Choosing the proper weight scale for your industry can be an overwhelming process but once you have the best one for your business, that weighing system can provide countless benefits. But how do you know which scale is the right tool for the job?
Whether you’re weighing large vehicles such as trucks carrying products, smaller commodities such as food and drink or something as simple as coins, Active Scale has the weighing solution you need to tip the scales in your favour. When it comes to deciding which scale is the best fit for your needs, research is a critical aspect so that you find the solution that won’t slow your operation, affect your product quality, or your ability to meet compliance and trade regulations.
When you first start the research stage in your scale purchasing decision-making process, there are certain questions that you need to ask yourself so that the solution you ultimately buy will match the requirements of your weighing tasks.
Here are 5 questions to consider when “weighing” your options:
1. Where will the scale be used?
We bet you thought the first question would be “what” will the scale be weighing? Well, just as important as that question, is where the scale will be operating when in use. It could even be considered more important.
The environmental conditions that the scale will be used in can vary from dirty floors in a factory, to wet, outdoor settings. That being said, whichever condition your scale will be used in can greatly affect its performance, as well as its estimated lifespan.
Other environmental conditions to consider include the temperature, humidity and even air flow.
2. What is the required weight capacity?
Are you looking to weigh trucks that are carrying heavy loads or smaller, lighter commodities? Each scale is built with a different need in mind and not all of them are built to weigh heavy materials, just like not all of them are built to weigh with finer precision.
When looking to purchase a scale it’s important to determine your maximum and minimum weighing capacity which will also help to determine if the scale will need overload protection.
Once you’ve determined your minimum and maximum weighing capacity, you will also need to determine what your required weighing increment is. Scales that are made for larger, more heavy duty weighing may weigh in increments of 100 grams whereas smaller, more accurate and precise scales can weigh in as fine of increments as 0.1 milligrams.
3. What size are the items being weighed?
Although we didn’t put it as the first question, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask yourself what you will be using the scale to weigh and what are the sizes of those items.
A scale like our ASB Bench Scale would get crushed if you were trying to weigh, say a truck! Just like it would be impractical to purchase our Tuff-Deck vehicle scale to weigh lightweight commodities such as pharmaceutical pills.
Even if your entire business relies on weighing vehicles, we carry three different series of truck scales consisting of the Modu-Deck Series, the Hydra-Deck Series and the Tuff-Deck Series to offer our clients the variety and custom options they need to purchase the scale solution that is right for their industry.
4. What’s your budget?
Determining your budget when purchasing a scale can be tricky because you have to think about your long and short-term goals. Determining the size of the scale and what it will be used for is one thing. Your budget is another.
If the scale you want to purchase is tipping your business’ overall budget into the red ink, then maybe that’s not the best decision. However, with that being said, you also need to consider that although a cheaper alternative will save you money in the short-term, it may actually end up costing you more in the long run if the scale ends up needing to be replaced, repaired, or maintained more often.
When it comes to determining your budget, it’s all about finding the right balance between short and long-term. Truck scales are a major investment so make sure you know what impacts the price of a truck scale before going out to purchase one.
5. What industry will the scale be used in?
You can read the tech specs for each scale all you want, and yes they will help somewhat in your decision-making process, but it really comes down to what industry you will be using the scale for. Some common industries include:
Pharmaceutical & Labs
The settings within these industries include a lot of counting and formulating which is why precision scales and counting scales are most commonly used. When it comes to science, precision is an absolute must.
Whether it’s for counting pills or weighing dosages, accuracy is key. You need a scale that you can rely on to provide precise, analytical weighments that operate within a fine margin of error.
Agricultural & Food Industry
These industries include quite a bit of packaging and selling which is why industrial scales, floor scales and even crane scales are the best solutions for these businesses. It’s important for companies in these industries to ensure they aren’t giving away more product than they are charging. The financial success of businesses within the agricultural world truly depends on accurate weighments of their product.
Construction & Mining
Working with the elements of the outdoors can be tricky which is why those industries that take place mostly outdoors and within bulk, such as construction and mining, need sturdy, durable and large enough scales to fit entire vehicles on, no matter what the weather conditions are.
Along with our variety of truck scales, Active Scale’s selection of pallet truck scales, hopper scales and even tank scales are great solutions for the weighing needs of these industries.
Feel like the weight of the world is weighing on your business? It’s time to call Active Scale. With over 4,000 installations in our back pocket, it’s safe to say we’re no strangers to the industry.
