A Brief Guide on Hanging Scales

Proper weights and measurements can mean profits or losses for a business. There are many different types of hanging scales that are ideal for industrial, commercial, or agricultural trading, and also for a host of other purposes.
As one of the leaders in the scale industry, Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. ensures that all products and services are in compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements. In fact, the technicians at Accurate/Western Scale are accredited to “certify” scale systems on behalf of Measurement Canada.


Although there are many hundreds of different types of scales available to buy, it is easy to narrow your choice down to a few possibilities by considering the following points.

What is the basic type of scale you need? Agricultural, commercial, industrial, medical, or retail – as example, Medical scales must be ‘Class III approved’ when used in relation to medication, treatment or diagnosis, and gold and jewellery trade MUST have ‘Class II Approval’.

Do the scales need to be ‘Trade Approved’? If the use of the scales is going to be the ‘deciding factor’ in the actual price charged to a customer for the weighed items, the scale must be ‘Trade Approved’, also known as ‘Stamped’, ‘Weights & Measures Approved’ or ’Class III Approved’.

What is the heaviest amount that the scales will have to weigh? Allow a fair margin of extra capacity, up to 40 percent is recommended.

What accuracy do you need? Accuracy in scales is called their ‘division size’, and this is the minimum weight ‘difference’ that the scale can display as the weight on the pan increases.

What size of weigh-pan will be required? The weigh-pan should be large enough to accommodate anything that the scale is required to weigh, although some ‘overhang’ is fine if the item being weighed does not touch anything except the weigh-pan.

Do you require ‘Certification’ of the scales? In certain circumstances, an ISO accredited company for instance, will probably be required to have their scales certificated. Accurate Western Scale Co. Ltd can provide the necessary official printed certificate stating that they have been calibrated using weights traceable to national standards.

Contact Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. for All Your Hanging Scale Needs in Calgary
Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. carries a variety of crane scale options from a weighing system large enough to weigh trucks and livestock, or you need a scale small enough to fit the countertop of your retail shop. If you’re ready to get started, we invite you to give us a call at 403-250-3232 or request a quote. We offer 24/7 Emergency Service and all our repair work is guaranteed.Proper weights and measurements can mean profits or losses for a business. There are many different types of hanging scales that are ideal for industrial, commercial, or agricultural trading, and also for a host of other purposes.
As one of the leaders in the scale industry, Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. ensures that all products and services are in compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements. In fact, the technicians at Accurate/Western Scale are accredited to “certify” scale systems on behalf of Measurement Canada.

Although there are many hundreds of different types of scales available to buy, it is easy to narrow your choice down to a few possibilities by considering the following points.

What is the basic type of scale you need? Agricultural, commercial, industrial, medical, or retail – as example, Medical scales must be ‘Class III approved’ when used in relation to medication, treatment or diagnosis, and gold and jewellery trade MUST have ‘Class II Approval’.

Do the scales need to be ‘Trade Approved’? If the use of the scales is going to be the ‘deciding factor’ in the actual price charged to a customer for the weighed items, the scale must be ‘Trade Approved’, also known as ‘Stamped’, ‘Weights & Measures Approved’ or ’Class III Approved’.

What is the heaviest amount that the scales will have to weigh? Allow a fair margin of extra capacity, up to 40 percent is recommended.

What accuracy do you need? Accuracy in scales is called their ‘division size’, and this is the minimum weight ‘difference’ that the scale can display as the weight on the pan increases.

What size of weigh-pan will be required? The weigh-pan should be large enough to accommodate anything that the scale is required to weigh, although some ‘overhang’ is fine if the item being weighed does not touch anything except the weigh-pan.

Do you require ‘Certification’ of the scales? In certain circumstances, an ISO accredited company for instance, will probably be required to have their scales certificated. Accurate Western Scale Co. Ltd can provide the necessary official printed certificate stating that they have been calibrated using weights traceable to national standards.

Contact Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. for All Your Hanging Scale Needs in Calgary Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. carries a variety of crane scale options from a weighing system large enough to weigh trucks and livestock, or you need a scale small enough to fit the countertop of your retail shop. If you’re ready to get started, we invite you to give us a call at 403-250-3232 or request a quote. We offer 24/7 Emergency Service and all our repair work is guaranteed.

