The Rice Lake RoughDeck® AX heavy capacity floor scale system includes two fully electronic, RoughDeck low profile floor scales, four on/off ramps and two signal trim junction boxes. The RoughDeck AX scale is available in a size of 32 W x 84 L x 6 H ( 81.3 cm x 213.4 cm x 15.2 cm) and each has a capacity of 30,000 lbs (13,608 kg). Once combined with the ramps, the total length is 204″ (518.2 cm).

The RoughDeck AX uses four corner-mounted, FM-approved load cells, with the cells recessed into the frame channels for protection. Also included is a signal-trim summing board enclosed in a stainless steel, NEMA 4X junction box for any necessary corner corrections. The RoughDeck AX comes pre-trimmed; so corner corrections should not be necessary. » Continue reading “Closer look at Roughdeck AX Axle Scales”

Cardinal Scale’s truck scale manufacturing processes was featured in a Fall 2008 episode of cable TV’s popular program “How It’s Made” airing on the Science Channel. The segment details the production of a 70-foot-long electronic Cardinal truck scale. Beginning on a microscopic level with the creation of the strain gauges that reside in the scale’s load cells, the educational program charts the manufacturing course of a Cardinal model EPR truck scale. It proceeds to show the welding processes involved in the steel tubing and load cell stands, the powder paint process, and final assembly where the finished truck scale is shown with test weights being applied to measure its superb accuracy.

The episode first aired in November 2008 and will be translated into over 3 dozen different languages to be shown internationally. One of the reasons Cardinal was asked to participate on the show was worldwide brand name » Continue reading “Cardinal Truck Scale Manufacturing”

Until the early 1970s, all truck scales were mechanical and installed in expensive concrete pits. Today, most heavy vehicle scales are installed above ground or in concrete pits with slab type foundations. With the benefit of new modular construction, scales can also be installed in a shallow pit, as opposed to the deep pit required by older mechanical scales.

One of the biggest reasons for choosing a pit type installation is space – or lack of it. A pit installation requires less space than a pitless installation due to the approaches, as sloped approaches to grade are generally required for pitless foundations. However, pit type scales require sump pumps and drains, and are more vulnerable to accelerated rust and corrosion due to the potential of standing water in the pit.