4 benefits of using scales on farms

The agricultural industry is varied and requires an array of specialized tools. Besides tractors, trucks, and hay bailers, farmers must use scales to maximize their profits, track production and follow the law. The truth is modern farms would be unable to operate without scales. Here are four benefits of using scales on farms.

1. Weigh livestock

Farmers weigh livestock like cows, horses, sheep and pigs to help keep them healthy. For example, livestock scales help farmers determine the amount of food and water each animal needs. Scales also help determine the correct dosage of medicine and supplements. Sharp or unexpected changes in weight can be a sign of sickness or disease.

Moreover, farmers use livestock scales to identify when animals are ready for breeding. Additionally, weighing calves can help determine when to wean them. Farmers buy and sell livestock by weight. Therefore, accurate measurements can significantly impact their profits.

2. Measure feed

Livestock farmers must weigh the feed they give their animals. For example, farmers use hanging scales to weigh hay bales and beam scales to weigh corn. Accurately weighing feed ensures animals get the nutrition they need and reduces waste, maximizing profits.

3. Assess crop yields

Grain farmers need to know how much their fields are producing during harvest. Therefore, they often use truck scales, hopper scales and floor scales to measure the produce coming off their fields. Farmers also use weight data to determine storage space and estimate potential revenue. Additionally, farmers require accurate weight measurements when transporting grain. This ensures they’re carrying loads within legal limits.

4. Measure fertilizer and seed

Farmers routinely buy seeds, fertilizers and pesticides to grow their crops. These products are bought and sold by weight. Therefore, accurate measurements ensure farmers get what they pay for. Moreover, using certified weight scales establishes trust along the supply chain. Lastly, farms of all sizes are legally required to use scales to buy and sell their goods. For example, if selling by weight, vegetable farmers are required by law to use certified scales to sell produce at farmers’ markets or to chefs and restaurant owners.

Livestock scale sales and service in Calgary

At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we have a weight scale for every agricultural need. Whether you’re weighing cows, grain or fertilizer, we have a scale to help streamline your operations. Many of our models can even tolerate harsh Alberta weather. We’re also authorized to certify scales as legal for trade by Measurement Canada. To learn more, contact us at our Calgary location.

5 advantages of using crane scales

Crane scales make weighing large, bulky objects safe and easy. They can be used in a variety of commercial industries, including construction and shipping. Here’s an overview of how crane scales work and five advantages of using one in your business.

How crane scales work Crane scales are attached to a crane’s hook via a steel shackle. The scale consists of a load cell housed in die-cast aluminum housing and an industrial-strength hook that hangs from the bottom. Despite their small size, they have impressive weighing capacities. Benefits of using a crane scale Here are some of the benefits of using a crane scale.

Save space. Crane scales are surprisingly small. For example, a single person can easily detach the scale and store it away. Their compact size makes them perfect for industrial job sites with limited storage space. In fact, floor and truck scales take up much more space than crane scales.
Save time. A crane scale can be taken to the item you need to weigh. Consequently, this can save valuable time loading, unloading and moving objects. Using a crane scale also improves efficiency because you can weigh an object while moving it around the job site.
Make weighing safer. Using crane scales to weigh large objects reduces the risk of injury and property damage. Additionally, crane scales have easy-to-read digital displays and remote controls, so users can take measurements from far away.
Weigh heavy items. Crane scales can weigh large items that other scales can’t. For example, they can weigh loads between 50,000 and 200,000 kilograms — that’s the weight of a locomotive! In addition, crane scales are highly accurate. For instance, some models boast 0.1 percent accuracy.

Easily weigh cumbersome objects. Thanks to their unique design, crane scales can weigh just about anything from a rhinoceros to a backhoe. All you need is a secure place to attach the hook. You can even weigh an object off the back of a truck. If you need help choosing the right crane scale for your commercial business, the team at Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. can help. Crane and hanging scale services in Calgary, Alberta At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we carry a wide range of crane and hanging scales. Additionally, our scale certifications and inspection services are accredited by Measurement Canada. We also offer a variety of scale rentals for customers in Calgary and throughout Alberta. For more information or to request a free quote, contact us today.

What’s the difference between a platform scale and a floor scale?

Platform and floor scales are the most common in commercial and industrial businesses. While similar in many ways, platform and floor scales have critical differences to consider before you choose a new scale for your business. Here are some of their key features to help you determine what type of scale is best for you.

