Mastering Truck Scale Calibration for Optimal Accuracy

Are you looking to optimize the accuracy of your truck scale measurements and ensure compliance with local and industry standards? Then, focusing on having a consistent truck scale calibration plan is vital. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the importance of calibration, the essential tests, and how to choose the right scale calibration service provider, ultimately helping you achieve optimal performance and longevity for your truck scales.

Important Points

  • Regular calibration of truck scales is essential for accuracy, financial security, and safety.

  • Factors such as usage, environment, and application impact the performance of a truck scale.

  • Regular inspections, calibrations, and scale maintenance are necessary to ensure accurate readings & reliable functioning over time.

The Importance of Truck Scale Calibration

importance of truck scale calibration

Truck scale calibration procedures are crucial for obtaining precise measurements, avoiding financial losses due to incorrect payments for shipments, and upholding safety regulations by preventing overloaded trucks. Calibration is the process of verifying a scale’s accuracy using certified test weights to compare the weight reading to the known value of the certified test weight, ensuring the most accurate measurement possible. If the weighment generated by the scale being calibrated does not match the known value of the certified test weight, (slight errors may still be within tolerance), the scale is out of tolerance, and technicians will adjust the scale until the reading accurately reflects the known value of the test weights.

Several online scale calibration software providers offer a calibration management tool which allows customers the ability to:

  • Monitor their calibration status

  • View equipment calibration and test histories

To ensure that truck scales deliver accurate measurements and function at their best, a consistent scale calibration schedule is a must. The easy way to do this is with a Service Agreement. We recommend contacting our service department and setting up a service agreement. You can specify how often you want your scale calibration done and you get reduced service rates and discounts on scales. Call (919) 776-7737 to get started!

Factors Affecting Calibration

Several external factors can impact the calibration of truck scales, such as usage, environment, and application. These factors make regular calibration necessary to ensure that the truck scales are providing precise measurement and operating optimally.

Gaining a clear understanding of calibration-affecting factors allows you to keep your truck scale accurate and dependable.

Legal Requirements and Standards

Legal requirements and industry standards necessitate proper calibration and certification of truck scales to ensure compliance and quality assurance. Truck scale calibration must adhere to legal-for-trade standards, using certified test weights for calibration purposes. Scale certification is mandated by the state, while scale calibration is not always mandated, ensuring the most precise measurement possible. Continue reading

Static Truck Scales vs Weigh In Motion

When it comes to weighing commercial vehicles, there are two main options: static truck scales and weigh in motion scales. Both types of scales serve the same basic purpose. To accurately measure the weight of a vehicle, but they differ in terms of how they are used and their specific capabilities. 

Traditional “Static” Truck Weighing

Static truck scales are the more traditional option. These truck scales consists of a weigh bridge that’s usually around 70 feet long, that’s usually above ground and installed on a concrete foundation. The vehicle drives on to the scale to be weighed. Static truck scales are typically found everywhere from feed mails to recycling centers to weigh stations. They are used to weigh vehicles that are fully stopped.

Static Weighing Advantages

One advantage of static truck scales is that they are accurate because the vehicle is fully stopped and stationary when it is weighed, the accuracy is better than a weigh in motion scale in which the vehicle never stops. Additionally, static scales are common. They’ve been utilized for many years. Technicians know how they work and spare scale parts are readily available, and the vast majority are legal for trade.

70x11 truck scale for dump trucks

Disadvantages of Static Weighing

However, there are also some disadvantages to using static truck scales because the vehicle must come to a complete stop to be weighed. These scales can cause delays and disrupt traffic flow. Additionally, a static scale takes up a lot of room. The scale weigh bridge is usually at least 70 feet long and requires plenty of room for the truck to enter and exit. You also have to pour a large concrete foundation for the static scale to be placed on. Therefore, static scales are typically more expensive than weigh in motion systems.

Weighing a Vehicle While It’s Still Moving

Weigh in motion scales on the other hand are designed to weigh vehicles while they are in motion. These scales use sensors to accurately measure the weight of a moving vehicle, without the need for it to come to a complete stop.  

