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

Importance of Vehicle Scales at a Rail Logistics Facility

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

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

Case Study: Intercomp LP600™ to Weigh RVs for Customer Safety

Over the years we have been asked quite a few times about different ways to effectively weigh things like Recreational Vehicles and Trailers that are custom built. One of the choices that we often recommend is one of the wheel weighers from Intercomp such as the LP600.

Truck Scales for Aftermarket Vehicle Outfitters

When fitting aftermarket equipment on vehicles and trailers, installers must make sure the vehicles are safe to drive once fully loaded. Because a vehicle can be weight compliant, and still have unsafe weight distribution, it is important to measure individual axle weights before allowing it back on the road.

Automotive Aftermarket Scales Overview

Intercomp Company portable scales weigh a vehicle axle-by-axle, ensuring individual axle/wheel and GVW, for proper axle and gross load distribution. We actually have a large selection of Rice Lake, Intercomp, CAS and more, accurate weighing and measurement solutions for aftermarket equipment installers.

wheel scales for RV

As you can see from the case study below, the Intercomp LP600 wheel weigher is often a very accurate and flexible choice for companies in today’s world.

As the size and complexity of modern RVs continue to increase,manufacturers and customers must also take into account axle weight compliance and safe weight distribution. While an RV may be weight compliant, RV manufacturers and dealers need to ensure these vehicles are safe to drive once the end user loads personal items, water and fuel.

In the RV market, checking and understanding weight distribution among the vehicle’s axles is becoming increasingly important. Manufacturers, dealers and owners need to have a better understanding of weight for the sake of compliance and safety.

North Trail RV, a dealer for one of the most well-known RV manufacturers in the United States, decided to tackle these potential issues. The company needed an accurate way to measure GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight), and obtain wheel and axle weights, to ensure proper load distribution when fully loaded with personal equipment, fuel and water. The dealer also wanted a way to record and print the data to provide the customer during the final walk through and when customers brought their RV back to the dealer for a standard one-month checkup.

With six LP600™s, North Trail RV recognized an increase in buyer satisfaction based on the additional information provided to each customer after fully loading their RV. The dealer also gained a better handle on what additions and modifications produced the most significant changes in weight distribution. In addition, the scales helped dealer technicians troubleshoot potential problems with suspension components and tires during the one-month checkup. Not only did this decrease the possibility of the customer having service issues in the near future, but it also helped customers understand how critical weight distribution is to proper drive ability and safety while using the unit.

If this sounds like a solution that you could use for your business, then give us a call at (919) 776-7737 or visit our website and click the Request a Quote button.

Intercomp HH400 Handheld Indicator Now Available

Intercomp Scales continues its history of continuous innovation and product improvement with the latest update to their HH400™ Handheld Indicator.

INTERCOMP HH400 now available

Previously known as the TL-RFX™ Indicator, it was the go-to choice for Intercomp’s TL™ Series Tension Link Scales. Now with added features such as output to RFX™ enabled wireless printers, memory storage, and RS232 output, the HH400™ Handheld Indicator available from Central Carolina Scale is ideal for monitoring and controlling CS™ and TL™ Series Crane and Tension Link Scales, as well as PT™ and LP™ Portable Wheel Load Scales from up to 300′ (90m).

With three display modes, it allows simultaneous viewing of data from up to four scales from a large, graphic display in an IP65 ergonomically designed housing. These state-of-the-industry features make this NTEP certified indicator an ideal solution for any weighing application requiring remote monitoring and control of up to four scales.

intercomp scales hh400 hand held weight readout

Additionally, an industry standard for wireless weight monitoring, Intercomp’s “Handheld Weighing Indicator,” has also been renamed the HH60™ Handheld Indicator. A proven indicator for applications requiring the monitoring of up to six scales, it also features memory storage with a RS232 port for data transfer, is capable of controlling scale functions remotely, and is NTEP certified providing users a choice between handheld wireless indicators.

Other wireless indicator options available from Intercomp include IntercompWeigh™ Software, PT20™ self-enclosed CPU, and apps to control and monitor scales from iPhone®, iPod® and iPad®.

Intercomp Company is an ISO 9001:2008 registered weighing and measurement solutions manufacturer based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota with offices in the United States and the United Kingdom, proudly serving the Industrial, Racing, ITS/Enforcement, Aviation, Military, Agriculture, and Mining and Aggregate industries worldwide.

Central Carolina Scale, Inc located in Sanford, NC has been in business over three decades and its employees have over 90 years of combined experience in weighing equipment sales and service but even with all that experience, the staff still trains regularly via both on the job training and factory supplied training. This one of the reasons why Central Carolina Scale has firmly established itself as a leader in the scale industry.

