How Much Do Non-Legal for Trade Rail Scales Cost?

Double Draft Rail Scale NLFT

Single Draft Rail Scale NLFT

If you are in the market for a rail scale, purchase price is determined by a series of decisions that you must make. If you do not need a legal for trade rail scale, there are a number of options for you.

Avery Weigh-Tronix, Rice Lake, SAI and other rail scale manufacturers offer heavy-duty, modular checkweighing rail sections that can be installed to create a scale system. These rail sections replace current lengths of rail with a new piece of rail with an integrated load cell. The full rail scale system typically contains four or eight rail sections, wiring, and a controller or indicator. Additional options include rail weight software, printer, and remote scoreboard. These rail scales do not require a concrete foundation, and the system is relatively straightforward. As a result, flexibility and minimal downtime are considered key advantages. You are able to ensure optimal safe loads, prevent overload fees and verify product weights.

Alternatively, you can install a legal for trade scale module without following all the foundation requirements that a legal for trade scale requires. This saves potential rail scale owners substantially on both site work and foundation work.

Depending on what type of scale you choose, non-legal for trade rail scale equipment can range from $30,000 to over $100,000.

Rail scales will have the different requirements depending on what it is you are looking to do with your operation. Our Learning Hub is a great resource for various articles with a bit more added detail. Be sure to check out our article “Do I Need A Legal For Trade Rail Scale” to help you decide which way to go during your rail scale journey.

SO HOW MUCH DO RAIL SCALES COST?

For pricing guidelines for non-legal for trade rail scales, "How Much Does A Non Leagal For Trade Scale Cost?"

For pricing guidelines for legal for trade rail scales, "How Much Does A Legal For Trade Scale Cost?"

At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale related. Be sure to check out our legal for trade truck scale system articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. We also have articles on scale accessories, common problems to prolong your scales lifespan, weighing applications as well as what scale indicator works best with your junction box. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership.

How Much Do Legal for Trade Rail Scales Cost?

Legal for trade rail scale – pricing guidelines

One of the first questions potential rail scale owners often want to know when they call our company is: How much does a rail scale cost? This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on a variety of decisions you will need to make. This article will attempt to layout general pricing guidelines associated with a legal for trade rail scale.

All legal for trade rail scale projects generally follow the same process and there are costs associated with each step. The basic steps in the process include:

• Conduct an initial site survey

• Obtain a geotechnical report

• Choose your scale

• Plan the project

• Complete the project, calibrate, and place into service

The first step in the process includes doing an on-site survey to assess the feasibility and optimal location for the rail scale. During the site survey you will identify the best location for the scale and the scale house, locate underground utilities, assess drainage, etc.

After the initial site survey, the second step is to hire a geotechnical engineer to conduct a thorough analysis of the proposed construction site. The analysis includes soil borings, lab tests, and composition studies to confirm the type of soil present and determine what is required to reach required compaction levels. Depending on the soil, a deep foundation with pilings may be recommended to transfer loads to the earth farther down from the surface. Site work is one of the largest variable costs associated with legal for trade rail scales. Depending on soil conditions and the type of scale foundation, site work can range from $10,000+ to well over $100,000 for substantial earth work.

The third step is to determine the exact type of rail scale to purchase; the initial site survey, the geotechnical report, and on-site weighing considerations will help to pinpoint this. Legal for trade rail scale options include:

 •         above ground vs pit scale foundation

•         modular platform sizes (single, single-single, single-double, double-double)

•         truck/rail combo

•         hydraulic vs. electronic load cell system

•         static vs. weigh in motion weighing

There are a couple of different foundation types for legal for trade rail scales. The primary two types are either above ground or conventional pit style. A conventional pit scale generally requires more site work and concrete finishing. The approaches, immediately adjacent to the scale, range from 25’ to 75’ in length and are a significant part of the foundation. Site selection and the rail scale application generally determine what type of foundation to get. Depending on the foundation, the concrete work can range from $50,000 to over $100,000.

Modular platforms vary in size. Platform lengths range in length from 12 foot, 15 foot, 20 foot, 25 foot, etc. The modules are configured to weigh cars that vary in length. The rail scale owner must determine the expected length of the rail cars that he/she will be weighing and the foundation will be designed with the appropriate amount of dead space between two rail axles. The scale is usually classified as a single (one module; split weighing), single-single, single-double, double-double (preceding three - two module; scale weighs whole car). The number of modules and size have an impact on the price.

