A Complete Guide to Portable Truck Scales

Precision in weight measurement is crucial in various industries, and it’s particularly evident in the world of truck scales.

Shipping and trucking operations rely on accurate weighing technology for product transportation, compliance, and safety. Portable scales offer a flexible and precise weighing solution for a multitude of industries and applications.

In this extensive guide, we’ll explore the benefits of this equipment, factors to consider when selecting a scale, the various types available, their applications across industries, and crucial maintenance tips.

What is the Standard Truck Scale?

They are low-profile weighing applications that allow drivers to weigh truck axles or individual wheel weights.

Utilizing internal load cell components to measure weight, wheel scales also incorporate a heavy-duty design to withstand the weight of trucks and their contents.

With truck axle scales, each axle or axle group is weighed individually. Calculating gross vehicle weight (GVW) involves adding the weights of each axle or axle group and then subtracting the weight of the empty truck or Tare weight from the sum of the axle weights.

Benefits of Truck Scales

Including a portable scale in industrial facilities provides many operational and user benefits. When weight measurement accuracy is essential, weighing scales offer efficiency for improved operations.

Truck axle scales are accurate, and they are capable of returning measurements within 0.25% per axle and 1% for gross vehicle weight.

Providing a cost-effective and durable application, portable scales for trucks are easily operated and offer a build-to-last weighing solution.

Additionally, selecting a weighing solution that offers weigh-in-motion capabilities can streamline weighing processes for a more efficient operation, allowing drivers to maintain a speed of up to 3 mph during weighing.

What to Consider When Choosing Truck Scale Weighing Systems

When selecting a truck scale application for your operations, it’s essential to consider various factors to find an appropriate solution.

To determine if this is right for your requirements, the following factors should be evaluated:

• Legal-for-Trade Use & Compliance
• Location & Space
• Vehicle Maneuverability
• Static or Dynamic Data Collection
• Environmental Factors & Usage
• Temporary or Permanent Installation
• Calibration and Accuracy
• Durability & Protection
• Budget

With your weighing needs in mind, assessing these factors will determine an appropriate portable truck scale application that fully meets the requirements.

Different Types of Portable Scales for Trucks

There are two main types of scales: wheel weighers and axle pad scales.

Axle Pad Portable Truck Scales

Axle pad scales offer a heavy-duty, year-round, all-weather weighing solution. Comprised of steel platforms and integral load cell components, axle pad scales weigh trucks by axle. This portable truck scale type is available in various configurations, including single-, dual-, and triple-axle designs.

Axle pad scales can be placed above ground with ramps for a portable solution or installed flush into concrete for a permanent weighing application.

Wheel Weighers

Wheel weighers offer a portable, hand-held design. This scale type offers an on-the-go weighing solution but requires flat surfaces and dry conditions, as wet conditions may reduce their working life.

Portable wheel weigher scales are excellent for the occasional dry-weather weighing need.

However, using wheel weights is a two-person job; one person has to ensure that each weight is situated squarely beneath the axle wheel and then move the scale to measure each axle individually.

Portable Weight Scale Applications

There are many applications across various industries, and evaluating GVW is essential in businesses such as law enforcement, mining, trailer loading, and farming.

Mining

In mining, Axle Pad Scales are crucial for weighing minerals before transportation. Their portability and durability make them ideal for challenging mining environments, allowing above and below-ground vehicle weighing, bin weighing, and more.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement relies on portable scales to monitor weight on roadways, ensuring compliance with weight regulations and promoting road safety. These scales offer various enforcement options, enhancing efficiency.

Agricultural Business

Agricultural businesses benefit from Axle Pad Scales by accurately calculating GVW during product transport, preventing overloading and damage, and ensuring accurate measurements for sales.

Cargo

Furthermore, portable trailer loading scales streamline cargo weight monitoring during loading, offering protection against overloading and enhancing safety and compliance.

Maintaining Your Portable Truck Scale

Regularly maintaining your truck axle scales is essential for application performance and accuracy.

Scale maintenance refers to general cleaning, inspections for damage, addressing environmental challenges, and calibration. Keeping a scale-free of dirt, debris, and other contaminants with regular cleaning ensures precision and accurate performance during weighing. Cleaning is a fast and simple process that can be completed using standard cleaning tools like brooms.

Portable weigh scales for trucks should frequently be inspected for damage and standing water. Using scales that have damage or require drainage after inclement weather may lead to costly repairs later.

The performance of the truck scales also relies on routine calibration. Calibration influences how the scale performs, and it is suggested that scales are calibrated yearly or more frequently depending on environmental and general use factors.

Truck scales are essential for precise weight measurement in law enforcement, trucking, mining, and farming industries. This guide has highlighted their benefits, factors for selection, types, applications, and maintenance. More than numbers, they ensure efficient logistics and regulatory compliance. As industries advance, the need for accurate truck scales remains.

Embrace precision, enhance your operations, and make the most of your scale for accurate weight measurement in your industry.

Your Trusted Experts in Portable Truck Weighing Technology at Massload

Massload Technologies has been an industry leader in weighing applications since 1981, specializing in weight measurement solutions that meet the needs of your operations.

Providing technical expertise and product knowledge to help you find the application you require, Massload is a trusted resource for industrial weighing applications. Contact us with questions regarding portable truck scales and other applications, or request a quote today for a solution.