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What you need to know about on-board check weighing for material handling vehicles
Selecting the
right system
There is a variety of on-board scales and check weighing systems available on the market offering an array of options for companies seeking solutions to their material handling productivity problems. We will provide a guide to two of the most prominent operating concepts, load cell and hydraulic weighing systems. The most important is to find what the customer really needs. While most clients have a good idea of what they want, they may sometimes have unrealistic expectations of their material handling suppliers. Find out more about your customer's lift truck operating environment. Will the vehicle be driven only inside the plant or will the vehicle be driven outside as well. For example, in a typical transportation loading dock facility, there is a lot of dust and the vehicle is constantly moving in and out of the trailers. In some operational environments, the vehicle might be going back and forth from the freezer to the loading dock, which would indicate that water and humidity is present. Knowing this type of information in advance will influence our decision as to which type of on-board system and accessories should be recommend for that particular customer.
What the customer really needs
It is worth asking the question whether the customer always understands his own requirement. Some may only want a basic "lift and weigh" load weight readout. Whereas some other customers may want additional functions such as, tare input, total weight per waybill ID, waybill ID#, or a ticket printout of the load weights.
Difference between "Legal for Trade" and on-board check
weighing systems
The majority of end users are not familiar with the difference between lift truck on-board scales and check weighing systems available on the market. There are some applications where the end user requires a very accurate on-board weighing system. Such a system must be designed for weighing accuracy of +/- 0.1% and have "Legal for Trade" certification approval. The cost for this accuracy is quite high, usually between $6,000 - $14,000 per installed unit, depending on the scale weighing capacity. These scale weighing accuracy must be maintained during the normal operation and will require a frequent visits from the service personal to satisfy the "Weights and Measurement Authority".
The majority of other material handling applications do not require such an accurate weight readout. For all practical purposes, the load weight readout accuracy within +/- 1 % to 2% of the lift truck lift capacity is good enough for the majority of material handling facilities. The issue of the "Legal for Trade" system verses the check weighing system and their weighing accuracy readout is an important element and must be addressed with the potential customer at the beginning of the conversation. Too many times there is a misunderstanding about this issue and the end user does not know in which direction to proceed. Make sure the customer is aware of the difference in weight readout accuracy, as well as the difference in the costs.
Customer's Utilizing SkidWeigh Systems
Vehicle lifting capacity will be reduced with carriage mounted load
cell assembly on-board scales
The carriage assembly systems will reduce the lifting capacity of the vehicle; anywhere from 8% to 14% which will depend on the rated capacity of the scale.
For vehicles requiring special attachments, you must make sure that the carriage based load cell system will perform as per the specifications. The lifting height is important and must be considered due to the reduced lifting capacity of the vehicle in a load cell environment . The fixed link of the load cell electrical cables from the carriage to the scale indicator may also cause problems. The weighing accuracy of "Legal for Trade" systems must be within +/- 0.1% of the vehicle's lifting capacity. For example , Class ll carriage, 5,000 pounds lift capacity, the accuracy within +/- 5 pounds.
In almost every case, the installation of the carriage load cell based weighing system will have to be done by the scale supplier. The same applies for some other check weighing systems, such as chain mounted, chain anchor bolts and forks load cell.
It should also be noted that when lift trucks equipped with such on-board weighing systems are to be traded in or replaced with the another vehicle; the carriage load based weighing system and some other can not be moved from truck to truck easily.
What kinds of the On-board check weighing systems are
on the market
All other lift truck on-board weighing systems that do not meet "Legal for Trade" approval are known in the material handling industry as the "On-Board Check Weighing Systems".
They can be of the same design concept such as the load assembly mounted in the carriage of the vehicle or can also be designed for hydraulic pressure transducer / transmitters installed in the lift circuit, or load cells mounted in the lift truck's chains and forks.
The price range for on-board check weighing systems can be anywhere from $1,300.00 to $6,000.00 . The check weighing accuracy from all of these systems are in the range from +/- 0.5% to 5% of the vehicle's lifting capacity, which is a reflection of the price range.
It's all about the right system application
Find out more about the various working concept for lift truck scale/check weighing system
- Learn more about degree of difficulty to install the system into the vehicle and calibration procedure
- Can installation/calibration be done by local lift truck technician or must be done by the supplier
- What technical specification and data from lift truck dealer is required to specify right unit
- Will on-board weighing system work with a specific lift truck attachments
- Will on-board weighing system work in wet, dusty environment or freezer
- Total costs, including the installation cost
- Find out the location for the system installation ( Dealer, Customer or Scale Supplier )
- Calibrating procedures
- Safety of the installed components (Example: Leaf chain load cells installation procedures)
- Weighing accuracy
- Loses of the vehicle lifting capacity
- Warranty
- Return policy and re-stocking charges
- Total shipping weight of the system and it's components
- Shipping costs: Important since some forklift weighing system will weigh several hundreds of pounds
- Serviceability after sale
- Delivery times
Forklift check weighing solutions for the real world
The facts are that well designed hydraulic pressure transducer based on-board check weighing systems are the most economical and reliable solution to your customer's requirements.
