Category Archives: Truck Scale Load Cells

Weighing in on the Crucial Role of Accurate Truck Weighing in Metal Recycling

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In a world that is becoming increasingly conscious of its environmental footprint, the practice of recycling has emerged as a powerful solution to mitigate the impacts of excessive waste generation.

Among the various forms of recycling, metal recycling stands out as a vital contributor to sustainability efforts, reducing the demand for virgin materials, conserving energy, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

At the heart of this process lies the critical need for accurate truck weighing as customers deliver their scrap metal, ensuring fair compensation and transparent transactions. This article delves into the significance of metal recycling and sheds light on the importance of precisely weighing trucks during the delivery of goods.

Truck Scales

The Power of Metal Recycling

Metal recycling has evolved from a niche practice to a full-fledged industry with far-reaching environmental and economic implications. According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), recycling metals offers a host of benefits, including the conservation of natural resources, reduction of energy consumption, and the lowering of greenhouse gas emissions. When compared to mining and refining new metal ores, recycling requires significantly less energy, thus reducing the carbon footprint associated with metal production.

Additionally, recycling metals like aluminum, copper, and steel also minimizes the need for landfill space, as scrap metal that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste is repurposed. By extending the lifespan of these materials, metal recycling contributes to a circular economy, where resources are continually reused, creating a more sustainable and efficient system.

The Role of Accurate Truck Weighing

One might wonder, “What does accurate truck weighing have to do with metal recycling?” The answer lies in the fundamental principle of fairness and transparency. When customers bring their scrap metal to the scale at the recycling facilities, they expect to be compensated fairly based on the weight and type of metal they are delivering.

This is where precise truck weighing plays a pivotal role. When a fully loaded truck drives across the 70 foot long truck scale and gets a weight, it is recorded. The truck is then unloaded. The truck then drives back across the scale and the gross, tare, and net weights are determined and printed.

Accurate truck weighing ensures that both the recycling facility and the supplier are on the same page regarding the quantity of metal being delivered. The weight of the metal directly influences the payment the customer will receive. Weight errors or estimating the weight could lead to either loss of revenue for the customer or unjust payment for the recycling facility, potentially causing mistrust and straining business relationships.

Transparency is another vital aspect. With proper legal for trade scales in place, both parties can trust that the transactions are conducted fairly and honestly. This transparency extends beyond immediate transactions, as customers are more likely to return to a recycling facility that has a reputation for accurate and honest practices.

winVRS truck scale computer software

Advanced Weighing Technology: Enhancing Precision and Efficiency

In the digital age, the recycling industry has not been left behind when it comes to technological advancements. State-of-the-art weighing systems have revolutionized the accuracy and efficiency of the truck weighing process. Modern weighbridges are equipped with cutting-edge digital load cell technology that can precisely measure the weight of the truck and even provide diagnostics for any scale errors.

Software solutions connected to these weighing systems can automate data collection and reporting, streamlining the entire process. This not only reduces the likelihood of human errors but also speeds up the weighing and transaction process, contributing to improved operational efficiency.

Building Trust and Sustainability

When customers know they will be compensated fairly, based on accurate weights, they are more likely to continue participating in the recycling process. This continuous flow of scrap metal into recycling facilities is essential for ensuring a stable supply of materials and promoting a circular economy.

Moreover, the environmental benefits of metal recycling are closely tied to accurate weighing. When recycling facilities receive the correct amount of materials, they can better plan their operations, optimize their processes, and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

The practice of metal recycling is a great thing for our society. By reducing the demand for new raw materials, metal recycling plays a crucial role. At the heart of this process, the accurate weighing of trucks during the delivery of scrap metal materials emerges as a fundamental practice that ensures fairness, transparency, and trust within the industry.

As technology continues to evolve, weighing systems equipped with advanced load cell technology and automation software further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the weighing process. These innovations not only reduce the likelihood of errors but also contribute to the streamlining of operations.

Understanding the Factors That Affect Truck Scale Quotes

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Truck scales are essential pieces of equipment for businesses in industries such as agriculture, mining, solid waste, recycling, logging, and transportation. They provide accurate weight measurements for semi trucks, trailers, and other heavy vehicles, helping businesses to comply with state and federal regulations, optimize logistics, and manage inventory. However, investing in a truck scale is a large expense for many companies, and it’s important to understand the factors that affect truck scale quotes so you can make an informed buying decision.

