06 october 2019
Truck scales are a fundamental structure that requires financial investment, as their service life is up to 10 years.
When purchasing truck scales, you need to clarify the type and design of your future truck scales. This includes the platform size (length and width), the load capacity of the truck scales (taking into account the maximum axle load), and the installation site.
Truck Scale Platform Size
When choosing a platform type, you need to determine the platform size (length and width). The length of the truck scales is determined based on the wheelbase of the longest vehicle that will pass through the enterprise’s scales. The vehicle wheelbase is defined as the distance from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle. Therefore, the optimal platform length is: the wheelbase of the longest vehicle plus one meter. The standard width of a truck scale platform is at least 3 meters. Upon request, the manufacturer can produce a custom project with the required non-standard platform length and width.
Truck Scale Load Capacity
The required load capacity is calculated as follows: the weight of the heaviest loaded vehicle to be weighed on the scales plus a 15% margin of its weight. When selecting a scale platform, you should also consider the type of cargo being weighed, as this affects the maximum axle load. The maximum weighing capacity (MWC) can be: 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, or 120 tonnes.
Choosing the Installation Site for Truck Scales
Ideally, there should be a straight road section on each side of the scale entry equal to the length of the truck scale platform. This will eliminate the need for vehicle maneuvering on the scale platform. It is advisable to prevent transit traffic not intended for weighing. The location of the weighing facility should be determined with consideration for visual monitoring of the weighing process.
Foundation Design Options
It is also important to understand certain aspects when planning the foundation:
– What type of surface is at the installation site? (soil, asphalt, fill ground)
– What is the depth of the groundwater table?
– Is there an existing foundation from old scales?
Please Note
If the scales are being installed at an enterprise for commercial purposes, it is necessary to consider the need for a conformity assessment of the scales with calibration using reference weights, as well as the need for weighing process monitoring (automation 24/7).
We also want to draw your attention to the fact that it is very important to follow the scale usage rules!
