Category Archives: Truck Scales

Comparing Truck Scale Quotes from Different Scale Manufacturers

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When it comes to purchasing a truck scale for your business, it’s essential to compare truck scale quotes from different scale manufacturers to find the best overall product for your needs. However, comparing truck scale quotes can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with how truck scales work and terminology in the truck scale marketplace. Here are some tips on how to compare truck scale quotes from different manufacturers effectively.

comparing truck scale quotes from different scale manufacturers

  1. Determine your Weighing Needs

Before you start comparing truck scale quotes, you need to determine your scale needs. Every truck scale manufacturer is going to hype whatever advantages they have. Some will emphasize their heavy duty construction. Others will emphasize their technology. Make sure you determine what features are important to you. 

What size and type of semi-trucks will you be weighing? (Weighbridge length)  How many trucks will you be weighing daily? (Standard vs. Heavy Duty Weighbridge)  What type of environment will the scale be in? (Standard vs. Galvanized) What kind of truck scale accuracy do you need?  Answering these questions will help you narrow down your search and find the right type of scale for your business.

  1. Compare Popular Features

Once you have determined some of your scale needs, you can start comparing the features of the different truck scales. Some of the features to consider include the load cell types, standard duty versus heavy duty weighbridges, concrete decks vs. steel decks, type of scale display, and any connectivity needs you may have. You should also consider the warranty and support offered by the scale manufacturer and your local scale company.

  1. Compare Truck Scale Prices

Price is, of course, a crucial factor when comparing truck scale quotes. However, it’s essential to remember that the cheapest option is usually not always be the best option. You should also consider the quality and reputation of the scale and the support offered by the manufacturer and the local scale company. It’s also important to ask about any additional costs, such as scale installation, freight charges, crane fees, and foundation and site prep.

4. Read Customer References & Reviews

In many cases, a scale company or manufacturer can provide you with the contact info for various happy customers who like the truck scale they have purchased. Reading customer reviews and discussing scale purchases with previous customers can be an excellent way to get an idea of the quality of the product and the level of customer service offered. 

  1. Consider the Long-Term Costs

When comparing truck scale quotes, it’s essential to consider the long-term costs. While a cheaper scale may seem like a better option in the short term, it may end up costing you more in the long run due to maintenance, repair, down time, or replacement costs. Look for a scale that is durable and requires minimal maintenance to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. An example might include hydraulic truck scales. Sure, they cost more money up front but do you actually save money over time compared to a traditional truck scale?  If you deal with a lot of lightening issues, then you might come out ahead with one of these scales. 

6. Consider the Manufacturer’s Reputation

When comparing truck scale quotes, it’s important to consider the reputation of the scale manufacturer as well. Look for a truck scale manufacturer with a track record of producing high-quality scales and providing excellent customer service. A reputable scale manufacturer will be more likely to stand behind their product and offer support if any issues arise. You also want to make sure that all three parties… (you, your local scale company and your scale manufacturer) have adequate stock levels of replacement scale parts on hand for fast truck scale repair if necessary. This is especially true for technologies like hydraulic and digital where many of the components are single source or proprietary.  

Comparing truck scale quotes from different scale manufacturers can be a time consuming and challenging task, but it’s essential to ensure that you are getting the best product for your business. Remember to take your time, consider all the factors, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Our sales staff is only a RFQ form, an email, or phone call away.  A good truck scale is an investment in your business, and it’s worth taking the time to make the right decision.

How Do Truck Scales Work?

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Have you ever driven by a truck weigh station on the interstate? Or maybe you’ve driven by a feedmill and noticed a seventy foot long truck scale out front? The odds are that most of us have done one or the other of the scenarios above. So, how do truck scales work that are sitting beside the highway or beside the recycling center?

A truck scale is a large set of scales typically installed permanently on a concrete foundation. By weighing the vehicle both empty and when loaded, the load carried by the vehicle can be calculated. Typically the truck scale will have multiple load cells underneath the platform.

truck scales 101

How do Truck Weight Scales Work?

