ARS | Publication request: Hand-held Pressure Gauge Calibrator

Submitted to: ARS Newsletter
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: March 30, 2009
Publication Date: April 10, 2009
Citation: Zhu, H. 2009. Hand-held Pressure Gauge Calibrator. ARS Newsletter.Available: http://www.greenbeam.com/rs/nm_pdfs/16718_026.pdf

Technical Abstract: Farmers rely on the accuracy of pressure gauges to ensure desired rates of pesticide sprays or irrigation water when applied. However, the pressure gauges tend to start failing in a few years. Defective pressure gauges can cause either over or under application of pesticides or water. Therefore, it is essential to frequently check the accuracy of pressure gauges on sprayers and irrigation lines. An easy-to-use and easy-to-build portable pressure gauge calibrator was introduced for farmers and greenhouse growers to test the accuracy of their pressure gauges. The main body of the calibrator is commercially available. Farmers go to the field with this hand held calibrator and remove a pressure gauge from their equipment for calibration. The calibrator will be a very useful and inexpensive tool for checking the accuracy of farmers' pressure gauges, and will save farmer’s money, save precious water, and help keep unneeded pesticides out of the environment.