Importance of Animal Scales

If you’re a rancher in Alberta, chances are you, and your herd, can benefit for the use livestock scales. Viewed as a luxury by some cattlemen, others consider them a necessary piece of equipment. This difference in perceptions is related to the size of the operation, herd health, and some sound business principles. A livestock scale’s importance depends upon the ranch management goals, and selected herd performance measurements.
The use of livestock scales are indicated when weights at birth, weaning, and yearling ages are important expected progeny difference (EPD) measurements, so livestock scales are a must for seedstock producers. Scales will probably pay for themselves on large commercial operations if dewormers or antibiotics are used on a regular basis. Many medications require an animal’s actual weight for dosage calculation. Scales can provide cost savings in preventing either overdosing or by preventing increased morbidity due to underdosing. 

Regardless of size, producers must be able to identify the current status of their operation in order to make adjustments toward improvement cow culling, a key management tool for herd improvement and identify poorer-producing cows within a herd, essential beginning with birth weight as the starting point for measuring growth. 

What are Livestock Scales?

Livestock scales are composed of three primary parts – indicator, platform and load bars:Indicators allow recording and viewing complete animal history while cattle are being weighed. Reports and graphs can be designed right on the indicators.Weighing platforms are usually made of aluminium with skid-resistant surfaces. The aluminium makes them durable, lightweight and easy to clean.Load bars, containing sensors, are designed for use with platforms, crates, cages, in alleyways or in squeeze chutes.

The purchase price must fit the ranch budget and the scale must result in a positive change in profits for it to be a wise buying decision. The use of livestock scales provides accurate data that farmers can use to make good decisions on the management of their farms. These decisions include the supply of feed to each animal and the most appropriate date of selling it for maximum profitability- today tracking the performance of your animals is essential.

Contact Accurate/Western Scale Co Ltd for a Wide Range of Livestock Scales in Alberta

Beef, buffalo, lamb, pork, and other livestock operations can benefit from the use of scales. Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. offers both multi and single animal scale systems originally patented by NORAC®, now Rice Lake Weighing.

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. carries a variety of livestock scale options with weighing system large enough to weigh any livestock. If you’re ready to get started, we invite you to give us a call at 403-250-3232 or request a quote. We offer 24/7 Emergency Service and all our repair work is guaranteed.If you’re a rancher in Alberta, chances are you, and your herd, can benefit for the use livestock scales. Viewed as a luxury by some cattlemen, others consider them a necessary piece of equipment. This difference in perceptions is related to the size of the operation, herd health, and some sound business principles. A livestock scale’s importance depends upon the ranch management goals, and selected herd performance measurements.
The use of livestock scales are indicated when weights at birth, weaning, and yearling ages are important expected progeny difference (EPD) measurements, so livestock scales are a must for seedstock producers. Scales will probably pay for themselves on large commercial operations if dewormers or antibiotics are used on a regular basis. Many medications require an animal’s actual weight for dosage calculation. Scales can provide cost savings in preventing either overdosing or by preventing increased morbidity due to underdosing. Regardless of size, producers must be able to identify the current status of their operation in order to make adjustments toward improvement cow culling, a key management tool for herd improvement and identify poorer-producing cows within a herd, essential beginning with birth weight as the starting point for measuring growth.

What are Livestock Scales?

Livestock scales are composed of three primary parts – indicator, platform and load bars:

  • Indicators allow recording and viewing complete animal history while cattle are being weighed. Reports and graphs can be designed right on the indicators.

  • Weighing platforms are usually made of aluminium with skid-resistant surfaces. The aluminium makes them durable, lightweight and easy to clean.

  • Load bars, containing sensors, are designed for use with platforms, crates, cages, in alleyways or in squeeze chutes.

The purchase price must fit the ranch budget and the scale must result in a positive change in profits for it to be a wise buying decision. The use of livestock scales provides accurate data that farmers can use to make good decisions on the management of their farms. These decisions include the supply of feed to each animal and the most appropriate date of selling it for maximum profitability- today tracking the performance of your animals is essential.

Contact Accurate/Western Scale Co Ltd for a Wide Range of Livestock Scales in Alberta

Beef, buffalo, lamb, pork, and other livestock operations can benefit from the use of scales. Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. offers both multi and single animal scale systems originally patented by NORAC®, now Rice Lake Weighing.

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. carries a variety of livestock scale options with weighing system large enough to weigh any livestock. If you’re ready to get started, we invite you to give us a call at 403-250-3232 or request a quote. We offer 24/7 Emergency Service and all our repair work is guaranteed.

