There is no doubt about it, an accurate weight scale is an essential device for just about any company. And it’s extremely important to any company who directly uses scales in their daily process.
I’m sure you’ve probably seen the online calculators that compute scale accuracy versus dollars lost due to inaccurate scales. If you haven’t, be sure to checkout B-Tek’s calculator page with all the scale calculators. It can really make you think, or better yet obsess, about your scale accuracy!
It doesn’t take much of an error for a company to lose hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Of course that multiplies each day the scale isn’t weighing correctly. And in most cases if a company would just invest a little in their scale maintenance, a lot of these weighing errors could be virtually eliminated or at least they could be reduced quite a bit.
In our experience, if most companies that own truck scales would invest in a quarterly scale check and stick with a consistent scale cleanout (or pit cleaning) schedule, many of the scale errors and downtime could be greatly reduced. This would hopefully eliminate one of the big culprits which is buildup under the weighbridge.
Scale Maintenance Programs
If you think about the hundreds or even thousands of dollars of lost revenue from scale errors, a scale maintenance program becomes an easy decision to agree with.
It’s not just companies with truck scales. Every company out there usually has either UPS shipping scales or parts counting scales or pallet scales…. all of them could stand to have their scales checked at least a couple of times a year.
Most companies that come to us looking for scale repair or calibration often choose to work with us on a regular basis. They understand the benefits of having accurate scales and they like receiving discounted prices on certain things. Regular scheduled maintenance is great because you don’t have to think about having your scales checked. They are automatically checked by our skilled and experienced state certified scale technicians at certain intervals throughout the year.
When we talk about scale service and the costs, one of the factors that you have to consider is certified test weights. When CCS goes to your site and checks your scales, we are bringing certified test weights to check your scales. The weights cost money and the yearly certification costs money as well. And when we are talking about checking truck scales, now we are getting into 1000 pound test weights and the cost to purchase those weights and to certify those. Did you know that at the time of this article, the price of item 12850 which is a 1,000lb ASTM Class 6 Cast Iron Painted Weight is $5000? Each?
Scale Service & Repair Prices
So the point of this entry is to look at service prices. In most cases a scale service trip is likely going to be somewhere around half a day to a day in most cases. Pricing for this could be anywhere from around $320 to well over $1000.
This will vary depending on how far the location is from headquarters and how many scales need to be checked and/or repaired. Other cost factors will depend on how many scale technicians are needed for the work and which vehicle is needed. For example, do you need a small van or truck with max 50 lb weights or do you need a large test truck with cart and 1000 lb weights?
We hope this Industrial Scale Service Cost Guide & Recommendations entry has helped you understand some of the benefits of having your scales checked regularly and some of the pricing involved in that. If you need more assistance or want to get a quote on having your scales checked, be sure to call (919) 776-7737 or complete the RFQ form on our website to get started.
Where do you start when shopping for a commercial grade food service kitchen scale? When purchasing a scale for your kitchen or restaurant, the options can be overwhelming.
We offer a range of foodservice scales that can be used for a variety of weighing needs including portion control, batching, and even parts counting. In order to determine which scale is best for you, start by asking yourself the following questions.
First, start with basic application questions about how you will be using the commercial kitchen scale. What do you want to do with the scale? What weight capacity are you looking for? What weight increments will you need the scale to read in? For example a hundredth of a pound or a tenth of a pound. Will you need the scale to read in pounds, ounces, kilograms, grams, or pounds and ounces? Will you be buying or selling over this scale? If so, your scale will need to be legal for trade. Will your scale need to be NSF certified?
Then, ask yourself more product specific questions about what requirements your scale will need to meet. Do you need a stainless steel scale? Will you be washing the scale down? And if so, how often? How large of a weighing platform will you need? Will the scale need to be readable from a distance? Are there any other functions you’re looking for? Such as Checkweighing, grading, piece counting, etc.
Other questions to ask yourself include: Are you looking for a scale with communication capability? Such as USB, Serial, Bluetooth, etc.) Will the scale be picked up and/or moved frequently? Is update speed or filtering a factor in weighing your products? Would a bowl on your scale make weighing easier? If so, do you want the bowl permanently attached? Or do you need it to be removable?
Are Mechanical or Digital Kitchen Scales Better?
We offer a variety of Yamato mechanical and digital scale models. Choosing between mechanical and digital often comes down to personal preferences, yet there are distinct advantages to each option.
Mechanical Scales operate without power, cords, or cumbersome setups. This makes them effortlessly portable. These scales are durable and some can even withstand regular washdowns.
Digital Scales are renowned for their accuracy and rapid measurement capabilities. While they require power, they offer versatility with multiple measurement units such as pounds, ounces, kilograms, and gram modes. Furthermore, they often come equipped with advanced features like check weighing, grading, and batching to cater to more diverse needs. Water resistant options are also available.
