Scales are handy devices. From the medical industry to industrial sites, these instruments weigh life-saving medicines, bulk recycling, or large-scale metal. Some are even used to weigh bridges. The weights and measures used when your grandparents were young are not the same as today’s technology. Today’s scales range from laboratory-delicate to robust enough to measure up to 320,000 pounds of a full-scale railcar capacity. If your business in Alberta requires accurate weighing of big loads, you will need high-quality, heavy-duty crane and truck scales.

 

A Variety of Calgary Industries Need Accurate Scales

When you need to meet government, industry and transportation regulations, having the correct weighing equipment is vital to your business. Consider these industries that use heavy duty crane and truck scales:

1. Trucking Industry: To keep their payloads within legal limits and avoid steep fines, the trucking industry needs to abide by strict laws. Onboard truck scales help these large vehicles moving across the country to pass inspections.

2. Railroad Industry: Keeping costs down and safety up is crucial for the railroad industry. A grain elevator has to measure the volume of corn being loaded into the rail cars to ensure regulations are met.

3. Manufacturing Industry: Construction equipment manufacturers use heavy duty scales to weigh trucks and diggers. Imagine the weight of one of these large pieces of equipment. The everyday household scale cannot hold up to the capacity of their larger cousins. Other companies may need to measure the weight of steel, wire drums, or other pieces of their processes.

4. Shipping Industry: To correctly load a freighter headed out to sea, the shipyard needs an accurate measurement of the weight on the boats. A crane scale meets that need as the operator picks up each semi-trailer and puts it in the cargo bay.

5. Other Possible Needs: If you work in hazardous areas, specialty weight systems can make your work easier. Additional uses include pallet trucks and overhead load receptors for abattoirs.

Find the Right Heavy Duty Scales in Calgary, Alberta for Your Business
Industrial scales vary depending on the business you are in. Whether you need to measure livestock, steel, grain, consumer goods, or hazardous materials, Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. can help. Our knowledgeable staff is trained in all all aspects of industrial weight management. When you need new scales, we can discuss a variety of options and products to fit your specific requirements. Many systems we offer, can be installed and ready for operation in a few hours, getting you back up and running with minimal interruption. Count on our dependable staff with years of experience to fix, update, or convert your existing weighing systems.

Additionally, you can rely on our team for authorized scale inspections. We are Measurement Canada Accredited and can certify specific trade devices on behalf of the Canadian government under the Weights & Measures Act. We maintain strict internal quality control, so you can trust us to do the job right.

Call us at 403-250-3232 to learn more about our heavy duty scales or to inquire about crane and truck scales for your Calgary, Alberta business. You can also complete an online contact form for information about our products and services or to request a quote.

An animal is always moving, so weighing your cattle on a conventional scale is not possible. That is why more farms and livestock firms are using cattle scales in Lethbridge, Red Deer, Calgary, and surrounding cities.

Livestock scales are more accurate and easier to use because they are designed with the animal’s motion in mind. These scales are designed to handle a variety of weights and sizes of livestock too, which increases profits for your business. While helpful, they are a significant upfront investment. Therefore, you must know how to properly maintain your cattle scale and get the most out of that upfront cost. Tips for Cattle Scale Servicing and Maximizing Your Investment Now that you have a livestock scale at your farm or facility, the next step is to ensure it pays back for the cost. Luckily, you only have four critical things to remember here.

1. Set it up correctly. Your scale can be inaccurate when it is not installed correctly. To ensure it is, have a company that specializes in livestock scales in Calgary install it for you. If you are weighing in a particular location, use a permanent scale, but install on a firm, level surface where shifting is not an issue.

2. Electricity source. You need a constant power source for your livestock scale. Make sure the source is within reach and the area can remain dry. Power cords should never be in the way. Also, cell cables should be placed correctly for safety purposes.

3. Remove debris frequently. To prolong the lifespan of your cattle scale, be sure to clean it regularly and remove manure and rocks. Debris can affect weight.

4. Have your livestock scale calibrated frequently. While you might clean your scale, and have it installed correctly, that does not mean it will not require a calibration. Cattle scale servicing is a critical component of proper maintenance. Regular maintenance depends on the manufacturer’s instructions, but in most cases, you will want to re-calibrate and service monthly or quarterly.

Start with the Right Cattle Scales in Calgary, Red Deer, and Surrounding Cities To ensure your livestock business is off to the right start, purchase your cattle scale from Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. We offer all-weather use livestock scales that come with a farm bar so that your scale remains level and as accurate as possible. Calibrating and balancing is done at the factory level to ensure that any installation errors are few and far between. Furthermore, our team can come out and perform cattle scale maintenance monthly or quarterly to keep your scale accurate. We offer portable group animal scales as well, which allows you to take your scale on the road and not sacrifice accuracy or efficiency. We offer scale packages ranging from 2,500 pounds to as high as 10,000 pounds.