Weigh In Motion Advantages

One advantage of weigh in motion scales is that they allow for the weighing of vehicles without disrupting traffic flow.  Because the vehicle does not need to come to a complete stop.  weigh in motion scales can help to reduce delays and improve overall efficiency. Additionally, weigh in motion scales can be installed in a smaller area since the scale platform itself is only a fraction of the size of a traditional truck scale. Continue reading

The Role of Truck Scales and Portable Axle Scales in Timber Hauling Operations

In the heart of the forestry industry, where the rhythmic hum of chainsaws blends with the rustling of leaves, lies a crucial aspect that often remains hidden from the untrained eye: the efficient loading of timber onto trucks. Timber-hauling businesses navigate a delicate balance between maximizing payload and ensuring compliance with weight regulations to preserve road infrastructure and safety. In this intricate dance, truck scales and portable axle scales emerge as unsung heroes, enabling timber-hauling operations to optimize vehicle loading while adhering to industry standards.

The Significance of Efficient Loading

Efficient loading of timber onto trucks is more than just a logistical necessity; it is the backbone of profitability and sustainability in the forestry sector. Overloaded trucks not only pose a safety hazard on the roads but also contribute to accelerated wear and tear on vehicles, leading to increased maintenance costs. Moreover, overloaded trucks can damage road infrastructure, requiring substantial repairs that are often funded by taxpayers. The balance between maximizing payload and ensuring adherence to weight regulations is a tightrope act that portable axle scales help timber-hauling businesses perform with finesse.

Precision and Compliance with Regulations

Truck scales play an instrumental role in ensuring that timber-hauling operations remain compliant with weight regulations. Many countries have strict weight limits for commercial vehicles to prevent road damage and accidents. These regulations vary based on the type of road, the number of axles a truck has, and the distribution of the load. By accurately measuring the weight of both the entire truck and the individual axles, these scales assist in preventing overweight vehicles from hitting the road, thus minimizing safety risks and infrastructure damage.

portable wheel weighing scale

Real-time Data for Informed Decisions

In the past, timber-hauling businesses might have relied on estimations and guesswork when loading trucks. However, the advent of modern technology has revolutionized this process. Portable wheel weighers, weigh in motion truck scales, and on board truck scales  provide real-time weight data that empowers businesses to make informed decisions about their loading operations. This data helps them maximize payload without exceeding legal weight limits, leading to increased operational efficiency and reduced operational costs.

Optimizing Vehicle Loading

One of the key challenges in timber hauling is achieving optimal vehicle loading. Irregular distribution of timber can lead to imbalanced loads, increasing the risk of accidents, especially on winding forest roads. Portable axle scales aid in achieving balanced loading by measuring the weight on individual axles. This information guides operators to distribute the timber evenly, minimizing the risk of accidents, reducing wear and tear on tires and suspension systems, and enhancing overall road safety. Another example of vehicle loading is keeping track of weight distribution, which is what’s done when you use six LP600 portable rv scales to measure vehicles during and after manufacturer.

portable axle scale

Portable Axle Scales: Unleashing Flexibility

In the forestry industry, where terrain and operational locations can be unpredictable, the versatility of portable axle scales shines through. Traditional truck scales are fixed installations, limiting their use to specific sites. Portable axle scales, on the other hand, can be easily transported and set up wherever required. This feature is a game-changer for timber-hauling businesses that frequently change their operational locations. Whether extracting timber from remote forests or navigating challenging terrains, portable axle scales offer the flexibility needed to ensure compliance and efficient loading in diverse scenarios.

70 foot long portable truck scale

Portable Truck Scale Choices

In many forestry locations, the weighing will be done for a certain duration. A permanent truck scale installation might not make sense. If that’s the case, then a portable truck scale might work well. The scale can be setup and used for several months or years. Then, when you’re finished, you move the scale to your next location.  

Reducing Environmental Footprint

Beyond regulatory compliance and financial benefits, optimized vehicle loading supported by truck scales contributes to reducing the environmental footprint of timber-hauling operations. By minimizing overloading and achieving balanced distribution, fuel efficiency improves, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This aligns with the growing global emphasis on sustainable business practices and responsible resource management.

weight indicator

In the dense tapestry of the forestry industry, the efficient loading of timber onto trucks stands as a crucial thread that weaves together safety, profitability, and sustainability. Portable truck scales emerge as indispensable tools that empower timber-hauling businesses to master this intricate dance between optimal loading and adherence to weight regulations. Of course we provide you with lots of information to guide you along your buying journey, answering questions like how long should a truck scale last or how to read scale quote or comparing different truck scale manufacturers.

