Due to truck scale’s critical importance to your business, its preventative maintenance program plays a key role in the uptime and profitability of your facility. Regular maintenance ensures that your scale remains accurate, reliable, and safe for operation. After all, what better way to save money on repairs or lost productivity than keeping your scales in optimal working order with the help of a checklist? With consistent upkeep, you can avoid unexpected downtime and extend the lifespan of your equipment.
Implementing a proper service and maintenance schedule will help keep your scales clean and free from debris. Routine maintenance reduces the likelihood of damage to the scale, which in turn can lead to excessive downtime, costly equipment repairs, and lost profits. Moreover, well-maintained scales contribute to more precise measurements, enhancing the efficiency and trustworthiness of your operations.
Having a weighing scale preventive maintenance checklist is very useful. Here are some simple tasks that every truck scale operator should perform to ensure your truck scales stay clean and reliable when you need them most.
Daily Maintenance Tasks
On a daily basis, operators should visually inspect the platform to ensure it is free from debris. A buildup of debris and dust can result in inaccurate weight measurements. Additionally, ensure that the platform surface is clean and dry to prevent slips and falls.
It would also be beneficial to check that the side and end frames are not fouled and that the digital display reads zero before a vehicle drives onto the platform. Regularly ensure that the weighbridge is free from any physical obstructions.
For pit-mounted installations, if the T-section rubber is fitted, operators should double-check that it is located correctly and that any pit drainage or automatic pumps are also working properly. For surface-mounted truck scales, there should be adequate clearance between the superstructure and the ground. Make sure to clear any snow or ice during the winter months to prevent weighing inaccuracies.
Weekly Maintenance Tasks
Weekly truck scale maintenance tasks revolve around checking the weight and load cell assemblies for debris buildup and carefully removing it without damaging the load cell cables. Inspect the load cell assemblies for any signs of wear or damage.
Using a loaded vehicle, operators should carry out weekly weight checks. To do this, simply compare the vehicle’s weight when weighed at each end of the truck scale with its weight in the center of the platform. If there are any discrepancies of plus or minus 2 indicated, then divisions need to be reported to avoid future inaccuracies. Additionally, inspect the weighbridge surface for any signs of wear and tear.
Monthly Maintenance Tasks
Every month, you should be checking your truck scales for possible ‘ponding’ of water, debris buildup, or other damage to the edge of the foundations as well as along the side and end frames of the platform. Ensure the drainage system is functioning correctly to prevent water accumulation.
The end-middle-end test should also be performed monthly with the readings recorded. After performing the test the first time, the truck scale should then be washed to remove any loose debris. After that, the end-middle-end test should be performed again. The results of this before and after test should be compared and any discrepancies should be reported. Inspect the scales for any signs of corrosion and address them promptly.
Quarterly Maintenance Tasks
At least twice a year, or on a quarterly basis, if possible, operators should check for any signs of structural damage to the truck scale. Check the foundations for any significant
movement or cracks and any signs of damage. Evaluate the condition of the weighbridge deck for any structural weaknesses.
Don’t forget to check the load cell cables for surface-mounted truck scales. All damage should be reported to the maintenance service provider. Always use a weighing scale maintenance checklist to keep your scales in perfect working condition. Additionally, perform a thorough inspection of the electrical and hydraulic systems to ensure they are functioning correctly.
Regular preventative maintenance plays a huge role in prolonging the life of your weighing scales. Active Scale is the largest service provider for repairs, calibrations, and certifications of weigh scales in Ontario. With a fleet of 7 heavy test units servicing Ontario and Quebec, and over 20 technicians available to solve your weighing problems, we ensure your equipment stays in top condition.
Our qualified technicians are capable of servicing virtually any weighing device in use. We dispatch technicians from our service locations in Brantford, Hamilton, Markham (GTA), Orillia, and Ottawa. Call us toll-free at 1-866-284-2223.