Answering the questions outlined in this video and considering if you prefer a mechanical scale or a digital scale is a good place to start when shopping for a new commercial kitchen scale. Our commercial weighing experts can help guide you to the right scale model that will best meet your needs. Complete the RFQ form on our website to get started.
When facilities look to purchase new medical scales, some buyers may ask: “Does the product have connectivity?”
When a device has “connectivity” it means the product can send data to another device, such as a vital sign monitor or a PC. This connection to another device can work in variety of ways such as integration partnerships between device manufacturers or Bluetooth pairing. When data is sent from a device, a medical scale for example, to the secondary connected device, the information can then be saved into a patient’s electronic medical record. This direct transmission of patient measurements has several benefits in the healthcare environment.
With no handwritten data to transcribe, sending data electronically can eliminate manual errors such as inputting a decimal point in the wrong place or entering an incorrect digit in a weight measurement. Having a correct weight entered into a patient record is especially critical in areas of care where medication dosage relies on an accurate weight measurement. Direct data transmission also greatly improves efficiency. When data is sent automatically into a patient record this saves the caregiver valuable time by not having to manually enter the information. Automatic data entry can also standardize the way patient information is recorded.
For example, using a connected kilograms only scale means patient weights will only be transmitted and recorded in kg units. This is beneficial not only for standardized data but also for safety where weight-based dosing is being used. Healthcare facilities evaluate new equipment based on several features and connectivity is often an important attribute. How a new device will integrate into a facility’s workflow and system should also be considered.
Choosing a supplier that offers several options to meet the provider’s needs is ideal. Our selection of high quality Health o Meter Professional scales provides several connectivity solutions for transmitting weight, height, and BMI measurements to vital sign monitors, computers, and EMR systems. These solutions enhance healthcare facility workflow efficiency, patient safety, and provide a quick and simple method to record patient information.
Learn more about our many connectivity solutions by completing the RFQ form on our website.
Grain testing scales are essential tools used in agricultural sampling houses for coops, large farms, and the food processing industry to determine the quality and value of grain. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of their use and requirements for legal-for-trade classification:
Sample Collection
Grain samples are typically collected by a probe while the grain is loaded in a truck and being weighed on a static truck scale. Proper sampling is crucial to ensure the sample is representative of the entire batch, so the probe will typically select the sampling from random spots within the batch.
Weighing
The grain sample is brought into the scale house via the probe. There the sample is placed on a testing scale to measure its weight. This measurement helps in determining the test weight of the grain, which is a key factor in marketing and pricing. Test weight indicates the density of the grain and can influence its market value.
Grain scales such as Cardinal Detecto models 420-3000, 420-1200, and 420-600 provide quick and accurate weight measurements for a variety of grains. These small countertop scales are typically situated next to the grain moisture meter in the scale house.
Moisture Testing
After the sample has been weighed, it is then tested for moisture content using a grain moisture meter. This step is essential for assessing the grain’s quality and suitability for storage and processing.
Dockage Testing
Dockage testing helps separate impurities from the grain. Dockage is foreign material typically not included in the market price.
Data Recording
The weights and measurements obtained from the scale and grain moisture meter are recorded and analyzed. These data points provide insights into the quality, purity, and potential yield of the grain batch.
Quality Grading
Based on the weight and size distribution, the grain is graded. Higher test weights generally indicate better grain quality, which fetches higher prices on the market. These procedures ensure that the grain meets industry standards and helps in making informed decisions regarding its sales and processing.
Detecto model 420-3000 class II legal-for-trade scale is a popular choice for grain testing weighing due to its 60,000-division resolution combined with a price point nearly $1000 less than any other competitor’s NTEP scales in that resolution category. Multiple other 420 series models with varying capacities and similar price range are also available in the 60,000-division category, making them NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) legal-for-trade for grain sampling weighing applications. They only take up 8.6 inch x 11.5 inch of counter space and come with an AC adapter and rechargeable battery.
The 420-3000 sampling scale has a 7.4 inch by 5.8 inch stainless steel platform that can be lifted off for easy cleaning after grain weighing. The precision digital balance scale has a 3,000 gram capacity with 0.05 gram divisions, conforming to NTEP class II Handbook 44 requirements, for use in both commercial and GIPSA (Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration) applications.
The scale division for grain testing scales, according to Handbook 44, must not exceed 0.2 grams for loads through 500 grams, and must not exceed 1 gram for loads above 500 grams through 1,000 grams, so the 420-3000 is well below those requirements at only 0.05 gram divisions.
One of the factors in grain quality that sampling houses will be looking for is dockage, such as debris and hulls. Dockage refers to the foreign material and impurities, such as fungus, in grain that needs to be removed to assess its true quality and value.
Scale house operators will test for fungus by weighing good grain samples first and weighing grain samples with fungus present afterward to extrapolate from the total load and subtract the dollar amount from the load’s value. These minute weight differences between dockage and live weight samples are why grain test scales with tight division values are critical in the process.