 Another option is to weigh the whole rail car on a single platform. This system can be installed for rail only operations, or it can be used to measure vehicle traffic as well. Truck/rail combo rail scales vary in length from 60’ to over 100’ feet long. These scales can be either concrete or steel deck. Grated dump through decking is also available for unloading operations.

Above ground single – double modules

Above ground single module

Conventional pit style – 70’ full length long rail scale

Pit style single module

 The scale environment will also impact the type of load cell system. Both electronic and hydraulic load cells have certain advantages and disadvantages. When used in the right environment, both types are reliable, repeatable, and accurate.

 Lastly, you will need to decide whether the scale needs to weigh static or in motion cars. This decision will have a significant impact on the foundation, the rail equipment, and the instrumentation. Static weighing involves moving the rail car onto the scale and weighing the car at rest. Rail cars are weighed uncoupled from adjacent cars. Weighing in motion allows you to eliminate the costs and hazards of uncoupling and positioning each car on the rail scale. A weigh in motion scale allows railcars to be weighed as they roll over the scale. With a properly located scale, car weights can be made as part of your normal car handling operations without any additional time or effort. Coupled in-motion rail scales allow scale owners to obtain safe and accurate weighments of an entire train at speeds ranging from 3-14 mph.

Depending on the type of rail scale system you choose, equipment prices can range from >$50,000 to well over $150,000. At the end of the day, the main costs associated with a legal for trade rail scale include site work, the foundation, and the scale equipment.

Do I Need A Legal-For Trade Rail Scale?

WHAT TYPE OF RAIL SCALE SHOULD I GET?

One of the first questions potential rail scale owners want to know when they call our company is: how much does it cost? This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on the type of rail scale needed as well as a variety of other decisions you will need to make. This article will help you answer the first question you must ask when pricing out a rail scale: do I need a legal for trade rail scale?

LEGAL FOR TRADE VS NON-LEGAL FOR TRADE

The first decision you must make is whether or not you need a legal for trade rail scale. Scale manufacturers work to ensure that their scales meet the standards of certain organizations. If you sell products commercially based on weight, it is required by law that the scale you use is 'legal for trade'. Legal for trade rail scales are typically more precise and are usually permanent rail car weighing solutions. These systems tend to be more complex, require a concrete foundation, and usually have a longer installation time. As a result, a legal for trade rail scale generally requires a larger up-front investment.

Legal for Trade	Non Legal for Trade
Increased accuracy	Reduced accuracy compared to legal for trade
NTEP certified	Not NTEP certified
Specific approach requirements	Reduced foundation & approach requirements
Static or Weigh in motion (WIM)	Static or Weigh in motion (WIM)
Above ground foundation Or Pit style foundation	Foundationless options available

If you do not need legal for trade approval, you can choose a non-legal for trade rail scale. These scales are ideal for many applications, including the following:

•         Determining the gross or tare weight for rail cars

•         Verifying weights of outbound rail cars do not exceed overload limits

•         Ensuring rail carloads are safely balanced

•         Checkweighing inbound rail cars

•         Filling rail cars to the optimal weight within legal limits

•         Incoming and outgoing inventory verification

To help clarify whether or not you need a legal for trade rail scale, here are a few real-world scenarios.

Scenario	Legal for trade required? (Yes / No)
Scale owner is a regional scrap metal operation. They are moving product via rail, and they want to checkweigh rail cars to prevent overloading and being charged overage fees from the rail line.	NO. Since the scale owner is only weighing the rail cars to avoid overweight fines from the rail road operator, a legal for trade scale is not required.
Scale owner is a national paper and pulp producer. They receive wood chips via rail and checkweigh the product before unloading to verify how much they are purchasing from their supplier	NO. The scale owner is simply weighing inbound rail cars of product they already own.
Scale owner is a multi-national fortune 500 food producer. They are using the scale to weigh product and buy / sell in a commercial transaction.	YES. Every state requires that scales used in commerce (sales) must be legal for trade with the appropriate certification.

So how much do Rail Scales cost?

For pricing guidelines for non-legal for trade rail scales, "How Much Does A Non Leagal For Trade Scale Cost?"

For pricing guidelines for legal for trade rail scales, "How Much Does A Legal For Trade Scale Cost?"

At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale related. Be sure to check out our legal for trade truck scale system articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. We also have articles on scale accessories, common problems to prolong your scales lifespan, weighing applications as well as what scale indicator works best with your junction box. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership.