How Long Do Truck Scales Last?

What’s The LifeSpan of A Truck SCale

Just like any piece of equipment or machinery, truck scales will eventually hit their end of useful life and need replacement. Like most equipment a truck scale life span can vary greatly based on a number of key factors. That being said, most truck scales should have at least a 20 year lifespan on average. The key factors that will drive the lifespan of your truck scale up or down are below:

1) Did You Buy a Quality Truck Scale?

The first step to ensuring a long-lasting truck scale is to buy a quality one from the beginning. This means buying a brand named scale that is manufactured in the USA. Key factors to look for include the amount of steel in the scale, the type and quantity of loadcells, and the warranty. There are many top quality truck scale brands to choose from including B-Tek, Rice Lake, Emery Winslow, Fairbanks, and Cardinal. Starting with a truck scale from one of these manufacturers will ensure you have a high quality scale from the start. To learn more about the cost of a quality truck scale, checkout our blog post.

2) What Type Environment Is The Truck Scale In

Another key factor to truck scale lifecycle is the environment the scale is located in. This can be both the climate of where your scale is located or the materials that might be contacting the scale. In terms of climate, truck scales in the Northeast US will have issues with salt and corrosion from snow & ice, while truck scales in the southeast will have more issues with flooding and lightning strikes. The main issues the environment causes include rusting of the steel components whether the deck, base plates, or the i-beams. Beyond the local climate, the material that may contact the scale can also cause shorter life cycles. Truck scales that have contact with animal waste, chemicals, or any other acidic material will not last as long. These materials will slowly eat away at the metal components of the scale and cause deterioration. Bottom-line, the local climate and specific material contacting the scale will have a large impact on your truck scale’s length of service.

3) Did You Properly Maintain The Truck Scale?

Like any piece of machinery if you don't conduct preventive maintenance on it your truck scale will not last as long. Key preventative maintenance includes calibration, washing or cleaning the scale, adjusting any checking, and consistent inspections to look for potential emerging issues. Your scale service company is really your go-to group to make sure this is completed correctly. This is why we recommend a minimum of twice per year calibrations & inspections. Not only will it ensure your scale is weighing accurately, but any issues can be corrected before they become severe. Checkout our blog post on the main reasons to have your truck scale frequently calibrated & serviced.

4) Number of vehicles Using The Truck Scale?

The final key factor is how heavily is the truck scale being used. The more trucks crossing the scale daily the quicker the scale will wear out. Luckily, high quality truck scales today can still last 20+ years weighing hundreds of trucks per day. Also to consider is the speed at which the trucks enter and exit the scale. Trucks entering fast onto the scale or "dropping their clutch'' when on the scale place undue stress on the truck scale and shorten its life.

To learn about the truck scales American Scale offers, checkout our truck scales page.

How Long are Truck Scale Warranties?

Truck Scale Warranty Length

This is often one of the first questions you may ask yourself when preparing to purchase a truck scale. However, the length of a truck scale warranty is only part of the story. In order for you to truly understand a truck scale warranty you will need to consider the following factors:

1) Length of Warranty:

This is often the metric scale manufacturers will market heavily. You will see truck scale warranties ranging from a lifetime warranty to just 1 year, along with everything in between. Key to the length is what is included equipment is included in the warranty period (see point #2 below). Also be on the lookout for a declining warranty, meaning overtime it declines. For example, years 1-5 100% warranty, but then years 5-10 only offer 50% warranty.

2) Equipment Included In Warranty:

The warranty for many truck scales is different depending on what component of the scale is involved. For example, the load cells, indicator, and weigh bridges may all have different length warranties. This often times becomes very confusing and complex. You should look for truck scale manufacturers offering "endwall to endwall" or "bumper to bumper" warranties. This means everything is included and simplifies the warranty.

3) Labor Included In Warranty

Key to any warranty is whether labor or service is also included in the warranty. For example, a load cell goes out on a new truck scale which is still under warranty. The scale service company comes on-site, replaces the loadcell and the scale is repaired. However, in this example the scale warranty does NOT include labor/service. So although the loadcell was covered, you may be stuck with a labor/service bill that is way more than even the cost of a load cell. Bottom-line, many truck scale manufacturers offer long warranties on their equipment but limited or no warranty for the labor. Make sure the warranty includes labor and service.

4) Other Requirements:

Like many other things in life, there is often fine print involved with truck scale warranties. The fine print can require things like a calibration contract, only licensed scale dealers for that brand working on the scale, etc. Make sure you both understand these requirements upfront but also follow them. Also to note is whether regular wear & tear is included in the truck scale warranty or only defects in workmanship. Understanding these requirements is important to ensure you will receive the full value of your warranty over the years.

In the end, make sure you compare truck scale warranties before buying. Your scale service company should be able to provide all the details along with real-world experiences using the warranties. Partnering with your scale service company is key to ensuring you receive the best truck scale warranty that meets your needs.

Why Choose An ISO Certified Scale Company?

Learn more about ISO certification

The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. Founded on 23 February 1947, the organization develops and publishes worldwide technical, industrial, and commercial standards. The purpose of achieving ISO certification is to ensure the safety and quality of the product that is certified, and to promote global compatibility of the product or service in question.

What Does it Mean for a Scale Company to Be ISO Certified?

