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    • Home
    • Products
      • Balance Scales
      • Barcode Scanners
      • Bench Scales
      • Coil Scales
      • Component Counters
      • Counting Scales
      • Floor Scales
      • Forklift Scales
      • Health Scales
      • Indicators & Controllers
      • In Motion Systems
      • Junction Boxes
      • Loadcell Cable
      • Overhead Weighing
      • Portable Vehicle Scales
      • Postal & Shipping Scales
      • Printers
      • Radiation Detectors
      • Railroad Scales
      • Remote Displays
      • Retail Scales
      • Static Checkweighers
      • Traffic Lights
      • Truck Scales
    • Service
      • Rental Equipment
      • Support
    • Industries
    • Company
      • About Us
      • Career Opportunities
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Trade Shows
American Scale Company Inc.
  • Home
  • Products
    • Balance Scales
    • Barcode Scanners
    • Bench Scales
    • Coil Scales
    • Component Counters
    • Counting Scales
    • Floor Scales
    • Forklift Scales
    • Health Scales
    • Indicators & Controllers
    • In Motion Systems
    • Junction Boxes
    • Loadcell Cable
    • Overhead Weighing
    • Portable Vehicle Scales
    • Postal & Shipping Scales
    • Printers
    • Radiation Detectors
    • Railroad Scales
    • Remote Displays
    • Retail Scales
    • Static Checkweighers
    • Traffic Lights
    • Truck Scales
  • Service
    • Rental Equipment
    • Support
  • Industries
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Career Opportunities
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Trade Shows

WHAT MAKES A TRUCK SCALE, A TRUCK SCALE

A truck scale, also called a weighbridge, is a weighing platform that measures the amount of vertical flexing that occurs when a truck drives onto a platform. This analog measurement is called deflection. The truck scale’s electronic components then convert the analog signal into the digital weight readout we are used to seeing.

TYPES OF VEHICLE WEIGHING

Weighbridge Truck Scales

There are many different types of vehicle weighing systems, each with its own advantages from mobile solutions to permanent and integrated scales.

Onboard Weighing

From digital scales to industrial floor scales, we offer a wide range of products that meet the needs of our customers. Our products are designed to be efficient, reliable, and easy to use.

Wheel Weighing Pad

Wheel weighing pads are vehicle weighing scales ideal for mobile and temporary applications. Load Ranger wireless wheel pads offer an adaptable solution for vehicle weighing.

Axle Scales

Axle scales are an economical, adaptable and portable solution for vehicle and truck weighing. As with any other Rice Lake vehicle scales, durable construction sets these products apart from the competition.

TRUCK SCALE BENEFITS

Truck scales offer many benefits, including the ability to sell product over the scale and ensure over-the-road trucks are within safe legal load limits.


Although each manufacturer has their own unique designs, most conventional weighbridge truck scales incorporate the same basic components.

  • Inventory Tracking
  • Shipping and Logistics Compliance
  • Sell Goods by Weight (Legal for Trade)
  • Filling and Dumping Goods
  • Avoid Overload Fines
  • Weight Verification
  • Axle Load Safety

PARTS OF A TRUCK SCALE

Foundations and Approaches

Load Cells and Mounting Systems

Foundations and Approaches

Our industrial scales are perfect for warehouses, factories, and production lines. We offer a wide range of capacity and precision options to meet your needs.

Digital Weight Indicators

Load Cells and Mounting Systems

Foundations and Approaches

The indicator, also called a controller or terminal, can display basic weight functions, as well as serve as the

command center for a weighing system with advanced truck in/out programs to control the entire truck scale system, including any remote displays and printers.

Load Cells and Mounting Systems

Load Cells and Mounting Systems

Load Cells and Mounting Systems

All load cells take an analog measurement, and then that signal is converted to a digital output either at the load cell, junction box or in the weight indicator. Load cells are typically constructed of steel and are integrated within the weighbridge usually at the corners of each module.

Guiderails

Options and Accessories

Load Cells and Mounting Systems

Guiderails offer drivers protection against accidental drive-o!s. Open-ended rails can accumulate debris and moisture, and guiderails plugged with an end cap can corrode from the inside if moisture seeps past the cap. Caps with a welded seal o!er the best protection, keeping debris and moisture build-up out of the rail.

