Weighing Scales for Commercial Fishing

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Accuracy is Important

Commercial fishing is considered one of the most dangerous occupations, where normal working conditions include storms, fog, wind and tumultuous waters.

Not only do the fishermen themselves need to withstand these harsh environments, they also need equipment fit for severe working conditions.

Rice Lake delivers robust weighing equipment such as crane scales, floor scales, indicators and scale controllers and checkweighers to make the commercial fishing weighing process fast, easy, and more profitable for the commercial fishing industry.

cw-90x check weigh scale for commercial fishing

With multiple transactions occurring between vessels, tender boats and production facilities, accuracy is key. Rice Lake’s commercial fishing weight scales are designed to address the vigorous needs of the commercial fishing industry.

At the heart of the fishing operation are the MSI crane scales. Featuring marine grade, 356 alloy, anodized cast aluminum enclosures, both the MSI-4300 and MSI-9300 are ideal choices for medium to heavy capacity crane scale applications. Transfer fish from the fishing vessel to the tender boat’s cargo hold, even in harsh sea conditions.

The MSI-4260M Port-a-Weigh crane scale is the most robust scale on the market for marine and industrial weighing, able to capture weight with ± 0.1% accuracy with a standard 5000 lb capacity and designed with dockside weighing in mind.

An IP66 aluminum enclosure stands up to moisture in marine and washdown environments. Sensitive electronic components are sealed off and well-protected, including the MSI-4260M’s sleek and vibrant LCD display. Featuring programmable brightness control, the display ensures users have access to the weight data they need, in any light condition.

In highly regulated marine applications, meeting safety requirements is crucial. The NTEP-Certified MSI-4260M features a 200% Safe and 500% Ultimate Safety Factor, minimizing the risk of accidents from overloading. The MSI-4260M is built to perform reliably for every catch with extended battery life up to 1,000 hours. A brightly lit battery display indicates when the unit is at 25%, 50%, 75% and full power. Timed auto-off and auto-sleep modes conserve power when the unit is not in use, meaning users are never surprised by a dead battery.

 

On the tender boat, use the Rice Lake 920i® FlexWeigh to fill storage containers to a precise weight on demand. The 920i FlexWeigh can tare any freestanding container, start a fill on command and stop at a desired value. Stainless steel, NEMA Type 4X enclosures and rugged, customizable operation switches deliver industrial strength and dependability, day after day and year after year.

After fish are transferred from the tender boat to the fish processing facility, Rice Lake’s CW-90X checkweigher will help error-proof the production process with simple, easy-to-read over/under lights. The extra-strength keypad withstands sharp knife-point contacts as well as contaminants and liquids, making this checkweigher ideal for wet and dirty seafood processing plants.

The RoughDeck® HE hostile environment stainless steel floor scale is specifically designed for corrosion resistance and long life in demanding washdown applications. Use the RoughDeck to weigh large storage containers as they move throughout the processing plant. Pair it with Rice Lake’s 480 Legend™ Series digital weight indicator, featuring a NEMA Type 4X, stainless steel enclosure and advanced gasket system, to achieve a complete environmentally tough weighing solution.

Even after fish have been caught, transferred and processed, Rice Lake’s products can meet the needs of busy fish markets. For expensive product, accuracy down to the gram is essential. Equipped with a unique Mono-Metal Tuning Fork (MMTF) sensor, Rice Lake’s TP Series balance brings remarkable response time and exceptional stability to any setting. Its compact design is ideal for limited spaces and crowded fish markets.

From the ocean to the processing facility and on to a local market or grocery store, we have a wide variety of scales suited for the robust yet precise needs of the commercial fishing industry.

Is it Worth the Extra Cost to Galvanize Your Next Truck Scale?

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Does it make sense for you to pay extra and purchase the option for galvanizing your truck scale? Honestly, I haven’t given galvanizing a whole lot of thought in the past since everyone is so focused on truck scale prices and lowering the upfront costs. However, if you could come up with a process (Galvanizing) that could extend the life of your investment, it could well be worth the extra cost up front.

