Load Cells
Massload Technologies specializes in the design and manufacture of high-quality industrial-grade strain gauge transducers for the truck, crane, mining, oil and gas and industrial markets.
Custom Load Pin Transducers
Load Pins typically replace the clevis or sheave pin in a lifting or supporting device. They are ideal when head room is limited. As a safe load indicator, our Custom Load pins are professionally engineered and stamped based on your exact technical requirements. Support local manufacture with Massload's Custom Load Pins, made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Options include cabled and wireless, mV/V, 4-20mA, 0-10V, 0-5V, +/- 10V. Common applications include clevis pins for mine workstage galloways, hoist rope attachments, crane modernizations, material handling and paper mills.
Custom Load Cell Transducers
Massload specializes in the design and manufacture of custom load cells made with the highest quality materials and manufactured through our VCAP Quality Management System. They are professionally engineered based on your particular technical requirements
Custom Tension Load Cell Transducers
Support local manufacture with Massload's Custom Tension Links, made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. They are professionally engineered and stamped based on your exact technical requirements. Options include cabled and wireless, mV/V, 4-20mA, 0-10V, 0-5V, +/- 10V. Common applications include mine workstage galloways, hoist rope attachments and crane modernizations.
Tension Load Cells
Support local manufacture with Massload's rugged and reliable industrial grade ML-700 Tension Link model ranges from 10,000 lbs to 250,000 lbs, made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Output options include cabled, wireless, 4-20mA, 0-10V, 0-5V, +/- 10V. Common applications include load lifting, and line tension measurement.
400 Double-Ended Shear Beam Load Cell Transducer
Massload's ML-400 double-end truck scale load cell model ranges from 50,000 lbs SE to 125,000 lbs LE, made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. We also supply a full range of equivalent imported load cells
100 Single-Ended Shear Beam Load Cell Transducer
Support local manufacture with Massload's ML-100 single-end load cell model offered to OEMs ranges from 1,000 lbs to 20,000 lbs, made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Output options include cabled, mV/V, 4-20mA, 0-10V, 0-5V, +/- 10V, and wireless . We also supply an wide range of single-end imported load cells. Common applications include tank, hopper, and vessel weighing.
200 S-Type Tension Compression Load Cell Transducer
Massload offers a high quality industrial grade S-type load cell of 10,000 lbs capacity with quick disconnect box for oilfield applications. We also supply a full range of S-type imported load cells for applications such as tank and hopper weighing.
Load Shackle – Load Pin Shackle
Support local manufacture with Massload's rugged and reliable industrial grade Wireless Load Shackle model with capacities from 8.5t, 12t, 17t, 25t, 35t, and higher. These are made from the highest quality materials including 17-4 Stainless Steel load pin and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Output options include cabled, wireless, 4-20mA, 0-10V, 0-5V, +/- 10V. Common applications include rigging, load lifting, and line tension measurement.
500 Double-Ended Shear Beam Load Cell Transducer
Massload's ML-500 double-end tank and hopper load cell model ranges from 25,000 lbs to 125,000 lbs, made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. We also supply a full range of equivalent imported load cells.
600 Low Profile Double-Ended Shear Beam Load Cell Transducer
Support local manufacture with Massload's ML-600 low profile double-end load cell model in 5,000 lbs and 10,000 lbs capacity, made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Typical applications include tank, hopper and batch processing.
HCH WAGON HITCH SINGLE-ENDED SHEAR BEAM LOAD CELL
Support local manufacture with Massload's rugged industrial grade ML-HCH single-end load cell model in 10,000 lbs and 17,600 lbs capacity. Made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Common applications include hitch and pintle hitch for grain cart and manure wagon.
1200 Double-Ended Shear Beam Load Cell Transducer
Support local manufacture with Massload's rugged industrial grade ML-1200 double-end load cell model in 25,000 lbs, 35,000 lbs and 75,000 lbs capacity. Made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Common applications include grain cart, tank, hopper and batch processing.
2000 Double-Ended Shear Beam Load Cell Transducer
Support local manufacture with Massload's rugged industrial grade ML-2000 double-end load cell model in 150,000 lbs capacity. Made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Common applications include oilfield proppant tank weighing and mining vehicle axle scales.