5 Ways to Pick the Right Counting Scales for Your Business in Calgary

Labour remains the largest cost of doing business and manually counting parts or pieces can be tiring and mistakes may occur, particularly if the quantity is large. Counting scales are devices used to count parts, which saves you time and money. The operation of counting scales is rather simple and calls for no special skills.

Counting scales come in various models, sizes, capacities and prices with standard features to suit all types of customers such as floor, platform, or bench scales. In short, most counting scales are special scales used to convert weight information into count information – with a minimum of three displays – the first to show the overall weight, the second to show the piece weight, and the third to show the quantity counted. Many counting scales also have rechargeable battery and low battery indicator. The benefits of a counting scale include:

  • Speed

  • Easy to use

  • Short set up time

  • More accurate results in less time than other methods

Most counting scales have the facility to tell how much each individual item weighs and use an average piece weight (APW) to determine the number of parts on the scale. The scale then calculates the APW, so when an unknown quantity is placed on the scale, it determines exactly how many are there. Some counting scales are designed to work with label or ticket printers. Ethernet modules are available with high counting system to integrate the needs of all types of customers and manufacturing units. These kinds of scales are now found in industries, laboratories, and retail stores all over the world. This instrument is capable of wide applications of numbering of different products. Counting scales are used across the industrial spectrum for:

  • Receiving : Making sure you receive the number of parts you ordered.

  • Production packaging and shipping : Ensuring that only the correct number of parts – not too many or too few – go into your box. This can avoid customer complaints and/or costly product giveaway.

  • Warehouse : Making inventory quick and easy, especially for smaller parts.

Trust Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. for Your Counting Scales in Calgary
Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. also offers counting scales, which can be a great and effective way to check the total weight, unit weight, and number of parts that you have of an item. Incorporated in January, 1992, Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. currently occupies a 1500 sq. ft. facility in Calgary including a service bay as well as sales and administration offices. Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. is co-owned by Western Scale of Port Coquitlam, BC, one of the largest scale manufacturers in Canada. To learn more about counting scales, our company, the quality of service we provide, or to get a quote, contact us today.

What are the Advantages of Renting Scales for your Business in Calgary?

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. offers an option to either purchase or rent a scale system – either large enough to weigh trucks, or small enough to fit the countertop of your retail shop. This is a business decision that can affect your return on investment (ROI) so you need to compare the economics of renting versus buying as well as the factors that determine which makes more sense for YOUR business.

One of the key reasons for renting is that your initial outlay of cash to gain the use of an asset is generally less for renting than it is for purchasing. The main advantage of purchasing is that you may end up paying out less in the long term than you would have paid if you rented. One way to reconcile this is to do a mathematical analysis of your net cash flows that would result from renting and from purchasing. A cash flow analysis provides an estimate of how much cash you would need to set aside today to cover the after-tax costs of each acquisition alternative. To perform the analysis, you need to know or assume certain facts, including:

  • purchase price and financing terms

  • rental agreement terms and conditions

  • your combined federal and provincial tax rate

  • the scale’s expected useful life to your business, for depreciation purposes

  • the scale’s estimated value, when you sell it, or at the end of its useful life to your business

  • your cost of capital

  • any other costs that you would incur if you rented the scale but not if you purchased it, or vice versa (for example, maintenance costs).

Other decision-making factors supporting purchasing include long-term cost, yearly taxation depreciation deductions, and control – if you rent you’ll need permission for modifications. Factors supporting renting or leasing include cash flow, maintenance, and business mobility – you may need more or less space, your target market may have moved elsewhere, or better-suited locations may become available.

Things to Remember When Renting Scales
If you do decide to rent or lease, consider a renewal option that entitles you to renew the lease for a specified period and a specified rent. Most leases also include late payment provisions that impose additional charges if you fail to pay the rent when it’s due or within a specified grace period. If your business experiences seasonal or irregular sales activity, try negotiating a flexible rental rate that corresponds to the changes in your cash flow. You also need to negotiate any increases in rent over a specified time period, termination of the lease, and maintenance requirement as well as who is responsible for them.

Call Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. for Scales Rentals in Calgary
As business owners, we face many decisions daily. If a requirement is for scales as part of your business plan then contact Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. at 403-250-3232 today to learn more about our company, the quality of service we provide, or to get a quote.

How Can Custom Axle Weighing Scales Benefit Your Business?

Just in time delivery changed the North American transportation system, putting pressure on operators and their vehicles to increase efficiency, and sometimes volume of materials delivered at a time. The immediate result was more accidents and dumped loads as the industry and regulators got a better handle on goods transport. A big part of that were inspections but, equally, a better understanding of load distribution per axle on trucks and trailers. This is determined by the vehicle’s or trailer’s gross axle weight rating.

