Which Weighbridge Do You Need?

Since a weighbridge is essential for transporting vehicles, it’s important to know what type of weighbridge equipment you need before making a purchase. Actually, there are two different types to choose from, which are surface mounted and pit mounted weighbridges.

The option you choose depends on various factors. So, how do you make this a decision between the two? Well, we’ll answer that in the content below.

What Is a Weighbridge?

A weighbridge is a scale collection that used to weigh bulk goods. It’s a series of scales that are placed on a concrete slab by the manufacturer. It has a digital or electronic panel that shows the weight of the car is measured.

Weighbridges are generally used to weigh heavy vehicles, such as trucks or train containers. It’s the area where goods are transported by vehicles.

Reliable weighing supports the industry by supplying them with the exact data to manage their inner and outward products.

Weighbridge suppliers have different weighbridge variations for their customers. They are digital pit, pitless, weighbridge portable, weighbridge rail, weighbridge mechanical, weighbridge RCC, etc.

The key purpose of the weighbridge is to scale the entire load of materials from trucks. It’s done so in sectors where products can only be weighed from one position to another at the time of transport.

To measure the weight of the load, a truck is weighed twice. Then it’s filled once with products and emptied.

Weighbridge providers advise the use of weighbridges in sectors such as mines, quarries, electrical machinery, iron and steel, consumer products, metals, liquid, and powder businesses where bulk transport takes place.

Government authorities also use the weighbridge to weigh a vehicle to assess if the automobile that’s overloaded is in compliance with regulations. In regards to overloading, officials can impose fines on the parties involved for violating the law.

The Different Types of Weighbridges

You can’t have a “one size fits all” weighbridge method to facilitate the precision of measurements. You must use weighbridges that are ideally fit for your application under various conditions and markets.

It is possible to distinguish weighbridges according to their operating modes, style of design, and function.

With that said, here are the different types of weighbridges:

Above-Ground Weighbridges

The simplest to deploy and the most economical are above-ground weighbridges. This is due to their setup. They do not require any excavation or significant civil works.

Usually, they are constructed from steel frames, which have the required strength to carry large vehicles.

Also, this type of weighbridge is simple to manage since all of its parts are above the ground.

Above-ground weighbridges need more room than other weighbridges. These structures require ramps that are a minimum of 3 to 5 meters to allow the trucks to ascend safely on and off the weighbridge.

Portable Weighbridges

In special situations, lightweight weighbridges are used when it’s more simple to move the weighbridge instead of weighing the vehicles.

For remote areas with several loading sites— like in the logging and mining industries— it’s very common. Portable weighbridges are also connected to bigger trucks that are placed on them.

You can weigh the whole fleet of trucks at your delivery center with a mobile weighbridge. Doing so saves a substantial quantity of gas by weighing the vehicles on-site. It’s better than heading to the weighbridge if you have a big fleet.

Furthermore, portable weighbridges are simple to set up since they are directly powered into a suitable weighbridge.

There are additional variables to evaluate when you are on the hunt for a weighbridge, such as the regional requirements and authorization procedures.

Remember, the efficiency of your weighbridge depends on the integrity and competence of your suppliers. Choosing a provider that offers support services like calibration and breakdown evaluation is beneficial.

It should also be possible for the provider to supply you with devices like remote scale screens, ticket printers, etc.

In-Ground and Pit Weighbridges

There are many uses for in-ground weighbridges. They are all incorporated into the soil and include models such as pit, semi-pit, flush, and in-ground weighbridges.

Several weighbridges are intended to lay on the same level as the ground around the platform,  while others are constructed below the floor.

In-ground weighbridges are best for areas with restricted space. The need for ramps goes away by lying flush floors on the ground surrounding the platform. Furthermore, the trucks are able to reach the platform from either direction.

Based on the depth of the pit and the bedrock structure, the construction of in-ground weighbridges requires differing degrees of digging. In areas that have capacity restrictions and competitive excavation costs, it is preferable to use this approach.

With this information in mind, if you’re curious to know more about weighbridges, learn more here.

How Do I Know What Kind of Weighbridge I Need?

Because of the simplicity of implementation and reduced prices, it’s better to choose a surface-mounted design for smaller businesses. If you only need an occasional vehicle for weighing, it’s a good option.

Alternatively, for larger companies where automobile weighing is a basic aspect of the operating day, pit mounted weighbridges are always the right choice. The pit-mounted configuration would make the weighbridge easy to use and easier to run under. It also improves the comfort and velocity that your customers will receive.

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