With their precision, real-time accurate data, and flexibility, these portable vehicle scales pave the way for safer roads, reduced environmental impact, and more streamlined operations in the forestry sector. As the industry continues to evolve, the role of these unsung heroes will only become more pronounced, ensuring that the forests’ bounties are transported with efficiency and care. Be sure to contact our sales team for information on our portable scales that we offer.

 
 

The Indispensable Role of Dump Trucks in the Ready Mix Concrete Business

In the world of construction and infrastructure development, ready mix concrete plays a pivotal role as one of the most versatile and widely used building materials. The process of producing and delivering ready mix concrete is a well-coordinated symphony of logistics, and at the heart of this operation lies an unsung hero – the dump truck.

These workhorses of the construction industry are indispensable to the ready mix concrete business, facilitating the efficient transport of materials from production plants to construction sites. In this article, we explore the vital role dump trucks play in the ready mix concrete industry, with a particular emphasis on the importance of adhering to weight regulations to ensure safety and optimal performance.

1. The Foundation of Ready Mix Concrete: Aggregates and Cement

Ready mix concrete is a composite material composed of three primary ingredients: cement, aggregates (such as sand, gravel, crushed stone), and water. To produce high-quality ready mix concrete, the proper proportions of these components must be meticulously measured and mixed. This is where scales and dump trucks come into play.

2. Transporting Raw Materials to the Batching Plant

Before the mixing process begins, the essential aggregates (sand, gravel, or crushed stone) and cement are transported to the batching plant, where they are stored in silos or bins. Dump trucks serve as the workhorse in this crucial first stage. They collect raw materials from quarries or aggregate production sites and transport them to the batching plant. The efficiency and reliability of dump trucks in this process directly impact the overall production capacity and smooth functioning of the batching plant.

3. Precise Measurement and Mixing

In the ready mix concrete business, accuracy is paramount. The right mix of cement and aggregates must be precisely measured to produce concrete with the desired strength, durability, and other essential properties. Overloading dump trucks with excessive pounds of rock, sand, or cement can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to inconsistent concrete quality and potentially compromising the integrity of structures.

4. Load Capacity and Weight Regulations

Dump trucks come in various sizes and load capacities to accommodate different project requirements. It is crucial for ready mix concrete companies to understand and comply with weight regulations to ensure road safety and avoid penalties. Overloading dump trucks not only poses a risk to the driver and other road users but also accelerates wear and tear on the vehicle, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential downtime.

70x11 truck scale for dump trucks

5. Road Safety and Compliance

In many regions, there are strict weight restrictions for commercial vehicles, including dump trucks, to ensure safe and efficient transportation. These regulations are put in place to protect roads and bridges from unnecessary stress and damage. Overloaded dump trucks can cause significant wear to road surfaces and increase the risk of accidents due to reduced vehicle stability and braking capabilities.

To maintain road safety and compliance, ready mix concrete companies should implement robust weighing and load management systems. This involves installing heavy duty 70×11 electronic truck scales to accurately measure the weight of the loaded vehicle before it hits the road. Drivers can drive over the scale empty, then have their truck loaded with sand, and then obtain a fully loaded weight. The company would now have a weight ticket that shows the gross weight, tare weight, and net weight enabling drivers and operators to optimize the load while staying within legal limits.

6. Optimizing Transport Efficiency

Transportation costs can be a significant portion of the overall ready mix concrete production expenses. Maximizing the efficiency of transport operations not only reduces costs but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with fuel consumption and emissions. Dump trucks should be strategically deployed based on the distance to construction sites and the demand for concrete. Utilizing GPS and route optimization software can further enhance transport efficiency, reducing travel time and fuel consumption.

7. Just-in-Time Delivery

Ready mix concrete is often produced and delivered in a just-in-time manner, which means that the concrete is mixed and transported to the construction site as soon as it is needed. This requires a well-coordinated fleet of dump trucks that can respond promptly to customer orders. Timely delivery is crucial in construction projects to avoid delays and ensure seamless progress on site.

8. Ensuring Material Integrity

Apart from adhering to weight regulations, dump trucks also play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the raw materials during transportation. The aggregates must be free from contamination and excessive moisture, as these factors can adversely affect the quality of the ready mix concrete. Dump trucks with appropriate covers and sealing mechanisms protect the materials from environmental factors during transit, preserving their quality and performance.