CBL TANK HOPPER LOAD CELL
The versatile low profile Laumas CBL compression load cell is ideal for tank, hopper and vessel weighing.
1100 Double-Ended Shear Beam Load Cell Transducer
Support local manufacture with Massload's rugged industrial grade Axle Pad Scale ML-1100 double-end load cell model in 25,000 lbs and 50,000 lbs capacity. Made with the highest quality materials and fully manufactured and calibrated in-house through our VCAP certified Quality Management System. Common applications include on-farm Super B-Train truck weighing, industrial truck weighing, truck trailer loading and boat building.
Load Cells Benefits & Applications
Massload Technologies specializes in the design and manufacture of high-quality industrial-grade strain gauge transducers for the truck, crane, mining, oil and gas, and industrial markets.
What is a Load Cell?
A load cell is a transducer designed to convert weight into electrical signals. When a load is placed on the platform, the load sensor detects the pressure exerted by the force.
The widely used strain gauge load cell operates by measuring the small deflection in the load cell that causes the resistance in the strain gauges to change, producing an electrical signal in the bridge circuit that is proportional to the weight.
This process involves activating sensors and accurately converting physical pressure into measurable, electronic data.
Load cells can come in various forms, each designed to fit a different array of applications and have a different type of cargo measured. There are also custom-designed ones made with a specific function in mind. The performance of this element can change everything from safety and quality control to regulatory compliance and cost management.
What are the Applications of Load Cells in Various Industries?
One defining attribute at the heart of load cell applications in numerous industries is precision.
The accuracy of these compact electronic systems makes them fundamental for a wide range of business operations.
From ensuring safety by preventing cargo overload to providing precise measurements in commercial or manufacturing processes, load sensors are adept at addressing a variety of challenges across diverse applications and setups.
Key Features of Massload’s Load Cells
High-precision Load Cells
Our high-precision load cells are designed with cutting-edge technology, ensuring the utmost accuracy in force measurement.
When calibrated through a multi-point system, they can ensure an exceptional system accuracy range between 0.1% to 0.2%.
Durable and Robust Load Cells
Our load cells are locally produced with meticulous attention to detail, using high-level selected materials. The production team is always improving and expanding their abilities.
The entire production process is meticulously controlled to ensure we deliver only the best for our customers.
Compatibility
Our load cells effortlessly sync with a range of weighing setups, including other Massload Technologies accessories, making them a go-to for diverse industrial needs.
If our standard products don’t fit your applications, we can always discuss custom design solutions as well.
Environmental Resistance
Crafted to withstand harsh conditions, our load sensors are suited for both outdoor and industrial use. They work smoothly in mines, harsh weather environments, and various other situations.
Customizable Load Cells
Load cells are not always a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s where our custom-made load cells and load pins shine. Our engineers don’t just design them – they craft them with each project’s unique needs at heart.
These custom solutions are not only approved but also produced using the finest materials and state-of-the-art techniques available.
We invite you to bring your specifications and inquiries to us. Our team is dedicated to working closely with you, ensuring every aspect of your project is meticulously addressed.
Get to know some of our Case Studies:
Weigh Solution for Oil & Gas OEM: Natural Gas Desander
Grain Cart Custom Load Cells
Industries Served
If you ever wonder, “What are the applications of load cells?” these are a couple of industries where our products have a strong presence:
Agriculture
Our Farm Truck Scale is a weighing system that can be purchased ready to use. However, our agricultural applications for load cells extend far beyond measuring truck axles. They bring precision to crop yield measurement, manure spreading, hay compressors, grain bin management, and much more.
Our range of weighing solutions caters to a diverse array of agricultural needs. This includes all-in-one farm scales, load in-out systems, air drill calibration, crop yield monitoring, grain carts, manure spreading, hay compressors, grain bins, and Ag tire weighing.
Discover more about how our solutions can transform your agricultural practices
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
In the OEM sector, load cells play a crucial role in production lines. They boost the precision and safety of original equipment, ensuring manufacturers can trust their designs to deliver as expected.
Our partnership with OEMs goes beyond just providing parts; it’s about creating tailored solutions that truly drive their success forward. Teaming up with OEMs, we get to the heart of what they’re after and shape tailor-made solutions that catapult their success.
Contact us to discover projects that we are proud to have been a part of and find out how we can help you with your next challenge.
