Calibration of agricultural equipment

By Stara

For agricultural machinery operators, keeping sprayers, planters, seeders, and spreaders properly calibrated means applying the right amount of product to the right place. This reduces rework, improves the uniformity of operations, and contributes to a more profitable crop.

That's why calibrating agricultural equipment, in addition to its maintenance, is so important. Stara, a leader in technology and precision agriculture, has a mission to make daily life in the field easier, with technology and practical guidance that facilitate operation.

Throughout this content, you will understand what calibration is, which agricultural machines require special attention, and how to incorporate this routine into your daily work, with the support of the technology embedded in Stara agricultural machines.

What is agricultural equipment calibration?

Calibration of agricultural equipment is the process of adjusting the machine so that, in practice, it delivers the same dose that the operator sets on the panel or in the application plan.

In agriculture, this means checking if the amount of seeds, fertilizers, or spray solution applied per hectare is in accordance with agronomic recommendations.

How does this step affect the field routine?

In the daily routine of agricultural work, calibration usually goes hand in hand with the adjustment of the agricultural machinery. The adjustment of the planter, distributor or sprayer, for example, defines settings such as gears, rotations, boom height and working depth.

Calibration confirms, through measurements, that these adjustments are delivering the expected result, for example, liters per hectare, kg per hectare, or seeds per meter. Some practical examples of calibration in the operator's daily routine:

- Check the flow rate of the spray nozzles and adjust the pressure and speed to achieve the recommended volume per hectare;

- Measure, in a test area, how many kilograms of fertilizer the distributor applies per hectare and adjust the metering device accordingly;

- Check the number of seeds distributed per meter in the planter and adjust the planting rate or working speed accordingly;

- Check the quantity of seeds in kg per hectare for the seeders.

When this step is done correctly, the agricultural machinery works more predictably. The recommendations of the agricultural engineer translate into real-world application in the field, resulting in greater cost control and better utilization of the crop's productive potential.

What agricultural equipment needs to be calibrated frequently?

Most agricultural machinery used on farms requires calibration. Each system that applies seeds, fertilizers, or spray needs to deliver the correct dose per area. Therefore, it's worthwhile to organize the routine by equipment type.

Self-propelled and trailed sprayers

Sprayers operate using volume per hectare and require spray nozzles in good condition, correct pressure, and compatible forward speed. Points to consider:

- measure the actual flow rate of each nozzle over a period of time;

- Compare with the recommended flow rate in the table or manual;

- Adjust pressure, operating speed, and nozzle change when the deviation exceeds the indicated limit.

When the sprayer is properly calibrated, the dose of pesticides per hectare stays within the recommended range, with a lower risk of drift and control failures.

Seeders and planters

During sowing, calibration ensures that the amount of seeds distributed per meter matches the crop plan. The basic routine includes:

- to test the seed rate in a test area;

- Check the spacing between seeds and the depth of seed placement;

- Adjust gears and dispensers until the desired stand is reached.

This reduces skips and doubles, improves emergence, and makes better use of the seeds' potential.

Distributors and fertilizer spreaders

Fertilizer distributors and spreaders operate with doses measured in kilograms per hectare. Calibration ensures that the machine delivers the planned quantity with a uniform distribution range. Good practices:

- Weigh the material applied to the test area/time;

- Compare the result with the desired dose;

- Adjust the opening of the dispensers, disc rotation, and speed.

Uniform fertilization is crucial to avoid over- or under-fertilized areas.

Calibration frequency: when to do it and what to look for?

This process needs to be included in the crop calendar with the same importance as preventive maintenance. It's not enough to fix problems only when they become visible. Several milestones help define the frequency:

- before the start of each harvest or major operation;

- after long periods of machine downtime;

- after maintenance, replacement of nozzles, discs or hoses;

- whenever the operator notices a difference between the configured dose and the result in the field.

For machines that operate for many hours a day, it is prudent to check calibration at defined intervals of working hours, following the manual.

When calibration becomes mandatory in practice

Calibration becomes essential in any situation where:

- Crops depend on precise dosages to avoid phytotoxicity or control failures;

- The rural property participates in certification programs, quality audits, or traceability programs;

- The application of inputs represents a significant portion of the production cost.

In these scenarios, recording and maintaining standardized procedures ceases to be a choice and becomes a requirement to maintain competitiveness.

Important: Whenever calibrating agricultural machinery, it is important to record the date and time, the person responsible for the activity, the parameters adjusted, and any parts replaced.

Practical step-by-step guide to calibrating agricultural machinery.

Calibration doesn't begin with the bucket or tray, but with how the operator organizes the routine. Following a clear sequence helps ensure that the dose set on the panel is the same one delivered to the field, with fewer trial and error corrections in the field.

The following procedure can be adapted for different agricultural machines, always with the support of the manual for each model. The idea is to standardize the procedure: prepare the equipment, measure what is being applied, compare it with the recommendation, and adjust until the desired value is reached.