The ISO certification for scale companies is called ISO/IEC 17025. In order to achieve ISO 17025 certification, a scale company must undergo a rigorous accreditation process from a certified third-party organization. A scale company that has ISO 17025 certification demonstrates their ability for producing precise testing and calibration results. This allows for adherence to an established quality management system. ISO certification also allows for international recognition of calibration and test reports. Being an ISO 17025 certified scale company is an advantage versus not being ISO 17025 certified; this recognition of standardization ensures that the scale company’s management focuses on quality, safety, and results.

Clients of scale companies that require ISO calibration service to be performed on their scales, as specified by their internal quality manual, can only have this service performed by an ISO 17025 certified scale company.

Note: Scale companies are not required to have ISO 17025 accreditation, but it lends strong credibility to the scale company. Having an ISO 17025 certificate of calibration displays superior quality control and excellence in calibration, as opposed to getting a non-ISO 17025 certified calibration of your scale. An ISO certified calibration looks good for potential auditors and other quality assurance groups, as the calibration comes with a certificate of calibration that displays proof of excellence and standardization.

Accrediting Organizations for ISO 17025 Certification

ISO sets standards for scale companies and then third-party accreditation bodies validate the calibration competency. If the scale company is found to meet all the ISO requirements, the third-party recommends the scale company for accreditation. Some of the external organizations that provide this certification to scale companies are the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), and the Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation (PJLA). Scale companies that are ISO certified work to maintain their relationship with these accrediting organizations in order to keep their ISO certification. The process of becoming ISO certified is very involved, therefore a strong relationship and compliance with an accrediting body is essential to ISO certification renewal. If your scale company is ISO certified, they should have their certificate of accreditation posted somewhere on their website.

What Can an ISO 17025 Certified Scale Company do?

An ISO 17025 certified scale company is permitted to calibrate and service scales as outlined in the scope of accreditation provided by the third party accrediting organization. This accreditation can range anywhere from Lab Balances to Heavy Capacity scales. Each scale type will have its own subset of considerations and weight tolerances. The scope of accreditation varies by scale company. If your scale requires calibration in accordance with ISO 17025, you should check with your scale company to make sure they are accredited to calibrate your type of scale. American Scale is accredited by PJLA to calibrate Analytical Balances, Top Loading Balances, Bench Scales, Floor Scales, Hopper Scales, Truck Scales, and as of recent, Portable Mining Scales as well.

Becoming an Industry Leader

A scale company that is willing to go through the process of becoming ISO certified shows that they are proactive, rather than reactive. In today’s day and age, safety and satisfaction is paramount to a company’s value proposition. Taking the initiative to maintain and renew ISO certification shows that the scale company wants to be an industry leader. This in turn will increase a scale company’s productivity and ultimately increase their bottom line. ISO certification is an important competitive advantage that will foster expansion and operational excellence within a scale company.

An ISO certified scale company follows world class standards in the scale industry and ensures accurate testing and calibration of scales will be conducted. This is critical going forward in the industrial landscape, as this industry leading quality will allow for growth and evolution of the scale company. As the demand for precision weighing and calibration is not slowing down any time soon, being an ISO certified scale company will ultimately give a scale company a leg up. American Scale Company is proud to be ISO certified for nearly two decades, and laboratory management will continue to uphold this standard.

Closing Words

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.

What Is A Truck Scale Retrofit?

When To Consider a Truck Scale Retrofit or Conversion

Truck scales are a significant investment for any company, and the major distributors pride themselves on making a durable, long-lasting product. However, like any equipment, even truck scales suffer from wear and tear. Instead of paying for unscheduled maintenance on your truck scale, or an entirely new scale, a truck scale retrofit can sometimes be a sensible and cost-effective way to get your truck scale working properly again.

There are two options for getting your truck scale back up and running at peak performance: a complete truck scale replacement or a truck scale retrofit. A retrofit is when technicians only replace the worn down or malfunctioning parts of the truck scale, which are usually the load cells, wiring, etc. Retrofitting your truck scale can be a more affordable method of getting your scale working again. Below are several factors that must be considered when thinking about a truck scale retrofit.

1.  Scale issues

It is important to determine what the issue with your scale is. This is something that your scale technician can help you with. Scale decks are usually durable and long-lasting because they are made of concrete or steel; however, if there happens to be an issue with the weighbridge, then a complete truck scale retrofit of the load cells and other scale technology would not be sufficient to get the scale working properly again. Your scale technician can help you diagnose the problem with your scale and advise you on the options available for addressing the issue.

 2.  Foundation

Just like the scale deck, the foundation must also be in good condition for a truck scale retrofit to make sense. The foundation is typically one of the most costly and labor-intensive aspects of installing a truck scale. Consequently, if yours in good condition then a retrofit might be ideal for your truck scale.

 3.  Expense

While not as expensive as a complete truck scale install, a retrofit can still be costly. Replacement load cells and other electronics tend to be expensive. Additionally, identifying the problem and fixing the appropriate parts can require substantial labor hours which can also increase the price. Nonetheless, a retrofit generally takes less time than a complete truck scale replacement, which means that you have less lost revenue while your scale is down for repairs.

4. Upgrades

If a retrofit is a possibility for your truck scale, it could be a good time to make upgrades to your scale that you’ve been wanting, such as moving from analog to digital load cells, getting a new indicator, etc. 