Mining
With a specialized technical application team, Massload excels in developing solutions for mining weight applications.
Our expertise includes vehicle weighing (both above and underground), bin weighing, shaft sinking, galloway weighing, headframe sheave weighing, girder hoisting, belt tensioning, and rope attachment sensing, ensuring precision and safety in challenging mining environments.
Oil & Gas
Our load cell solutions for oil and gas applications include gas desanding, proppant weighing, pipe laying, hoisting, and wireline tension monitoring.
We also work on custom design projects, such as this case study: Weigh Solution for Oil & Gas OEM: Natural Gas Desander
Naval
Our boat lifting & building applications cover lifting operations for dry docking and maintenance, as well as precise determination of a boat’s center of gravity.
We also provide custom weighing solutions during the construction phase to ensure the boat’s center of gravity is achieved as per design blueprints.
Additionally, we’ve also designed a weigh application for cable ferries. This includes monitoring cable tension to prevent overload and potential damage to wire ropes.
Construction
Massload offers rugged and reliable solutions for construction weighing applications, including lifting and vehicle check weighing.
In hydro dams, our applications include sluice gate cable tension monitoring and overhead crane load sensing.
Additionally, we develop rugged and reliable, all-weather solutions for process batching and on-board weighing involving tanks, hoppers, silos, and any other vessel weigh application.
Transportation and Logistics
Transport weighing applications come in many different configurations and sizes. That is why Massload offers a rugged series of reliable solutions for a wide variety of above-ground and in-ground track axle scale applications.
Get to know our options:
Other Load Cell Applications
Material Handling & Crane Modernization – Custom load pin solutions for crane modernization applications including hook block, sheave load, and secondary sheave load monitoring as well as for standard lifting solutions in material handling applications.
Lifting & Hoisting – Robust industrial solutions in tension weighing, shackle weighing, dynamic wire rope tension monitoring, dead-end line tension monitoring, and hoist drum load monitoring.
Vehicle Recovery – We provide rugged wireless load monitoring to facilitate safe, accident-free lifting.
Technical Specifications
Each load cell we develop is designed with a specific use and industry in mind. This results in a wide array of available options, yet only a few might be the perfect match for your specific applications.
Understanding the performance you can expect from each type is the first step, and we are always available to assist you and your team in this regard.
Dimensions and Form Factors
The requirements for load measurement vary significantly across different applications. That’s why our range of load cells comes in all sizes, shapes, and designs:
- Tension Links: Often seen in settings like lifting & hoisting operations, especially in cranes, winching systems, towing, load-lifting, and hanging scale applications.
- Load Shackle: Perfect for under-pressure scenarios when load measurement is required in rigging and lifting applications, such as road rescue and towing, load lifting, boat lifting, and line tension measurement.
- Single and Double-ended Shear Beams Load Cells: These are ideal for industrial weighing systems or rigid mount applications like tank and hopper batch weighing, and vehicle weigh scales. Some types can meet legal-for-trade requirements.
- HCH Wagon Hitch Single Ended Shear Beam Load Cells: Specifically designed for railcar, grain car, and manure wagon weighing.
- S-type Load Cells: You’ll typically find these in applications requiring both tension and compression loading, such as tank and hopper weighing.
- CBL Tank Hopper Load Cells: The go-to choice for precise measurements in bulk material handling, such as in silos, tanks, and hoppers. This versatile, low-profile load cell is ideal for tank, hopper, and vessel weighing.
In addition to our standard range, we also offer Custom Load Cells, Custom Load Pins and Custom Tension Links.
Tailored to your exact specifications, these custom solutions ensure that no matter your unique requirement, we have the right load cell to meet your needs.
Connectivity Options
Whether your setup demands wired reliability or wireless flexibility, our load cells cater to both needs, ensuring seamless flow integration with your existing systems.
The same goes for data interaction; our load cells are designed to interface smoothly with various data logging systems, simplifying the process of data collection and analysis for enhanced operational efficiency.
Check out some of our options:
Certifications and Compliance with Industry Standards
- Proudly Canadian: Our load cells are 100% made in Canada, more specifically in Saskatoon, SK, with the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship in mind.