Have you noticed that most outdoor light posts and highway guard rails have the same grey color?

Do you know why?

Most people don’t pay attention to this but if you’re familiar with the steel industry you know that preparation, coatings, and paint systems are the single most important factors to prolonging the life of steel.

The reason for this grey color is because these metal products have been galvanized.

Generally, any metal made to be outside in the elements is commonly coated with a zinc finish through a process called galvanization.

Did you know that galvanizing has been around for over 200 years?

It flat out works, but is it worth it?

What is Galvanizing?

Hot dip galvanizing is the process of immersing raw steel into a liquid zinc “bath.” In order to provide the most effective galvanizing, steel must not be previously treated and prepared properly to ensure that zinc finds its way into the pores of the steel. The first five steps of the galvanizing process are related to cleaning and removing any impurities before the final zinc bath.

How Expensive is Galvanizing?

The better question is how expensive is it NOT to galvanize? In 2017 the NACE estimated the cost of corrosion to be $2.5 trillion! It estimated that by implementing early corrosion control practices, such as galvanizing, between $300 and $800 billion could be saved, annually!

While we can see this is a large sum of money globally, exactly how does this apply to your scale?

galvanized platform scale

Scale Applications

If you plan to buy a scale and run ten trucks over it each day in the warmer parts of the United States, you don’t need to read any further – galvanizing is probably not for you.

However, if you operate in an area where snow or saltwater are factors, then you should seriously consider a galvanized scale. If your scale comes in contact with caustic materials or it sits in water and grime, then you should definitely consider a galvanized scale!

Replacing something prematurely is never anything someone looks forward to, but consider the cost of prematurely replacing a truck scale – EXPENSIVE!

Cranes, downtime, steel repairs, etc.… not to mention the headache of dealing with the whole project. The price of galvanizing will far outweigh the cost and hassle of having to replace a truck scale prematurely.

Galvanized steel corrodes at a rate of 1/30 of bare steel in the same environment. If your current scale is corroding rapidly and you could likely obtain 30% more life from a galvanized scale, you should consider making the additional investment.

What does galvanizing my truck scale really cost?

While zinc fluctuates in price, you can typically expect to spend ~ 30% more for a galvanized scale vs. a painted scale. This price typically includes the galvanizing, handling of the scale and shipping it to and from the galvanizer and back to the factory.

Because this is a specialized process, scale manufacturers and many steel producers do not galvanize their own products, so the extra handling will have to be considered.

After galvanizing, the scale is returned to the manufacturer for inspection where the steel is inspected to ensure the heat of the galvanizing process did not warp any beams or effect any welds. Holes and open areas on the scale also need to be checked to make sure they aren’t plugged. If there are any issues, they can be remedied by the scale manufacturer before shipment.

Galvanizing your truck scale is always an option that should be considered based on the factors mentioned above. Considering that most static steel structures in harsh environments are galvanized, it’s compelling to believe that a wear surface exposed to harsh environments should be treated the same way. If you need any assistance deciding if galvanizing is right for you, the experts at Central Carolina Scale will be happy to assist.

Truck Scale Options & Accessories You Should Consider

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Purchasing a truck scale can be a challenging project.

There are numerous options to consider. Much like choosing options for a car, your truck scale can be customized to fit your specific needs and requirements.

Listed below are a number of standard options to consider when ordering your new truck scale.

Sight Rail / Guide Rail for Truck Scale

Sight rail is an extremely common option to include with a truck scale purchase. The pipe rail is used as a visual guide to help vehicle drivers stay centered as they enter onto the scale. For most commercial and industrial truck scale installations, standard 8” tall sight rail is a common choice.

truck scale side rail

For most aggregate and mining type operations, 24” tall double pipe sight rail is required for safety. The sight rail assemblies are bolted to the weighbridge so they can be added in the future or easily replaced if damaged by a vehicle.

Sight rails can be customized with handrails or gaps in specific locations along the scale length to avoid hopper supports or other structures very close to the scale weighbridge.