The grain samples are subjected to dockage testing using specialized equipment like dockage testers. These testers help in separating the impurities from the grain, providing a clear measurement of the dockage percentage.
Dockage testing is a critical step in the grain grading process, ensuring that only high-quality, impurity-free grain reaches the market, which benefits both producers and consumers. The grain elevator purchasing company discloses dockage prior to the transaction being completed, so the farmer can accept the offer or decline it and check if they can get a better dockage elsewhere, and therefore a better price, from another buyer.
The USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration, otherwise known as GIPSA, establishes regulations for grain weighing under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA).
These regulations ensure accurate and fair grain weighing practices, which are critical for maintaining market integrity. GIPSA sets official performance and procedural requirements for grain weighing equipment. This includes the guidelines for accuracy, calibration, and maintenance of weighing devices used in grain handling facilities.
Sampling houses in commercial applications must use grain testing scales that are NTEP approved and placed in service legal for trade. Depending upon the state, the scales would be placed in service by a state scale inspector or a registered scale service agency. Most states will not place a scale in service that does not have NTEP certificate or conformance, but in the end that is determined by the state.
The owner of the scale is responsible for the scale, so if it is either not suitable or out of tolerance, the owner is liable and could face fines, which are generally levied by the state attorney office. Detecto 420 series scales combine NTEP legal-for-trade class II status that conforms to Handbook 44 and USDA GIPSA requirements, in the division size necessary, with a much lower price point than any other competitors’ scales on the market making them a clear choice for grain testing weighing.
Contact our sales department today to learn more about the 420 series.
Back in September 2010, Thurman Scale originally released the Digital Smart Sectional Controller (DSSC) for converting Mettler® DigiTOL® scales to Intalogix. In July of 2018, the DSSC went End of Life (EoL) due to several electronic components used in the design no longer being available.
However, recently Thurman has been able to source components to allow them to again manufacture and offer the DSSC for customers who desire to convert their Mettler scale to Intalogix. Please continue reading as we discuss what the DSSC is all about and how it can help out a lot of customers who have older MT truck scales.
What is a Digital Smart Sectional Controller?
This is a special type of Smart Sectional Controller manufactured by Thurman Scale in St Johnsbury, Vermont specifically designed to interface to the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells. These cells will have the cable connector on the top half and usually an orange label on the top half.
How do the DSSCs work? The DSSC is very similar to the SSCs you may have heard of. DSSCs feature Thurman Scale Intalogix Technology. The DSSCs wire up very similar to the standard SSCs. Besides the ability to interface with the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells, the DSSCs will drive four (4) load cells each, whereas the SSCs drive two (2) each. The DSSC was specifically designed to be a drop-in replacement for the existing Mettler junction box. The DSSCs even use the exiting Mettler mounting hardware. The DSSCs also use the same Pit Power Supplies as the standard SSCs.
Do the DSSCs only work with the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells digital cells? No. One of the best features of the DSSC is the ability to mix and match load cells. As the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells eventually fail, you can replace them with the standard analog 7.5” tall RC load cell (part # 95544 with 26’ cable). Other cable lengths available.
What scale instrumentation does the DSSC require? The DSSC work with all Thurman Scale’s Heavy Capacity instruments which use Intalogix Technology. Such as TS611, TS612, & TS613.
Is special software required in the scale instrument to work with the DSSCs? No special software is required to work with the DSSCs. Just 100% standard catalog products. From the instrument side, everything is exactly the same. You lose no instrument features or functions. You still have the very best load cell diagnostics available through Intalogix technology. You still have digitally isolated load cells. You still have optically isolated load cells. You still have the digital front panel calibration. Those items all remain intact because it is the exact same instrument. Simply choose the instrument that provides the best solution for you.
We also have an analog load cell scale kit replacement as well. However, in most cases we would probably recommend going with the Thurman digital scale equipment versus the older analog style load cells.
Is there a cumbersome load cell addressing scheme like some Mettler instruments require? No. Just like any Intalogix system using our standard SSC, the cells are automatically found and addressed by the DSSC ID. No connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting cells to find cell addresses.
Is this a new product? No. The DSSCs were originally introduced by Thurman Scale in September 2010.
Have we done many conversions? Completed conversions number over five hundred (500+) scales. This is a hardened, field-tested in the most demanding of all applications.
Will the DSSC work with the Mettler PDX digital cells? No. The DSSC was designed specifically for the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells. The Mettler PDX cell is a different digital load cell with a different digital interface compared to the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells.
Will the DSSC work with the Cardinal digital cells or the B-Tek digital cells? No to both the Cardinal & B-Tek. The DSSC was designed specifically for the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells. The Cardinal digital system uses its own unique digital load cell with a unique and different digital interface compared to the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells. Likewise, the B-Tek digital system uses its own unique digital load cell with a unique and different digital interface compared to the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells.