Understanding the Factors That Affect Truck Scale Quotes

Scale Platform Size

One of the most significant factors that affect truck scale quotes is the scale’s size and capacity. Truck scales come in a range of sizes, from small portable models to large fixed installations, and the cost increases as the scale’s size and capacity increase. Choosing the right scale size and capacity is crucial to avoid overspending on unnecessary features or purchasing a scale that can’t handle your business’s needs.

The majority of truck scales that we see on a regular basis have a weighbridge length around 70′ long, with a few 80′ and 90′ long truck scales as well. Capacity of a standard above ground truck scale is usually around 120,000 lb.

Scale Technology

Another important factor to consider is the scale technology. There are mechanical and electro-mechanical truck scales that are still around… but most customers in the twenty first century are choosing electronic above ground truck scales. You typically can choose from hydraulic load cells, digital load cells, or analog load cells.

Site Prep

The site preparation and installation costs are also significant factors that affect truck scale quotes. An above ground truck scale requires a flat, level surface, a sturdy concrete foundation, and appropriate drainage to ensure accurate measurements and long-term durability. Site preparation can involve excavating, grading, and pouring concrete, which can add to the overall cost. Installation costs will likely include labor, equipment rental, concrete, and transportation, depending on the scale’s size and location. One possible way to save money when purchasing a truck scale is to handle the site prep and concrete foundation yourself.

Scale Manufacturer & Distributor

Another factor that can affect truck scale quotes is the scale manufacturer and the local scale company. Different manufacturers and suppliers offer different products, pricing, warranties, and support services, and it’s important to research and compare multiple options before making a purchase. Many companies offer truck scale buying guides. Some manufacturers may offer different technology, customization options or special features that can add to the cost, while others may have limited availability or longer lead times.

Scale Maintenance

Finally, the maintenance and calibration costs should be considered when calculating the overall cost of a truck scale. Regular maintenance and calibration are essential to keep the scale accurate and reliable, and they can extend the scale’s life and maybe even prevent costly breakdowns every now and then. Maintenance costs may include scale checks and replacement parts and testing and adjusting the scale’s accuracy with certified weights periodically.

Understanding the factors that affect truck scale quotes can be very helpful when you’re in the market to purchase a new truck scale. As you can imagine, scale weighbridge size is a key factor when looking to purchase a truck scale. But other things are important too. Things like load cell technology, site preparation and installation, manufacturer and supplier reputation, and regular maintenance and calibration are also key factors that can affect the cost and overall value of a truck scale.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Scales

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Over the past few years, we have received numerous questions and inquiries about truck scales and vehicle weighing related items. So, we thought it would make a perfect article called Most Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Scales. Below is a summary of the top questions that we have received along with some basic answers to assist you.

What is a Truck Scale and How Exactly Does a Truck Scale Work?

Truck scales are industrial scales built to weigh vehicles. The most common use of a truck scale is to determine the weight of bulk goods being bought and/or sold. You may have seen this mentioned before but in many cases, a truck scale functions figuratively like a cash register for a company. In addition to commercial use, many states use truck scales to check for a truck’s compliance with truck weight limits. The vehicle scales are very popular at feedmills, solid waste processing and metal recycling centers, etc….

As for how a truck scale works, basically you start with a foundation. This is normally a concrete foundation that the truck scale will be anchored to. The actual scale platforms are anchored onto the foundation. There are usually multiple platform modules connected to make up a 70 foot long truck scale. Inside of these modules are load cells. These are the sensors that measure the weight when you drive up on the scale. These can be analog, digital or hydraulic. The weight is then displayed on the digital weight indicator.

how do truck scales work?

How Much does a Truck Scale Cost? Should I Buy a Used Truck Scale?

This is a question that we have tackled before! This number has changed obviously over the years. At the time of this article, the typical truck scale costs are probably near $75,000 or more when you factor in all the various expenses. Remember, this estimate can fluctuate. For example, there have been multiple price increases during the past twelve months.