Scoreboard for Truck Scale

Large, bright outdoor mounted weight displays are known as scoreboards. A scoreboard is placed near a truck scale within the driver’s sight so they can verify the scale reads zero prior to entering and verify gross vehicle weight prior to exiting the scale platform. Scoreboards are available in a wide array of digit sizes with 4” being the most popular.

In fact, some state’s Weight & Measures departments mandate the use of a scoreboard next to a truck scale. Scoreboards can be hard wired to the scale weight indicator located in the scale house / office or connected wirelessly. Another useful feature that can be built into the scoreboard enclosure is a red/green signal that can be used for traffic flow control.

Truck Scale Printer

Another popular option to consider for your truck scale is a ticket printer.  We have several to choose from and they allow you to print out the gross, tare, and net weights of the trucks that you are weighing.

Intercom Systems for a Truck Scale

Intercom systems allows office persons to communicate directly with a truck driver while on the scale. Systems range from simple hard-wired systems with outdoor PA horns to powerful wireless VHF radio-based systems that can be run by D-Cell batteries, AC line power or solar power.

For a more sophisticated system, Voice Over IP (VOIP) indoor and outdoor stations can be integrated into existing on-site phone system.

Manholes for a Truck Scale Weighbridge

Truck scales installed flush with grade are typically placed in a 48” deep concrete “pit” foundation. To access the inside of the pit area under the scale, 24” x 24” manhole access covers are built into the scale weighbridge. The manhole covers are removable by hand and allow for entry below the scale. Pit foundations will commonly have drains or sump pumps that will need to be serviced.

Riser Blocks for under a Truck Scale

In some industries and geographic locations, under scale clearance is very important for ensuring a truck scale remains operational for long periods of time.

Aggregate and mining type applications may want increased under scale clearance to prevent build-up of materials under the scale. The build-up may cause the scale to get bound up or impede accurate weighing, especially in cold weather climates.

The extra under scale clearance allows for easier / faster cleanout of built-up debris. The extra clearance is also good for on-scale filling applications such as asphalt where spills and over-fills are possible. Snow and ice in some areas warrant the use of riser blocks to reduce the possibility of winter scale freeze-ups.

Catwalk / Stairs for Truck Scale

Catwalk can be added to any truck scale weighbridge. Catwalk can be as small as 60” in length all the way up to the full length of the truck scale on one or both sides of the platform. Catwalk can attach to the side of the scale hanging on the sight rail or be mounted on the ground next to the scale. Catwalk is a way to safely enter or exit a scale platform with stairs and handrail features.

The number of options and variations for truck scale accessories can be overwhelming. If you have questions about which option(s) would best suit you and your truck scale, give us a call at (919) 776-7737.

Top Choices for IBC Container Scale Weighing Solutions

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You will often see an intermediate bulk container (IBC) tote bin or tank in various locations around industrial settings. And, in a lot of cases, customers are looking for IBC Tote scale options which would allow them to weigh those tanks and keep track of what is inside.

Before we get too far along, what exactly is an IBC container? 

Intermediate bulk containers (also known as IBC tank, IBC tote, IBC, or pallet tank) are industrial-grade containers engineered for the mass handling, transport, and storage of liquids.

Rigid intermediate bulk containers are stackable, reusable, versatile containers with an integrated pallet base mount that provides forklift and/or pallet jack maneuverability.

These containers can be made from metal, plastic, or a composite construction of the two materials. Rigid IBC design types are manufactured across a volume range that is in between that of standard shipping drums and intermodal tank containers, hence the title “intermediate“ bulk container. IBC tank capacities generally used are often 1,040 and 1,250 litres (275 and 330 US gal). 

As a distributor of Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tote scales, there are several ways that you could go about weighing your IBC tank. A tote load cell setup could be used to weigh the ibc tote where you basically build a scale using a load cell kit.  The more popular approach would be to actually use an industrial floor scale where you could place the industrial platform scale under the tote in order to weigh the 275 gallon water tank. 

ibc tote scale

Every few months we get asked if anyone uses a 5×5 platform scale for weighing totes?  A customer typically sees a scale online with 10,000 lb capacity and 5×5 size for sale. Adding a scale like that would eliminate guessing on how much product is left in the tote.