1. Prepare the equipment

Before measuring anything, it's important to:

- Clean reservoirs, lines, nozzles, discs and sensors;

- Check for leaks, cracks, or looseness in hoses and connections;

- Check oil, fuel, and hydraulic fluid levels;

- Ensure that the tires are properly inflated and that there are no loose components.

An agricultural machine in poor physical condition will not hold its calibration.

2. Consult the technical manual.

The manual indicates the recommended working pressure range, flow rate for nozzles, metering devices, and transmission gears, as well as acceptable deviation limits and inspection frequency.

The operator should use these tables as a reference to compare what the machine is delivering with what it should be delivering.

3. Take measurements and perform tests.

Some procedures are common across different machines:

- Measure the flow rate of the spray nozzles in graduated buckets, with a timed interval;

- Conduct application tests in a known area and weigh the distributed input;

- Run the seeder on a test bench or in a test area to count seeds per meter.

On Stara machines equipped with Topper, calibration becomes simpler. Just activate the calibration command and inform the monitor of the volume collected in the test. The system automatically adjusts the parameters to maintain the flow rate within the recommended range.

In the first calibration, the procedure follows the same logic. The only difference is the creation of the product in Topper. After that, the monitor automatically updates the settings, ensuring accuracy from the first applications.

With this data, the operator adjusts pressure, dispenser opening, gears, and speed until the result approaches the recommended value.

4. Ensure regular checks throughout the harvest season.

Even after a good initial calibration, it is important to repeat tests at specific times. One of these is whenever there is a change of product, mixture, or particle size, since these variations alter the behavior of the input in the agricultural machine.

It's also worth recalibrating after impacts, blockages, or emergency maintenance. These events can affect the adjustment of nozzles, dispensers, and hoses, compromising the dose applied in the field.

Another point of attention is abrupt changes in terrain or soil type, which interfere with the stability of the machine and can affect the uniformity of application along the worked area.

This care prevents the calibration from being "lost" throughout the harvest season. By following each of these steps, it's possible to maintain good operational quality and focus on results, without unforeseen problems.

And what about tire pressure?

Correct tire pressure influences traction, fuel consumption, soil compaction, and operator safety. The first step is to check the recommended pressure in the agricultural machine's manual and the tire specifications. These will include:

maximum pressure;

- Recommended ranges for different loads and speeds.

Working outside these ranges increases the risk of injury and compromises performance.

Good calibration practices

Always inflate the tires when the machine is in working condition, considering attached implements and load. Check the pressure with the tire cold, at the beginning of the day, and avoid large pressure differences between tires on the same axle.

Standards and technical references related to calibration

Even if the operator doesn't work directly with regulatory documents, understanding the logic behind them helps to enhance the calibration routine. Standards such as ISO 9001 address quality management and reinforce the importance of:

- to control measuring instruments;

- Define calibration frequency;

- Record who performed the calibration, when, and with what results.

In practice, rural properties that follow these principles gain traceability and reduce application problems. Furthermore, regulatory and technical standards from different sectors emphasize safety and the best use of equipment. Even when written for another segment, the logic adapts well to the field.

Stara Technology as a partner in application calibration and control.

The electronic features integrated into Stara agricultural machinery help the operator transform proper calibration into direct results in the field. The combination of correct adjustment and application technology reduces waste, improves the uniformity of operations, and strengthens control over costs per hectare.

Agricultural monitors and controllers display, in real time, application rate, speed, area worked, and fault alarms. This allows the operator to quickly identify dose deviations and correct them in the field.

Variable rate and section control systems automatically adjust application according to the prescription map and geographic location, preventing overlap, coverage gaps, and unnecessary use of inputs.

Electronic records of operations allow for comparison of planned versus actual results, analysis of dose history, and support for decisions regarding new calibrations, adjustments, and management strategies.

Integration with technical assistance services, scheduled maintenance, and specific training helps the operator to better utilize these resources.

Stara Distribution App: quick calibration of the agricultural distributor

The Stara Distribution app streamlines agricultural distributor calibration and reduces fertilizer waste. Developed by Stara's Product Engineering team and used by thousands of producers, it guides the operator in:

- To indicate the ideal positioning of the disc blades, based on machine data, product specifications, and the desired application range;

- Perform application profile testing with trays, evaluating uniformity and coefficient of variation;

- To test the quality of the fertilizer, identifying variations in density between samples and more.

The role of calibration in the performance of agricultural machinery.

A consistent calibration routine transforms agricultural machinery into a more predictable and efficient ally. When the operator measures, adjusts, and records what the machine does in the field, it reduces waste, protects investment in inputs, and increases the chance of each plot expressing its productive potential.

With the support of the technology embedded in Stara agricultural machinery and reliable technical references, such as manuals and training, this step ceases to be an occasional adjustment and becomes part of the management of the rural property.