Contact our sales team today at 403-250-3232 to schedule a consultation or to learn more about cattle scale maintenance. You may also request a quote online for your new livestock scales in Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and surrounding cities by filling out our contact form.

Your livestock scale is a significant investment for your farm, and while winter slows down your business, you do not shut down because of the snow and colder temperatures.

Most likely, you have your livestock scales outdoors; therefore, now is the time to prepare them for the chills and moisture that comes with winter, so that your scale is ready to go again in the spring. Expert Tips for Managing Scales in the Winter Livestock scales are not easy to move in and out when the temperature changes. They are installed and primed specifically for their installation spot. Therefore, you must prepare your livestock scale for winter where it sits. To do so properly, consider the following:

• Cover the Scale – Will you use your scale in the winter? If so, consider placing a temporary cover over the scale, such as a heavy-duty canopy.

• Consider a Permanent Relocation – While having a livestock scale installed outdoors might make it more convenient when herding livestock for weight, it could prove beneficial to do a permanent relocation indoors. Consider moving your stationary scale into a barn or covered structure so that it is not frequently exposed to the elements.

• Clean the Scale – When putting away your portable or stationary scales for the winter, you want to put them away in a clean state. Allowing dirt, animal debris, and grime to cake and dry over the winter can be detrimental to your scale’s precision.

• Disconnect Electrical Components – While your scale is not in use, disconnect any electrical components so that moisture introduced does not cause a short or electrical shock.

• Upgrade Load Bars – Now is the perfect time to upgrade the scales you have with new load bars, especially those that are fully water resistant. Also, if your indicators are outdated, consider replacing them with the latest models.

Schedule a Professional Calibration for Winter on Your Alberta Scales Whether you are putting your scale away for winter or you relocated it indoors for the colder temperatures, now is the time to bring in the professionals for a calibration. As a livestock owner, it is imperative that your scale is accurate, which means calibrating the unit monthly or anytime the unit has been moved. At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., our team will come out to your farm or facility and inspect your scale. We offer full-scale servicing and maintenance, including calibrations. Our team can install upgraded components, help relocate your scale and calibrate it for use, and repair your livestock scales as needed. To keep your scales working at their best year-round, consider signing up for our pre-scheduled maintenance contracts. On a contract, our team comes out to your farm regularly, services and calibrates your livestock scales, and performs repairs as needed. This ensures your equipment meets all trade requirements right through the year. Contact our technicians today at 403-250-3232 to schedule a service appointment for livestock scales in Calgary. You can also request a quote online for a new livestock scale or instrument by using our contact form.

Taxes are collected on trade items based on weight. Weigh stations also help the government monitor how heavy trucks are passing through the country to ensure that vehicles stay safe on the road. To ensure your company is following Measurement Canada standards, you need an accurate axle scale at your facility.

Typically, scales measure in two elements: axle weight and gross weight. Axle weight refers to the total weight carried by each axle of the truck, while gross weight refers to the total weight of all axles. To measure properly, you need a truck scale. These scales are designed specifically to handle the substantial weight of a large-scale truck, including cargo, and work year-round. When shopping for truck scales in Alberta, you will notice that you have multiple types. Therefore, you need to know what you are looking at, what applications work for what types of scales, and the choices available. The Different Types of Truck Scales in Alberta You Can Buy There are three main types of truck scales. Each type has their use; therefore, pick a scale based on your specific application.

1. Load Cell Scale – The load cell scale is the most common type. Each cell is constructed from steel or another type of strong material. Then, a strain gauge is placed inside the cells with wires. These wires transmit a current and measure the weight based on the compression of the cells. Then, it calculates the weight of the object based on compression. Load cells are typically used on platform scales.

2. Bending Plate Scale – Using a series of metal plates and gauges, these plates measure the stress applied to them to decide the weight of the object. The sum of the stress on each plate is added for a total weight. Bending plates are best if you can bring your trucks to a full stop for weight.

3. Piezoelectric Scale – Using a series of piezoelectric sensors, the pressure on the scale that is altered sends voltage through the electrical conductor. The sensors measure the voltage and calculate total weight based on the voltage amount.

Which Scales Make Sense for Your Business? Deciding between these three main types comes down to your needs specifically. If you want trucks to drive over the application, and install it permanently so that you have a seamless integration, consider pad scales. Pad scales can be installed above or below ground for pit-installed weights. Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. offers pad axle scales, portable truck scales, and even side rail truck scales so that you can find the right application for you. We proudly carry scales for Swift Current customers, and we offer maintenance packages so that you can maximize your investment. Contact our sales professionals today at 403-250-3232 to review your options for scales in Swift Current. You may also request a quote for new truck scales in the Alberta area by filling out this online contact form.