Truck scales are used to measure the weight of a vehicle and its contents. Vehicle scales are used in many industries such as metal recyclers, waste facilities, truck stops, landfills, and rock quarries etc… to weigh heavy vehicles such as dump trucks, semi-trucks and trailers. 

Truck scales typically consist of several large platforms. These platforms are often called the weighbridge. The weighbridge is supported by multiple load cells, which are sensors that measure weight. There are typically three choices of load cell technology. Analog, Digital, or Hydraulic. 

When a vehicle drives onto the scale weighbridge, the load cells measure the weight of the vehicle and its contents. The weight is then displayed on the scale digital readout with truck id numbers. At this point, a ticket is printed showing the gross weight of the truck. And in many cases, the ticket will also show the tare weight and net weight as well. There are many options to consider.

Some truck scales also have additional features such as a weigh-in-motion system, which allows the scale to measure the weight of a slowly moving vehicle. Or, some truck scales include a self-service kiosk, which allows the driver to enter their information and print a weight ticket which can be used for record keeping purposes or to verify the weight of the vehicle and its contents for shipping or other purposes.

how do truck scales work

Importance of Accurate & Reliable Truck Weighing Equipment

Overall, truck scales are a vital tool for ensuring the safety and efficiency of the transportation industry. So when you wonder how do truck scales work, the answer is a truck scale is a large weighing platform with load cells underneath that allows trucks to be accurately weighed. And, by accurately measuring the weight of vehicles and their contents, these vehicle scales help to prevent overloading and other potential hazards on the road. Whether you’re a truck driver, a shipping company, or a business owner, a reliable truck scale is an essential component of your business operations.

Ways to Clean & Protect Your Truck Scale from Snow & Ice this Winter

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Just like any tool or device that generates revenue for your business, a high quality truck scale should perform reliably for many years. But, with many years of use comes years of changing seasons. And, in many areas throughout the United States, a truck scale may be affected by winter weather conditions such as extreme temperatures, along with snow and ice.

snow around a truck scale weighbridge

Once you’ve invested in a truck scale and installed it in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, you may wonder… How do I protect my truck scale from ice and snow, and precipitation build up around a truck scale?  

If snow and ice accumulate around suspension components or between the weighbridge and the foundation, it can compromise scale functions. This can result in incorrect weighments and a potential loss of profit. Even if you manage to avoid the snow, build up of dirt and debris may contain moisture which can freeze and prevent a scale from functioning properly. Continue reading →

Importance of Vehicle Scales at a Rail Logistics Facility

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Using vehicle scales at a rail freight logistics facility is important for a variety of reasons, including cost savings, safety, and efficiency. Below, we will explore these reasons in more detail.

Rail service has an amazing history of fueling this country’s overall economic growth by moving freight across the country.  But if you think about it, rail service isn’t the most popular choice of travel in most folks minds when it comes to their logistics and supply chain optimization strategy. 

In addition to railroad track scales, rail logistics service solutions can often benefit from having a 70’x11′ truck scale at their facility. Or perhaps a larger platform such as 80′ x 11′ or even 90′ x 11′ would work better?

70 ft long truck scale for rail logistics

Intermodal Travel for Containers or Trailers

Intermodal freight focuses on the best way to send long haul shipments domestically, utilizing both truck and rail to move containers & the traditional 53′ domestic containers that you’ve surely seen on the highways. Basically, in a lot of people’s minds, “intermodal” is the better way to ship, both economically and environmentally, for truckload shipments of 700 miles or more. There are two types of domestic intermodal shipping in container-on-flatcar (COFC) and trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC). 