Options and Accessories

Options and Accessories

Options and Accessories

Options and Accessories

Additional options and accessories for truck scales include remote displays, manholes, end clean-out, barrier gates, loop detectors, intercom systems, traffic

lights, photo eyes and grain dumps. Many of these accessories not only increase efficiency, but they can also improve safety for drivers.

TRUCK SCALE SITE PLANNING

There are many facets of installing a truck scale you need to consider prior to purchasing a scale or finalizing your site design.

Site considerations when planning for the future:

  • Traffic flow entering and exiting the truck scale
  • Room for the truck driver to maneuver on and off the scale
  • Filling and dumping stations
  • Room for regular maintenance and inspections
  • Queue lines and parking space
  • Scale house and peripheral equipment such as traffic lights and kiosks
  • Soil conditions and drainage
  • Room for concrete approaches and foundation
  • Electrical and conduit requirements
  • Future throughput and capacity needs
  • Driver safety

TOTAL COST OF OWNING A TRUCK SCALE

There are many ways of looking at the cost of a truck scale, but the total cost of ownership can help you choose the best investment for your business. By dividing the total cost of the scale plus install and maintenance by the total lifetime of reliable weighments, then dividing by 365, you will find the true daily cost of ownership.


Before purchasing, consider:

  • Years of reliable weighing the scale will endure
  • Upfront initial cost of the scale and installation
  • Cost of regular annual maintenance


Use the formula to the right to determine your total cost per day to own one truck scale brand versus another.

Review this example to see how a truck scale with a lower initial cost could actually cost more to own over its lifetime. Rice Lake SURVIVOR truck scales are designed to last a generation or more. Meaning, in ideal conditions, you’ll use your SURVIVOR for 25 years. Use our Total Cost of Ownership calculator to determine your total cost per day to own one truck scale brand compared to another. You can also look at the price per pound by dividing the cost of the scale by the shipping weight. More structural steel means a more durable weighbridge. The more the scale weighs, the more steel—and more strength—is incorporated.

Steel Deck Truck Scales

Concrete Deck Truck Scales

Concrete Deck Truck Scales

Choose the SURVIVOR OTR Steel Deck truck scale for applications where steel is preferred or downtime is critical.

Concrete Deck Truck Scales

Concrete Deck Truck Scales

Concrete Deck Truck Scales

The SURVIVOR OTR Concrete Deck truck scale is well suited for resisting corrosion and rust and yields better traction in wet and icy conditions.

Extreme Duty Truck Scale

Extreme Duty Truck Scale

Extreme Duty Truck Scale

Ideal for ultra-high capacity vehicle weighing applications up to 400,000 pounds, Rice Lake’s OTR-XV extreme duty vehicle scales are the toughest in the industry.

Axle Truck Scale

Extreme Duty Truck Scale

Extreme Duty Truck Scale

Rice Lake’s reputable SURVIVOR OTR Axle truck scale is designed for in-ground, shallow-pit truck axle weighing for applications where above ground ramps aren’t practical.

CHOOSING A TRUCK SCALE

Rice Lake SURVIVORs are not only the Toughest Truck Scales on Earth®, they are the only scale that w

The most important decision you will make when purchasing a truck scale is choosing a truck scale distributor to help you select, install and maintain the scale. A truck scale is a large investment, and your truck scale dealer should be there every step of the way. When making this decision, ask your respected peers in the industry who they chose to partner with for a truck scale purchase.

Not all have the same qualifications. 


Rice Lake authorized distributors can make all the difference. We employ certified technicians that can troubleshoot, repair, maintain and certify (if needed) your truck scale. They also have ample experience with truck scales from every facet of your industry. You may also want to select a truck scale distributor who has partnered with local construction agencies if your application will require concrete work. We work with many contractors and we also handle out own construction if needed.


More than anything, you want a local truck scale distributor who will be there for you when you need them; someone who is only a phone call and car ride away. The importance of a qualified, Rice Lake scale distributor and the benefits they can offer you locally are invaluable.

Want More Information?

Need a little more guidance before you are ready to purchase? Request a personalized consultation with an industry expert or your local Rice Lake truck scale distributor.

Contact Us

Video

SURVIVOR® Truck Scale Advantages

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