Regular maintenance ensures your industrial weigh scales are accurate and prevents downtime due to repairs, which ultimately saves you money. Here are a few things you can do to take better care of your scales and avoid costly repairs.

Assign an employee to check the scale regularly and look for dirt and debris buildup, bent or kinked cables and structural defects like cracks or rust. Have the employee report any faults so they can get repaired before your scale stops working completely.

2. Store the scale properly

At the end of the day, ensure your scales are stored safely and securely, away from high-traffic areas with a high risk of collision or accident. Moreover, if your work site is particularly dusty and dirty, cover your scale to keep it clean while you’re not using it.

3. Clean the scale regularly

Factories, warehouses and shipping yards are rife with dust, powders and debris that can get inside the scale and disrupt the electronic mechanisms. Debris accumulation on the scale platform can also cause inaccurate measurements. Ensure someone on the job site is assigned to clean the scale daily, including removing the load plate, if necessary, and cleaning underneath. If there’s a spill, clean the scale before using it again.

To ensure an effective clean without damaging your scale, use only cleaning agents recommended by the manufacturer.

4. Avoid misusing the scale

Misusing your scale can stress out the inner mechanisms and cause your scale to fail. Placing loads on the platform that are heavier than the scale’s capacity will overload the scale and damage the load cells. Moreover, failing to follow the manufacturer’s instructions by placing loads over the platform’s edge or failing to zero the scale before weighing will result in inaccurate measurements.

5. Schedule regular professional maintenance

Regular inspections by an experienced scale technician will ensure trouble-free performance. A certified technician can inspect and calibrate your scale and make any adjustments, catching minor issues before they lead to expensive repairs. Many reputable scale companies offer pre-scheduled maintenance plans, so managers and supervisors don’t have to worry about the last time the scales had a checkup.

Industrial scale maintenance and repair services in Alberta

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. provides industrial scale maintenance and scale repair services to clients throughout Alberta. We also offer a pre-scheduled maintenance plan where we’ll schedule your scale inspections for you. Contact us today to book an appointment with one of our scale technicians.

Accurate, dependable truck scales are essential for the safety of your drivers and your trucks. If you operate a business in the construction, mining or agricultural sector, inaccurate or inconsistent measurements can equate to profit losses. Every kilogram counts.

Benefits of portable truck scales Most industries use portable truck scales because they have a number of advantages over other types of scales. Here are just four.

1. Mobility. Portable truck scales can go just about anywhere. They’re easy to transport and install, and you can move them quickly from one location to another. Mobility is a considerable advantage because you can bring the scales to your trucks rather than the other way around. It means you can better ensure your trucks are safely loaded before they go anywhere, preventing potential fines and excessive wear and tear on your fleet.

2. Ease of use. Today’s portable truck scales are so easy to use, you don’t need special training to operate them. This will save you time and money.

3. Durability. Portable truck scales are tough and can withstand heavy-duty use in the most hostile environments. Even on uneven terrain, today’s portable truck scales can give you accurate and dependable readings. Many scales come with overload protection features.

4. Simple design. Most portable truck scales come with detachable ramps, which makes weighing easier. They also don’t take up a lot of storage space due to their compact design and convenient size.

Types of portable truck scales

There are two basic types of portable truck scales: portable axle scales and portable wheel weighers. Portable axle scales are incredibly flexible. They come in different sizes and weight capacities to suit any industry need. They’re low-profile and remarkably accurate. They’re small and lightweight enough that a single person can move them around. They can weigh axles individually or together. Portable wheel weighers, on the other hand, are simple systems consisting of small, lightweight load cells connected to an easy-to-read digital display housed in a portable casing. The advantage of portable wheel weighers is that trucks can pass over the load cells without stopping. Despite its small size, the scale is incredibly accurate and can handle the heaviest trucks.

Portable truck scales in Alberta

At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we have a variety of fixed and portable truck scales for sale and rent. We regularly update our inventory with state-of-the-art industrial scales that meet the diverse needs of our Alberta customers. Our truck scales are made in Western Canada and are legal for trade. We’re certified by Measurement Canada for our scale inspection, installation and repair services. To get a free quote on our industrial portable truck scales, contact us at our Calgary location.

A superior beer requires a perfect combination of barley, hops, malt and yeast. A single miscalculation or mistake can alter the brew’s taste and properties. Therefore, breweries require precise scales to ensure quality and consistency. Here’s what you need to know.

Why breweries need scales

Each type of beer has a unique flavour, colour, international bitterness unit (IBU) and alcohol content (ABV). The tiniest recipe variations can change any one of these attributes. So when a brew is perfected, the precise amount of each ingredient must be logged and adhered to. Breweries measure each ingredient with scales so they can recreate their recipes time and time again. Scales also help breweries determine the quantity of each ingredient to buy, therefore minimizing waste.

How breweries use scales

Breweries use scales at every step of the brewing process to weigh the following:

• Supplies as they arrive

• Ingredients introduced to the brew

• Bottles, cans and kegs as they’re filled

• Shipments before they’re delivered

Which kinds of scales breweries need

Production levels determine which scales are required by a brewery, but all require more than one type. Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing a scale.

• Microbreweries. Brewers creating small, one-off batches or seasonal recipes need a precision balance to measure hops, yeast, spices and other ingredients. Bench scales and floor scales are required for bottling and filling kegs.

• Industrial breweries. Large, international brewers use platform scales for shipping and to weigh big batches of beer. Hopper and tank scales are employed to measure how much barley and/or wheat is needed. In some cases, truck scales are used for shipping goods and receiving large quantities of supplies.

What to look for in a scale No matter what size the brewery is, a scale’s IP rating can’t be ignored. This measurement determines how dust-tight and liquid-resistant a scale’s housing is. Breweries are messy places with plenty of dust, powders and liquid messes. A scale with a high IP rating (i.e. IP67) means you can spray it down without damaging it, allowing you to more easily keep your brewery clean and hygienic.

Why scale certification is a must The Canadian government requires all businesses that sell products by weight to use scales certified by Measurement Canada. Regular inspections and testing ensure the accuracy and integrity of trade measurement.

Commercial and industrial scales in Calgary At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we offer a wide selection of industrial scales, including floor scales, forklift scales, checkweighers and more. We also provide customized solutions and scale rental. We distribute certified scales across Alberta, including Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Brooks and Swift Current, SK. To learn more contact us today.