Over the past few months on this site we have taken a look at how realistic is it to purchase certain types of scales and related equipment that is actually made in the USA. We looked at Made In The USA scale indicators and Built in America Load Cells. Today I wanted to find out if you can still buy a Made In the USA floor scale?
Absolutely! Now I do want to write a small disclaimer before I get started. The information presented below is provided to the best of my knowledge and at the time of this writing is true. As all of you know, the pressures of a shaky economy and increased competition can always force scale manufacturers to change their process. But to my knowledge what I’m writing below is accurate regarding these decks being made in the United States. So with that being said, let’s answer the simple question. Can I still get a floor scale that was actually built in America? Yes you can.
Anytime you think of floor scales built in America the first choice has to be the Pennsylvania Scale 6600 series. The Pennsylvania floor scale is built in either Lancaster PA or at the corporate facility in Terre Haute, IN. These scales are well built and feature an outstanding warranty. As an added bonus, the indicators from Pennsylvania are also made in the USA.
Rice Lake constructs their Roughdeck floor scales in Wisconsin. The Roughdeck is a wonderful floor scale that is heavy duty and features an outstanding warranty. You can get many different versions of Roughdeck floor scales. They are available in various sizes from small sizes like a 36″x36″ up to large sizes like a 8’x10′ with 20,000 or 30,000 lb capacity. The Roughdeck is also available in stainless steel or with a flip top for easy cleaning. These are great floor scales that are built tough. These do use load cells and indicators that are made overseas.
Avery Weigh-Tronix builds some very high quality weighing platforms at their factory in Fairmont, Minnesota. The ProDec is a very popular floor scale and is available in painted steel or stainless steel. The ProDec utilizes weigh bars in each corner of the deck which provides accurate weighing for many years.
B-Tek Scale makes some really nice floor scales in Ohio as well. We have several customers who really like the 4 Square which is an entry level floor scale that has an affordable price and nice features. B-Tek also makes heavy duty floor scales like the Clydesdale and the Workhorse. The last time I worked on a 4 Square it did have made in China load cells but nevertheless a great scale for the money.
Cambridge Scale Works, Inc. has been building high quality 660 series low profile scales for more than two decades in Western Chester County, Pennsylvania and has a reputation for “over-building” which stems from their experience in the service end of the scale business. That experience gave them a unique insight into what can cause scales to fail. So they took that experience and applied design and manufacturing measures to combat those flaws.
Well did we answer the question? This list is not exhaustive, as there are several other domestic options as well.
It’s important to note that many of the “Made in the USA” floor scales still use foreign made components like load cells or digital weight indicators. So if you’re looking for a “complete” made in America solution, you will want to be clear about that with your sales person because that will take a a couple of the decks above out of the running.
If you’re in the market for an American Made floor scale system, the answer is, yes they do still exist. If you’re interested in buying a made in the USA platform scale system, please contact us at (919) 776-7737 and we can get some prices to you for the perfect weighing system.