Regarding used truck scales…. In most cases, we are against buying used truck scales. The reason is these are weighing devices that have 80,000 lb vehicles driven over them constantly and endure all that Mother Nature can throw at them…. year after year. A lot can happen to a truck scale that’s been in use out in the elements for an entire decade.

That being said, sure there might be some good deals on a “low mileage” or “hardly used” used truck scale, but in our opinion, the best long term decision is to buy a brand new truck scale that you hopefully will get to use for two or three decades.

What is the Average Life Span of a Truck Scale?

In our opinion, most truck scales should last around 25 years. However, a lot depends on choosing a quality scale and one that is matched to the amount of truck traffic you expect. Weather elements can also factor into longevity as well. This is where consulting with your truck scale sales person can be a huge benefit when shopping for a truck scale..

All things being equal, a truck scale that weighs a couple of hundred trucks a day is going to wear out quicker than a truck that only weighs a handful of trucks a day. This is an important question and one that you need to discuss with the scale company(s) that you are working with when shopping for a truck scale.

How Accurate is a Truck Scale?

If you buy or sell goods based on the weight of the truck scale, accuracy is critical. Profit, Inventory Levels, and much more are at stake! On a typical 120,000 x 20 lb capacity truck scale, we typically tell folks the accuracy of your truck scale should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 0.1 of one percent.

How Long is an Average Truck Scale?

Most folks weigh typical trucks with trailer. The majority of the time, that means a 70 x 11 truck scale is typical. However, we have seen 80 foot long truck scales or longer utilized. You want to make sure that you choose a vehicle scale that will allow you to get all the tires on the weighing platforms. This is an important subject to consider when choosing a truck scale.

What is a Load Cell & How Many do I Need?

A load cell is the item(s) in a truck scale that measure the weight being applied. Most truck scales require ~ 8 load cells. In most scales, the load cells are wired through the scale platform & summed together in a junction box.

What is a Junction Box?

A j-box is a box with a summing card inside. Usually anywhere from (4) to (8) load cells are connected to the summing card inside the junction box. The card can then be adjusted by the scale technician when calibrating the scale. The signals of multiple load cells are adjustable and then once they are fine tuned, are capable of being wired to the digital weight indicator via the homerun cable.

Should I Purchase a Steel Deck Truck Scale or a Concrete Deck Truck Scale?

Steel deck truck scales have a quick installation time (usually one day) and they are lighter weight. This also is a benefit if you ever need to move or sell the truck scale, years later.

Concrete deck truck scales have a much longer installation time overall since the concrete must cure. The scales are also much heavier which can make moving them or selling them more difficult. On the plus side, a concrete deck typically has better traction than a steel deck.

So, ultimately either choice of industrial scale can be a good one. It depends on what your particular needs are and what your future plans might be with the scale.

I Keep Reading About Lightening. How can I protect my truck scale from lightning?

Most truck scale manufacturers offer weighing scales with grounding and industry standard protection which in most cases involves a single point grounding system with surge protector. This is an ongoing area where manufacturers are working improve their products for better protection. We’ve seen better protection being introduced for load cells and summing boards for example.

How Much Truck Scale Service Maintenance is there? How Often Should I Calibrate a Truck Scale?

With an investment like a truck scale, it makes good sense to have the scale checked & calibrated on a regular basis. Generally, we suggest that truck scale owners have their scales checked anywhere from twice a year to four times a year. Also, the scale owner can do a few things as well throughout the year like keeping the scale underside clean and debris free since buildup under a truck scale is a very common problem.

Another to consider when determining calibration frequency is how many trucks per day are weighed on the scale and the dollar value of what you’re weighing. If your 120,000 pound capacity truck scale is off just a hundred pounds, it can mean thousands of dollars of profit loss and/or a safety hazard. So basically if your truck scale weighs a lot of trucks every day, then you should consider a regular quarterly calibration program with your scale company.

We hope this article helps you to make an intelligent scale purchase. The truth is, there are numerous scale companies located throughout the United States that employee very smart and talented scale professionals who can work with you to recommend a great scale for your weighing needs. As for the scale manufacturers, there are multiple high quality scale manufacturers in the United States who build very good truck scales.



