Using the proper scale can make the difference between having a profitable growing season and a less lucrative one. Here are four pieces of weighing equipment that you may want to have on your farm.

1. Hopper scale

Many farming products are stored in bins and hoppers. Hopper scales are designed to weigh a continuous product flow into batches, which enables precise control of inventory, feeding and dosage. This means fewer financial losses due to waste and poor inventory monitoring as well as increased efficiency. Hopper scales can also be certified “legal for trade,” ensuring you don’t lose money by overfilling grain containers and that your buyers get what they pay for.

2. Truck scale

There are a variety of truck scales available for purchase, and while they carry a significant cost, it can be highly advantageous to have one. First, they give you complete control over your inventory, making it easier for you to market it yourself. Second, if,you haul the bulk of your grain and oilseeds to elevators owned by major companies, having your own scale lets you save on shipping costs and ensures you won’t have to pay the fines that come with overloading a truck. Finally, owning a scale lets you double-check any shipments you receive.

3. Livestock scale

Animal weight calculations are crucial to estimating proper feed quantity, medication dosage, calving intervals, calf growth and overall production efficiency. That’s why livestock scales are so important. They come in single animal or group sizes and most of them can be used to weigh a range of livestock. With portable and stationary options available, they’re a smart investment for farming operations of any size.

4. Harvest tracking system

Harvest tracking systems are software solutions that can be coupled with existing scales to allow tracking of net loads and field production. These systems provide valuable information that can be used to increase efficiency. The Smart 1 processor remotely adjusts the scale so that the net weight of a harvest is recorded and logged. Opptional attachments provide clear signals to facilitate the process of driving on and off of the scale. The system’s USB flash drive interface allows for hassle-free data portability, and existing installations can be upgraded easily.

Commercial and industrial scale experts

Whether you’re thinking of having one of these scales installed or need weighing equipment calibrated or repaired, you can trust that Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. will provide excellent service. As Authorized Service Providers, we can also certify your scales according to Measurement Canada regulations. Call us today for more information about our products or to request an estimate.

To do its job properly, a commercial or industrial scale needs to be both precise and accurate. If a scale gives the same result every time you weigh something, then it’s precise. However, if that result isn’t representative of the actual weight of the object, then the scale is inaccurate. That’s a serious problem. Whether you’re weighing a truck or livestock, here’s why scale calibration and certification is so important.

It’s required by law

Any scale used for commercial purposes has to be certified as “legal for trade,” either by a Measurement Canada inspector or by an Authorized Service Provider. That’s because accuracy means money. There’s a staggering range of goods bought and sold by weight across the country, and accurate scales ensure that these transactions happen in a fair marketplace. Accuracy is also a concern for the transportation industry. Inaccurate scales may miss overloaded trucks, which can lead to hefty fines and pose serious safety concerns.

Complying with regulations is good business

Ensuring the accuracy of your equipment will help you avoid setbacks. An inaccurate piece of weighing equipment needs to be repaired as soon as possible, which often involves taking it out of service for some time. This means lower income and productivity, not to mention potential lost profits as a direct consequence of the scale’s inaccuracy. In some cases, a company can be fined for using defective equipment, and its reputation will likely take a hit as a result.

Regular calibration and certification can save you money

Regular calibration ensures that inaccurate equipment is identified quickly. This allows for timely repairs and minimizes potential productivity and profit losses. Sticking to a strict calibration schedule also increases your customers’ satisfaction and results in fewer complaints and refunds.

Pre-scheduled maintenance contracts make complying with mandatory inspection requirements easy and will ensure that your equipment doesn’t stay off the mark for long. Remember, even if a scale is certified, owners and users remain legally responsible for the accuracy of their equipment. Certification guarantees your equipment meets legal requirements, which protects your business and promotes customer confidence.

Authorized Service Providers in Calgary

Scale calibration and certification are crucial for any business that sells goods by weight or transports merchandise. As Authorized Service Providers, Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. can provide scale certifications as well as repairs, installations and rentals. Call us today to find out how we can help your business.

Precisions scales have a wide range of applications. Finding the right one is a matter of understanding which features meet your needs. Here’s what you should keep in mind when selecting a digital precision scale.

Measurement units

The first thing to consider is whether you’ll need a scale that uses specialized units such as carats or grains. Determining which units you’ll need to use is a good starting point, as it’ll allow you to narrow down your selection. You should also factor in whether you’re likely to expand your scale’s applications in the long run.

Capacity

Determining the maximum weight the scale needs to handle is another way to narrow down your options. If you need to weigh bulk or large quantities — for instance, in commercial applications — you’ll need to select a scale with a higher capacity. It’s also important to consider the size of the materials you’ll be weighing, to make sure you select a scale with a large enough plate.

Accuracy and precision

Applications requiring high accuracy typically won’t need as much capacity. Weighing medical products or working in a laboratory setting will necessitate a highly accurate scale that can take exact measurements.

