Top Features to Look for in a Modern Truck Weighbridge

At a Glance:

• Choose a weighbridge with the right capacity and platform size for your vehicles.
• You must look for a durable and robust truck weighbridge to withstand heavy loads and harsh conditions.
• Accuracy and digital load cells ensure precise, low-maintenance weighing.
• When you select a truck weighbridge with ERP, fleet systems, and automation, your efficiency is boosted.
• Select a weighbridge that comes with remote monitoring and diagnostics features to minimise downtime and maintenance costs.

If you’ve ever struggled with inaccurate weight readings, frequent breakdowns, or slow processing times, you know just how frustrating an outdated weighbridge can be. Maybe you’ve had trucks waiting in long queues because of a sluggish system, or worse, you’ve faced compliance issues due to weight differences.

In industries where precision and efficiency matter, having the right and advanced truck weighbridge is a must. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one is best for your operation?

Let’s look into the top features of a modern weighbridge today.

Capacity and Platform Size

You can find weighbridges in various capacities, from light-duty (under 10 tons) to heavy-duty (over 100 tons). However, choose the one that matches the heaviest vehicles passing through your site. For instance, if your business operates in industries like mining, construction, or freight transport, you’ll likely need a weighbridge with a capacity of 60 tons to 120 tons. But, for specialised applications, you may require even higher weight ratings to handle extreme loads safely.

Beyond weight capacity, platform size is just as important. You’ll need a weighbridge that can accommodate the longest vehicles. Standard sizes include 12m x 3m for medium trucks and up to 25m x 6m for larger configurations, such as B-doubles.

Durability and Robustness

If you’ve ever dealt with a weighbridge that deteriorated too quickly, you’ll understand the frustration of unexpected breakdowns. As weighbridges are subjected to extreme loads, harsh weather conditions, and frequent use, so before buying, make sure it can withstand heavy truck loads, environmental factors, and day-to-day wear & tear.

If your site is exposed to extreme conditions such as high humidity, coastal salt exposure, or chemical environments like mining, look for corrosion-resistant materials. As such, the FORCE™ portable mining weighbridge scale can be perfect for off-road haulage applications. Adding on, High-grade steel, galvanised coatings, or epoxy finishes provide added protection against rust and wear to the weighbridges.

Accuracy and Precision

You need a weighbridge that shows precise measurements so that you can trust the data for billing, compliance, and operations. To get the most accurate results, choose a weighbridge with precision levels between 0.1% and 0.25% of the total weight.

Nowadays, you can find dynamic weighbridges with high-resolution digital load cells that enhance sensitivity. These advanced sensors also provide faster response times, give you real-time readings, and require less maintenance, which improves workflow efficiency.

Technology Integration

Next, you can look for a weighbridge that connects with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and fleet management systems, as it allows you to track inventory in real time and improve logistics coordination.

You can also opt for a system with driver-operated terminals (DOTS that minimise manual intervention by allowing drivers to input vehicle details and instantly receive automated weigh tickets.

Alternatively, you can consider a cloud-based data storage feature in weighbridges that allows remote access to weight records, simplifies data audits, and reduces paperwork.

Weighing Technology

When choosing a weighing technology, look for the following features to minimise extra complexities and ensure that your weighbridge offers constant performance.

• High-Quality Load Cells: Choose industry-standard, stainless steel or hermetically sealed load cells to get accurate results even under different temperatures and environmental conditions. These materials provide extra durability, especially in harsh outdoor settings.
• Axle Group Weighing: If your operations require compliance with legal axle load limits, your weighbridge should be able to measure individual axle weights to prevent overloading fines and enhance vehicle safety. You could opt for ones like the FORCE™ 1 truck axle weighbridge scale.
• Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) Systems: A Weighbridge with a WIM system allows trucks to be weighed while moving at low speeds and reduces congestion at weighing stations.

User-Friendly Interface

A weighbridge should be intuitive so that the drivers, operators, and management teams can use it without hassle. You know why this matters if you’ve ever dealt with confusing equipment that slows down operations.

A clear digital display makes weight readings instantly visible and easy to interpret, and it reduces the risk of errors. Similarly, if you have a diverse workforce, having touchscreen terminals with multilingual support features can be especially beneficial because you can ensure that everyone can operate the weighbridge.

Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics Feature

You can find many modern weighbridges that come with remote monitoring capabilities and allow users to ensure smooth operations from anywhere.

Look for a system with remote diagnostics that allows technicians to monitor load cell performance, detect calibration drift, and address software or firmware issues without requiring on-site visits. Moreover, if your business operates across multiple locations, you could also perform centralised monitoring and manage the weight data of various sites from a single platform.

At the end of the day, you should take your time to explore reputable suppliers, compare features, and make sure the weighbridge you choose is built to handle your business’s demands.