Using truck scales at a rail freight logistics facility can help to save money. Accurate measurement of cargo using vehicle scales allows facilities to optimize the use of railcars and ensure that they are not overloading or underloading them. Overloading railcars can lead to additional costs, such as the need for additional railcars or the need to pay overweight fines. On the other hand, underloading railcars can lead to wasted space and lost revenue. By using scales to accurately measure the weight of cargo, facilities can optimize the use of their railcars and reduce costs. Continue reading →

What Does 5000 x 1 Mean? Scale Capacity x Readability

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We’re going to discuss something that many folks wonder about the first couple of times they are tasked with buying scales.

What Does it Mean when you see 5000 x 1 on a Scale?

If you’ve done any research at all online for scales, you’ve probably seen something written like 5000 x 1, or perhaps you’ve requested a quote and seen that number written. Either way, you may be wondering what these mean. 5000 x 1 lb, or it could be 60 x 0.02lb or it may have been 3000 g by 0.01g. 120,000 x 20 lb, 500 x 0.1 lb etc….

600 x 0.1 LB

 

 

But what exactly does that mean? It’s actually pretty simple.

In the case of 5000 x 1 lb, this means that the total weighing capacity of the scale is 5000 pounds and the scale increases or decreases in weight by 1 lb increments from zero all the way to 5000 lb.

Some people refer to the 1 lb in this example as the readability or the graduation size. In the 60 x 0.02 lb example, it would be as follows, 60 lb is the capacity and 0.02 lb is the graduation size that the scale increases or decreases by from zero all the way to 60 lb. Continue reading →

Importance of Vehicle Scales at Solid Waste Facilities

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The waste industry demands heavy-duty scale equipment that is built to survive long periods of service and harsh environments. From truck scales and onboard weighing systems to digital weight indicators and scale controllers, we have several heavy-duty weighing products ideal for the waste industry.

Using scales at a solid waste facility is important for a variety of reasons, including regulatory compliance, cost savings, and environmental protection. 

First and foremost, using scales at a solid waste facility helps to ensure regulatory compliance. Many states and localities have laws and regulations governing the handling, processing, and disposal of solid waste. These regulations often include requirements for the accurate measurement and reporting of the weight of waste materials, which can help to ensure that waste is being properly managed and disposed of. By using scales to measure the weight of waste materials, solid waste facilities can ensure that they are in compliance with these regulations, which can help to avoid costly fines and penalties.

rice lake truck scales for solid waste facility

In addition to regulatory compliance, using scales at a solid waste facility can also help to save money. Accurate measurement of waste materials using scales allows facilities to accurately charge customers for the disposal of their waste. This can help to reduce the risk of overcharging or undercharging customers, which can lead to lost revenue and a less competitive business. In addition, using scales can help facilities to optimize their operations and identify opportunities for cost savings, such as by identifying and reducing the amount of waste that is being generated or by identifying and separating recyclable materials that can be sold to generate additional revenue. Continue reading →

Truck Scale Manufacturers You Need to Consider

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A truck scale is a rather large purchase for many businesses. In many cases, whether you choose a 70×11 legal for trade truck scale, or portable truck scales, or portable axle scales… Once these items are purchased and installed on a concrete foundation, it’s likely going to cost over $100,000 when it’s all said and done.

So, anytime that you invest that kind of money into a new truck scale, you would like to know as much as possible about the items and the companies who build the items. So, in today’s article we’re not going to answer questions like how much does a set of truck scales cost or how long should a truck scale last?  We’ve already answered those questions. Instead, we’re going to look at some of the top vehicle weighing scale factories in the U.S.

Who are the Top Truck Scale Manufacturers?

As we’ve established, truck scales are a relatively expensive purchase for most companies. So, you want to make sure that you make a smart buying decision.

We’ll discuss this later in more detail, but it’s also important to rely on your peers and your trusted local scale company too. For example, maybe you think that you have found the right scale, but it turns out that it actually has a load cell issue. Perhaps, it’s becoming difficult to source load cells for that scale or perhaps it’s something else.