9. Navigating Challenging Terrain

Construction sites are not always located in easily accessible areas. Dump trucks are designed to navigate challenging terrains and deliver materials to even the most remote locations, ensuring that concrete can be produced and delivered wherever it is needed.

10. Enhancing Productivity and Profitability

Efficient dump truck operations directly contribute to the productivity and profitability of the ready mix concrete business. By ensuring timely deliveries, accurate measurements, and compliance with weight regulations, companies can enhance customer satisfaction and build a reputation for reliability. Furthermore, optimized transport operations lead to cost savings, which can be reinvested in equipment upgrades, workforce training, and business expansion.

Final Thoughts

Dump trucks are the unsung heroes of the ready mix concrete industry and play a critical role in the production and delivery. Their efficient and safe operation is essential for maintaining product quality, adhering to weight regulations, and ensuring timely deliveries to construction sites. Driving the dump truck across the truck scale empty and then fully loaded, provides companies and drivers with the information they need to know regarding net weight, tare weight, and gross weight.

Recycling: A Sustainable Pathway to a Thriving Society

In a world where environmental consciousness is becoming increasingly critical, recycling stands out as one of the most effective tools in our arsenal to combat the escalating challenges of waste management and resource depletion.

Recycling not only helps conserve natural resources but also has far-reaching benefits for our society, economy, and the environment. This article explores the multifaceted advantages of recycling and highlights the pivotal role that scales play in this process, weighing collected materials and enabling efficient transportation for a more sustainable future.

  1. Resource Conservation

One of the primary benefits of recycling is resource conservation. By reusing and repurposing materials, we can reduce our dependence on virgin resources. Many valuable resources, such as metals, plastics, and paper, can be recycled multiple times, lessening the need for extensive mining, drilling, and deforestation. Scales play a crucial role in recycling by accurately weighing the collected materials either on a floor scale or a truck scale. By knowing the precise weight, industries can better manage their resources, plan for production, and contribute to a circular economy.

floor scale

  1. Energy Savings

Recycling offers substantial energy savings compared to extracting raw materials. The energy required to process recycled materials is significantly lower than that needed to produce products from scratch. For example, recycling aluminum consumes only about 5% of the energy required for primary production. By using scales to monitor incoming materials and outgoing products, recycling facilities can optimize their energy consumption and identify areas for further efficiency improvements.

  1. Waste Reduction and Landfill Diversion

As the global population grows, so does the waste generated. Recycling helps divert a substantial amount of waste from landfills, reducing the burden on these sites and mitigating the associated environmental and health risks. By efficiently weighing the collected materials, municipalities can measure their recycling success, set targets for waste diversion, and develop waste management strategies that promote recycling and resource recovery.

  1. Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

Recycling plays a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. When materials are discarded in landfills, they undergo anaerobic decomposition, releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By recycling materials instead, we can significantly decrease methane emissions and contribute to mitigating climate change. 

  1. Job Creation and Economic Growth

Recycling creates a multitude of job opportunities across various sectors, from collection and sorting to processing and manufacturing. The recycling industry not only fosters local employment but also contributes to economic growth. Moreover, by reducing waste management costs and conserving resources, recycling can lead to cost savings for industries, promoting competitiveness and overall economic resilience.

steel deck above ground truck scale

  1. Promoting Sustainable Consumption

Recycling is not solely a responsibility of waste management facilities. It also plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable consumption patterns. As people become more aware of the importance of recycling, they are encouraged to make eco-conscious choices, such as opting for products with recyclable packaging. 

  1. Preserving Biodiversity

By reducing the demand for raw materials and minimizing waste disposal in landfills, recycling helps preserve natural habitats and protect biodiversity. Deforestation for resource extraction and landfill expansion can have devastating effects on ecosystems. 

  1. Community Engagement and Environmental Education

Recycling initiatives often foster community engagement and environmental education. As people participate in recycling programs, they become more connected to sustainable practices and take pride in their efforts to protect the environment. 

Recycling is a powerful mechanism that benefits society in multifaceted ways. It conserves resources, reduces energy consumption, diverts waste from landfills, curbs greenhouse gas emissions, stimulates economic growth, and preserves biodiversity. Scales play a vital role in weighing collected materials, usually on either a floor scale or a truck scale. By embracing recycling as a collective responsibility, we can create a more sustainable world for generations to come, where environmental consciousness and social well-being coexist in harmony.

How Much Do Digital Truck Scales Cost?