Consulting your scale dealer is a great way to see if your malfunctioning truck scale is a candidate for a retrofit. They will be able to identify which parts of your truck scale are not working properly, and how much it would cost to replace those components. From there, you can make the decision about whether a retrofit or a complete truck scale replacement is the more sensible option.

 Closing Words

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.

What Options To Consider on A Floor Scale?

Floor Scale Options To Consider

Floor scales are often referred to as pallet scales, platform scales, or shipping scales. Often times these terms are all used interchangeable. Generally, standard floor scales are 4 ft by 4 ft and have a capacity of up to 5,000 lbs. That being said floor scales are available in many other sizes and capacities. You may also be wondering how much floor scales cost; checkout our blog post to learn more.

1) Do you need a legal for trade or NTEP certified floor scale?

This is a key point to understand when buying any scale but particularly a floor scale. NTEP certified scales mean they are authorized to be used for the buying & selling of a product off the scale. With this comes much better accuracy and higher quality in the scale. We only sell legal for trade scales because quality is so important in a scale. Don’t be fooled by the cheap internet floor scales.

2) What size and capacity floor scale?

Are you weighing just shipping pallets then a 4 ft by 4 ft scale should be perfect; however, if you are weighing items with varying sizes something larger may be required. In addition to the size make sure you consider capacity. What is the heaviest item you would be weighing? Don’ forget to include the weight of the pallet, tote, or other container in addition the actual product you are weighing. A higher capacity scale will come with larger capacity load cells reducing the risk of overloading and damaging the scale.

3) What add-on features may I need?

Make sure to consider any additional needs you may have for the scale. These can include the need to connect the scale to a computer, to print labels, or to connect to a remote display. These features are often not included with many cheap internet scales but standard on quality floor scales.

4) Features to look for on when considering a floor scale purchase

A) High Quality Top Access Junction Box; ensure the junction box doesn’t have direct soldered load cells connections, and is accessible from the top of the scale (not the side).

B) Indicator or Readout will last; ensure the indicator is housed in either ABS plastics or stainless steel. If you operate in an environment that may get wet consider upgrading to an IP rated indicator to ensure water will not get into the indicator and destroy it. Look for the ability to change between units, tare and zero, and send weight date via serial output.

C) Strong heavy I-beam deck; be on the lookout for cheap internet scales lacking I-beam supports resulting in the scale deck flexing under load and weighing inaccurately.

D) Quality scale feet; look for stainless steel or well made rubber feet. Too often cheap scales provide uneven and different length feet meaning your scale is never level and will weigh wrong.

E) Warranty; what length warranty is provided. Also make sure the scale manufacturer is one that has been around for years to service that warranty. Too often Chinese scale manufacturer come and go leaving scale buyers with poor quality scales and no warranty protection.

To see what floor scales American Scale offers checkout our floor scales page or our floor scale shop to buy directly.

Closing Words

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 Does A Floor Scale Cost?

Floor scales are large weighing platforms capable of withstanding heavy duty weighing and rough conditions. Floor scales can be used to weigh many things such as pallets and heavy items. They come in a couple of different forms and dimensions and represent any sort of weighing equipment that operates on floor level. This includes pallet scales, platform scales, and pallet beams. Understanding what kind of quality and dimensions of floor scales that are available is important to understanding the cost of a floor scale. There are basic floor scales ranging in size from 3x3 to 5x5 with 1,000 lb - 20,000 lb capacity.  A good quality, mild steel standard floor scale will cost anywhere between $800 - $2,000.  A good quality stainless steel floor scale will cost anywhere between $2,000 to $10,000 depending on what size and weight capacity you buy, not including installation and shipping fees. 

TYPES OF FLOOR SCALES

·       Material- Stainless Steel or Mild Steel

·       Power Type- Electronic or Hydraulic

·       Gas-assisted lift deck or no lift deck

·       Pit mounted or not

As previously mentioned, stainless-steel floor scales are more expensive and are typically used for more wet, heavy duty conditions. Many of these scales will have a quick clean application through gas-assisted lift decks. These steel decks can easily fold up and allow for cleaning under the scale. These scales are typically found in applications such as food processing, where the scale is going to need to be washed down from time to time to ensure sanitation. Other applications that do not require clean downs probably do not need a lift deck floor scale.

To save space, many customers will opt for a pit-mounted floor scale, where the floor scale will be installed in a pit so that the scale will be right at floor level. This will allow for easy transportation of items onto the scale. The cost of digging out a pit in concrete floors is roughly between $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the size and if a drainage system were to be installed under the scale. Keep in mind that this an additional cost incurred on top of the purchase of the floor scale. You may have to hire a contractor to cut out the dimensions of the pit. The other option is to buy a ramp to put adjacent to the floor scale. This will also cost money and will take up more space than the pit-mounted scale.

Another type of floor scale that is less common is the hydraulic floor scale. These scales provide great protection from the harshest of conditions. While more expensive, Hydraulic scales offer great protection in messy environments that require impervious weighing solutions. A Hydraulic Floor Scale’s cost will vary depending on type (stainless steel or mild steel) and dimension, but generally hydraulic floor scales will fall in the range of $9,000 to $25,000. Hydraulic scales require a special certification to work on them, as they operate differently from electronic scales. This also contributes to the higher price tag.

