Tag Archives: truck scale

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 →

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 →

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.

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 →

New Truck Scales versus Used Truck Scales

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You don’t have to look at too many truck scale brochures to become thoroughly confused about what’s available and what is and isn’t important to you.
Full-length truck scales may be of either portable or permanent installation.  Portable truck scales include a lower framework that is placed on a prepared surface (either a concrete slab, wooden beams, or even dirt) and ramps are placed at either end for access. Portable scales are generally more expensive because of the lower framework but are much easier to move from site to site and are ideal for contractors or road builders. Scales that are permanently mounted may be mounted either in a pit (like the basement of a home) or of an above-ground low profile design where the scale is mounted on a concrete slab with ramps at either end. The advantages of a pit type scale Continue reading →

The foundation of success

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This month we continue to look at the overall service and maintentance of a truck scale.  Today we look at the weighbridge and the foundation. Even the toughest scale on earth is put at risk on a poor foundation. Cracked foundations can lead to movement or settling which causes chronic calibration errors. Letting little cracks become big cracks may require removing part or all of the foundation and pouring a new one for the scale to once again weigh accurately.  It is important that the end user periodically walk around their scale and do a thorough visual check of the foundation and let your service tech know of any issue that you see possibly developing. Take a look at the weighbridge or deck. Rust or crumbling concrete can weaken the scale’s structure and cause problems. Clean and paint rusted steel decks. Continue reading →

What is concentrated load capacity and ntep?

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Concentrated Load Capacity, or CLC, is an industry recognized rating of a vehicle or axle load scale. The rating defines the maximum load for which the weighbridge is designed as applied by a group of two axles with a center line spaced 4 feet apart and an axle width 8 feet apart. When a CLC load is applied to the weighbridge during a National Type Evaluation Program test, the NTEP tester records the displayed weight. If the scale falls within accepted testing tolerances, the scale has that CLC weight value recorded as the CLC on the Certificate of Conformance.

The CLC rating is not a measure of weighbridge strength or rigidity, because weighbridge deflection is not measured in the NTEP test. It is irrelevant if the load weighbridge sags 1/10th of an inch, or 10 inches, as long as the scale weighs within the accepted tolerance. The scale’s CLC weight rating passes in either case. A high CLC rating could be given to an extremely flexible deck sitting on load cell mounts which are capable of accurately handling the side loading resulting from a severely sagging weighbridge.

The Rice Lake SURVIVOR® truck scale line boasts a 45 ton (90,000 pounds) CLC rating. With most legal highway weight limits being a fraction of Rice Lake’s rating, owners of a SURVIVOR scale can expect a long lifespan through Continue reading →