Six Types Of Weighbridges And Their Benefits

Weighbridges or truck scales are platforms used to determine the weight of large vehicles like trailers and buses. Weighbridges are mostly used for measuring the vehicles in transit that ferries goods from a production or distribution sector.

The portable weighbridge is one of the most common variants available in the market. These are lightweight and have portable axle weigh pads that allow them to be easily transferred from one location to another. If you want to buy or hire a weighbridge, this article lists the different types of weighbridges which will help you to determine the best weighbridge as per your requirements.

1) Above Ground Weighbridge

This category of weighbridges is commonly used because it is very cost-effective and requires limited site preparation. Above ground weighbridges require a greater surface area. Both the entry and exit ramps should have a length of  5m in the least, and at both the deck sides, the ‘clear-spaces’ should be at least one meter long.

Above ground, weighbridges can be multi-deck, twin deck, or single deck. This configuration depends on the vehicle length, which is to be weighed with the weighbridge.

2) Semi-Pit Weighbridge

Semi pit weighbridges are ground-level weighbridges. These configurations can be either standardized or customized. That means, it can have multi-deck, twin deck, or single deck configuration as per the requirement. This kind of weighbridges is used for weighing waste management vehicles.

It does not require ramps which help to cut down the costs. The sidewalls of these weighbridges act as retaining walls. The retaining walls may also require additional reinforcement.

3) Custom Semi-Pit Weighbridge

The custom semi-pit weighbridge is used in locations where the site limitations determine space availability for measurements. Hence, the sites with width constraints or existing buildings on one or either side of the weighbridge, bypass roads, require the custom semi-pit weighbridge. This differs from the parent semi-pit weighbridge to adjust to the above-mentioned site limitations.

Some of the salient features of this kind of weighbridges are the decreased width of the sidewalls, access holes are installed in the deck/ side wall beside the affected loadcells which helps to carry out the servicing effectively.

4) Fully In-Ground Weighbridge

Fully in-ground weighbridges are the most viable option if you face extreme space restrictions. Also, for shared weighing and traffic areas, and sites where the vehicles are measured during loading with the help of forklifts, these weighbridges are effective. However, it is one of the most expensive categories of weighbridges owing to site preparation, excavation, and reinforcement it requires.

In these weighbridges, the weighing surface is on the same level as the surrounding ground and load cells are accessed with the help of holes inside or at the side of the deck.

5) Multiple Deck Weighbridge

The construction of multiple deck weighbridges can be carried out above-ground, semi-pit, or fully in-ground. The flexibility makes it one of the most popular variants in the list of the different types of weighbridges. It is made of dense metal for added strength.

The multiple weighing decks in these weighbridges are placed to enable all the axle groups to be weighed individually. The deck length and number can be installed as per the requirements.

6) Portable Weighbridges

These weighbridges are mostly used for non-trade operations and temporary sites.  It is also commonly used in remote regions. It can be attached or mounted on to larger vehicles.

It has rectangular concrete slabs that are used for the load-bearing location. It is embedded with a frame that can be removed. This acts as a rigid support base for the deck or loadcells. This deck can be made of steel or with a mixture of steel and concrete.

To Conclude:

If you want to purchase a weighbridge, you need to assess certain factors that will determine which one is suitable for your needs. Other factors, like regional standards and permission processes, will also govern your purchase.