Portable Truck Scales for Mobile Job Sites

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Cardinal Scale Manufacturing ARMOR Portable Digital Truck Scales can be moved to multiple locations for changing job sites. Their modular design with expandable bulkheads allow you to vary platform sizes depending on weighing needs.

The Cardinal ARMOR Portable Truck Scale features IP69K-rated waterproof digital SmartCell load cells, capacities up to 135 tons, heavy-weight 50-ton CLC, 5/16 in thick checkered steel deck, anti-corrosion baked-on tan powder paint, top-side access to all electronics, and NTEP and Measurement Canada approval. The floating center module makes it easy to add or remove sections to fit application requirements.

Armor Portable Truck Scale Features

  • axis Frictionless Centering System Load Cell Stands
  • Expandable Bulkheads Allow Varying Sizes
  • Heavyweight 50-Ton CLC
  • Load Cell Pockets Completely Surrounded by I-beams
  • Load Cell Stands Pre-Installed for Lightning-Fast Installation
  • Long-Lasting Baked-on Tan Powder Coat Paint
  • Measurement Canada Certified
  • Modular Design for Platform Sizing Adjustments
  • NTEP Legal for Trade
  • Optional Ramps and Bolt-on Wings
  • Portable for Moving Job Sites
  • SmartCell Stainless Steel Waterproof Digital Load Cells
  • Tightly-Spaced I-beams for Optimal Structural Integrity
  • Top-Side Access to All Electronic Components

1010700Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 20′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 50 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010701Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 40′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 70 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010702Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 47′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 70 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010703Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 50′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 80 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010704Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 60′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 110 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010705Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 70′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010706Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 75′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010707Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 80′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010708Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 90′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010709Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 100′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010710Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 110′ X 10′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010711Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 20′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 50 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010712Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 40′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 70 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010713Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 47′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 70 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010714Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 50′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 80 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010715Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 60′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 110 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010716Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 70′ X 11′, 50T CLC, 135T Cap., SCBD Smart Cells, Port. Frame
1010717Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 75′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010718Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 80′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010719Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 90′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010720Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 100′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010721Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 110′ X 11′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010722Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 20′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 50 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010723Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 40′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 70 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010724Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 47′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 70 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010725Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 50′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 80 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010726Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 60′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 110 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010727Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 70′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010728Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 75′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010729Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 80′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010730Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 90′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010731Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 100′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells
1010732Truck Scale, Armor, 5/16″ Steel Deck, 110′ X 12′, 50 ton CLC, 135 Ton Capacity, SCBD Smart Cells

POPULAR OPTIONS

0330-1135-0ADrop-In Assembly Filler w/ Lifting Brackets, 12 in L x 132 in W, Steel Deck
MB-ACDigital Media Box with AC power supply
MB-GDigital Media Box for Glass Fiber Optic Cables with AC Power Supply
RMP-ARMORRamp for ARMOR Digital Truck Scale Portable Models, For One End Only
SNAP-DLCSnapStream Wireless Interface from Digital Truck Scale to Indicator
WING-KITWING-KIT

What are the Advantages of a Digital Truck Scale versus a Digital Conversion Box?

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Digital truck scales and digital conversion boxes both provide distinct advantages that increase efficiency, calibration, and diagnostic information communication. The following is just a portion of the information contained in this article which highlights the advantages for both and how they provide more value for those willing to make the switch to these invaluable truck scale technologies.

Cardinal Scale Digital Truck Scales

What are the advantages of a digital truck scale vs. a digital conversion box?

Digital truck scales offer many more diagnostic options regarding weight offset, maximum weight, cell capacity, calibration within the cell, hot and cold temperature compensation values, and temperature offsets for external temperatures. Digital truck scales feature internal calibration and all truck scale diagnostics originate from within the digital load cell itself. Digital truck scales feature load cells and load cell cables that are plug-and-play to simplify the connection process and reduce time spent terminating wiring connections. Load cells can be very easily and quickly replaced to save time and effort. Since the cell circuitry is internal to the cell, the need for a junction box and all of the accompanying wiring is eliminated. Digital truck scales also have the added benefit of remote digital monitoring, which can monitor the digital truck scale system in real time.