We basically offer high capacity weighing solutions for applications requiring frequent loading and unloading of IBC Totes and Carboys. An IBC Tote / Tank Scale is designed for weighing tote bins and carboys. We can provide industrial floor scales with various platform sizes (48″ x 48″, 60″ x 60″, 72″ x 72″ and more) and various capacities (2000 lb, 5000 lb, & 10,000 lb). We even have “U” shaped scales which can sometimes make adding a tank and removing a tank easier.

ibc tank scales

Some customers just put one of these IBC tote scales on their water truck and use a chemical pump. They zero the scale and you can get accurate weighing. You will want to make sure the scale is secure on the truck deck or bed and secure the tote on the scale.

Painted Steel scale platforms are typical with diamond tread plate.  Stainless steel is also available. Weight indicators are available with 4-20 mA analog output and/or optional setpoint relays. Other options might include battery power, stainless steel enclosure, LCD or LED displays etc…

We can also quote you for intrinsically safe options if needed for weighing chemicals such as ammonia, fluoride, phosphate, polymers, sodium aluminate, sodium bisulfate, sodium hydroxide, and other liquids.

Tote or container scale choices have to be well designed and rugged for frequent on and off loading. Most scale platforms we offer for this type of application would have four load cells and adjustable feet. In addition to selling the scale equipment, we also have a highly qualified, factory trained scale repair department who can troubleshoot and fix any scale error you may have.

This scale base is available in standard sizes ranging from 24″ x 24″ to 72″ x 72″ (many other sizes available). There are various digital weight indicators available as well. Some popular choices are the Pennsylvania 7600E, Rice Lake 682 Plus, and Rice Lake 480 Plus. For more info please contact us for a quote by completing our Request for Quote form.

Best Commercial Bakery Scales

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Over the years we have worked with numerous commercial bakeries and related businesses with their portion weighing needs.  Accuracy is very important for their food recipe and quality control and overall consistency. Many of these businesses use our scale calibration and repair services on a regular basis to keep their scales running year round.

What Kind of Scale do Professional Bakers & Chefs Use?

This is a good question. Basically there are a couple of ways that bakery customers often approach obtaining commercial bakery scales. One way is to buy high quality scales that are more expensive. A few examples might include the stainless steel Doran 7000XL bench scale or perhaps the Avery Weigh-Tronix ZQ375 checkweigher.

Both of these are washdown safe, aka waterproof scales and the thinking is that these industrial scales are built tougher and will provide more years of service in return for the investment that you’re making. In fact, we know of a famous pizza chain that uses the Doran 7000XL bench scales for preparing their pizzas and keeping track of ingredient portions. The result that we’ve noticed many times is a consistent pizza every time you order.

doran 7000xl commercial bakery scale

The other way to approach buying scales for a commercial bakery is to buy the cheapest scales and then when they break (notice we didn’t say “if” they break) you’ll throw those out and buy more new cheap scales.  

Which way is better? 

As a scale supplier for over forty years, we have seen both strategies utilized and in our experience, most of the time, you come out ahead buying a quality scale that is built for the application that you intend to use it for.

One thing is also worth mentioning and that is to educate your workers about the scale. So many times workers don’t understand or realize the cost of the scale and that the scale is not impervious to damage. Most every digital scale on the market doesn’t do well when it’s dropped from the counter onto a concrete floor or carried around the kitchen by the cable or have a heavy item dropped or slammed onto the weighing platter.

Assuming your employees use the scale properly, sure, you may have to get your replacement Doran Scale load cell installed or perhaps a load cell cable somehow gets cut or ripped out of the scale. But in most cases, those items can be repaired and you’re not having to purchase new equipment all the time.

What are Scales Used for in the Professional Kitchen?

Most of the time bakery scales are used for portion control and quality control purposes. Ingredients can be very expensive and customers expect consistency every time they order your product. 