It’s also one of the reasons that many of the top scale manufacturers in the United States like Rice Lake Weighing Systems, Cardinal Scale Manufacturing, Doran Scales, Intercomp, and Avery Weigh-Tronix rely on Central Carolina Scale to distribute and service their scale equipment. Contact the sales department, (919) 776-7737 or visit centralcarolinascale.com

Intercomp Solar Wheel Weigher Scales

We wanted to provide an updated list of Intercomp Solar Wheel Weigh Scales along with part numbers and description.

LP600 SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALES
182014 LP600 SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX10) 20,000X10LB (10,000X5KG)
182018 LP600 SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX50) NTEP 20,000X50LB (10,000X25KG)
182007-RFX LP600 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (10KX5) 10,000X5LB (5,000X2KG)
182006-RFX LP600 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX10) 20,000X10LB (10,000X5KG)
182004-RFX LP600 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX20) 20,000X20LB (10,000X10KG)
182009-RFX LP600 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (30KX50) 30,000X50LB (14,000X20KG)
182008-RFX LP600 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (5KX5) 5,000X5LB (2,500X2KG)
182010-RFX LP600 WIRELESS WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX50) NO RAMPS 20,000X50LB (10,000X20KG)
182018-RFX LP600 WRLS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX50) NTEP 20,000X50LB (10,000X25KG)
182015-RFX LP600-15T WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (30KX50) 30,000X50LB (15,000X20KG)
182013-RFX LP600-15T WRLS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE SYS (30KX50) 30,000X50LB (15,000X20KG)
182011-RFX LP630 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (30KX50) 30,000X50LB (15,000X20KG)
182012-RFX LP630-15T WRLS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE SYS(30KX50) 30,000X50LB (15,000X20KG)

PT300 SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALES
181004 PT300 SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX10) 20,000X10LB (10,000X5KG)
181002 PT300 SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX10) – 20MA 20,000X10LB (10,000X5KG)
181012 PT300 SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX50) NTEP 20,000X50LB (10,000X25KG)
181005-RFX PT300 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (10KX5) 10,000X5LB (5,000X2KG)
181004-RFX PT300 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX10) 20,000X10LB (10,000X5KG)
181003-RFX PT300 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX20) 20,000X20LB (10,000X10KG)
181006-RFX PT300 WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (5KX5) 5,000X5LB (2,500X2KG)
181008-RFX PT300 WRLS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX50) NTEP 20,000X50LB (10,000X25KG)

PT300DW SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALES
181508 PT300DW SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX10) 20,000X10LB (10,000X5KG)
181503 PT300DW SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX20) – 20MA 20,000X20LB (10,000X10KG)
181505-RFX PT300DW WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (10KX5) 10,000X5LB (5,000X2KG) CAPACITY
181504-RFX PT300DW WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX10) 20,000X10LB (5,000X5KG) CAPACITY
181503-RFX PT300DW WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (20KX20) 20,000X20LB (10,000X10KG) CAPACITY
181501-RFX PT300DW WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (30KX50) 30,000LB (15,000KG) CAPACITY
181502-RFX PT300DW WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (40KX100) 40,000x100LB (20,000x50KG) CAPACITY
181506-RFX PT300DW WIRELESS SOLAR WHEEL LOAD SCALE (5KX5) 5,000X5LB (2,500X2KG) CAPACITY

For more information and price quote please contact the sales department at 919-776-7737.

Intercomp Military Scales for Portable Wheel Weighing

For many years we at Central Carolina Scale have provided U.S. Military customers outstanding customer service and discounted pricing on Intercomp PT300 wheel weighers, among other scales. No matter what country or base you’re serving in or what branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, or Marines) we provide outstanding products and prices. Intercomp is the leading manufacturer of portable scales and accessories used for weighing vehicles, passengers, baggage, containers and pallets during mobility, deployment and transportation/material handling applications. All products are available with discounted prices instead of GSA. Please contact us for NSN (National Stock Number) or relevant purchasing information. Call: 919-776-7737

GSA CNT GS-07F-078BA

The Industry Standard in Digital Wheel Load Weighing
PT300™ scales have been setting the bar for portable, self-contained, compact wheel load scales for decades. Used to maximize legal payloads with concern for violations and reduction of maintenance due to overload stress on equipment, these all aluminum, fully electronic scales are capable of weighing up to 40,000lbs (18,000kgs) with an accuracy of ± 1%.