Digital conversion boxes have the capability of updating an analog load cell system to a digital version. If the scale owner already has an existing analog scale, then upgrading to a digital conversion system might make sense. Digital conversion boxes tend to be used more often with multiple scale systems to maximize utility of the digital conversion box system. They can be configured to a remote digital monitoring system, so they can view multiple locations at a time.

How do digital truck scales and digital conversion boxes increase efficiency over an analog system?

Digital truck scales greatly decrease the time and effort needed in diagnosing potential failures and, in turn, decreasing downtime due to cell failure. Since digital load cells are calibrated to the system before shipment, set-up time is minimal. The quick and exact digital diagnosis from remote diagnostic software reduces guesswork and time needed to find the root cause of the load cell failure. Since the system is completely digital, there is little chance of loss of signal resolution due to an analog signal. Digital truck scales feature a much simpler daisy-chain design regarding load cell wiring and load cells, and load cell cables can be replaced much quicker.

Digital conversion boxes expedite the conversion of analog information into a more manageable signal and can make diagnosing cell problems easier to detect when compared to an analog system.

A digital conversion box begins the diagnostic process within the conversion box. The digital conversion box gathers analog signals that are converted to digital signals and diagnoses cell failures when summing signals within the conversion box. Digital conversion boxes provide a panel of diagnostic attributes when checking for cell viability. The cell failure will be isolated to the faulty load cell section that includes the load cell, load cell cable, or analog section. This means less specific information is provided to the digital conversion box due to limitations within this type of system. When a cell fails, the replacement cell will be calibrated to the existing system.

Digital truck scale systems are monitored through remote software. Digital conversion boxes have the capability of being remotely monitored to diagnose problems as well. Any digital system will have an immediate advantage when giving the end user the capability of receiving alerts through the indicator and/or remote monitoring software when an issue arises.

What is required to replace a digital load cell vs. an analog load cell working in conjunction with a digital conversion box? How long does it typically take?

Since digital conversion occurs within the load cell in a digital truck scale system, digital load cells can be replaced quickly and easily. The scale corner must be lifted, bolts holding the load cell in place must be loosened, and the load cell cable connector must be uncoupled. Once the faulty cell has been taken out, the replacement cell will be connected to the load cell cable, bolted back into place, and then the digital load cell is back in full operation. This whole process takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Digital conversion boxes monitor a system of load cells from within the conversion box. Once a load cell has been shown to possess an error, errors will be checked for the cell. The scale corner is lifted and the junction box will be opened to disconnect the five-wire cable from the load cell that must be pulled through the conduit. Then the load cell cable must be pulled back through the conduit to connect the new load cell. The wiring is then connected to the digital conversion box. After this, the junction box must be re-sealed. Special attention must be paid to prevent moisture or sediment from gathering or entering the junction box enclosure, due to the increased likelihood of leaks from within the junction box, leaks from gland connectors, and exposure from wiring load cells onto the board inside the junction box. On average, replacing an analog cell through a digital conversion box will take roughly an hour or more.

What are the connection differences between digital truck scales and analog truck scales with digital conversion boxes?

Digital load cells are daisy-chained through load cell cables linked by cable connectors. The need for wiring back to a junction box is not necessary, since the digital load cells communicate directly with the indicator. If the cables are damaged connecting to the load cell, they can be replaced without having to replace the load cell.

Digital conversion boxes are wired from the analog load cell to the junction box. Once there, each of the load cells are wired directly to a digital conversion board, secured through gland connectors on the junction box, and adjusted to calibrate the analog load cell. Analog load cell cables do not have the advantage of being monitored as they are permanently linked to the load cell. If a section of the wiring to a load cell is damaged, the load cell will have to be replaced.

Ultimately, whether you’re purchasing a brand new digital truck scale or you’re updating your traditional analog truck scale to digital, one of the most important benefits to end users is the ability to keep their scale operating for longer, with less interruptions and smaller intervals of downtime. If you need additional information on this information, please contact the sales team at Central Carolina Scale.