Some applications will also require a scale that’s highly precise. In this case, precision refers to how consistent a scale’s readout is, whereas accuracy refers to how closely the readout matches the actual weight of the object. Keep in mind that regulations apply to the accuracy of scales used for commercial applications.

Size and portability

Some scales need to be portable, especially when used for field work. However, since a host of environmental factors influence a scale’s accuracy, it’s important to make sure that portable models are recalibrated whenever they’re moved.

It’s also important to consider how the scale is powered. If you’ll need to use it in situations where you don’t have access to a power source, then selecting one with appropriate battery life is crucial.

Other features

Depending on the materials you work with and the measurements you need to perform, you may have to select a scale that can keep a record of measurements or enables recipe weighting or piece counting. Modern digital scales are versatile, but always keep in mind that there’s a trade-off between functionalities.

Scale experts in Calgary

Selecting the right precision scale is easier with the help of a professional. You can count on Accurate/Western Scale for reliable advice. Contact us today to get a free quote or to learn more about our services, including scale rental and repair.

A lift truck scale requires a substantial investment, but it’s a smart one. Despite higher upfront costs, they have numerous advantages over traditional floor scales. Here’s why your business might benefit from one.

You have limited floor space
If you’re a new or growing company, every bit of space is valuable. Even if you can dedicate some of your available footage to a floor scale, the traffic lanes used to access it will take up a lot more space than you may be able to truly afford. Switching to a lift truck scale will free up these lanes, allowing for more efficient use of your space.

You need to increase efficiency
Many businesses need to weigh materials and integrating the weighing step into the normal workflow instead of requiring the time-consuming diversions needed with floor scales can drastically improve efficiency. A material handling scale allows for weights to be taken during normal operations, which speeds up completion times.

You want a leaner operation
Because they reduce the number of steps involved in operations and reduce resource and space usage, lift truck scales are a smart investment for companies looking to streamline their operations. Increased efficiency and lower resource use translate to higher profit margins.

You want to reduce traffic
Heavy lift truck traffic reduces efficiency, increases costs and, most importantly, can pose serious safety issues. Floor scales directly contribute to this problem by requiring drivers to make unnecessary trips.

You want to keep your employees safe
Industries that use lift trucks often work with pallets. Equipping your trucks with scales will reduce the risk of overloaded pallet racking. Overloading the racking can compromise its structural integrity, leading to extremely costly accidents and severe or fatal injuries.

Equipping lift trucks with material handling scales ensures that workers know exactly how much weight is being put on the racking. It also eliminates the need for trips to the floor scale, which are time-consuming.

Industrial and commercial weighing solutions
Every business is different and choosing the right lift truck scale requires the help of an experienced professional. For all your industrial and commercial scale needs, trust Accurate/Western Scale. We’re accredited by Measurement Canada to perform regulation scale calibration and with 21 years of experience in the industry, you can rely on us to help with everything from installation to repairs. Contact us today to discuss your business’ needs or to learn more about the scales we offer.

In 2014 changes were brought to Canada’s Weights and Measures Act requiring that all weighing and measuring devices used for trade in Canada be certified. Every business is responsible for arranging for the certification of their equipment.

Choose an Authorized Service Provider

Only Measurement Canada inspectors and Authorized Service Providers can confer certification. The latter have been accredited by Measurement Canada; by working with them you kill two birds with one stone. For Authorized Service Providers not only certify scales, they’re also qualified to recalibrate scales that provide inaccurate measurements. In such cases, once the scale has been calibrated, certification can then be provided.

Why certification is important

The regulations on scale certification are in place to ensure, first and foremost, fair transactions in the marketplace. When a company’s weighing and measuring devices are certified, customers know they can trust the product and the business. In addition, it facilitates operations on the company’s end by preventing any issues arising from inaccurate measurements. When your weighing or measuring device has been certified, you’re provided with a certification sticker, which indicates to customers and inspectors your compliance to the legal standard. Failure to comply with regulations on scale certification can result in the following negative consequences:

• Equipment being taken out of service until the issue is resolved, resulting in interrupted operations
• Your business being subjected to fines
• Your business being subjected to a closure
• Your company’s image and reputation being negatively affected

Scale certification in Alberta

Looking for a trusted company to inspect and certify your weighing devices? Then trust the team at Accurate/Western Scale. We have four service personnel who have been accredited as scale inspectors by Measurement Canada. And our highly skilled technicians are able to provide you with efficient scale calibrations. The test weights we use for calibrations are all traceable standards and are certified by Measurement Canada. The weights we work with run the gamut from 1-gram weights used for laboratory balances to the 500-kilogram weights used for truck scales.

Scale certification and calibration is just a small part of what we do at Accurate/Western Scale. Based in Calgary, Alberta, we’re one of the largest scale manufacturers in Canada, and we supply and install a large range of scale equipment, including hopper, tank, truck, rail and axle scales. Our service area includes Calgary, Swift Current and other towns and cities across Alberta and Western Canada. Contact us today for more information.