaders
• Electronic reporting from start
• Photographs
• App will calculate CV following data entry of tray test results
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