What is the Best Food Scale on the Market?

The best commercial food scale on the market is probably the Doran 7000XL stainless steel bench scale. Professional bakers have used this commercial scale for many years. If you’re talking about small portion control scales or kitchen scales, then you might want to see the Doran 550 series counter top scales. 

We encourage you to contact us to discuss your needs and what you are looking for with a digital scale. We can tell you what the best kitchen scale is in our opinion, but if you let us know exactly how you’re going to be using the scale, what features you need/want and your budget, we can provide you with our recommendation. Call us (919) 776-7737 or fill out the RFQ form on our website to get started.

Choosing the Right Industrial Parts Counting Scale for Inventory

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Precision counting scales are essential tools for any business that manages inventory, pulls orders from a stockroom for production, creates kits of parts, or provides fulfillment services for a third party.

Any products or parts that need tracked by count…. need a rugged and reliable precision counting scale, and with hundreds of different manufacturers and counting scale combinations to choose from, you might need a little assistance in buying a counting scale.

counting scale

To make sure you select the best solution, our friends at Pennsylvania Scale Co have gathered four of the most important features to consider when choosing a precision counting scale for your company. You can see those below.

Also, in addition to accuracy, the other benefit you gain from purchasing a Pennsylvania 7500 or 7600 counting scale, is the “industrial toughness” of those products. They are the complete opposite of the plastic lightweight imported scales that you’ve probably seen before.

#1 High Internal Resolution

When a scale is in counting mode, it calculates a piece weight in order to display a count (weight on scale/piece weight = count). The piece weight is determined by the internal resolution of the scale, not by the displayed resolution. (The displayed resolution is usually a larger graduation or resolution than the piece weight.)

High internal resolution determines the lightest weight change a scale can measure. The higher the internal resolution, the more accurate the piece weight will be, which is especially critical when weighing and counting smaller pieces.

The increased performance from a high internal resolution counting scale means greater accuracy in orders and inventory management. This in turn leads to greater customer satisfaction and higher profitability. Also see: sometimes the cheapest scale can be the most expensive.



#2 Rugged, Reliable, and Built for the Real World

Accurate high internal resolution counting scales improve operations by minimizing breakdowns and delivering maximum uptime. Unlike laboratory balances or other high-precision measuring devices, counting scales are typically used in the middle of industrial environments with all of the vibration, heat or cold, rough handling, and constant use of today’s fast-paced production climate.

Selecting a counting scale that is purposefully designed to provide high accuracy while withstanding the constant use and abuse that occurs in the real world is a must to avoid inconvenient and costly downtime and repairs. Pennsylvania counting scales are designed to thrive in these types of environments and promote high-performance counting operations.

#3 Flexible and Easy to Use

A high-quality, high-precision counting scale delivers exceptional accuracy while also being flexible and easy to use within the production environment. Setting up piece weights and displaying counts in the fewest number of steps will get your counting scale up and running quickly and will instantly produce measurable improvements in accuracy and productivity.

Plus, the easier a counting scale is for your team to use, the more they will use it, resulting in higher accuracy and lower waste. Pennsylvania counting scales are renowned for this high level of intuitive operation and flexible counting modes that include: 1-step counting, 2-step counting, negative counting, top end counting, counting with a manually entered piece weight, piece weight store and recall, and auto sample to bulk counting.

#4 Connectivity of Counting Scales

Creating powerful, intuitive counting systems requires software for data collection and management to automate and validate count or weight data from the process or production line. Pennsylvania counting scales are flexible enough to work with many third-party software systems, and their application support team is ready to provide expert assistance or scale manuals to help with scale integration, including counting scale label printing systems with design services for a custom human readable or barcode label to meet a variety of requirements.

Contact our sales department today for more information and buying advice on our complete lineup of precision counting scales.

Bench Scales Ideal for Pharmaceutical Packaging

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Safety First!

That may be a tired expression, but it rings true in so many industrial settings, including pharmaceutical packaging.