What does a digital truck scale cost? You may be wondering what is a digital truck scale?  Is it different from a regular truck scale? Let’s answer some of those questions.

A regular or traditional truck scale often refers to a scale with standard analog load cells. This is older technology, but it’s certainly a proven product that is utilized by many businesses every single day.

digital truck scale prices

Digital truck scales have digital load cells installed. The conversion from analog to digital signal in this scenario takes place at the load cell and with the cells sending this digital data to the indicator, they are also capable of sending additional data as well including things like errors, cabling issues, calibration data. And more in fact, one of the biggest benefits of this type of scale is the ability to store calibration data in a different location than just the digital weight indicator.

With old analog truck scales if you have to replace the truck scale weight indicator or a truck scale load cell, it usually means driving a large test truck out to calibrate the scale. With a digital scale, depending on what you have to replace, it could possibly mean, not having to use a test truck, which could mean a less expensive repair charge and possibly even faster scale repair as well.

Also, if you put a large steel truck scale in the middle of a field, it’s going to act as a lightning rod of sorts. The last thing you want is a huge bill every time a thunderstorm comes through and lightning wipes out some of your scale components. With digital truck scales because of the higher quality digital signal, this technology has proven to be very resistant to any lightning or surge events provided the scale is properly grounded.

Digital Truck Scale Prices

At the time of this article, a 70 x 11 digital truck scale costs around $78,000 or so. Now that’s just for the scale itself. Foundation, indicators, side rails, freight, installation and more would be additional. For comparison’s sake, standard analog truck scale at the time of this article can run somewhere around $72,000. So the additional cost to upgrade your order to a digital truck scale is not too bad.

And remember these are 2023 prices. So if you’re reading this in like 2035, they will be more expensive. But hey, by then, we’ll all probably be flying around with jet packs on, right? 

We do need to mention one small warning regarding digital truck scales. If you choose to go this route, you will want to make sure that you or the scale company that you work with stock any basic repair parts that you feel are necessary. These digital scales are not as commonplace as analog truck scales. At least not yet…. And therefore sourcing replacement load cells and special cables can sometimes be a challenge. 

If you’re in the market for a new digital truck scale, be sure to contact us (919) 776-7737 or you can complete the RFQ form on our website.

The Weighty Issue of Waste: Scaling Up Solid Waste Management

Garbage and waste have long been persistent challenges for modern societies. As our communities continue to grow, so does the amount of waste we generate. Proper management and transportation of solid waste are crucial for maintaining environmental sustainability and public health. One of the key tools in this endeavor is the use of scales to accurately measure and transport waste efficiently. In this article, we will delve into the world of garbage, waste management, and the importance of utilizing scales to tackle this ever-expanding issue.

The Growing Mountain of Waste

Waste is an inevitable byproduct of human activity. From household waste to industrial and commercial refuse, we generate vast amounts of garbage daily. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and consumerism have intensified this problem. This mounting waste poses significant threats to the environment, including pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.

Proper Waste Management: The Need of the Hour

To tackle the waste crisis, efficient waste management practices are essential. Effective waste management encompasses collection, transportation, recycling, and disposal. Without a well-structured waste management system, our communities risk being overwhelmed by the waste they produce.

digital truck scales

Scales: Pivotal Instruments in Waste Transportation

When it comes to the transportation of solid waste, scales play a pivotal role. Accurate weighing of waste is crucial for several reasons:

Cost Efficiency: Billing and charging waste generators based on the weight of their waste ensures fair and accurate billing. This incentivizes waste reduction and recycling, leading to cost savings in the long run.

Resource Allocation: Knowing the precise weight of waste aids in appropriate resource allocation for waste transportation and disposal, preventing overloading and reducing the carbon footprint.

Compliance and Regulation: Scales help waste management authorities comply with environmental regulations, ensuring that waste is disposed of or recycled responsibly.

Data for Decision-Making: Reliable waste weight data assists in making informed decisions for waste management policies and practices.

Scales in Waste Transportation: The Process

Waste transportation involves various stages, and scales come into play at several of these points:

Collection: At the collection stage, residential, commercial, and industrial waste needs to be accurately weighed before loading onto waste collection vehicles. Scales installed at waste transfer stations or designated collection points provide accurate measurements.

