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Layout Drawing Draw a complete plan of the area and think about an average day. • Where do the trucks go when they arrive? • Will there be a queue (either or both ways) to use the scale? • Where do trucks go after being weighed? • Is there enough maneuvering room between the scale and the loading docks, considering the turning radius of your largest vehicles? • Do you need a trailer storage area?
Filling Applications Some sites use their scale as a filling tool, where exact amounts of product need to be dispensed into the truck. These locations may have overhead filling equipment that can limit the vertical space the scale can occupy. Share intentions to use your scale in filling operations with your scale supplier. They may be helpful in suggesting the best configuration and additional scale accessories for these operations. When estimating the amount of traffic, consider how your operation will use a scale. Consider whether traffic flow is constant, or if it is significantly greater at certain times of day, month, or year. How long will a truck remain on the scale? Plan your installation to handle the peak periods. 5 - Locating the Scale House The scale house is typically near the scale and may contain indicators, printers and other control devices. Data from the scale can be transferred online or in batches as needed to other locations.
Then consider the what-ifs. • What if a scale is down for maintenance or repair during the day? • What if you get a heavy snowfall, or a heavy rainfall? • What if the capacity of the plant is increased? • What if drivers are forced to wait before they can load or unload? • What happens during the busy season?
Testing the Location It can be worthwhile to perform a test of your selected site before breaking ground. That can be done with the help of traffic cones or other markers to signify the intended location of the scale and accessories. If possible, drive a truck through the configuration to check for issues. Ask experienced drivers if you are unsure of the space they need to maneuver. Housekeeping The buildup of spilled material, packed debris, frozen snow/ice, road mud, etc., under or around the scale can have a significant impact on its life and performance. That is why many suppliers and customers advocate for an open-sided design that can be regularly cleared of stray material. Locating a water hydrant near the scale can aid in regular cleaning operations, so long as pressurized water spray does not present a problem to the load cells, cables, and/or junction boxes at the scale. Mining and aggregates facilities in particular have had success installing wheel/truck wash lanes before the scale. With an automatic wash lane for cleaning the trucks before they approach the scale, the amount of dirt, mud and gravel falling off the trucks is greatly reduced. It limits the chances for the debris to interfere with the operation of the scale. It also allows for a more accurate weight reading.
With the scale house adjacent to the scale, the scale operator can: • Monitor traffic • Communicate with drivers • Transfer paperwork to drivers • Make sure the truck is on the scale properly • Identify the truck and inspect cargo
Ideally, the scale house should be situated so that the operator inside can see the truck to ensure that it is com- pletely and properly on the scale. The driver may not notice if the rearmost axle is not entirely on the scale. Or, some sites with pit scales have had issues with the placement of a truck’s tires along the side of the scale. If the tires are not 100% on the scale, the weight reading will be inaccurate. To ensure proper placement of the truck on the scale, some have even used optical sensors. Video monitoring and voice intercoms can also work well if you are unable to put the scale house near the scale. Many scale companies now offer unattended terminals for driver self-service. These terminals often take the form of a drive-up kiosk that allows a driver to complete a transaction and log data without assistance from a scale operator. Unattended terminals can be advantageous in situations in which 24/7 access is required or when an organization processes repeated similar transactions.
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