FLOOR SCALE QUALITY CONSIDERATIONS

When purchasing a floor scale, it is very important that you look for quality rather than opting for a lower quality scale. In truth, lower quality floor scales will probably cost around $400-$800 and may seem like a bargain, but will probably not withstand the test of time and general wear-and-tear. Buying a floor scale from a non-reputable source may end up costing you more time and money in the long run. The cost of replacing or recalibrating these unreliable scales will ultimately equate to the cost of buying a higher-quality, more expensive scale, therefore cheap floor scales are not worth the risk. Also factor in the use of a remote display or scoreboard as well to help with convenience.

FLOOR SCALE LOAD CELLS

Floor scales typically have 4 load cells under a deck which is situated on top of the load cells. These cells can hold up to 10,000 lbs but typically hold between 1,000 to 5,000 lbs in weight. You can go analog or electronic load cells, scale calibration will be the same. The load cells will all run to a junction box that sums the individual load cell weights. The more weight capacity that the load cells hold, the more the floor scale will cost. An individual load cell used in a floor scale will typically cost around $200 to $700, depending on its weight capacity. Make sure you know how much capacity you need before purchasing a floor scale. A rule of thumb is that the net weight of all 4 load cell capacities divided in half is the capacity of the entire floor scale. So for example, if you have four 2,500 lb capacity load cells in your floor scale, that would be 10,000 lbs divided by 2, equaling a 5,000 lb floor scale capacity.

NTEP/ LEGAL FOR TRADE CONSIDERATIONS

Typically, if a scale is used in an exchange that involves buying, selling, or charging based on weight within the United States, it must be legal for trade certified. NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program), a non-profit corporation, will usually test and approve scales so that they can be considered “legal for trade”. Not all floor scales are NTEP certified so be aware of that. More reliable scale manufacturers such as Cardinal, B-Tek, Rice Lake, and Emery Winslow offer NTEP certified, legal for trade scales. It is important to understand how you will be using your floor scale; if it is being used to sell or buy something on the basis of weight then you must make sure you floor scale is legal for trade certified, which is typically done through NTEP certification. American Scale offers a wide array of NTEP certified floor scales.

CONCLUSION

As previously mentioned, there are other costs attached to buying a floor scale, as well as many different options of floor scales available for purchase. Make sure to do your due diligence so that you choose the floor scale that will best suite your weighing needs.

Closing Words

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.

Where To Install My Belt Scale?

Belt Scale Installation Considerations

So you are getting a belt scale…or you already bought one. Here are some things you need to consider when installing it.

Belt Scale Location:

First off, NEVER install a belt scale near the hopper dump or material load point. The belt in this area will be turbulent and this will affect accuracy and performance of the scale. If at all possible, you should place the belt scale in an area where the conveyor belt has completely settled. You generally want three to four idlers on each side of the scale to make it as smooth as possible.  Installing the belt scale near the head pulley or the tail pulley can cause similar accuracy and performance issues.

In addition, you should choose a location on the belt that has constant tension. Constant tension improves accuracy and overall performance. If possible, installing the scale near the tail section of the conveyor helps to eliminate tension variations. Many conveyors have tensioning devices to eliminate tension issues on the whole conveyor system.

Lastly, you should avoid installing the scale on steep areas and areas where the conveyor changes slope. Steep areas increase the chance of material rolling backwards which would impact the weighments. Curved locations may cause the belt to lift up when empty.

 Other considerations:

Inclement weather can cause major issues with belt scales. For one, freezing temperatures and moisture can cause ice and frost to build-up on the belt scale. Rain can mix with the material and add weight to the measurement. Wind can cause turbulence in the belt if the material is not very heavy. If possible, we recommend that you cover your belt scale with a conveyor cover if possible.

 Crusher, vibratory feeders, hammer/pug mills and other vibratory equipment should be avoided as well. If possible, the belt scale should be isolated from vibratory equipment and any / all electrical noise.

 Power – think about what type of power is going to power the scale integrator (aka indicator; aka scale head). The common types of power are 120VAC, 240VAC, 12-24DC. In addition to the power, running conduit is an important part of belt scale installation. Conduit is required for the power cables as well as the homerun cable that connects the scale to the integrator.

 These are just a few considerations you should think about before installing your belt scale.

Closing Words

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.

Is My Belt Scale Accurate?

Is my belt scale weighing accurately?

We often have customers call regarding their belt scale, and they generally want to know how accurate the scale is. Usually, if they are calling, they don’t think the belt scale is right and they want to see what can be done to get more accurate weight data.

There are a few things to look at when assessing your belt scale.