Transfer Stations: Waste transfer stations act as hubs for consolidating waste from multiple collection points. Scales at these facilities measure the waste before transferring it to larger vehicles, such as garbage trucks or waste haulers.

Landfills and Recycling Centers: At the final destination, be it a landfill or a recycling center, scales are crucial for weighing incoming waste. This data helps landfill operators or recycling facilities to track waste volumes, manage capacity, and plan future operations effectively.

high quality scales and weighing equipment

Innovations in Waste Management Scales

The waste management industry has witnessed notable advancements in weighing technology to improve efficiency and accuracy:

On-board Weighing Systems: Some waste collection vehicles now come equipped with on-board weighing systems that provide real-time weight data. These systems help optimize collection routes, prevent overloading, and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.

Accurate Hi Tech Scales: Integration of scales with smart technologies and data management systems has revolutionized waste management. These scales provide real time info about their current status and if any errors exist. 

Portable Weighing Solutions: Portable scales are invaluable for weighing waste in areas where permanent installations are not feasible, such as construction sites or temporary waste collection points.

As the global waste crisis escalates, the importance of accurate waste management and transportation becomes even more apparent. Scales serve as indispensable tools in this endeavor, helping ensure efficient waste collection, fair billing, and compliance with environmental regulations.

By integrating smart technologies and innovative solutions, we can work towards a more sustainable future where waste is seen not as a burden, but as a resource to be managed wisely and responsibly. Through collaborative efforts between governments, waste management authorities, industries, and individuals, we can scale up our efforts to combat waste and protect the environment for generations to come.

Help, My Scale isn’t Working…

In today’s article, we’re going to take a look at one of the subjects that we have discussed over the past few years several times….

Hey, my scale isn’t working. What should I do first? 

Obviously, it can be frustrating when a scale stops working or doesn’t work right out of the box. So what should you do when your scale isn’t working? Here is what we suggest.

First, slow down and take a moment and look over the scale. Make sure everything looks correct. Read over the operators manual (last resort, of course). Perhaps your issue is as simple as an overload stop, which is designed to protect load cells during shipping, has not been unscrewed. 

cheap floor scale

Depending on what type scale it is, there are a few things to look for. Make sure the power cord is securely plugged into the wall outlet. Is the scale level? If it’s a platform scale, is the cable connected from the digital display to the platform? Are there any cuts in the cable?

Believe it or not, turning an electronic scale off and waiting a couple of minutes, and then plugging the scale back into the wall will solve the problem more times than you think.

We work on a lot of commercial weighing scale systems, and they oftentimes are utilized in some rough environments. Unfortunately, dust, dirt and debris can build up in and around those industrial scales. When this happens, the scale may not read accurately or be able to settle on a certain weight amount. The display may show up and down weight fluctuations in the weight reading. or it might even display an error code on the weight indicator. So, if you are able to  check around or under your scale, that can be a good first step. Often if your scale is binding, you will see materials or dirt packed under the weigh bridge or near load cell stands.

We’ve seen floor scales that were pushed up against a wall and not weighing correctly. The solution was simply moving the scale away from the wall.

Hopefully something in the paragraphs above helped you out.  If not, your particular issue could be something else and you may have to get a factory trained scale technician to diagnose and fix. We recommend that you contact a local scale company who can diagnose the trouble. If you’re in Central North Carolina and need scale repair, please contact us by calling (919) 776-7737 or you can complete the form on our website. 

The Peril of Monopoly: The Dangers of Choosing an Industrial Scale Provider who Basically Only Recommends One Scale Brand

In the world of industry and commerce, precision measurement and weighing accuracy are paramount, making industrial scales and laboratory balances an indispensable tool in many industries. When it comes to selecting a reliable provider for your weighing needs, many local businesses seek convenience by opting for a one-stop-shop that sells scales and offers calibration and service support. And, often folks search for old and familiar scale brand they may have heard of years ago.

However, one mistake that some customers make involves choosing a scale supplier who essentially is only offering one brand of scale 99% of the time. This cozy relationship with a sole brand may appear convenient on the surface, but it comes with a range of potential pitfalls that businesses should be wary of. Do the terms Protected Territories, Limited Competition, and High Prices sound familiar? 

This article explores the perils of such an arrangement and underscores the importance of keeping an open mind when it comes to selecting a local industrial scale provider in your area.