While corporate executives and share holders may be focused on productivity and the scientists with precision, everyone involved – regulatory agencies, the government, warehouse workers, employees at every step of the supply chain, pharmacy technicians, doctors, consumers, and more are all concerned with safety.

pharma scales for accurate weighing

Cross contamination can put lives at risk.

And even just a miscalculation, lapse in judgment, or inferior equipment, can put a business at risk of being heavily fined or even shut down. Companies in the highly-regulated pharmaceutical industry must always be compliant and “audit prepared.”

Pharmacies don’t operate the way they did 100 years ago, when a pharmacist used a pestle and mortar and prepared medicines as needed.

Today, with so many medications available to the public and so much money in big pharma, drug products are almost exclusively mass created and manufactured far from their eventual point of purchase. After being created in a lab, most consumer drug products are bottled, boxed, stored, packaged and shipped from container closure systems.

Pills, ointments, syrups, syringes, inhalers, etc. are packaged, they are counted and weighed using bench scales that are reliably precise, durably built, intuitively operated, and loaded with safety features.

When designing safety assessments for chemical and pharmaceutical packaging operations, leading companies carefully select the highest quality industrial bench scales like the OHAUS Defender.

Many folks just think of Ohaus as a manufacturer of Laboratory Balances like the Explorer or Scout. But, they also manufacture a complete line of industrial scales like floor scales, counting scales and bench scales, like the Defender 5000.

Defender 5000 for Pharma Packaging

The Defender 5000 Series Bench Scales are designed to simplify demanding industrial applications, including production, packaging, inventory, and shipping.

Multifunctional Defender 5000 meets the weighing and measurement needs of a broad range of manufacturing processes and industrial applications, including Parts Counting with APW optimization, Check Weighing or Check Counting, Percent Weighing, Filling, and Dynamic Weighing or Display Hold. With so many application modes, Defender eliminates the need for long and complicated manual calculations.

Durable Defender 5000 scales are built to withstand the rigors of warehouse work with a 304-grade stainless steel platform, powder-coated steel frame, and aluminum load cell that are all easy to clean and sterilize. Available washdown models are designed to withstand high pressure cleaning. Defender meets NTEP & Measurement Canada type approvals.

The user-friendly Defender 5000 features an alpha-numeric keypad with SoftKeys, large backlit display, and plain text on-screen prompts to guide you through operation. Defender 5000’s large transflective dot matrix display makes results easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The SmarText 3.0 interface guides you through advanced features, reducing training time for operators and simplifying setup.

Available Defender 5000 floor and tabletop models feature a range of platform sizes and weighing capacities to support your needs. Call (919) 776-7737 or complete our RFQ form on our website for additional info on the Ohaus bench scale lineup.

Livestock Scales for Weighing Pigs

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Pig scales allow producers to measure piglet litter weights and/or sort grown hogs for market. Knowing the real weight of your pigs also assists with being able to load your truck or trailer correctly. We have several types of scales for weighing pigs.

The Brecknell PS1000 general purpose floor scale has become quite a hit with our agricultural customers, and some industrial customers. The scale took the old idea of the VD1000 animal scales but brought it in at an affordable price. 

This Brecknell PS-1000 fits several applications perfectly – 4H participants can weight their animals up to 1000 pounds. Food rationing can be done using the weight divisions of 0.5 lbs; and last – the scale can be used in industrial applications for drum weighing, shipping weights, and any other general purpose tasks needing an accurate weight! 

The pig scale operates on four (4) AAA batteries or 6 VDC, 500mA adapter, both included. Includes a digital weight indicator with black plastic bracket for wall or stand mounting. Scale weighs around 65 lbs w/ 2 easy access carry handles which make scale convenient to relocate. No need for ramps or recessed floors, as this unit comes with ramped ends. The dimensions of the scale platform are 55.75″ (L) x 20.25″ (W) x 2.5″ (H).

livestock scale for weighing pigs

We think you are going to really like the affordably priced WeighSouth VS-2501 Vet Scale. This stylish animal scale offers functionality and heavy duty design. The VS-2501 features a large easy to clean stainless steel platform with four load cells underneath. The 43″ x 20″ scale platform is factory calibrated to the digital weight indicator for immediate use once the scale is received. In fact, we’re often asked what is our favorite vet scale or to provide a review of certain choices and this is usually the favorite choice of most.

