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On-board truck scales have rapidly evolved since they were first introduced in the weighing industry over 30 years ago compared to other weighing Scales. For many types of industries, always knowing the loaded weight of their vehicles at any given time is a must for doing business. Operating safely and maximizing payload whilst avoiding fines for overloading are other reasons for using on-board scales. On-board scales, as the name implies, are installed on your vehicle’s axles and use either load cell technology or pressure readings from air suspension to calculate the weight on the vehicle axles. Operating trucks at their optimal payload helps minimize operation costs while optimizing profit. The convenience of being able to weigh at the loading site is the key factor in the popularity of on-board scales.
The rise in equipment, manpower, and time costs have made on-board scales popular with businesses requiring daily multiple loading stops. On-boards are an ideal option for waste-management and garbage/junk collection businesses requiring multiple pick-ups during a workday. One study done by an environmental auditing agency examined and concluded a Vancouver junk collection business, utilizing onboard scales, reduced operating time by three hours per day and almost one metric ton of emissions per month. This not only saves on operating costs, but also reduces pollution, traffic congestion and wear and tear on the roads. On-board scales are available with a range of load-cell technologies and speciality sensors that are able to accommodate different types of truck suspensions. Check with your scale provider for the best option for your weighing requirements.
Many scale manufacturers offer on-board weighing systems, but Rice Lake Weighing Systems recently introduced TradeRoute, the only legal for trade, on-board vehicle scale on the market. (Any U.S. business that buys, sells or charges based upon weight must use a “Legal for Trade” scale. Legal for trade scales are tested and sealed by government agencies insuring the scale’s legal accuracy.) ”Junk collection” businesses usually charge by volume approximations (such a half-loaded truck). Sometimes these volume estimates lead to customer disputes and dissatisfaction. With RLWS’s new TradeRoute, junk collection companies will be more transparent with their weight-based charges creating a more satisfied and customer-focused enterprise. Check with your scale provider for the best option for your weighing requirements.
Key Benefits of Onboard truck scales
Here are some of the key benefits on-board scales can offer your business:
- Vehicle and Time Efficiency
With an on-board scale, drivers can keep track of their payload and continue loading until the maximum legal limit is attained before picking up more product. This convenience eliminates the need for multiple stops at truck scales after additional payload is added, thereby optimizing the efficiency of the truck and the time of the driver for each haul. Why bring the product to the scale when you can bring the scale to the product?
- Eliminate Overweight Fines
A big concern of haulers is overweight fines. While traditional truck scales are only able to identify product weights at the scale site, on-board scales are able to provide real-time information during the loading operation, making it possible for the operator to prevent an overweight load and potential fine right then and there.
- Costs and Vehicle Life
Apart from fines, running trucks above their rated load capacities increases the likelihood of vehicle lost time due to break-downs and costly repairs. On-board scales can pay for themselves due to reduced vehicle repairs on vehicles. Tires, brakes, engine and chassis can be damaged from overloading a vehicle.
- Safety and Liability
The legal weight limit of a vehicle is a safety regulation designed to ensure that braking distance, traction, and cornering are optimized. With on-board truck scales, you can increase safety on the road and drastically reduce your liability exposure by ensuring that trucks are not carrying overloaded cargo.
- Operation Efficiency
On-board truck scales can be linked to centralized GPS tracking software, providing the ability for you to track both the location and the payload of each truck in real-time. With GPS tracking linked to your on-board scale, billing, logistic decisions and always knowing your drivers’ locations combined with maximizing your product loads will make doing business more efficient. Tracking software also has the added advantage of potentially improving operational efficiency with the ability to compare load/dump cycles, weights and recorded route times compiled over time.
In Summary
The abilities of on-board weighing systems can substantially increase profitability, customer satisfaction and operating safety of your business. The convenience of being able to weigh at the loading site is the key factor in the popularity of on-board scales. If you think an on-board scale system is right for your business, assess your weighing requirements and budget before making a decision. There are many types of on-board weighing systems and choosing the correct on-board scale for your business is critical.
You can always seek guidance from Quality Scales Unlimited, a knowledgeable scale provider who can help you in selecting the appropriate weighing scale for your business, vehicle and budget. Contact us now with all your qureires.