September 13, 2023
Compliance with legal weight limits is critical to efficient and safe trucking operations, and portable truck scales have emerged as invaluable tools for achieving this goal.
We’ll explore different types of portable truck scales, how they work, and when to use specific types in various industrial settings.
Additionally, we’ll discuss the advantages of axle weighing scales and wheel weighers to help you make informed decisions for your operations.
How do Portable Truck Scales Work?
Accurate weighing operations are essential in industrial load transport to comply with strict laws and safety measures. Truck weighing applications, like portable truck scales, play a pivotal role in measuring the weight of trucks accurately while ensuring safety and addressing potential overweight transportation challenges.
Portable truck scales are robustly designed to withstand harsh environments and prolonged use. They feature a low profile and on-ramps, allowing vehicles to drive on for straightforward entry and exit.
Once on the scale, internal load cells collect weight data and transmit it to an external display for precision readings.
For precise measurements, it’s imperative to weigh each axle or axle group individually.
To calculate the overall gross vehicle weight (GVW), the measurements of each axle (or axle group) are added together. To determine the NET weight, the weight of the empty vehicle (the Tare weight) is subtracted from the GVW.
Types of Portable Truck Scales
Different portable truck scale types include axle pad scales and wheel load scales, each offering specific benefits based on your operational requirements.
1. Axle Pad Scales
These scales are comprehensive weighing solutions designed to measure axle weights accurately.
They consist of heavy steel platforms supported by load cells, making them rugged and suitable for all-weather use.
When to Use
They comprise a pair of platforms in the direction of travel, with one under each end of the axle. These measure the weight of each single-wheel, dual-wheel, or triple-wheel combination. The weight measurement from the two axle pads is then added together to provide the total axle (or axle group) weight.
They are the ideal choice when:
- Avoiding fines associated with overweight vehicles is crucial.
- Preventing costly damage to vehicle axles, drive shafts, tires, and overall operations is a priority.
- Ensuring that vehicles remain within proper weight limits is essential to conserve fuel and prevent road damage.
- Maintaining insurance policies is imperative, as overweight vehicles can result in policy avoidance.
Typically, they come in various sizes to accommodate different axle configurations, including single-wheel, dual-wheel, and triple-wheel.
Advanced Features and Benefits
Advanced truck axle scales offer a range of features and benefits, including:
- Red-green traffic light indicators.
- Automatic axle weight accumulation.
- Net weight calculation.
- Truck-in/truck-out data management.
- Remote display options.
- Ticket printing capabilities.
It’s worth noting that portable axle scales may require installation, with options for above-ground ramps or flush concrete pit installations.
Different Sizes and Applications of Axle Weighing Scales
Axle pad scales come in various sizes to accommodate different types of trucks and loads:
- 84″ x 30″ axle pads: Suitable for dual axle truck weighing.
- 144″ x 30″ axle pads: Designed for tri-axle truck weighing.
- 168″ x 30″ axle pads: Longer scales for wide-spread tri-axles.
These axle-weighing scales find applications in diverse industries, including trailer dock scaling, farm truck weighing, mining operations, and ultraslim portable vehicle weight scales. The difference between Axle Pad Scales vs. Single-Axle Scales
Axle pad scales use multiple weigh modules with their own load cells to provide the weight of the entire truck, isolating specific axles or axle groups.
While multi-axle scales offer enhanced functionality, they do come at a higher cost compared to other portable truck scale options because they require installation, either with ramps for above-ground or flush with concrete for permanent pit installations.
On the other hand, single-axle scales are cost-effective solutions. They consist of a single platform embedded flush within the concrete surface, measuring individual axle weights and offering similar features to axle pad scales. These measure individual axle weights and will come with similar features as above.
2. Wheel Weighers
Wheel weighers provide a highly modular, lightweight, and mobile weighing solution when compared to axle pad scales. They are easily carried by hand, offering efficient and precise weighing capabilities on the move. These scales are versatile and suitable for use on a wide range of solid, level surfaces, making them a cost-effective choice.
When to Use
Able to be used on most hard-level surfaces, portable wheel weighers are a cost-effective solution requiring no fixed installation but are time-intensive. They are dry-weather equipment, and use in wet conditions will reduce their useful life.
Wheel weighers are a suitable choice when:
- Dry weather weighing needs arise.
- Portability and ease of use are essential.
- Fixed installations are not feasible.
- Quick and efficient weighing is required.
Basic wheel load scales are typically cable-connected to a single-weight display unit, but wireless options are available to reduce the risk of cable breakage. Advanced feature integrated liquid crystal displays for easy readouts.
However, weighing a truck with wheel scales can be time-consuming, requiring a second person to ensure each scale is correctly placed under each pair of axle wheels. Afterward, the truck must be moved onto the wheel scales, and one must go from one side of the truck to the other to record the individual wheel weights per axle.
These weights are then manually added together to determine the gross vehicle weight. This procedure can be quite lengthy, particularly when weighing a large tractor-trailer combination.
Benefits
Advanced portable wheel weighers offer several advantages, including:
- Wireless transmitters that connect to a single hand-held device.
- Simplified weight aggregation into a single axle weight.
- Elimination of the need to move between truck sides for wheel weight recording.
- Portable data case units for weight accumulation and ticket printing.
- Software-based weight accumulation, truck-in/truck-out, ticket printing, and data management capabilities.
Different Sizes and Applications
Explore the sizes tailored to a variety of applications:
- Portable Wheel Load Scales: Hand-portable and lightweight truck scales.
- Check Weighing: Frequently used to avoid overweight fines.
- Non-Skid Patterns: Ensure maximum grip in wet or snowy conditions.
- Accurate to Within 0.25% FS: Reliable and precise measurements.
Portable truck scales are indispensable tools for ensuring compliance with weight regulations and safety standards in industries like mining, craning, and agriculture.
Understanding the different types of portable truck scales, their functions, and when to use them is pivotal for optimizing operations and adhering to legal requirements.
Whether you choose axle pad scales for comprehensive weighing solutions or wheel weighers for mobile and efficient weighing, selecting the right solution aligns with your specific needs and budget.
By partnering with trusted industry leaders like Massload Technologies, you can confidently implement portable truck-weighing solutions that enhance efficiency and accuracy in your daily operations.
Massload Technologies is Your Trusted Resource for Axle Weighing Scales and Wheel Weighers
Looking for a portable truck scale application for your job site? Massload Technologies has been a weighing industry leader since 1981, specializing in weighing applications that meet your industrial requirements.
Contact us with any questions on wheel weighers or axle pad scales, other truck scale options, or if you need assistance selecting a portable truck weighing solution.
Not sure which solution will address your challenges? Request a quote for a custom solution that meets the needs of your operation.