The indicator features a heavy duty metal enclosure with large LED digits making it very easy to read. Place the indicator on a desk top or mounted on a wall with the included hardware.

Why settle for some “no name” pig scale when you can have this VS-2501 industrial strength digital scale! Weighing small to large animals you cannot beat the quality and construction of the WeighSouth VS-2501 Veterinary Scale. While these types of products are often thought of as floor scales for dogs, the large 43” x 20” stainless steel platform is large enough for Lamas and Alpacas, yet small and accurate enough for the smallest breeds of dogs, sheep, goats, hogs, nursery pigs, and many more varieties of livestock. The scale operates on either AC Adapter or internal rechargeable battery. The livestock scale for weighing pigs includes a removable non-skid rubber mat to ensure extra grip for animals to keep them from slipping when stepping on or standing on the scale.

The AWB40-5K Weigh Bars Set of (2) load bars calibrated with digital weight indicator is a versatile scale system. These are probably the finest in the industry both in performance and quality. It includes 2 complete weigh bars, 2 quick disconnect cables, and one stainless steel indicator with internal battery.

These AWB weigh bars are virtually watertight with sealing at the end of the bar as well as the feet. There are quick disconnect steel braided cables on both ends to make service a snap.  These have feet that are 6 1/4″, galvanized, and can be mounted (if the customer desires) with cement bolts provided. We have been recommending and selling weigh bars for years and have finally designed what many feel are the very best available. These are ideal for building your own weighing system. Great for alleyway, squeeze chutes and more.

We also have other scales available for weighing animals such as hogs, sheep, and small cattle. For example, these scales feature small wheels on one end for easy moving, 4 sturdy rubber feet provide traction and stability, cage, base frame, and tread plate bottom made entirely of aluminum, outward opening door on both short sides; both operable from one side with built-in 33” high side rails. Call (919) 776-7737 or complete our RFQ form for details.

 

Concrete Deck Truck Scale or Steel Deck? Which should I Buy?

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Probably somewhere around 3/4 of our truck scale customers choose the steel deck truck scale, but in case you’re curious about purchasing a truck scale with a concrete deck, please keep reading to see which is better for your needs. 

With a steel deck truck scale, once the foundation is in place, the installation process is quick and the customer is weighing usually within 1 day.  However, you may prefer the durability and additional traction that a concrete deck truck scale provides.

So, what are the pluses and minuses of a steel deck truck scale versus a concrete deck truck scale?  Read below to find out. 

concrete deck or steel deck truck scale

Steel Deck Truck Scale Overview

Our selection of steel deck truck scales from well respected scale manufacturers like Rice Lake, Avery Weigh-Tronix, and B-Tek are constructed of high quality structural steel and then painted with quality paint. Now each manufacturer builds their weighbridge slightly different but most include steel I beams running the length of each scale module. The number of beams and the space between each beam varies depending on the scale manufacturer.

The advantages of purchasing a steel deck truck scale are the fast installation and since a steel deck truck scale weighs less than a concrete deck version of the same scale, it makes it easier years later, to move or relocate if the need arises. The disadvantage of a steel deck is typically the platform can become more slippery than concrete. 

Concrete Deck Truck Scale Overview

The concrete deck version of a truck scale is similar to a steel deck module, except there is no top treadplate of steel. There is an open top in each platform for the concrete to be poured in. In most cases, you will want to have the scale shipped to your location and fill the platforms with concrete once the scale is set in place. The normal cure time for the concrete is around 28 days.

The advantage of a concrete deck truck scale includes better traction in wet conditions such as rain and snow and better load distribution across the overall weighbridge. In some cases, concrete decks can provide a few extra years of service when compared to steel decks. The disadvantage of concrete deck scales is the extended wait time while the deck cures. Also, if you need to move the scale, it can be more difficult with the heavier platform.