 1. Environment & Scale Condition:

The first thing is the physical environment and the condition of the scale. There should be no build up of material around the belt scale. A lot of time, material will fall off the conveyor belt and get lodged in between the load cell assemblies and the conveyor frame. Also check the wires to make sure that none of them have been pinched, cut, or damaged. In general, the load cell wires terminate inside a junction box and that junction box goes to the scale head (or integrator). Check all the wiring including the wiring that goes from the speed sensor to the integrator. The two types of speed sensors you may have are generally one of the following:

• an arm with a wheel that tracks along the return side of the belt

• an encoder that is installed on the tail pulley with magnets

2. Scale Installation Location:

If all the wiring seems to be in good shape, you should look at where the scale was installed on the conveyor. You want to make sure and have three to four idlers of distance on either end of the scale. This is to make sure there is no “noise” in the system. Basically, you want the material to be traveling as smooth as possible while it is going across the scale. We’ve seen belt scales installed directly under a load out – that is not going to provide good data. You also want to check if the previously mentioned idlers (three to four before and after the scale) are on the same plane as the scale. You can do this by tying a string on the first idler and then pulling it out covering several in a row. The belt scale should be on the same plane as all the idlers before and after. If it is not, you can use shims to raise and lower idlers as necessary.

3. Belt Scale Parameters

Lastly, you want to check that the parameters were set up in the indicator correctly. A belt scale is a weigh in motion scale and certain variable data (belt length, belt speed, etc.) has to be set up correctly in the integrator in order for the  scale to weigh accurately. Belt scales are more complex than typical static scales (think static truck scale) and therefore not all scale technicians are familiar with them. There are several different belt scale manufacturers out there and each one has their own flavor of set up and software.

At the end of the day, the best place to start is to make sure the scale and surrounding area is clean and free of debris. Having a good preventative maintenance plan to prevent a lot of issues that you may encounter with your belt scale.

What Is A Belt Scale?

So what is a belt scale? A belt scale is a weigh in motion scale that is used to continuously measure material flow rates and totalize material amounts being transported on a conveyor belt.

Belt scales are an integral part of most bulk material handling facilities. Belt scale systems monitor raw material feed to crushers, mills, screens, boilers, preparation plants, and coal-fired power plants to ensure process material feed rates and maintain overall quality.

Belt scales are used in production and logistics, for measuring throughput and consumption in production plants, internal balancing of supply and discharge, load limit signaling, and batching at loading stations or metering hopper control. Belt scales provide vital information for the effective management and efficient operation of your business. The material weight is determined by weighing the belt load and incorporating other factors such as the belt speed and belt length.

Most belt scales on the market today are rugged and dependable. They often come as a single, dual, or four idler scale – in general the more idlers, the more accurate your scale is going to be. Many manufacturers offer self-storing calibration weights to make routine calibrations and checks quick, safe and simple.

Belt scales are common in the follow industries:

- aggregate & asphalt
- bioenergy
- cement
- chemicals
- energy & power
- food & beverage
- plastics
- pulp & paper

Why Is My Truck Scale Weighing Light?

Truck scales can be intimidating and frustrating for scale owners to diagnose when they experience issues. However, a truck scale is just the same as any other scale. The scale deck sits on top of load cells – usually eight or ten. The load cells are what read the weight traveling across the scale. So why is my truck scale weighing light? Below are three causes of an inaccurate scale reading:

BUILD UP:

Build up is the dirt, debris, and rocks that pile up under or around the truck scale. If the scale’s steel deck is not able to freely sit down onto the load cells, the scale will weigh light. Scale manufacturers have takin tis common problem into consideration and have designed these scales to be easily cleaned with a power washer. This also makes scale calibration simpler. If you have analog or electronic load cells then just be sure to check for any buildup. The first thing technicians will look for when they arrive on site is for build up around and underneath the truck scale. A good inspection of the full truck scale will enable you to quickly determine if build up if causing weighment issues. To avoid this problem, it is advised that you have your scale pressure washed by a scale technician on a frequency that meets your environmental needs.

BINDING OR MECHANICAL ISSUES:

Binding is referred to as a mechanical problem causing the scale to not float freely. Metal rock guards around the scale deck can break free and bind with pit walls. Other mechanical parts can also cause binding. If you cannot find a binding issue, contact your scale company as they may have certain areas for you to check based on the make and model of your scale. A common problem is coping breaking free from pit walls and approaches. A common fix is to weld the coping back into place. Contact your scale company for suggestions on how to check for and reduce binding issues. The structural integrity of your scale will greatly affect your weighing accuracy. Structural integrity is most seen when you start to experience teetering issues with the scale deck. These issues are hard to diagnose and even harder to fix. A thorough diagnose will be needed to determine if repairs are possible.

ELECTRONIC FAILURE:

Most truck scales made today are electronic. As with any man-made product, load cells and summing cards do fail. Even without complete failure showing error codes on the scale indicator, a load cell and/or summing card can slowly fail. A technician will need to diagnose your truck scale for failure in electronic parts. One quick thing a scale owner can check is the voltage supplied to the scale indicator. Alos check your remote display or scoreboard to ensure it is connected properly. Ensure that the power is stable and not dropping when other machines are turned on. Also, check for grounding issues with the power supply that could lead to power draws and back-feeds on voltage. These draws and back-feeds will affect voltage going to and coming back from the scale as scales are calibrated based on voltage and millivolts. For further in-depth diagnosis, contact your local scale company.

Closing Words

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.

What Size Truck Scale Should I Buy?

One of the first questions truck scale buyers often ask about is the size of the truck scale. When it comes to the size of a truck scale there are two dimensions to consider; length and width. The length of the scale is the longer portion of the scale and runs parallel if you were to drive down the truck scale platform. The width is the shorter length and runs perpendicular to the direction you would drive. Let’s look at each dimension separately as they each have specific considerations.

