subject: Weighbridge from scalessparesservices.co.uk [print this page] Weighbridges, or Truck Scales as they are referred to in the US, are large scales that are used to determine the weight of entire vehicles and their contents. These weighbridges are used for selling or charging vehicles by the weight that they are carrying. They can also be used to check both axle weights and gross vehicle weights to prevent axle overloading and possible fines.
Enforcing weight limits on vehicles ensures the safety of bridges and protects the road surface, as overloaded vehicles can cause excessive wear and damage to roads, bridges, and pavements. Overloading can also make a vehicle unsafe, because the more excess weight it carries the less stable, and harder it is to steer. An overloaded vehicle can be more difficult to stop in an emergency situation. From a commercial perspective, overloading vehicles causes unfair competition with other hauliers. Overloading also greatly decreases fuel efficiency, so a vehicle with an excessive load can be detrimental to the environment.
To determine the mass of the contents of the vehicle, first the empty vehicle is weighed, and then the shipment of goods is loaded on and the full vehicle is weighed again. The weight of the empty vehicle is subtracted from the weight of the full vehicle to determine the weight of the contents.
Some weighbridges are electronic, and they work using load cells, which are transducers that convert a force into an electrical signal. Others are mechanical, and some are a combination. These large scales are mounted permanently on a concrete foundation. They are usually built from steel or concrete or some other heavy duty material. Some high-tech weighbridges are linked to a personal computer which runs truck scale software and prints out tickets and reports. This software can store information about how much vehicles weigh for use at a later date.
If you are worried that your vehicle exceeds the weight limits for its size and type, you can use one of the many public weighbridges that are available in your area. Do an internet search to find out the closest one to your location. When you are there, ask the weighbridge operator for the proper technique for proceeding to weigh your vehicle. Some scales are self-service, so in those cases there will be instructions of what to do. With most weighbridges you will drive slowly across them as the load cells determine the heaviness of the vehicle by how much the weight distorts them.
A weighbridge is an important piece of technology, as it prevents damage to the road, helps enforce regulations, and keeps drivers safe.