Progressive advancements in weighing technology have opened the doors to improving on this time-tested industry standard. Today, PT300™ scales are built with fully integrated RFX™ Wireless Weighing Technology providing the ability for scale data to be received, recorded, and observed on a variety of indicators; as well as control scale functions remotely. In addition, battery life has been significantly enhanced with the use Continue reading

Solar Panels Power Scales For Up To Entire Year!

Over the years the idea of solar power and scales has been brought up before and in fact there are currently a few products in the marketplace that accommodate that type of technology. Well, you can add Intercomp Company into the same sentence now as well with their latest product innovation.

Intercomp, the manufacturer of portable wheel load scales that we know you’ve heard of such as the popular PT300, recently announced an exciting solar panel update to their most popular wheel load scale models. A solar charger built into the scale indicator allows the scales to operate continuously without requiring direct power charging. This solar boost makes Intercomp scales even more versatile, and virtually eliminates the need to recharge batteries in-between uses. This is a major upgrade since battery life is one of the most important considerations for customers of these products. Being able to operate your portable wheel weighers without having to manually recharge batteries makes weighing that much easier and reliable.

By building solar chargers into the Intercomp weight indicators, it offers you exceptional battery life and eliminates the need to manage charging and replacement of batteries; which not only benefits customers, but the environment as well. Now, the question you’re probably asking is, which Intercomp scales does this include? Well, at the time of this write-up the time saving, solar charging technology will be standard on all PT300™,PT300DW™, LP600 and LP600-15T™ Wheel Load Scales moving forward. Therefore, charging cables will no longer be included, but are still available to be ordered as options if you desire.

At Central Carolina Scale, we’re proud to offer our customers the quality and performance of Intercomp scales and to be an authorized Intercomp distributor. For more information or to obtain a price quote on Intercomp scales, please contact our sales department by phone (919) 776-7737 or complete our sales request for quote form on our website.

Computer Scales on a 7″ Android™ Tablet

This is a pretty cool scale system. We are often asked about using a tablet computer to see scale weights but often it’s really not too practical for industrial situations. However, for racing scales it can actually be a great choice. Longacre Racing has developed an exciting new system that includes four scale pads and an android tablet which displays the scale weight info along with quite a bit of additional customized weight information. Take a look below.

Computerscales on a Tablet
This is the future of chassis setups. This tablet has many times the capacity of any dedicated scale control box. This scale was designed from the ground up as a tablet based system, not an add-on to an existing model. The wireless signal goes directly from the pads to the tablet without any bulky re-transmitter boxes needed. In the future we will have many more ‘apps’ for various setup functions.

Tablet Included
The tablet included is an Android™ based model and can support other ‘apps’. Computerscales XLi app is pre-installed and the entire system is ready to use. (Tablet brand / model may vary.)

DUAL Load Cell CNC Machined Pads (Single Cell Pads Also Available)
Dual cells give you a much more rigid platform than any single cell pads can. The lower deflection significantly improves accuracy and consistency, particularly for critical cross weight. These pads are fully CNC machined to a dead flat finish – within just .005″

Some of the features I like include the fact that all your partial weights & %’s can be seen. Scroll thru the options with your fingertip. The Tablet shows Memory weights and current weights AT THE SAME TIME so you can easily compare (50 memory storage). The Tabet features a customizable display – Easily tap your preferences in the order you want them displayed. You can even add a blank line if you want to separate %s. Select as many or few as you want. Up to 5 will be shown on the main display but you can access the others scrolling the list up or down. You can also change partial weight % resolution and weight units. Pad battery status shown on display for each corner. There’s even a Bright Sunlight screen mode for easier viewing outdoors. Contact Central Carolina Scale today at 919-776-7737 to place your order.

Portable Wheel Weighers Overview From Intercomp

At Central Carolina Scale, we’ve been selling, renting, and repairing scales for over 40 years and likewise Intercomp has been building outstanding portable wheel weighers and crane scales for decades as well. Intercomp is the world’s largest manufacturer of portable weighing and measurement products, producing the highest quality products at competitive prices. Customers in fields like aerospace, transportation, automotive, and numerous other industries know that Intercomp’s products provide reliable solutions for the most exacting applications.

PT300 Portable Wheel Weigher Scale

Intercomp’s exclusive RFX Wireless Weighing Technology is the most advanced technology of its kind. The complete line of portable scales, indicators, and test equipment utilize RFX Wireless Weighing Technology to provide the accuracy needed to obtain reliable readings in any weighing application. Intercomp industrial weighing products also consists of portable high capacity scales & load cells for under the wheel of vehicles, on overhead cranes, in material handling devices and mounted within production equipment. Let’s take a look at a few of the Intercomp wheel load scales below. Continue reading