Truck Scale Length:

The length of a truck scale is vital to ensure accurate weighments. This is because you need to make sure the entire vehicle or truck fits onto the scale. For example, if you have a 50 ft scale but the tractor-trailer you are weighing is 60 ft long it would not work. You could split weigh the truck; however, these weighments are not fully accurate nor Legal-For-Trade. So, a good starting point is to know what length the longest truck you would weigh is. Then make sure you buy a scale at least the length. Another scenario to consider is if you will be loading or filling trucks while they are on the scale. For example, at an asphalt plant. For these one needs to consider where the silos that are filling the trucks are placed. You may only be filling 35ft dump trucks but if you have 5 silos you are loading from you may need an 80 ft or 100 ft truck scale.

The standard length in the industry for a truck scale is 70 ft. Some manufacturers offer 72 ft scales as a competitive advantage. A 70 ft scale will work for 75% of weighing applications and projects. If you are not sure what length you need a great start place is a 70 ft scale.

Truck Scale Width:

The width of a truck scale is often less discussed than the length. Although less discussed, the width is still vital to your truck scale purchase. The width of the scale is important for two factors 1) safety 2) wide vehicles. In terms of safety, the wider the better. Too often we see truck drivers run off the side of a truck scale or hit the guard rails. In these cases, the wider the scale the better as it provides more of a buffer for a driver to maneuver his truck on the scale. The second is wide-vehicles. In certain industries such as agriculture, wide-vehicles need to use the scales. For example, a fertilizer spreader truck with a width of up to 13 ft. This means you need to purchase a scale that is wide enough to fit these vehicles.

The standard width in the truck scale industry is 11 ft wide. That being said 90% of truck scale widths are between 10ft and 12ft wide. One thing to consider is that wider scales cost more in freight to have delivered. This is due to the wide-load permits and escort vehicles required. Once you go over 14ft often times that scale deck is split into two pieces and bolted together on-site since 14ft+ wide is hard to transport. Also consider the weight of the truck scales being shipped. Concrete deck scales are much lighter than steel deck; checkout our blog post to learn more about steel deck vs concrete deck truck scales.

Bottom-line, make sure you consider all the factors when deciding on the length and width of your truck scale. With proper planning you can make sure your truck scale will meet all your weighing needs. A final consideration is always cost; to learn more about how much truck scales cost checkout our blog post.

To learn more about the truck scales American Scale offers checkout our truck scale page.

Closing words

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.

What Are The Basics Of Bench Scales?

Bench scales, also know as table-top scales and checkweighers, are manufactured with a variety of sizes and options. Choosing the best bench scale for your operations can be a critical key in accuracy, longevity, and efficiency in your production facility. Here we will discuss how to choose the right bench scale for your weighing needs.

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Environment

Bench scales are available in plastic and stainless steel. You should consider your environment and the product you are weighing before selecting your bench scale. Typically, stainless steel bench scales are made for wash-down, dusty, and high-use applications. Industries such a produce packaging, meat processing, and chemical engineering have great success with stainless steel scales. Along with the stainless steel base, you will also want to consider the environment for your indicator – scale head. Indicators are made of all types of materials. A select few indicators are considered wash-down safe, and you should consult with a scale company before choosing the indicator that you want. Smaller bench scales are available for laboratories that need precise measurements. These scales should be protected from rough environments as they can quickly lose calibration.

Intrinsically Safe

Scale manufacturers have began producing a wide variety of intrinsically safe bench scales. These scales are safe to use around explosive or combustible materials. The peace of mind with having a scale that will be safe to use for your threatening chemicals is always a big plus for a safe working environment. Consult with your scale company to find the right intrinsically safe bench scale for your needs.

So Many Options

Bench scales can perform a lot of functions from check-weighing to pricing. A pricing scale a great scale for produce stands, fish markets, and seed producers. Pricing bench scales allow a preset price to be entered for a product code for simple and fast transactions. Aside from pricing scale, bench scale are available as conveyor bench scale and as manual roller-top bench scales. The ease and speed of working with an automatic or manual conveyor / roller system is sure to enhance your production abilities. Did I mention that labeling programs have been developed to work with bench scale for any industry? You can simply enter your product, lot number, and whatever other information you may need within seconds and have a label provided for that package with barcodes, time/date, weight, and various other information. The options are endless for your bench scales and laboratory scales.

Length Of Time To Install A Truck Scale?

A common question we often get is how long will a new truck scale take to install. Just like many other components of a truck scale project, it really depends. In general a new steel deck truck scale with foundation will take around 7 days, while a new concrete deck truck scale and foundation will take closer to 3 weeks. However, if you are replacing an existing truck scale and reusing the foundation, a new truck scale can be installed in 1 day.

So what drives the length of a truck scale installation projects?

1. Deck Type:

   Steel deck truck scales can be installed in one day or less by an experienced scale installation company. This is because unlike a concrete deck the steel deck scale is ready to use as soon as it is calibrated. A concrete deck scale; however, will require at least 2 weeks after the scale deck has the concrete poured on-site to cure. If you don’t let the concrete deck cure all the way it will risk cracking and cause major structural issues for years to come. Bottom-line concrete deck truck scales take longer to install then steel deck truck scales. Learn More About Truck Scale Deck Types.