So, why would someone want to buy this Thurman DSSC solution? Mettler has updated their digital cells a few times over the years. Their current PDX load cell is not backward compatible with older digital cells. Mettler no longer manufacturers the 760 Powercell and MTX cells. This means if a customer has an older cell that fails, the MT solution is to replace every cell in the system to upgrade to the PDX cell.
Additionally, Mettler is no longer manufacturing instruments and replacement parts compatible with the Mettler 760 Powercell and MTX cells. This means the customer could face replacement of all load cells and the instrumentation. As you can imagine, this is not a desirable solution for most customers.
Until now, the owner of a Mettler Toledo truck scale using the Mettler 760 Powercell or MTX cells had no options but to replace all their load cells and possibly the instrument as well. No other manufacturer offers a similar solution to the DSSC. This is a unique product offering from Thurman Scale.
If this sounds like a product that would interest you, please complete our RFQ form on our website for more information.
Most of the time when you think about tank scales or hopper style scales you often think of load cell mounts or weigh modules with strain gauge load cells placed under the vessel. But in today’s entry we take a look at a few of the advantages of using a hydraulic load cell instead. Out of all the weighing technologies available, hydrostatic load cells often standout as one of the most robust and dependable solutions on the market today. Let’s take a look at five of the advantages of choosing a hydraulic load cell system for placing under your tank.
Durability and Resilience
Hydrostatic load cells are engineered with simplicity and resilience in mind. Unlike electronic load cells which contain delicate components vulnerable to environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations, moisture, and electromagnetic interference. This inherent simplicity not only reduces the risk of component failure but also enhances longevity, making hydrostatic load cells ideal for harsh industrial environments where reliability is crucial. The factory believes in the quality and durability of the hydrostatic load cells so much that they offer a lifetime load cell guarantee.
Minimal Maintenance Requirements
Electronic load cells sometimes require periodic calibration and maintenance to ensure accuracy and performance. In contrast, hydrostatic load cells have minimal maintenance requirements. This translates to reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs, providing a clear advantage for businesses seeking efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Accuracy and Precision
Hydrostatic load cells offer exceptional accuracy and precision, even in demanding conditions. As a result, users can rely on hydrostatic load cells to deliver precise measurements with confidence, whether for process control, material testing, or other critical applications.
Intrinsically Safe Design
In environments where explosive gases or flammable materials are present, safety is of utmost concern. Hydrostatic load cells offer an intrinsically safe design, with no electrical components in direct contact with the measured load. For industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, or mining, where safety is non-negotiable, hydrostatic load cells provide a reliable solution for accurate weight measurement without compromising safety.
Cost Effectiveness
With minimal maintenance requirements, extended durability, and reliable performance, hydrostatic loadcells offer excellent long-term value. Businesses can benefit from reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, and improved operational efficiency, leading to a higher return on investment (ROI).
So those are some of the advantages of using hydrostatic load cells under your tank. Now to be fair there can be some disadvantages to choosing a system like this. A hydrostatic system like this can cost more than a traditional weigh module kit with strain gauge load cells. And, installation and regular maintenance would need to be handled by a local scale company with hydraulic load cell experience. In other words, not every scale company out there has experience with this type of weighing equipment.
If you are interested in learning more or getting a quote on a 120 Series or 136 Series. Please contact our sales department via the RFQ form on our website. We look forward to working with you.
A truck scale is a rather large investment for most businesses. So, it’s one of those purchases that you want to take your time with and do your homework. Needing a truck scale in a hurry is not a good situation to be in. Especially since most purchasing managers have never been involved in choosing and installing a 70 or 80 foot long scale for weighing trucks. So, you’re probably wondering what mistakes should folks avoid? Well here are a few to think about.
Lack of Planning
A truck scale is a rather large investment. It also takes time from start to finish. It also has multiple key moments. The customer needs to have a manager or point of contact. Ideally one or two people. Questions and timelines will come up.
Folks will ask, when is the truck scale arriving? Do we have power at the scale location? Are all the cables and conduits ready? Is the customer ordering the crane to offload the scale? When does the crane need to be there? Is the foundation ready for the scale? The point of contact and the scale sales person / installer need to discuss the timeline so there are no huge surprises.
Overlooking the Scale Foundation
Most customers around the Carolinas are going to choose an above ground truck scale. Back in the day customers would choose a mechanical truck scale and it would be installed in a pit since it had levers and took up a lot of space. However, that was back then… Most customers today choose to have a concrete foundation poured and place the scale on that. Otherwise, you are having to dig a hole and pour a lot of concrete. And of course the pit is going to collect a lot of water and then you’re looking at drains and pumps and that is usually not what we would recommend in most cases.
You do want to make sure that you or the scale company use a reputable concrete person to pour and form the scale foundation. The last thing you want is the foundation cracking and not able to withstand the weight of the truck scale the trucks being weighed.