Truck Scale Cost Justification Guide

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We were reading the cost justification guide from Cardinal Scale recently and they brought up a good point. It is surprising how many truck scales are manufactured by one company and use load cells from yet another company and a digital weight indicator from yet another company. So if something breaks, where does responsibility for the scale begin and end with each manufacturer? Cardinal Scale Manufacturing is one of the very few companies that manufactures not only the scale weighbridge structure but the load cells and instrumentation that go with it to complete the scale. With Cardinal you really do have single source responsibility and reliability. If you’re thinking about a Cardinal Truck Scale or better yet thinking about going with a hydraulic truck scale, read here.

◾As previously mentioned, lightning and water are the two most common sources of load cell failure. Often truck scales are placed in locations subject to flooding or are subjected to routine high-pressure washings. While digital and analog load cells are sealed against the entry of moisture, they often fail due to damage to a seal or abrasion of a cable jacket allowing entry of moisture. Analog and digital load cells are both subject to lightning damage. The extremely small strands on a strain gauge are especially sensitive to voltage surges. Hydraulic load cells have neither strain gauges nor electrical wire and are immune to damage from both water and lightning. If your scale will be in a location subject to spring time thunderstorms, you should give serious consideration to Cardinal’s Guardian hydraulic load cells.

◾Guardian hydraulic load cells operate by sensing weight via fluid pressure, which means that they require no power within the scale itself. You won’t lose any operational time when lightning or other power issues strike at the scale location. Guardian load cells carry a lifetime warranty against lightning and power surges.

◾Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that if something can be overloaded, it will. Same goes for shock loading on a truck scale. Whether you’re filling trucks with rock or ore, shock loading will take place. Both analog and digital load cells use a steel spring element to sense the load. Applying a shock load, even one less than the capacity of the load cell, can and will cause permanent damage to the load cell rendering it unusable. Cardinal’s Guardian hydraulic load cells, on the other hand, act much like a shock absorber on your automobile dissipating the shock load in the hydraulic fluid.

â—¾Hydraulic tubing from the load cells is terminated at the scale house by a non-conducting Goodyear rubber line. This creates an important barrier of protection, preventing lightning from traveling into the scale house where your load-sensing digital weight display is located.

◾If you’ve ever experienced costly downtime and repairs due to lightning or a power surge, the Guardian hydraulic truck scale can help you save in the future.

We can definitely confirm to you that customers are buying hydraulic truck scales. Yes, they are more expensive than traditional truck scales with analog load cells but for quite a few customers, they feel the added costs up front are worth it. Lightning and water are the two most common sources of load cell failure. Often truck scales are placed in locations subject to flooding or are subjected to routine high-pressure washings. While digital and analog load cells are sealed against the entry of moisture, they often fail due to damage to a seal or abrasion of a cable jacket allowing entry of moisture. Analog and digital load cells are both subject to lightning damage. The extremely small strands on a strain gauge are especially sensitive to voltage surges. Hydraulic load cells have neither strain gauges nor electrical wire and are immune to damage from both water and lightning. If your scale will be in a location subject to spring time thunderstorms, you should give serious consideration to Cardinal’s Guardian hydraulic load cells.

What Type Of Scale Should A Metal Recycler Buy?

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Another popular question we are asked is: How many types of 70 foot truck scales exist (low-profile, pit style, full electronic, concrete deck, steel deck)? Is there one particular type you would recommend over another for use within the recycling business? What benefit does it present to pick one over the other?

Truck scales come in numerous sizes and types. Truck scales could be portable axle, weigh-in-motion, self-contained transportable, electro-mechanical, electronic, and hydraulic versions. In a traditional truck scale you would need to choose either an above ground or pit style scale. Then, a painted steel deck or concrete deck that you would pour on location.

For the recycling business, generally the most effective choice will be the steel deck electronic truck scale because it provides the fastest setting up time and if you’re replacing an existing scale, the lowest down-time in swapping out a pre-existing truck scale. If the metal recycling company is replacing an older truck scale installed inside a pit that is experiencing water damage concerns, a hydraulic truck scale could be a good decision to think about for an advancement. The load cells within a hydraulic truck scale have excellent defense to water and lightning issues.

As with any big decision like this, we recommend that you contact your local scale company to provide you with a recommendation and truck scale price quote. It could be that your best choice might be a pit style scale. Or maybe a hydraulic scale would work best for you.  A local scale dealer should be able to provide that recommendation to you and present you with several buying options to consider.