2. Foundation Type:

   The type of foundation will also determine the length of the project. Standard above ground foundations can be formed and poured in 2-3 days. They will also require some cure time. A pit foundation requires significantly more work; this means it will take closer to 4-5 days to form and pour. There are ways to shorten these time lines. In projects where it is crucial to minimize downtime we can often pour a high-early concrete mix. This mix will cure much faster than the standard mix although it does cost more because of the concrete additives that have to be used. Bottom-line, pit style foundations take longer to install then above-ground truck scale foundations. Learn More About Truck Scale Foundation Types.

3. Other Site Considerations

   The final item that determines the length of a truck scale installation project is whether all the secondary connections are ready and in place. By this we mean have you had electrical power run to the scale location, is the conduit run from the scale to the scale-house, is the PLC/HMI setup and ready to accept the new scale data, etc. Bottom-line these are all the ankle-biters at the end of project that tend to take much longer than anticipated. The key here is to have a clear game plan of who is responsible for what; meaning what is the scale company responsible for and what are you responsible for. Bottom-line, plan ahead and these tasks wont extend your project timeline, don’t plan ahead and they may become the longest portion of your truck scale installation project.

What Are The Different Scale Reports?

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3 Main Types of Scale Reports

All Legal for Trade weighing applications must meet the standards of their governing body to buy and sell product by weight. The various governing bodies require documentation of scale calibrations to ensure the scales are within acceptable tolerance. In this article, we will identify and discuss three of the most important scale calibration documents required by state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Weights and Measures, and Packers and Stockyards. The following reports must be completed by a licensed scale technician and submitted when appropriate to the governing agency. All parties are required to keep a copy of the reports.

1) Certificate of Calibration

The most common documentation of scale calibration is seen on the Certificate of Calibration. This report gives various types of information that are used to identify the scale. On American Scale’s Certificate of Calibration, there is a top block for filling in information that will identify the scale make, model, and serial number. There are also identifiers for scale identification, location, and environment. As you move down the report you will have a section to identify the test weights that were used in the calibration. Test weights must be checked every year by a Standards Lab. The report lists the set identification number, date last calibrated, and the N.I.S.T. number. Finally, the report shows detailed information to be entered by the technician based on his findings. A corner test is performed ensuring accurate weighments throughout the scale. An overall build-up test is performed to find linearity, tolerance, and potential calibration errors. A Certificate of Calibration is a great document to keep on file to track calibrations and reference during audits.

2) Truck Scale Report

The truck scale report is a large document that can be used to easily track a scale’s performance. A truck scale report will give pertinent information for identifying the scale and the type of device being used to for weight read-out. This report is an especially useful tool in determining corrective actions for a truck scale. A section on the report is dedicated to the various key parts of a truck scale to include approaches, platform, rock guard, platform clearance, foundation, suspension and grease, checking, and load cell condition and size. All this information is needed to help the service company better understand why recurring issues may be happening. The final sections of the report show the findings of the scale when under a load. A certified weight amount is placed on the scale in increasing increments. These increments are recorded to show build-up errors. Next, the report will show weighments over each load cell and section of the scale. These findings are recorded before adjustments are made. As the scale is adjusted and calibrated to standard, the report will reflect the weighing condition which the technicians left the truck scale. Using a Truck Scale Report is a great indicator of possible issues occurring with the scale as it will reflect areas of the scale that have continual errors and what has been done to correct these errors.

3) Livestock Reports

Monorail Scale Report

One type of livestock report is the monorail report. A monorail is a single, overhead rail used in most processing plants to push carcasses or products through the production rooms. Monorails that weigh carcasses which will be bought or sold by weight are required to be checked, calibrated, and documented for by the Packers & Stockyards Division of the Federal Trade Commission. Monorail reports are very tedious reports, but they provide a great deal of information that can protect a buyer or seller should a weighment ever be questioned.

Livestock Scale Report

The most common livestock report is the livestock scale report. The livestock scale report is like a monorail report. The report must be filled out by a licensed technician and submitted to Packers & Stockyards. A livestock scale is any scale used to weigh live animals. Livestock reports are required by the Packers & Stockyards Division. Livestock scales can be for multi-animals or single animals. It is important to remember that not all livestock weighing applications are legal for trade. Consult with a technician before purchasing a livestock scale as it may not meet NTEP standards, and a legal Livestock Scale Report cannot be filled out for that scale.

Closing Words

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 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.

3 Reasons You Should Consider Replacing Your Truck Scale

Truck Scale Issues To watch For:

1. Indicator Obsolete:

   Scale indicators are the real brains of any scale system. Overtime scale indicators will become obsolete. This leads to the parts for them not being available any longer. This becomes a particular problem with digital scale systems. Since digital scale systems use proprietary digital signals to transmit data from the load cells to the indicator you can’t just connect any analog indicator. In particular Mettler Toledo scales face this issue as many of their early digital indicators are now obsolete and require replacement.

2. Structural Scale Deck Issues:

   The most obvious reason that you may notice yourself when looking at your scale is the deck or weighbridge is falling apart. This can be cracking in the deck whether steel or concrete. It can also be less noticeable issues such as the deck itself flexing under load, this causes the scale not to repeat or return to zero. Other signs are serious rust or scabbing on the structural I-beams of the scale. Structural deck issues are by far the most serious safety issue; by not addressing it you are risking a truck and its driver falling through the deck.