We have also seen situations where a potential scale buyer doesn’t have a good grasp on the location around where the scale will be located. There could be environmental issues as well as things like drainage lines nearby, etc…
Overlooking the Scale Location
Deciding where to place your new truck scale can sometimes be really easy and other times can be very challenging. It can be even more difficult when you have a half dozen folks involved with the truck scale buyer. Sometimes it can be a good idea to put someone in charge from your company so there aren’t too many folks involved in the decision making.
Generally speaking with truck scales, you want to place the scale in the correct area for your traffic flow. You also need to try hard to not place the scale in a low area where water is going to bring all kind of debris. One of the biggest problems that above ground truck scales struggle with is buildup that gets lodged under the weighbridge.
Not Choosing the Proper Load Cell Technology
In most situations these days, a truck scale buyer has three distinct types of technology to consider. Hydraulic, Digital or Analog truck scales. Each has it’s place. We suggest that you discuss these options with your scale sales person to determine which is best for you.
Choosing the Wrong Scale Platform
Likewise, you also need to choose the scale platform material. Truck scales are exposed to various environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, snow, ice, heavy rain… and on top of that possibly heavy traffic everyday!
If you are placing a truck scale in certain environments like HEAVY amounts of daily traffic or possibly weighing really corrosive materials… you might want to discuss this with your scale sales person first before you actually purchase the scale. If you discuss this first, you can likely take care of this with solutions like possibly a concrete scale deck instead of steel. Or you can perhaps get the “HD” version truck scale instead of just the “standard duty” version.
Not Slowing Down & Thinking About the Scale and Your Trucks
Before you place the order for a truck scale, be sure to measure your trucks and be certain what size scale you need. And, what about truck scale accuracy? Most customers choose a 70, 80 or 100 foot long truck scale. Width is normally 11 feet wide. The other thing to think about is the number of trucks you expect to be weighing daily. Think about what this number will be five years from now. In other words if you think that you’ll be weighing well over 250 trucks a day, don’t buy a light duty truck scale.
Not Choosing the Right Scale Company
Over the forty plus years we’ve been in business we have installed and worked on A LOT of truck scales. You name the town and we have probably worked on one near there. We have installed digital truck scales, analog truck scales, and even hydraulic truck scales. We’ve even had competitors tell customers that we’re out of business, just so they can sneak in and take the sale. Maybe we’ll talk about that in more detail some time…. but continuing on.
In our opinion, these days too many purchasing managers or QC managers worry about certain certifications and not enough about proven experience. Think about it, who would you want installing your truck scale… two state certified scale technicians who have a combined 35 years of experience OR two scale technicians with maybe 10 years of experience total, but with lots of badges and approvals that they might have earned by watching a video. We’ll take the experienced techs everyday!
Not Investing the Money… The Scale Should Last for Decades So Spend the Money
Look, we all shop the internet for deals. All of us can find cheaper items for just about everything. Just remember, this truck scale that you’re looking to purchase is designed to last you for decades. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more money now to get a scale that might last an extra five or ten years. We see cheap scales everyday. There are some scale manufacturers overseas that can cut corners like you wouldn’t believe! But do you really want to purchase a cheap truck scale that is built on price and reaching a certain “price point”?
Focus on quality and the overall truck scale lifespan. Remember this is a scale that is going to have 80,000 lb vehicles driven over it everyday for years. Add in the outdoor elements and you want to make sure you buy a quality product that can last you two or three decades. Many times when customers choose a low end truck scale they often have to replace the scale much earlier than they would have with a traditional high quality truck scale.
Conclusion
Buying a truck scale whether it’s a 70 foot or 100 foot long is a large investment. It’s something that most folks only do once or twice in their professional career. Try to avoid the mistakes when purchasing a truck weighing scale that we have presented in this entry. By avoiding some of these common oversights many of you should be able to choose a high quality truck scale that will provide you with decades of quality weighing. If you would like to get buying advice or price quotes from us, please complete the RFQ form and we look forward to working with you.
As more states legalize marijuana for medical and/or recreational use, each part of the industry, from growers to dispensaries, must learn how to handle the additional focus and attention along the cannabis plant’s journey from planting the seed to reaching the actual consumer.
A big part of that process is actually weighing the product. With the high price tag per ounce attached to medical marijuana, it’s necessary to ensure that everyone is getting the correct amount.
Typical Cannabis Distribution Chain
Growers Cultivate the plant and sometimes process the flower themselves but often sell the raw material to a processor, which also acts as a wholesaler.
Processors Trim, dry and cure the plants to ready them for manufacture into consumer-ready products.
Manufacturers Incorporate the processed material into products.
Dispensaries Sell the finished product to patients and consumers.
At each level where consumer-destined cannabis is handled, the high-precision requirements for weighing are the same. Medical laboratories operate outside of the consumer-focused supply chain, but concentrate their efforts on researching all components of the cannabis plant to find their effects on the human body.
