Rail Systems for Truck Scales

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The Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) issued a Program Policy Letter that was intended to provide guidance for guardrails or other restraint systems. The Policy Letter highlights different requirements based on the elevation profile of the weighbridge of a truck scale.

- If the profile is 16” or less, then standard 8” high guide rails are satisfactory.
- If the profile is greater than 16”, then it must be treated differently.

Several standard offerings for a double-high rail system, with the top rail at 24” above the deck, reaches center-of-axle on a vast majority of over-the-road vehicles, but as the regulation states, “Any guardrail should extend to at least mid-axle height of the largest truck using the scale”. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of the end user  to advise their sales person and the truck scale manufacturer on their actual height requirement based on the largest trucks to be weighed.

Keep in mind that rail systems provided on a typical truck scale are referred to as guide rails or rub rails or sight rails, but definitely not guardrails as MSHA chooses to define them. Therefore, most if not all, scale manufacturers do not claim that any of the guide rail systems attached to truck scales are fully MSHA compliant as there are simply too many application variables identified in the regulation and it really must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Continue reading →

Research and Homework

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As we have mentioned previously, buying a truck scale is a process and requires research and homework. Quite often the final decision should not be just about price alone. There are other factors to consider as well.  The foundation that is under the truck scale needs to be solid and measured correctly.  The weighbridge needs to be built tough and built to withstand the elements for years.  The ramp and approach on each end of the scale must meet certain standards.  The digital weight indicator that is used for the scale needs to be one that meets the customers needs. Does the customer prefer a bright red LED display or a gray and black LCD?  Does the customer wish to store Truck ID numbers as the trucks go in and out from the scale?  Does the customer hope to connect the digital indicator to a ticket printer?  What if they want to connect to Continue reading →

Scale Tickets

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Truck scales may be equipped with many different options to increase their efficiency for both the operator and the truck driver. One of those areas that can improve efficiency is scale tickets. Scale tickets that are placed in the printer when a driver goes over the scale and then the printer prints the weight on the ticket.  Stock and custom scale tickets for most major scale manufacturers in the United States are available.  These are great for various markets like agricultural commodity, livestock, timber, petroleum, aggregate or any other industry. Whether carbonized bond or carbonless, numbered or un-numbered, blank or pre-printed with your company name and contact info, don’t forget to look at ticket printers and scale tickets when purchasing a truck scale.

It is Important To Learn As Much As You Can During The Initial Buying Stage

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Built to Withstand Extreme Use
Weighbridge design and the overall weight of structural steel used directly affect the performance life of a truck scale. Many “economical” 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® OTR 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. Continue reading →

Thinking of Buying A Truck Scale?

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Before you spend money on a new truck scale, why not ask yourself twelve key questions below. Once you can answer these questions, purchasing a truck scale should be much easier.

1. What size scale do you need? a common answer is 11 ft x 70 ft.
2. Type of deck you need? Steel or Concrete
3. Type of scale interested in? OTR ATV SR PT or other model
4. Foundation already exist or do you need a new one? Continue reading →

What Are The Different Displays On Digital Weight Indicators for Scales?

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We hear this question quite often. What are the differences between LED, LCD, and VFD displays on digital weight indicators? Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) display types are recommended for indoor applications, identifiable by digits that light up over a dark background. Exceptions like the Laserlight series remote displays (an LED type display) are designed for viewing outdoors. For most applications that are in sunlight generally the ideal choice is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), which is identifiable by black digits over a gray (or backlit) background.

Looking for Information

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What do you visit this site looking for? That is something we are always looking at. Many of you in the past have told us you found us by looking up things like axle scales, freight scales, vehicle scales, truck weighing, DOT scales, interstate scales, highway scales, overweight scales, axle scale, freight scale, certified scales and truck weigh scales.  Based on some of our research that is probably true.  We’ve also found that a number of you look for the following terms or search for the following on this site: truck scale, truck weight scales, truck weighing scales, portable truck scales, on board truck scales, highway truck scales, and used truck scales.

Remote Displays Are Ideal for Vehicle Scales

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remote display

Salter RD-65 Remote Display

One accessory that is almost a necessity with a truck scale is the remote display or as it is also known, a scoreboard.  This assists the operator and driver allowing them to see the weight of the truck from a distance. The Salter Brecknell High intensity LED remote display is visible up to 150 feet. The bright DOUBLE ROW LED display offers many great features, competitive pricing, while providing you with quick set up. This IP65 rated display, has 5 inch high double row digits, ready to display up to 6 digits. The enclosure is gray powder painted mild steel with a no glare lens. It offers unit switching between lbs and kg along with (G) gross and (N) net annunicators.

The RD-65 LED display is standard ready to communicate via RS-232, RS-485 or current loop. There are 5 protocols preprogrammed into the RD-65, with configurable data formats and adjustable baud rates. Out of the box it is ready to communicate with Salter Brecknell indicators, Avery Weigh-Tronix indicators, Dillon and other formats that are easily selectable for different brands of indicators. Included standard with every display is a 120V transformer with 15′ cable, 25′ communication cable, sun visor and eye hooks.

EPR Plus Now Available

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Cardinal already had a good truck scale with the EPR. Now they’ve improved it with the new EPR Plus Truck Scale.

Engineered with state-of-the-art robotics, Cardinal’s EPR+ Plus Truck Scale represents the culmination of 60 years of scale manufacturing experience. Available in impervious hydraulic or electronic load cell types, the EPR+ Plus’ durable baked-on, anti-corrosion powder paint stands the test of time. The legal-for-trade NTEP EPR+ Plus Continue reading →

Summer is almost here, Truck Scale Maintenance Ideas

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We’re just about ready to head into the busy summer months. In a lot of cases, it is also a busy time for your truck scales. Spring is the best time to get the following maintenace done, because all the melting snow (in some areas) creating running water, mud and muck can wreak havoc on your truck scale operations; washing debris into pits and foundations, and damaging equipment. Not to mention the critters who have taken up residence over the long winter. We recommend completing the following steps in late spring to ensure you are up and running in time for the busy summer season. Continue reading →