Floor scales

Floor scales are an asset for companies that need to weigh pallets, ingredients for manufacturing plants, loads for shipping and more. They’re best suited for weighing heavy loads and large objects, with a capacity of between 18,000 and 36,000 kilograms. They have a lower profile than other scales, which makes it easier to place items on the scale. Most models also come with ramps, making loading and unloading even more manageable.

The main advantages of floor scales include the following:

High-capacity weighing
Heavy-duty, highly durable construction ideal for manufacturing conditions
Low profile for ease of use
Versatility — floor scales can be combined with accessories such as cages for large animals or containers for cargo

Floor scales are popular for retailers, farms, zoos, shipyards, warehouses and factories. However, they’ll take up a lot of space on the factory floor. They can be as large as 2.5 by 3.5 metres.

Platform scales

Platform scales are perfect for warehouses and factories but can work in almost any industrial environment. However, their weighing capacity is lower than floor scales, and the platform sits much higher off the ground. They can weigh loads between 1,000 and 3,000 kilograms and can also weigh large, awkwardly shaped objects.

Platform scales provide fast, accurate measurements, increased productivity and fewer shipping or overload errors. They’re easy to use and allow your business to operate more efficiently. For example, a forklift driver can set a loaded pallet on the platform, make a quick measurement and then pick it up again.

Another benefit of platform scales is that they take up less space than a floor scale. Moreover, most models have wheels, so you can move them around the factory floor and stow them away when not in use. Platform scales are affordable, effective and convenient.

Floor scale and platform scale sales and service in Alberta

Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. offers a wide range of durable but precise floor scales and platform scales for your commercial or industrial property. We also provide floor and platform scale rental services, an affordable alternative if you need a scale only a few times a year. Contact us today at our facility in Calgary, Alberta, to learn more about our inventory and services.

Guide to scales for the cannabis industry in Alberta

Since cannabis was legalized in Alberta in 2018, retailers and dispensaries have been opening throughout the province. Weigh scales and precision balances are essential and legally required tools in marijuana production and sales. Here’s what you need to know about scales in Alberta’s cannabis industry.

Types of scales in the cannabis industry

Two common types of scales in the cannabis industry are weigh scales and precision balances. Scales traditionally measure weight, and balances measure mass. However, today’s technology has blurred the lines between the two.

Nevertheless, a precision balance is suited for measuring tiny amounts and is an excellent tool in a laboratory. You can use a balance to get precise readings on samples of cannabis flower, extracts and solvent concentrations.

Commercial scales have higher capacities for weighing large amounts of bulk flower and trim before drying and decarboxylation. Dispensaries and retailers also use price-computing weigh scales to measure products at the point of sale.

Capacity versus readability

When choosing a scale for your cannabis business, consider capacity and readability.

Capacity is the maximum weight the scale can handle at once. You can damage the internal load cells if you exceed the scale’s capacity. Purchase a scale with a higher capacity than the maximum weight you’ll need to measure.
Readability is the smallest change in weight or mass a scale can display. Higher readability means higher accuracy in measuring smaller amounts. A scale with higher capacity typically has lower readability.

Cannabis scale classification

Scales are designated a class number to indicate capacity and readability. The higher the class, the higher the capacity. However, scales with a higher class number have lower readability and are less accurate.

Class I is high-precision weighing for testing cannabis samples in labs.
Class II is also suited for lab and dispensary applications with high readability and low capacity.
Class III is for commercial and industrial applications that require higher capacity.
Class IV is used in highway weigh-stations to ensure transport vehicles travel within legal weight limits.

Legal for trade

Any business selling products to the public by weight must use a scale deemed legal for trade by Measurement Canada. This designation ensures the accuracy and integrity of trade measurement in Canada through inspections and calibrations. If your scale isn’t legal for trade, you risk losing your cannabis licence.

Precision scale sales and service in Calgary

At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., you can find a high-quality, dependable precision scale or balance for use in your cannabis business. We’re certified by Measurement Canada to offer legal-for-trade products and services to customers in Calgary and throughout Alberta. Contact us today to learn more about our commercial scales.

5 tips for maintaining an industrial scale

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.

1. Check the scale daily

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.

4 benefits of portable truck scales

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.