More on the local scale company influence later….

rice lake truck scales

So, who are the best truck scale builders? In our opinion, the following scale manufacturers are the top companies in the business. And, this applies to all you fans of used truck scales too. Continue reading →

Truck Scale Basics & Terminology You Need to Know

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We’re going to try & help you understand all the truck scale terminology that you need to know. Especially if you’re new to truck scales.

So let’s say your business has decided to purchase a truck scale in order to determine accurate and reliable vehicle weight for your application. That’s great! Understanding fundamental truck scale basics and how a truck scale works will help you know which questions to ask your local scale distributor to ensure you purchase the truck scale style that fits your needs with the options and accessories that can enhance your application.

 

Whether monitoring a vehicle’s weight for safety guidelines or to complete business transactions, you should know what the info determined by a truck scale means to your business.

For example:

Gross weight is the total weight of the vehicle and loaded product.
Tare weight is the weight of only the vehicle.
Net weight is the weight of only the loaded product.

how accurate are truck scales

Today, most scales at solid waste facilities or recycling centers are installed with above ground or concrete pit foundations. Depending on state or regional requirements, scales can also be installed in a shallow pit, as opposed to the deep pit required by older mechanical scales. A pit installation requires less space than an above ground scale since longer approaches are generally required for above ground configurations. However, pit-styles require sump pumps and drains, and are generally more vulnerable to corrosion due to potential standing water.

The truck scale’s driving surface is called the weighbridge. Weighbridges are composed of steel or concrete decks, and are typically manufactured in modular designs that are connected together during installation.

weight indicator

The indicator, also called a controller, or terminal, can display basic weight functions, as well as serve as the command center for a weighing system with truck in & out programs to control the entire truck scale system, including any remote displays and ticket printers.

Load cells are vital to truck scale performance. There are various types of load cells, but they all basically have the same function—to accurately measure weight on the scale. How do load cells work, you may be asking?  All load cells take an analog measurement, and then that signal is converted to a digital output either at the load cell, junction box, or in the scale indicator. Load cells are typically constructed of steel and are integrated within the weighbridge, usually at the corners of each module.

A junction box properly manages multiple load cells. By matching the signal of each load cell and summing them into a signal that’s sent to the indicator, junction boxes equalize the system for accurate and reliable weight readouts.

Handwriting a ticket for each weighment is time consuming and tedious, and also leaves room for human error. Ticketing kiosks, scale data management software, and/or ticket printers eliminate those problems. Most states also require ticket printers and Remote Displays.

We’re going to wrap up our entry on truck scale basics and terminology.  I hope we made all this truck scale jargon a little easier to understand for those of you in the market for a truck scale. If you need some truck scale buying advice or scale recommendations, we are just a phone call or email away.  

How Accurate are Truck Scales?

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Maybe you were driving by a weigh station and saw a bunch of semi-trucks in line waiting to drive over the scale or perhaps your company owns a 70 foot long truck scale. Or, maybe you are curious about buying a truck scale to weigh your vehicles.  Either way, you’ve probably wondered at some point just how accurate are truck scales?

how accurate are truck scales

Truck Scale Accuracy

The truck scales that we offer are designed to meet NTEP Certification per Handbook 44 and they are NTEP Class IIIL. The scales are typically listed as 120,000 x 20 lb for example. The 120,000 lb is the max capacity of the scale and the 20 lb is the increment amount (graduation) that the scale displays weight in.

The scale is tested from zero to at least 12.5 % of scale capacity using known test weights and then to at least 25 % of scale capacity using either a substitution or strain load test that utilizes known test weights of at least 12.5 % of scale capacity. Whenever practical, a strain load test should be conducted to the used capacity of the scale. When a strain load test is conducted, the tolerances apply only to the test weights or substitution test loads.

Methods of Adjusting the Truck Scale

From time to time, truck scales will become inaccurate and need to be tested, adjusted, and calibrated. In most truck scales, individual load cells are adjusted and scale sections are adjusted by potentiometers in junction boxes. There may be as many as three truck scale junction boxes, usually located inside the truck scale weighbridge. The overall span adjustment for the scale system is usually done through the vehicle scale weight indicator.

