Best Practices for Truck Scale Owners
Despite the best efforts of truck scale owners, external variables and real-world issues cause problems of various kinds, which prove to be quite costly. A simple error of one increment (20 lbs.) can cause up to $30,000 in annual product loss (based on a product with a value of $.05 per pound and a duty cycle of 100 weighments per day). And we have not yet mentioned that accurate scales are necessary not just to maintain profitability, but to comply with weights and measures laws.
So how can truck scale owners ensure that problems of this nature can be minimized? Here are some useful tips to keep in mind.
Calibration & Inspection Agreement
The simplest step one can take is the implementation of a calibration and inspection agreement with the service provider. A minimum of two inspections per year for most scales is recommended- but depending on the volume of traffic handled, more frequent verification, inspection and service may be needed. Rely on trusted, certified service providers who use standardized test procedures for their activities.
Cleaning the Scale Foundation Regularly
Regularly clean the scale foundation by removing any buildup that takes place in order to avoid scale inaccuracies. You could use a pressure sprayer to quickly and easily clear debris, thus keeping the scale and foundation free of buildup. However, make sure that your junction boxes, electronics and load cells are properly rated to withstand pressure washing to avoid damage.
Manual Inspection
Truck scale owners should regularly check scales themselves for corrosion and wear and tear that may take place with time. For instance, there could be physical damage, corrosion or moisture entry. Alternatively, module connection hardware could also be damaged and may need expert help.
Make Adjustments for Natural Expansions
Thermal expansion and contraction are normal for different times of the year, and requires attention and readjustment of your checking. Very small gaps in the checking cause binding and weighing errors, while large gaps allow excessive movement, potentially causing a scale tipping. Excessive movement adds unnecessary wear to other components, so be sure the checking is properly secure.
Keep Your Scale Grounded
In places where thunderstorms are frequent, a securely grounded scale is an essential defense from lightning. Similar is the case with power surges. Ensure that the specified grounding system is used and the scales are connected to it without any interruptions. Disruptions in the ground connection shunts power surges to other places, like your load cells or electronics.
Install Necessary Accessories
Even though scales are designed to slightly move with traffic, abusive and aggressive traffic movement accelerates wear and tear. Many scale manufacturers, therefore, offer accessories to promote traffic discipline while entering and exiting the scale. Such accessories, e.g. traffic signals and guide post kits at the approach and exit, can manage traffic flow and truck speed very effectively. Others like load cell boots act like a protective glove and prevent debris from interfering with the proper load cell operation, while riser plates elevate your weighbridge, reducing the risk of debris accumulation and providing clearance for cleaning and inspection.
Other Points to Remember
To keep your inspections frequent without losing much business to downtime, you should actively consider switching to a digital scale. This is because in an analog setup, it could take four to six hours to get the scale calibrated correctly — precious business time lost. In contrast, with a digital system, we can see the performance of each individual load cell on the instrument screen. With that ease of access, the calibration time is often reduced to anywhere between a few minutes to half an hour.