Cultivation and Harvest of Marijuana
Inventory management and profitability start at the growing facility. At this point counter top bench scales, floor scales, and pallet jack scales allow growers to capture the material handling weights at the field site, indoor growing facility, packaging plant or anywhere weight documentation is needed for cannabis logistics. Great for repetitive tasks while harvesting, loading and packing.
Processing and Extracting Cannabis
Our line of bench scales and check weighing scales are great for all the tasks of cannabis and hemp processing environments, including sanitary handling and consumer ready retail packaging. Our line of industrial scales are built well and priced right and best of all, can be custom ordered for an exact fit in just about any location and hold up to extreme cleaning procedures.
Cannabis processing, batching and automated production are taken a step further with our selection of Rice Lake 1280 digital weight indicators. Weight indicators perform a range of functions from batching to simple weight displaying to the most complex custom programming, communications and remote batch queuing. We can provide complete weighing and process control solutions for any operation from bulk batching to featherweight designer-strain derivatives.
What Kind of Scales are Required for Selling Medical Cannabis Inside Retail Shops & Dispensaries?
According to what we are hearing, in many states, scales and balances used for selling cannabis to consumers need to be NTEP Class II, meaning they must display results from 1 mg to 50 mg (0.05g) and have 10,000 – 100,000 divisions, or better. (For reference, Class I units have more than 100,000 divisions.) We suggest contacting your state weighing and measures department to determine what state and local requirements you will have to comply with.
In selling to the public, the balances must be NTEP certified legal-for-trade. This means the scale has been approved by NCWM and has a certificate of conformance number (CoC#) and is legally approved in the U.S. for buying or selling goods by weight.
Our lineup of CAS, Brecknell, Detecto, and Rice Lake retail scales are ideal for the point of sale (POS) or retail packaging counters in cannabis storefronts and dispensaries. Legal for Trade scales allow legal selling of products by weight from the scale, according to NTEP Certification for the highest level of accuracy in weight-based transactions.
Rice Lake’s retail scales have data communicating options suitable for tracking, reporting and inventory management, and select models offer additional weight displays for transparency and customer confidence.
Because dispensaries sell cannabis products in small amounts, readability of 0.01g is ideal to have. Medical laboratories often have a little more tolerance in terms of requirements since they don’t actually sell cannabis, but they often utilize balances with readability in the neighborhood of 0.0001g. For something like that, see the Adam Equipment Equinox Analytical Balance.
As with other applications – such as biopharmaceuticals or jewelry – the small amounts of cannabis sold in most transactions require a high degree of readability to protect both the buyer and seller. Popular NTEP approved weed scales available include the Adam Equipment Highland balance along with the Ohaus SJX1502N/E, Intelligent Vibra ALE-NC balance and A&D EK series of precision balances.
To satisfy requirements for selling cannabis derivatives, edibles and topicals by weight, our selection of Rice Lake laboratory balances are ideal for the cannabis industry and can weigh derivatives precisely to 0.001 gram. Scale data connectivity for labeling and tracking compliance is available with RS-232, Bluetooth or USB port.
We hope this entry what scales do you need for production, distributing, or selling cannabis has helped you better understand this industry. We do recommend you contact your state weighing and measurements office to determine exactly what your particular requirements are because they can differ from state to state. If you need some assistance purchasing your industrial weighing equipment, please contact us (919) 776-7737.
Crane scales, which are sometimes referred to as hanging scales or by the general term of overhead weighing, are basically scales that are designed to weigh items that are lifted by the hook on the bottom of the scale. Today we want to look at the basics of crane scales and look at some of the important features to consider before purchasing a new crane scale. Basically, we would like to provide you with some crane scales buying advice & recommendations out of the kindness of our heart. And, maybe to get a sale or two out of it as well. : )
Crane Scales 101
In most situations a crane scale will be safely mounted to some type of hook or device that is suspended. It could be lifting equipment or steel beams, hoists, etc… This will allow the weighing of heavy objects while they are suspended in the air. Sometimes it can actually be easier to weigh an odd size object using a crane scale than it would be to weigh on a traditional floor scale for example. This can be especially true if trying to weigh an object that is very large or heavy and just doesn’t match up well with traditional floor scales like you would use to weigh a pallet.
Crane scales that we offer typically use a strain gauge load cell, which converts mechanical force into electrical signals. The scale then displays the weight on the digital weight display, usually in either a RED led reading or a backlit gray LCD readout. Power is typically provided by standard 120 VAC and often includes a rechargeable battery for weighing in various situations. Some crane scales may also include things like a remote weight readout, wireless connectivity, and NTEP legal for trade status.