Keys To Success For Your Truck Scale

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Cardinal Armor Truck ScaleIf you think about it, maintaining your truck scale calibration, keeping your truck scale clean and in good working order and watching out for any operational errors can help ensure that you keep your vehicle scale on track for a solid year of great weighing and perhaps a great year of profits for your business. As you can see from Steve Langford’s article, a lot of this just makes sense. In some businesses a truck scale is the device that ultimately enables you get what you pay for when buying raw materials as well as making sure that you receive proper payment for your products.

An accurate scale is not only necessary to maintain profitability but to comply with applicable local and state weights and measures laws. For most of us, the purchase of a truck scale is a major investment and, when you consider its use, it only makes sense to make sure the scale continues to do its job and to help maximize your profits for many years to come. Let’s take a look at some of the ways to do just that.

Perhaps the best advice to ensure that your truck scales continue to meet your expectations is to be proactive. Don’t wait until your scale is out of calibration before calling your service company. Have your scales calibration checked at regular intervals. How often? How long can you go with an inaccurate scale causing you to pay for material you don’t get or to give product away? At a minimum, a truck scales calibration should be checked by a reputable scale service company at least once every six months. Between calibration checks, keep an eye on the readings to make sure that the readings stay within the ballpark and are not obviously wrong. If there’s any question, call your scale service company. Its better to spend a few dollars verifying the calibration of your scale than to loose thousands or more with an inaccurate scale.

Truck scales are designed to maintain calibration, within predefined limits, over a range of temperatures but calibration can vary from winter to summer. If you are in an area subject to temperature extremes, it is a good idea to schedule the calibration of your scale to coincide with the temperature extremes. Granted, the scale may still be in calibration and only slightly high or low but, the greater the number of weighing operations, the greater the influence on your bottom line. Keep in mind that you are obligated to keep the calibration as close to a zero error as reasonably possible so that the scale favors neither the buyer nor the seller. Why would an honest business owner want it any other way? Continue reading →

Product Spotlight: Rice Lake Survivor Truck Scale

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Rice Lake Weighing Systems SURVIVOR® truck scales are commonly referred to as the Toughest Scales on Earth®. They are designed to provide reliable performance under the most demanding conditions. SURVIVOR truck scales are built with more structural steel, a superior support structure and innovative design features that provide consistent accuracy, less downtime and longer scale life. Each SURVIVOR is built with the exclusive five-step finishing process. Take a look at some of the different Rice Lake Survivor truck scale models below.

SURVIVOR® OTR
The SURVIVOR OTR Series truck scale is an outstanding design that incorporates the most advanced engineering and production technology to manufacture the highest quality vehicle weighing system in the marketplace.

SURVIVOR® ATV
The ATV is rigidly constructed for heavy-duty weighing, yet lightweight and compact for convenient portability. The pre-assembled modules (available in lengths from 10 – 30 ft.) and unique self-seating hinge connectors provide easy installation, expansion and relocation for your growing business.

SURVIVOR® SR
The SR concrete or steel deck modes are ruggedly designed with massive outboard beams available in a bolted or welded design. Load cells and mounting assemblies are easily accessed in the rugged, reinforced load cell pocket, through side access.

SURVIVOR® PT
The PT Series truck scale is available in many standard sizes to satisfy most requirements, but we also understand that pit-type installations often involve replacing and existing mechanical or electronic scale.

SURVIVOR® M-Series
SURVIVOR® M Series Levertronic Scales combine innovative features with time-proven durability that only a mechanical scale can deliver. In a market crowded with scales manufactured to compete on price alone, SURVIVOR M Series Scales are built from the ground up for lasting performance under the most extreme conditions.

SURVIVOR® Rail Scales
SURVIVOR railroad track scales incorporate Rice Lake’s best-in-class weighbridge design to create a rugged, accurate heavy duty weighing system. Used in static weighing operations, the SURVIVOR RT Pit Type railroad track scale and the SURVIVOR PL Modular Type railroad track scale excel in high-accuracy, legal-for-trade weighing and meet AREMA and Cooper E-80 design specifications.

