Whether you run a company that does construction, distribution, or some other truck-related work, you’re probably already aware of the need to weigh your vehicles on a regular basis. However, you might not be aware of your options when it comes to portability. That’s why we’ve put together a guide that reviews the three main types of truck scales as well as why you should consider a portable truck scale in the first place.
The Primary Types
There are three kinds of portable truck scales: platform, axel, and wheel. Platform scales are the largest type, but they’re still portable once they are deconstructed a bit. They can easily fit most semi-trucks and large industrial vehicles. They are comparable to your average permanent scales due to their size and capabilities.
Axel and wheel scales are both much smaller than platform ones since they only go under the wheels of a vehicle and not the entire thing. This is great for easier portability—however, there is a downside: it reduces the extra options that most platform truck scales have. Despite that, the larger axel scales have drive-up ramps to give them more functionality than the smaller wheel scales.
Regardless of which one you decide to go with, we’re sure you’ll find the results you’re looking for. Finding the perfect one for you is dependent on you knowing the primary types. Once you know them, you’ll be able to make a good decision and get a truck scale you are satisfied with.
The Reasons To Get One
Of course, it’s hard to know which of those is best for you until you nail down the reason that you need one. Here are some reasons why you should consider a portable scale.
Have a Temporary Job Site
Businesses commonly use portable scales due to the nature of their industry. For example, most construction companies don’t work from a centralized location. They’re constantly changing job sites, which means they have to take everything with them when it’s time to work on a new project.
Better To Have It With You
Other professionals—such as truck drivers—are constantly on the move. Ensuring that your semi isn’t overweight is vital for avoiding unnecessary accidents or fines. While most places that you’ll pick up cargo from will have scales for you to use, there’s no guarantee. That’s when having a set of axel scales in your truck’s storage comes in handy. You can simply pull them out to get a quick measurement.
Additionally, due to various circumstances, the total weight of these vehicles could change along your route. This is another circumstance where having a scale for your truck would be very beneficial.
You Share the Space With Others
Even if your company doesn’t change locations often (or at all), that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have any use for a portable scale. In fact, most of our reasons are most helpful for these types of businesses. For instance, if you share your area with other companies it would be a good idea to get a portable scale. That way, you won’t have any issues installing it in a location that won’t work for everyone else around you.
Don’t Know Where To Put It
Other times, the need for a portable scale simply comes from not finding a good spot for one. Maybe you don’t have a large enough area for a permanent one, or the area you want to put it doesn’t have the right specifications. It could even be due to a level of indecision. Regardless of the reason, when you have a portable scale, you can place it wherever you’d like until you find the perfect spot.
To Ensure Accuracy
One interesting reason that we’ve seen as to why someone wants a portable scale is to ensure the highest level of accuracy when taking precise weights. Even if you have the best permanent scale on the market, the time will come when it starts to have measurements that are off.
That’s why it’s good to double-check with another scale. Most companies buy a portable one for this kind of use. The maneuverability has its advantages if you’re using it to check multiple scales, and the overall cost will be much cheaper. The purchase and installation costs of permanent scales are much higher than portable ones, so having a less expensive backup is a good option.
It’s an Interim Solution
The low price point is also an attractive factor for people who are looking for an interim solution. Large-scale purchases are not easy ones to make. Even if you can get everyone to agree on getting one, it still might not be in the budget. A portable scale will make for a great temporary solution in these cases. They’re just as accurate, but for a fraction of the price.
Easier To Clean and Fix
No matter which type of scale you buy, you’ll have to regularly clean it to ensure precise results. Plus, it’ll eventually require repair and then break down eventually. Repair is very difficult to do with permanent scales since you can’t easily move them around. On the other hand, when your team is cleaning portable scales, they can get moved easily, so reaching parts that require replacement will be easy.
The Place You Should Get It
Now that you’ve determined why you need a portable scale, it’s time to figure out where to get one. Fortunately, you’re already in the right place. We have portable vehicles and semi-truck scales for sale in our online store. Whether you want a platform, axel, or wheel scale, we’ve got you covered with our vast selection. All of these choices are well-tested to ensure the most accurate results possible.