How Crane Scales are used in the Real World
We have sold hundreds of crane scales over the years. The top brands of crane scales typically include Intercomp, CAS, MSI, and a few others. The crane scales we sell are used across numerous industries that are looking for heavy-capacity weighing. Some examples might include: Foundry, Mining, Manufacturing, Material Handling, Logistics, Construction and Engineering, & Commercial Fishing.
Top 5 Factors to Consider When Buying a Crane Scale
So, if you’ve read this far, you’re probably in the market for a crane scale? That’s great. At CCS we have been selling crane scales long before many of the current online scale sellers ever came into existence. Based on our years of experience, there are five important things to consider when looking to purchase a digital crane scale.
Crane Scale Weight Capacity and Readability
First thing to mention is the max capacity and readability of the scale. Anytime you’re looking to purchase a weight scale it’s a good idea to know the approximate maximum amount of weight you are going to be looking to weigh. Likewise, how low do you want the scale to display weight readings?
The higher your max capacity is, the larger your weighing increments or graduations are going to be. For example, if you have a 1000 pound capacity scale, the readability increments would typically be 0.5 lb… aka a half pound.
However, if you have a 10,000 pound capacity crane scale, the readability increments becomes 5 lb. And when you’re dealing with overhead weighing applications, it’s usually a good idea to choose a scale with a capacity a little higher than you originally anticipated for safety sake and to make sure you don’t overload the scale.
Crane Scale Enclosures
Depending on the environment that you intend on using the crane scale, you want to make sure you choose a scale with the proper construction. If you’re using the scale in a washdown type environment, you will want a crane scale with an IP rating of IP65 or greater in most cases. IP ratings refer to dust and water ingress. Another subject to lookup: What are heat resistant crane scales?
For hazardous environments, you will want to look at our intrinsically safe crane scale from MSI. In fact, we have an entire line of intrinsically safe scales from A&D, Doran, and Rice Lake. These hazardous area scales are typically FM approved and designed for particular locations by division and group. You often see this in manufacturing and industrial applications such as chemical manufacturing.
Crane Scale with LCD display
Crane Scale Display Readouts
Number three on our list of crane scale buying factors is the digital display. This is one subject that a lot of customers don’t think about until it’s too late. Typically a crane scale that’s indoors will work just fine with a RED led display. However, if the crane scale is taken outside, the LED display tends to get washed out in sunlight. So, for outdoor settings a LCD display might be preferred.
You also might need to think about a remote control or remote display. Sometimes if a crane scale is mounted really high in the air, it can very hard to read the scale display on the front of the crane scale. A wireless remote display can assist you with this situation. To enhance visibility and display weight measurements in other locations, consider the option for wireless remote displays. In some applications remote displays can also double as a scale controller too, allowing wireless operation of the crane scale as well.
Red LED scale display
Crane Scale Battery and Power Choices
The power source of your crane scale is important to consider as well. Many crane scales offer a rechargeable battery. In our opinion, many times it’s also a good idea to have a second rechargeable battery and an external battery charger.
Crane Scale Safety
Number five is cost. There is no question that many customers focus on price when it comes to buying electronic weighing scales online. And, in a lot of situations that’s fine to put some emphasis on price.
However, when you are dealing with overhead weighing applications, do you really want to rely on that imported electronic crane scale that you bought on some website? Imagine you wondering what exactly was involved in the QC process, as you watch this no-name crane scale lifting thousands of pounds up in the air.
Yes, we’re talking about that very same crane scale that doesn’t even have a brand name listed on it anywhere! Do yourself a favor, when it comes to crane scales and overhead weighing applications, we recommend that you stick with the reputable brand name choices like MSI and Intercomp.
Final Thoughts on Overhead Weighing Equipment Sourcing
There are many different models of crane scales on the market today. We’ve seen many of them and we have our favorites. And our favorites are the ones that we’ve sold over the years that are designed to last and provide customers with accurate weights for many years of service.
Some of you are probably asking, how do YOU know which scales to recommend? Truthfully, we recommend crane scales based on what you tell us, our experience with the crane scales we sell, and our experience with the crane scale manufacturers that we deal with on a daily basis.
First thing we suggest is to contact our sales department. You can do that by email, phone or completing the RFQ form on our website. Tell us what you’re looking to weigh and a rough idea of what you think you will need for your overhead weighing application.
We can then work with you together selecting the right crane scale for your particular application. We recommend high quality and reliable crane scales from names you can trust like MSI, CAS, and Intercomp. We are a top scale distributor and service provider of heavy-capacity crane scales for all the scale brands mentioned above like CAS, MSI and Intercomp.
Hopefully we have provided you with some crane scales buying advice & recommendations. Do you need help choosing the right crane scale system? We’re just a phone call or email away. (919) 776-7737 Contact us today.
A top loader balance is a balance without a built-in draft shield, so the pan is easily accessible from all sides. There are many kinds of top loader balances, including mechanical triple beam balances, compact balances, and precision balances.