1. Limited Product Options:

Relying on an industrial scale provider who predominantly offers one brand of scales leaves your business with limited options. Each industry has unique requirements, and no single scale brand can cater to the diverse needs of every enterprise. By restricting yourself to just one brand of scales, you risk overlooking better-suited alternatives that might provide more accurate readings, advanced features, or even more cost-effectiveness. Opting to work with a local scale company with a wide array of scale options ensures you can find the perfect match for your business requirements.

2. Bias and Unreliable Recommendations:

The inherent conflict of interest in exclusively recommending one scale brand raises questions about the objectivity and credibility of the provider’s suggestions. Is the recommendation driven by the best interest of the client, or is it motivated by financial gains or meeting sales quotas from promoting a particular brand? A biased recommendation might lead to investing in scales that are not truly suitable for your operations, leading to suboptimal performance, increased maintenance costs, or even safety hazards.

3. Lack of Customization and Product Flexibility:

Industrial operations vary widely, and a one-size-fits-all approach to scales simply won’t suffice. By relying on a local scale provider who predominantly deals with one brand, you may face limitations in customizing the scales to match your specific requirements. Customization could involve factors such as scale capacity, platform size, and specialized features, which are critical to ensuring optimal performance and efficient workflow.

There could be situations where your number one scale brand might be a good choice for the scale platform but the scale controller might be a different brand. Is the scale company willing to use another brand?

4. Inadequate Support and Service:

Calibration and regular maintenance are vital to the accurate functioning of industrial scales. Choosing a local scale sales and service provider that primarily deals with one scale brand may limit your access to reliable service and support. They may lack the expertise to handle other scale brands effectively, resulting in subpar calibration or repairs. In contrast, a diversified local scale provider (like Central Carolina Scale) is more likely to have a skilled team capable of servicing a wide range of scale models efficiently.

5. Competitive Pricing:

Monopoly situations can also sometimes lead to inflated pricing. With limited options and no direct competition, the scale provider may not have any incentives to offer competitive prices. As a result, your business might end up paying more for a scale that could be obtained at a better price elsewhere.

high quality scales and weighing equipment

Final Thoughts:

Choosing an industrial scale provider is a crucial decision that directly impacts the efficiency and accuracy of your operations. While the convenience of an all-in-one provider might be tempting, the dangers of opting for one who predominantly deals with a single brand of scales cannot be ignored. The limited product options, protected territories limiting competition, biased recommendations, and inadequate support could all hamper your business’s growth and success.

Instead, we recommend working with a scale company like ours. At Central Carolina Scale, we have good working relationships with many different scale manufacturers. If a customer approaches us and asks for a product or solution for their weighing, we are going to base our product recommendations off things like past success, proven products, overall value, etc… We typically provide multiple reputable choices to customers to consider.

In our experience, rarely is one scale manufacturer the best choice for everything. Some manufacturer really good truck scales. Some manufacturer easy to use digital weight indicators. In fact, we often provide scale systems to customers that have one brand of scale platform and a different brand of digital weight indicator. Most of the time we do that because we’re trying to provide the customer with the best overall scale equipment for their needs.

Looking for the Price on a 60×11 Truck Scale for Weighing Tanker Trucks

Today we’re going to go in depth and actually put together a truck scale quote for weighing a tanker truck. So we recently received a request from a customer regarding a truck scale. The customer was looking for the price on a 60×11 truck scale for weighing tanker trucks and asked for a quote for an above ground truck scale with at least 100,000 lb. capacity, 60 foot long and 11 foot wide, which they say is just enough for one tanker truck.

Ok, then let’s get that priced out for you. Now, as we always try to mention with these truck scale quotes and scale terminology blog posts, please be aware that these are just estimates and they are not exact figures and pricing is subject to change. We’re simply giving you an idea of what kind of pricing to expect based on current year numbers. And it’s quite possible to possibly get some pricing breaks or discounts depending on when you are reading this and/or looking to order.

truck scales 101

Truck Scale Foundation

Ok, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s take a look at the costs. You’ll need to get your concrete foundation poured. The most cost effective way to do that is probably to have your own contractor pour the concrete costs for foundations can vary, but it might be somewhere between $18,000 to $28,000.

60×11 Truck Scale Freight

Freight to ship your scale from the manufacturer to you is likely somewhere around $3000. Keep in mind, freight will vary depending on where the scale ships from and where it’s shipping to. Also, you will need to have a crane to offload the scale. You can supply that crane to cut costs if needed. Continue reading