We hope this article helps you to determine which truck scale top you prefer. They both have their +’s and -‘s.  If you need some guidance and are looking for truck scale prices and buying information, please call us at (919) 776-7737 or complete our RFQ form.

Peak Hold Feature on Scales and Weighing Balances

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What is Peak Hold?

There are several ways to describe peak hold, but for our purposes, we are going to say that a scale with peak hold enabled displays the highest reading detected by the scale or balance and holds the result on the display.  

How Is Peak Hold Different From a Regular Hold Function?

This is where the “hold” function can get a little confusing. Many scales these days offer some version(s) of a hold function. Some offer a hold function that will hold whatever weight is on the scale when it stabilizes. Some scales will hold the stable weight and then increase the displayed weight if it increases beyond a certain percentage. 

The regular hold function freezes the results on the display when the scale receives them. In this case, that means that the weight on the display would only show what first registered on the scale, paying no attention to the weight applied afterwards. So if your scale measures 3kg, 7kg and 5kg, it will hold and display 3kg. As mentioned above, some scales will go beyond this and display an increased amount if the scale weight increases beyond a certain percentage. Other hold settings average the weight and hold or “lock” the weight once it becomes stable.

 

Peak hold normally is the highest amount the scale has registered. It doesn’t usually involve all the averages and percentage increases. When the weight is held for dynamic weighing, it’s after the scale has averaged the results of all instances of weight registered. If your scale measures 3kg, 7kg and 5kg, it will hold and display 5kg. You see some of this on animal or livestock scales sometimes. This would not be “peak” hold.

While peak hold will record the highest value obtained rather than the first stable value, or the average of multiple values. It can be useful when a lot of weight is applied very quickly and removed just as quickly. If your scale measures 3kg, 7kg and 5kg on it, it will hold and display 7kg.

Why is Peak Hold Used in Quality Testing?

You don’t want cardboard packaging to fall apart because of the weight in the box. Peak hold can be used to determine a material’s tensile strength, which can help manufacturers determine if a material is suitable to contain and transport various objects, materials and chemicals.

Also, product consistency is very important. Imagine purchasing a bag of candy only to find that some pieces of candy melt in your mouth, while other pieces of candy hurt your teeth when you attempt to chew them.

You probably would not buy that brand again.

Quality testers need to ensure that tools that see heavy duty usage can always withstand daily usage without breaking randomly.

Another example, a can with potentially volatile chemicals needs to be made of a material that can withstand a certain amount of pressure build up before it breaks, or people could get injured.

peak hold scale

Many manufacturers use peak hold to test the amount of weight and pressure that can be supported by a part or piece to make sure components will not break from daily usage and stress on individual components.

The peak hold function can also be used to measure the highest weight for multiple weighing results in a short succession. For example, you can place an item, weigh it, remove it and place another one until you’re done measuring all your items, but the only weight recorded will be the highest one. Peak hold can also capture unstable weight spikes, while most weighing functions capture weight results once they are stable.

How is Peak Hold Used?

Some scales, like certain Adam Equipment scales, allow users to set a time interval in which the scale will keep displaying the recorded peak. The user can either have it displayed for that time interval before the display clears, or manually clear the display. Scales will often record and display a peak until another one is captured.

Material is sometimes weighed too quickly for the human eye to follow, or the sample is so bulky that it hides the display, which needs to maintain the weight to be read when the sample is removed from the pan. In addition, many quality testing facilities use systems with switches or remote mechanisms in place, so the scale or balance must be able to capture weight even if a person is not at the scale.

We have a customer who has purchased peak hold scales from us for many years. They measure the amount of weight that a person can lift by utilizing a S-Beam Load Cell along with a Digital Weight Indicator with Peak Hold Function enabled. The system has worked very well over the years and is currently utilized across the United States.

For more information on scales that offer peak hold capability, contact the Central Carolina Scale sales department or call (919) 776-7737.