When a product is being weighed either for materials added to a batch or for distribution, it is imperative that the scale to be used is correctly calibrated. The value of inspections and regular precision scale calibration is that it ensures you get the most out of your facility’s scale.

After all, a product that costs $10 per pound with an average of 1,000 pounds weighted on the scale comes out to $10,000 in value. If the scale had a calibration issue of 0.5 percent, that would cost your company $50 per day. Eventually, that $50 per day adds up in losses that will significantly impact your bottom line. When is the Proper Time for a Precision Scale Calibration Precision scales are highly accurate, but still require proper calibration at regular intervals and maintenance to operate at peak performance. Deciding when to calibrate is easy when you know the signs to look for, and also the requirements. Consider the following when thinking about when to schedule your Precision Scale services:

• Legal for Trade – If your business buys or sells products based on weight, you are required to calibrate your scales. You must meet all weight scale requirements and standards set by Measurement Canada. Your company is likely to be inspected, and if your scale is found to be out of calibration or tolerance, you may be required to shut down until your scales meet the proper requirements.

• Time and Use Factor – The longer and more frequently your scale is used, the more it is likely to face calibration issues. After all, time and use affect accuracy. The error, at first, might be minor. However, that mistake margin will continue to grow. If you weigh thousands or even hundreds of products per day at a capacity of 50 percent or more, then you should have your scale calibrated quarterly – ideally, monthly.

• Movement of Scales – How often do you relocate your scale in your facility? If you move your scales around frequently, this will affect the calibration.

• Environment – The environment of your scales also matters. If they are used in a packing production environment or subjected to moisture and cold temperatures, they require more frequent calibration than dry conditions.

Schedule servicing for your Precision Scales with your Certified Local Professionals Your company cannot risk having a scale that is out of calibration. A few percentages off will eventually turn into hundreds of dollars of potential profit lost. At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. we have service team members who are highly skilled and have completed training in the latest electronic scales. For your precision scale needs near Swift Current, have our team come to your location monthly or quarterly to inspect and calibrate. We ensure that all units are to specifications required by the Weights & Measures Act, and we can do on-site installations for scales and other measurement devices when necessary.

Contact our technicians today at 403-250-3232 to schedule a service or calibration for your precision scales. You may also request a quote online for a new precision scale by filling out our contact form.

While you might use industrial scales every day for your business, you may not necessarily need to buy them.

The decision to rent or purchase weighing equipment depends on the circumstances specific to your company. In many cases, owning a weighing system makes sense. In other situations, renting your scales is a more logical and cost effective option. Weighing the Options: How to Choose Between Scale Rental or Purchase To determine the best choice for your business, you will need to consider a variety of details. If you are trying to decide whether to buy or rent scales, here are some of the top factors to think about:

• Available Funds – You might want to purchase a weighing system for your company, but do you have the funds available to do this? If you are barely keeping the doors open, you might want to consider renting the scales you need. You can always buy the equipment you need later when your business is more profitable.

• Lower Overall Cost – If you have the funds needed and are concerned with overall cost, buying your scales could be the better option. This is particularly true if you plan to use your scales for a long time. The initial price for such equipment could be less than the amount you would pay over a considerable length of time.

• Maintenance Responsibility – When you rent weighing equipment, you typically do not need to worry about paying for the maintenance yourself. Upkeep may be part of the rental contract, leaving you with less responsibility and expense.

• Proper Fleet Management – If you operate a fleet of trucks and can take on the task of managing equipment, purchasing your scales could be the right solution. You will have more control over the usage of your weighing systems.

• Upgrade Capacity – Buying your scales means that you will not always be able to upgrade when you wish. Renting the equipment you need may be a wiser strategy if you plan to upgrade on a regular basis.

• Seasonal or Temporary Need – You should certainly consider renting if your need for equipment is temporary. When your business only requires a weighing system for a short time, buying it does not make sense. When you suspect that your requirement might be short-lived, it is wise to consider renting the scales initially. If that need changes and you require commercial scales on a long-term basis, you might then wish to buy them.

Scales to Meet Your Requirements in Alberta Professional and industrial scales are used for a broad variety of purposes. We at Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. are delighted to help you meet your business needs. We provide both small and large weighing systems. Depending on your circumstances, you can rent or buy our weighing products. Please keep in mind that some scales, such as crane scales, are not legal for trade; therefore, they can only be calibrated and not certified.

If you have questions about certifying or calibrating your scales, you can call us at 403-250-3232. We provide scales in Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Swift Current, Alberta. Do not hesitate to complete our online contact form for more information.