Probably not a month goes by that we don’t get a call or email from someone looking for a stretch wrap machine with scale built in. At one time we did try to offer a few really nice large scale solutions to our warehouse customers but in many cases it can be more cost effective to just use one of our platform scales instead.
Stretch Wrap Machines are a must for many businesses that ship out pallets of goods. Stretch wrap turntables or machines are designed to improve efficiency and productivity by tightly wrapping loads and pallets quickly. These devices increase productivity and make shipping much easier.
However there is one mistake many companies make when purchasing these stretch wrap machines. Companies often think they need to buy the stretch wrap machine with a built-in scale. The idea is good. However, there is a certain way to do it. The mistake is ordering the stretch wrap machine WITH a built in scale.
It makes more sense to order the stretch wrap machine as a Standalone Device. Once you have the stretch wrap machine, measure the dimensions. Now order the appropriate size industrial floor scale to be placed under the stretch wrap machine. This is typically either a 5 foot by 7 foot or a 4 foot by 8 foot pallet scale. Maximum Capacity for the scale is normally 10,000 pounds.
By ordering the platform scale separately, both the wrapper and scale can work together or independently. You still benefit by combining the systems to increase your warehouse floor space. The best benefit is you now have an industrial quality scale that is easier to troubleshoot and repair since the platform can be removed from under the stretch wrap machine. Where Can You Buy A Scale For Your Stretch Wrapper? You can purchase a scale for your stretch wrapper from a reputable industrial scale distributor like us!
Buy a Stretch Wrap Machine & Place it on top of an Industrial Floor Scale
However, many customers have chosen to purchase less expensive stretch wrap machines that included the turntable and the scale all in one unit. It seems like a good deal but in our opinion it might be more cost effective and/or increased longevity to either purchase a stretch wrap machine and place it on a platform scale or add load cells under your stretch wrap machine.
In the past, we have seen some customers purchase a Pennsylvania Scale 4′ x 8′ floor scale with 10,000 lb capacity and utilize it for stretch wrapping. We’ve also seen customers buy floor scales in a variety of sizes from 48″ x 48″ or 60″ x 60″ and place some type of turntable on top. Then, they manually wrap the pallet as the turntable spins around.
Of course, the entire time the floor scale is underneath and digital weight indicator displays the weight. We have a great selection of floor scales from names like Avery Weigh-Tronix, Brecknell, B-Tek, Cardinal, Digi, and Rice Lake Weighing Systems.
The point of this write up is to mention that there are options available for stretch wrapping your pallets while obtaining an accurate weight reading, if you’re not looking to spend a ton for a sophisticated stretch wrap machine with built in scale. Call (919) 776-7737 for advice on stretch wrap machines being placed on top of a platform scale.