According to the Ford Motor Company, a vehicle’s gross axle weight rating, or GAWR, is the specific weight determined by the manufacturer to be the maximum allowable weight that can be placed on an individual axle. Front and rear axles have individual gross axle weight ratings. A vehicle’s axles should never be loaded beyond the manufacturer’s listed GAWR.

Alberta Transportation’s Weight and Dimensions Regulations provides information for the trucking industry about the weight and dimension regulations in Alberta. Legal weights and dimensions are needed to balance the capacity and geometric capabilities of the vehicle’s infrastructure with maximum economic benefits while ensuring road safety. These provincial regulations concerning legal weights and dimensions in the trucking industry are available for purchase in paper and electronic format through the Alberta Queen’s Printer Bookstore under the Traffic Safety Act and the Motor Vehicle Registration Act.

Why Is Adhering to Regulations for Axle Weights Important?
Safety is the primary reason for manufacturers to place a limit on how much weight each axle can carry. Overloading a vehicle of any kind – including a trailer – is dangerous. Heavy loads are always difficult to control on the road, but if that heavy load is unevenly distributed between the axles or even overloaded on one side of an axle, the problem will only be magnified including:

  • The vehicle’s brake system will not be as effective;

  • Rear tires may not be able to handle the extra weight, potentially causing a blowout; and

  • Overloaded and overstressed components within the vehicle’s rear suspension system could bend or even break, causing you to lose control on the road.

Additionally, there are several rules for safe towing and hauling including:

  • Ensuring the gross average weight never surpasses the GAWR on any vehicle;

  • Balancing your load, keeping it as close to the cab as possible so the frame will distribute the load to both axles, simple physics;

  • Taking your time when fully loaded – braking will take you longer to stop, driving faster makes that distance even longer, and turning too fast can cause the load to shift which can mean a lost load or a rolled truck or trailer; and,

  • Securing your load.

Contact Accurate/Western Scales Co. Ltd. for Axle Weighing Scales in Calgary When axle weight distribution is essential to your business and the safety of your operators, Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. has the easy to install and maintain axle scales you need. Scales are offered in permanent and portable designs. For purchases, maintenance needs, or questions about your industrial and professional scales needs call us at 403-250-3232 today.

How to Find the Right Calgary Truck Scales for Your Facility

Truck scales are essential for your road cargo or transportation business. Choosing the right one will depend on a few factors, and it is important to select one that will meet your industry and company’s specific needs.

Steps for Selecting the Right Weighbridge
An unsuitable truck scale that does not serve your requirements will not only hinder your business, but could also mean your business breaks transportation regulations, thus creating a costly problem. Some steps to follow when picking out a truck scale include:

  1. Consider the Configuration – There are numerous configurations with a truck scale. However, you will need to choose between three general categories: full-length scales, single-axle scales and multi-axle scales. If you are weighing for commercial trade, you may want a multi-axle or full-length scale.

  2. The Installation Style – You can then choose between a pit-style and an above-ground weighing station. To use a pit-style weighbridge, you will need to excavate the ground and install a pit within the road’s surface. Above-ground scales are often more popular because they require less installation and ground preparation and they are easier to maintain and service.

  3. Reliability – There are a few factors that can influence your truck scale’s reliability and accuracy. For example, cell load systems that use quick disconnects instead of cables can be serviced more quickly. You also want a scale that protects cell load connection cables to prevent unnecessary downtime.

  4. Maintenance – You do not want to be stuck with a truck scale that requires constant maintenance or costs thousands per year in repairs.

  5. Overall Style – There are a few styles to choose from with your truck scale. Portable truck scales are ideal if your business needs to relocate to job sites and weigh rigs on the job. Flat-top truck scales are ideal for custom manufacturers. Combination truck and rail scales provide a single scale that is capable of weighing both types of rigs and include dual tandem axle weighing.

Buying Suitable Calgary Truck Scales Starts with the Right Vendor
There are dozens of choices and configurations when it comes to a truck scale. Whether you need to weigh cargo before transporting it or you need to weigh recyclable materials as they arrive at your facility, the quality and installation of the scale you purchase is critical. Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. offers various scale designs suited to the needs of your company and industry.

Learn more about our scale products or receive a free quote. Give us a call at 403-250-3232. Fill out an online contact form for more information on our truck scales in Calgary.