SURVIVOR® Livestock Solutions
Rice Lake’s livestock scales are built from the ground up for lasting performance under the most severe circumstances. Whether you choose the RoughDeck™ SLV for single animal weighing or the SURVIVOR® AG, LV or LS, you’re getting the Toughest Scale on Earth®.

Take a look below at “Six Facts” regarding heavy capacity solutions from Rice Lake. Did you know for applications where steel is preferred or downtime is critical, a great choice would be the SURVIVOR® OTR Steel Deck. Operational within a day, this easy-to-install steel deck scale sets the standard for truck scale design and performance, keeping downtime to a minimum. Tightly spaced wide flange I-beams form the industry’s strongest weighbridge design, weighing as many as 250 trucks per day for 25 years without a trace of weighbridge fatigue.

Built to Withstand Extreme Use
Weighbridge design and the weight of structural steel used directly affect the life of a truck scale. Many truck scale designs incorporate low grade, non-certified steel and an inferior design to reduce the cost and decrease production time. These reductions also reduce the life of the scale. Rice Lake SURVIVOR® series truck scales utilize up to 30% more steel than most competitive models and incorporate a longitudinal highway bridge design. More I-beams are strategically placed longitudinally with the traffic flow to ensure tire support regardless of truck position.

Ultra Load Cell Protection
Load cell pockets that are welded or bolted to exterior I-beams allow excessive bending and flexing, causing damage to the weighbridge. Bumper bolts loosen and break. Check rods bind. Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® series truck scales are designed with the load cell pocket integrated into the steel structure of the scale. The pocket is built inside the outer I-beam, offering a more durable, long-lasting load cell pocket. The SURVIVOR® series scales feature the G-Force™ self-checking mounting system, eliminating the need for check rods or bumper bolts.

Breathing Room Below
Closed-bottom weighbridge designs with both top and bottom plates, typically using lighter weight components, create cavities that tend to hold moisture causing rusting of internal components. Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® steel deck truck scales feature an open-bottom design providing unrestricted airflow eliminating rust causing moisture buildup, which accelerates rusting of internal steel and imminent scale failure.

Tough, Start to Finish
Harsh environments and corrosive materials can quickly deteriorate improperly finished truck scale components. Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® series truck scales are steel shot blasted according to the highest industry standards to remove mill scale and surface imperfections. An asphalt emulsion undercoating is applied to all non-visible steel surfaces on all steel deck models to protect against moisture damage. High-performance epoxy primer and specialized hard-coat alkyd enamel is applied to all visible steel surfaces for a car-like finish that protects the scale from the elements.

Custom Sizes are Customary
Replacing truck scales on existing foundations or fitting truck scales to unique locations or space limitations need not incur extra design fees. Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® series truck scales can be custom-built to fit almost any application.

A Complete Solution for Any Application
These truck scales are only a part of the equation. Rice Lake offers not only the scale, but also the complete solution for your weighing application. From automated ticketing and truck transaction data collection systems to intelligent controllers like the 920i, to advanced cell diagnostics. And of course no truck scale is complete without a Ticketpress ticket printer and Laserlight Remote Display.

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

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Cardinal EPR What are some other features metal recyclers need to look for inside a truck scale?

There are several attributes recyclers ought to take into account when making the decision to purchase a 70 foot long truck scale, which includes deck plate thickness.

Recyclers are normally handling a high traffic frequency daily on their truck scales, so weighing machine strength becomes a important aspect. For instance, Cardinal Scale produces truck scales with 3/8″ thick steel decks for maximum strength and resiliency to handle hefty loads over the long haul for exceptional overall performance.

An additional quality element to look for is factory-assembled load cells secured in the truck scale. Every Cardinal truck scale is 100 percent factory assembled and examined prior to shipping to a job location. This requires calibrating the whole 60 foot long truck scale to make sure appropriate set-up before shipping for exceptional accuracy.

Usually, a 70-foot-long truck scale dimensions are sought after in the recycling business to be in a position to allow for weighing semi-tractor trailers. Stainless steel load cells and a NEMA 4X stainless steel junction box for load cell wiring can also be important to check for when making the decision to buy a vehicle scale.