- VCAP Certification: Massload Technologies is Canada’s only load cell manufacturing facility certified under the Verified Conformity Assessment Program (VCAP).
- Extended Warranty: We back our products with confidence, offering an industry-leading 2+ year warranty, ensuring peace of mind and reliability in your investment.
- Precision Calibrated: Our load cells, when meticulously calibrated through a multi-point system, ensure an exceptional accuracy range between 0.1% to 0.2%.
Choose Massload Technologies for Load Cell Excellence in Canada and the United States
We are confident we have the perfect load cell for your industrial application.
Contact Us online or Request a Solution, and let us find the solution that your company needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Load Cells
What Factors Can Affect the Accuracy of Load Cells?
- Environmental Conditions: Temperature, humidity, and vibration can introduce errors.
- Mounting and Installation: Uneven load distribution, misalignment, and excessive torque can lead to inaccuracies.
- Overload Protection: Exceeding rated capacity can cause permanent damage and accuracy loss.
- Signal Conditioning and Amplification: High-quality devices are essential to minimize noise and interference.
- Calibration and Maintenance: Regular calibration and maintenance are crucial for sustained accuracy.
What Are the Common Specifications that Help Define Load Cell Performance?
- Non-linearity: Deviation from a straight line over the measurement range.
- Hysteresis: Difference in readings for increasing and decreasing loads.
- Repeatability: Ability to reproduce the same output under the same conditions.
- Creep: Gradual change in output when a constant load is applied.
- Temperature Effects: Deviation in readings due to temperature changes.
- Zero Balance: Output reading when no load is applied.
Why Is Calibration And Regular Maintenance Important For Load Cells?
Calibration ensures that the load cell’s output matches known reference standards. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and inspection, helps identify and correct deviations, ensuring long-term accuracy and reliability.
How Do You Protect Load Cells From Environmental Factors?
Load cells are crucial for accurate force and weight measurement, and protecting them from environmental factors is essential to maintain their performance and longevity. Here are several ways to protect load cells from harsh conditions:
- Environmental Resistance: Load cells can be designed with specific materials and coatings to withstand harsh environmental conditions. For example, Massload load cells are manufactured using material nickel plated 4340 Alloy Steel or 17-4PH Stainless Steel and heat treatment creating protective layers to resist corrosion and damage from moisture, dust, and chemicals.
- Sealed and Enclosed Designs: To prevent ingress of dust, moisture, and other contaminants, load cells can be sealed or enclosed. Hermetically sealed load cells offer the highest level of protection, with welded covers and gaskets ensuring no external factors can affect the internal components.
- Protective Coatings: Applying protective coatings such as epoxy or other corrosion-resistant materials can enhance the durability of load cells. These coatings act as a barrier against corrosive elements, extending the lifespan of the load cells in challenging environments.
- Temperature Compensation: Load cells can be equipped with temperature compensation features to minimize the effects of temperature fluctuations. This is particularly important in environments with extreme temperature variations, ensuring consistent accuracy despite temperature changes.
- Proper Housing: Installing load cells in protective housings or enclosures can shield them from physical damage and environmental stress. For instance, load cells used in construction or industrial settings can be housed in robust casings that protect against impact, vibration, and exposure to the elements.
- Regular Maintenance and Inspection: Routine maintenance and inspection are vital to ensure load cells remain in optimal condition. Regularly checking for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage allows for timely interventions and replacements, preventing potential failures due to environmental exposure.
- Custom Designs for Specific Applications: Custom-designed load cells tailored to specific applications can offer enhanced protection and performance. For example, load cells used in marine environments can be designed with special considerations for saltwater corrosion, while those used in explosive atmospheres can be made intrinsically safe.
- Calibration and Adjustment: Regular calibration and adjustment help maintain load cell accuracy. Environmental factors can cause drifts in measurements, and routine calibration ensures any deviations are corrected, maintaining the reliability of the load cells.
By implementing these protective measures, load cells can operate reliably and accurately in a variety of harsh environments, from industrial and mining settings to outdoor applications. Ensuring that load cells are designed and maintained with environmental protection in mind is crucial for their long-term performance and accuracy.
Can Load Cells Handle Both Tension And Compression Forces?
Yes, certain load cells, like S-type load cells, are designed to measure both tension and compression forces, making them versatile for various applications.
