Choosing Truck Scales

Today, every industrial enterprise can purchase truck scales, railcar scales, or weighing dispensers. A manager, or a representative of the enterprise’s metrology department, can choose from dozens of companies offering weighing equipment the one that meets their (production) requirements. However, to make the right choice, you should be guided by certain criteria that will help avoid unnecessary problems during delivery, installation, and metrological support of the supplied equipment.

Any scales (truck scales, railcar scales, etc.) are measuring instruments and by definition must measure the load mass with the accuracy stated by the manufacturer. They must reliably perform their function not only throughout the warranty period but for the entire service life specified by the manufacturer in the operating manual. Naturally, this measuring equipment must also be affordable, so the main selection criteria are accuracy, reliability, and price.

Therefore, after choosing a website dedicated to selling measuring and weighing equipment, try to clarify the following details with the consultants:
- what is the thickness of the metal plate (4, 6, or 8 mm) used for the scale deck;
- what timeframes are required for installation, commissioning, and initial verification (including submitting the scales to the state metrology inspector);
- what tools, equipment, and manpower will be required from you for commissioning work;
- the number and issue date of the company’s certificate issued by government authorities;
- how the sensor cabling is protected and whether there is a lightning protection system and other safety measures;
- whether the seller is a direct representative of the manufacturer; it is better not to work with intermediaries. The purchase should come with warranty service for 10 years or more;
- if a consultant offers you industrial scales rated for 100 tons with an error of 10 kg, or a fully automatic weighing dispenser, ask how the initial verification and subsequent calibrations will be carried out. Most likely, you will not have the possibility to perform direct loading during verification.

Remember, “every sandpiper praises its own marsh”: all websites are full of claims that their quality is the best and their price is the lowest. However, some scales are manufactured in factory conditions with all technological requirements observed, while others are cobbled together in a garage.