Precision Balances
Precision balances often provide finer readability than compact balances because they intend to deliver highly precise weighing results. Unlike compact scales, precision balances offer more functions than weighing alone.
For example, the Adam Luna precision balance offers features like parts counting, check weighing, dynamic weighing, and percentage weighing applications. Our selection of Adam top loader precision balances ranges in capacity from 2100 grams to 15 kilograms, with readabilities going from 0.001 grams to one tenth of a gram.
Compact Balances
Compact balances, with their lightweight design, offer portability and occupy minimal space. They frequently feature batteries, enabling operation without requiring a power plug. Our Adam compact balances range in capacity from 100 grams to 30 kilograms, with readabilities from 0.001 grams to to five grams.
Triple Beam Mechanical Balances
Mechanical balances, like our Adam Equipment TBB Triple Beam Balances, operate without electricity. The weight of an object is determined by actively moving counterweights to physically balance the item. Our TBB Triple Beam Balances have capacities from 610 grams to 2610 grams, with readabilities of a tenth of a gram.
Summing up Top Loader Balances
Top-loading balances often are built using a robust housing and typically feature high capacities such as 2600 grams, 3200 grams or even 15,000 grams. However, they are much less precise and accurate than analytical balances, with readabilities ranging between 0.01 grams and 0.1 grams.
Top-loading balances are frequently used for material testing applications in construction and engineering where precision is still needed, but the balance cannot be as sensitive to minute changes because they are used in more demanding environments.
Top-loading balances are also very useful for applications where density is important, since they offer a large capacity with smart features that can do a lot of the work for the user.
They’re also well-suited for mobile laboratories where the conditions are less than ideal, and the samples are larger. Because they can weigh larger batches, top-loading balances are often used for pilot production or small batch production.
What is an Analytical Balance?
While analytical balances are slightly less precise than semi-micro balances (their readability tends to be around 0.0001g), they are usually used with an anti-vibration table to help minimize mass fluctuations caused by their environment.
They’re still very precise and pick up on slight changes, so precautions must be taken to accurately measure small samples. These types of balances are one of the most commonly used tools in a laboratory, from life sciences to forensics. Analytical balances are frequently used for quantitative analysis and reagent measurement in chemistry.
Analytical and semi-micro balances both feature draft shields that enclose a small weighing chamber designed to protect the sample from environmental factors like drafts or static electricity. They tend to share features such as formulation or percentage weighing.
Laboratories don’t only benefit from exceptional precision and accuracy – lab scales also offer additional applications, such as formulation, parts counting, check weighing and dynamic weighing. In the times of beam or spring balances, these extra calculations would have to be done manually. Now, you save time, money, and effort when using one of our Equinox, Luna or Solis balances.
Extraordinary scientific research and developments have come about thanks to scales and balances used in laboratories – yes, even before they became as accurate as the ones we use now. Imagine what will come!
How are Lab Balances Used in Research?
– Sample preparation, such as weighing compounds and solutions
– Analytical techniques like titrations and chromatography require precise weighing results to determine sample concentrations or purity
– Formulation & Quality Control for pharmaceutical research, ensuring accurate dosing and compliance with regulatory standards
– Environmental studies, including soil samples to determine ecosystem health and monitor pollutants.
The most common weighing instruments for laboratories are precision, analytical and semi-micro balances.
Load cells are transducers that convert force exerted onto it into measurable electrical output. When a weight is applied to a balance, the load cell located under the weighing pan bends, and the amount of force it takes to bend the load cell is converted to the result you get on the display.
Our range of Adam Equipment precision balances have capacities ranging from 120 grams to 22,000 grams, with readabilities from 0.001 grams to 0.1 grams. Our range of Adam analytical balances have capacities from 80 grams to 510 grams, with readabilities from 0.1 milligrams to 0.0001 grams – significantly more precise and accurate.
Which is better, Analytical Balances vs. Top Loading Balances?
As you can tell from reading the entry for today both analytical balances and top loaders have their place. So when you think of the question, Top Load Balance vs Analytical Balance? Your particular weighing needs will often determine which weighing device is the best for certain applications. In some instances, you may need both types of balances. Whichever you choose, make sure you choose a quality weighing device.
Generally speaking, analytical balances cost more and need to be used in a controlled setting. These scales are designed to be used in one location and are not very portable. The trade off however is an extremely accurate laboratory balance often with three or four decimal places of readability.
Top loading balances are typically built to be somewhat portable. Many of these top loading balances feature a rechargeable battery and robust construction. Top loading balances can be much more affordable as well. Top loaders also feature high max capacities for versatile weighing. However, the readability with top loaders is often limited to one or two decimal places.
Need help deciding on which precision weighing balances would work best for your application? Just contact our sales department (919) 776-7737 and we can assist you. We have a wide range of Adam Equipment balances. This line of precision weighing equipment is often considered to be one of the most affordable and reliable laboratory weighing equipment available in the United States.