So, How Accurate are Truck Scales?

Ok, so what is the actual answer to the question, how accurate are truck scales? The tolerance that we adhere to for accuracy is 0.1 of one percent of the applied weight. For example, if we place 25,000 pounds of weight on the scale, we are allowed +/- 25 pounds. Please see our entry on truck scale basics for more truck scale fundamentals. 

 

Is it Worth the Extra Cost to Galvanize Your Next Truck Scale?

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Does it make sense for you to pay extra and purchase the option for galvanizing your truck scale? Honestly, I haven’t given galvanizing a whole lot of thought in the past since everyone is so focused on truck scale prices and lowering the upfront costs. However, if you could come up with a process (Galvanizing) that could extend the life of your investment, it could well be worth the extra cost up front.

Have you noticed that most outdoor light posts and highway guard rails have the same grey color?

Do you know why?

Most people don’t pay attention to this but if you’re familiar with the steel industry you know that preparation, coatings, and paint systems are the single most important factors to prolonging the life of steel.

The reason for this grey color is because these metal products have been galvanized.

Generally, any metal made to be outside in the elements is commonly coated with a zinc finish through a process called galvanization.

Did you know that galvanizing has been around for over 200 years?

It flat out works, but is it worth it?

What is Galvanizing?

Hot dip galvanizing is the process of immersing raw steel into a liquid zinc “bath.” In order to provide the most effective galvanizing, steel must not be previously treated and prepared properly to ensure that zinc finds its way into the pores of the steel. The first five steps of the galvanizing process are related to cleaning and removing any impurities before the final zinc bath.

How Expensive is Galvanizing?

The better question is how expensive is it NOT to galvanize? In 2017 the NACE estimated the cost of corrosion to be $2.5 trillion! It estimated that by implementing early corrosion control practices, such as galvanizing, between $300 and $800 billion could be saved, annually!

While we can see this is a large sum of money globally, exactly how does this apply to your scale?

galvanized platform scale

Scale Applications

If you plan to buy a scale and run ten trucks over it each day in the warmer parts of the United States, you don’t need to read any further – galvanizing is probably not for you.

However, if you operate in an area where snow or saltwater are factors, then you should seriously consider a galvanized scale. If your scale comes in contact with caustic materials or it sits in water and grime, then you should definitely consider a galvanized scale!

Replacing something prematurely is never anything someone looks forward to, but consider the cost of prematurely replacing a truck scale – EXPENSIVE!

Cranes, downtime, steel repairs, etc.… not to mention the headache of dealing with the whole project. The price of galvanizing will far outweigh the cost and hassle of having to replace a truck scale prematurely.

Galvanized steel corrodes at a rate of 1/30 of bare steel in the same environment. If your current scale is corroding rapidly and you could likely obtain 30% more life from a galvanized scale, you should consider making the additional investment.

What does galvanizing my truck scale really cost?

While zinc fluctuates in price, you can typically expect to spend ~ 30% more for a galvanized scale vs. a painted scale. This price typically includes the galvanizing, handling of the scale and shipping it to and from the galvanizer and back to the factory.

Because this is a specialized process, scale manufacturers and many steel producers do not galvanize their own products, so the extra handling will have to be considered.

After galvanizing, the scale is returned to the manufacturer for inspection where the steel is inspected to ensure the heat of the galvanizing process did not warp any beams or effect any welds. Holes and open areas on the scale also need to be checked to make sure they aren’t plugged. If there are any issues, they can be remedied by the scale manufacturer before shipment.

Galvanizing your truck scale is always an option that should be considered based on the factors mentioned above. Considering that most static steel structures in harsh environments are galvanized, it’s compelling to believe that a wear surface exposed to harsh environments should be treated the same way. If you need any assistance deciding if galvanizing is right for you, the experts at Central Carolina Scale will be happy to assist.