3. Scale Foundation Issues:

   Key to a quality scale system is a strong scale foundation. Whether above-ground or pit style, scale foundations can deteriorate overtime. A major issue we see is foundation piers sinking. Given the piers support the load cells and therefore the full scale dead load sinking is not uncommon. As the piers sink the scale will no longer be level and will cause serious weighing errors.

4 Reasons to Sign-up for a Scale Calibration Program

Scale Preventative Maintenance Service Agreement

A Preventative Maintenance Service Agreement is a great way to ensure accurate weighments as well as track potential problems occurring with your weighing applications. During a Preventative Maintenance trip, technicians will check the internal and external features of your scale to ensure proper functionality while also checking and adjusting calibration. Many scale issues can be found during a Preventative Maintenance check that could reduce scale down-time and decrease weighing accuracy. The following are 4 reasons why you should sign-up for a scale calibration program:

1.  Mechanical Integrity

While performing a Preventative Maintenance check on your scale, technicians will inspection key mechanical features of your scale that could be failing. Mechanical parts such are pivots and bearings, load cell cups, links, and load cell stands are all common areas that a scale will wear due to use, age, and environment. It is important to have these parts inspected routinely to ensure your scale has great repeatability – ability to repetitively weigh accurately – and that the scale is not facing other major issues. Seldom, the wearing of these parts are indicators of a major underlying issue.

2.  Electronic Calibrations

Most scale these days features electronic indicators or scale heads as well as electronic load cells. These electronic parts are tested and evaluated during a Preventative Maintenance check to ensure accurate performance. Load cell values and indicator calibration are written down to compare against recommended values as a gauge for potential failure or accurate performance.

3.  Accurate Weighing

Scales often act as a cash register for many operations. Products are bought and sold by weight, or weight is tracked to reflect production. During a Preventative Maintenance check, technicians are guided by the scale standards set forth by Handbook 44. By using the standards of Handbook 44, technicians know how much weight should be used to test your scale and what the tolerance levels are to ensure accurate weighing. Through time and use, a scale will drift away from proper calibration. A Preventative Maintenance check will ensure that your scale is routinely brought back to its correct calibration to save you time and money.

4.  Legal Standards

Scale applications fall under different agencies and protocols governing their required checks and documentations. Most states require annual checks and calibrations while the USDA and others may require quarterly or monthly. By having a Preventative Service Agreement, you can assure that your company stays in compliance with appropriate scale checks and documentation.

Want to learn more about our calibrations programs; checkout out more details here.

Steel Deck or Concrete Deck Truck Scales: Which Is Best For Me?

Steel Deck or Concrete Deck Truck Scales

What’s the difference between a steel deck and concrete deck truck scale and which one is best for my application?  

Steel Deck Truck Scale
Steel Deck Truck Scales are built with all heavy duty structural steel.  This will include steel I-beams running the length of each scale module.  Each manufacturer has slightly different designs for their I-beams ranging from the size, number, and shape.  Each manufacturer will claim their design is superior.  In our experience they all perform about the same assuming you are buying from a top-tier scale supplier (B-Tek, Mettler Toledo, Emery Winslow, Rice Lake, Cardinal, Fairbanks). A steel deck typically involves less initial cost – there is no investment in concrete or the labor to pour it. A steel deck scale weighs less, which makes it easier to move or relocate if needed. It can be fully operational within a day at your site, reducing production downtime and operational impacts.

Pros: 

• Faster installation as no concrete cure time is required

• Easier maintenance as the deck modules can be lifted 

• Reduced installation cost as fewer trips to complete job are required by scale dealer

• Higher resale value

• More custom profiles and sizes available (particularly extra low-profile)

Cons:

• Scale surface can be slick when wet

• Higher shipping cost since they are heavier 

Concrete Deck Truck Scale
A concrete deck truck scale is very similar to a steel deck truck scale, but each scale module has an open top for concrete to be poured into each deck, bonding the support beams of each module. A concrete deck needs approximately 21 to 28 days to cure, it offers greater resistance to rust and corrosion from road salt and generally requires less maintenance than steel decks, helping to extend the life of the scale. A concrete surface also provides better traction with rain and snow. Because of their design, concrete decks distribute the load over a wider area than steel decks.  Concrete deck scales were more common 10-15 years ago; however, they are still installed today.  

Pros: 

• Better traction in wet or slippery environments

• Reduced risk of rust or corrosion given there is less metal in the scale

• More mass which means there is less friction and stress on internal parts

• Hold up to acidic and chemical type environments well

Cons:

• Longer installation time as it takes 3-4 weeks for the scale deck concrete to cure to the proper PSI strength

• More difficult to move at a future date if you need to relocate the scale as each panel weighs ~25,000lbs vs ~8,000lbs for a steel deck

• More difficult maintenance due to the weight of the scale which can lead to higher maintenance costs

Conclusion

Choosing between a steel deck or concrete deck will come down to preference. Understanding your work site will help you figure out which scale deck will work for you. Our Learning Hub is a great place to start. For more detailed articles, check out “Truck Scale Foundation Types” or “How Muc A Truck Scale Cost?”. The learning hub is a great resource filled with articles that can help eductae you during your truck scale journey.