When it comes to the truck scale market there are a variety of options to choose from. To the casual observer, the initial price tag may be the only differentiator. However, manufacturers promising great bargains are only able to do so because they’ve taken shortcuts at some stage of the process whether it was the design, materials, components, finish or all of the above.
While the price may seem attractive for the time being, the eventual failure of a lower quality truck scale could mean a higher total cost of ownership from extensive downtime, increased maintenance costs, lost revenue and premature replacement.
Advantages of Investing in Quality
A truck scale with a superior design and built-in protection features will ultimately save you save time and resources over the years. A high-quality truck scale designed to last 25 years or more will require less repair and downtime due to maintenance or replacement.
Your truck scale needs to meet the challenges of your application with long-term performance and accuracy. Some manufacturers’ designs incorporate only high-quality parts, components and construction materials. The design and engineering involved in producing a truck scale are two factors that can have the most significant impact on the quality of your truck scale.
The decision to purchase a truck scale must be founded on long-range planning that takes into account all present and likely future uses of the scale system. Analyze your company’s needs for today, and project what you may need in the future. Consulting with a qualified project engineer familiar with your industry can help you determine the engineering specifications your truck scale will need to accommodate your operation.
Maintenance and Protection
A high-quality truck scale made with quality components and materials will help reduce scheduled and unscheduled scale maintenance. Many manufacturers incorporate features into their scales to help prevent component failures and damage to the scale or foundation.
Regardless, even with the best truck scale money can buy, a preventative maintenance program is a key element in maximizing the life, performance and accuracy of your scale. Maintenance frequency is directly related to the daily truck volume and axle loads of the vehicles being weighed.
Typically, truck scale inspections are recommended at least one to two times per year, depending on equipment usage. However, maintenance may be needed much more frequently depending on your application and the material being weighed.
A comprehensive maintenance program consists of inspecting the weighbridge, foundation, load cells, junction box and grounding, and performing routine calibration and testing.
When it comes to high-quality truck scales and affordable maintenance and protection programs, Active Scale has you covered. As the largest service provider of repairs, calibrations and certifications of weigh scales in Ontario, we have over 20 technicians available to solve your weighing problems. Give us a call today at 1-800-850-8770 to learn more.