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Putting the pieces together... Keep it Simple!
When on the market to supply your customer with the on-board lift truck scale or check weighing system, before making any decision make sure you do your homework.
Why SkidWeigh System?
Our products are designed on the working concept based on the hydraulic pressure transducer installed in lift circuit of the vehicle. As of example, the ED2-Series line consists only of two components, digital indicator with mounting bracket, wiring harness and pressure transducer. There is no operator input, no buttons to press. System can be installed on any material handling vehicle, regardless of the power supply, for lifting capacity up to 50000 pounds or kilograms. All of the SkidWeigh models are designed as a "On-board Check Weighing Systems".
The development of the software / hardware was made with the lift truck dealer in mind. Our marketing strategy is to supply our products directly to the lift truck dealers throughout North America and worldwide.
These innovative products are economically priced, backed with a two year warranty and are simple to install / calibrate by the qualified lift truck technician.
Our return policy is as follows:
Full credit if returned within 30 days and unit is not damaged
Between 31 and 90 days of purchase, credit note for full amount less 25% restocking fee to be used against future purchase, if unit is not damaged
No credit after 90 days
Customer's Utilizing SkidWeigh Systems
Overseas lift truck dealers and the end users
Orders are shipped within 24 hours. The ED2-Series single order shipping weight of approx. 1.1kg ( 2,7lbs) are shipped by air, via UPS Couriers.
On-Board Check Weighing Systems Working Concept Overview
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Working Concept |
Reduction of Lift Truck Lifting Capacity |
Level of Expertise for Scale Installation |
Technical Data on the Forklift to be Provided by Lift Truck Dealer |
Capability of Ease Installation of the System to Another Forklift |
| Lift Truck Carriage Load Cell |
Yes |
Scale Supplier Technician |
Yes |
No |
| Lift Truck Forks Load Cell |
Yes |
Scale Supplier Technician |
Yes |
No |
| Lift Truck Leaf Chain Load Cell |
No |
Scale Supplier Technician |
Yes |
No |
| Lift Truck Leaf Chain Torsional Load Cell |
No |
Scale Supplier Technician |
Yes |
No |
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Pressure Transducer |
No |
Lift Truck Technician |
No |
Yes |
| Ski |
ED2- Series SkidWeigh System
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ED2 Series SkidWeigh
| For Vehicle Lifting Capacity (kg or lb) | Vehicle Operating Voltage (DC) | Weight Indicator Digital Display | Application | Order Number |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | General material handling facilities | ED2 |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Refrigerated / cold storage facilities | ED2-F |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Rough terrain forklifts | ED2-RTLT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Truck / trailer mounted forklifts | ED2-TMLT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Freight transportation loading docks | ED2-FW |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Overload LED display flashing | ED2-SM |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Showing in % of the vehicle lifting capacity | ED2-SLL |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Overload LED display flashing and dry contacts output having S.P.S.T. , 5A | ED2-SM-OAS |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Showing in % of the vehicle lifting capacity and dry contacts output having S.P.S.T. | ED2-SLL-OAS |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Ready for the onboard printer connection (RS-232 cable, power cable and printer bracket included) | ED2-Print |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Two weighing channels | ED-2X |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Two weighing channels (European version) | EED2-2X |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | For Electric pedestrian stacker (high lift) | ED2-EPT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Accumulative total | ED2-AT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Mobile hydraulic column lifts | ED2-MCL |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Hydraulic lift table | ED2-HLT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Skid steer loaders | ED2-SSL |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Skid steer loaders with two weighing channels | ED2-SSL-2X |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Skid steer loaders with overload LED display flashing | ED2-SSL-SM |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Skid steer loaders with accumulative total | ED2-SLL-AT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Waste container carrier, rear end lift cylinders | ED2-CC |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Waste container carrier, rear end lift cylinders with overload LED display flashing | ED2-CC-SM |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Overload LED display flashing (large capacity forklifts) | ED2-LFC-SM |
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50000 |
12 to 48 | Six digits LED | Overload LED display flashing (large capacity forklifts) shown in % of lifting capacity | ED2-LFC-SLL |
Compact size, Length 120 mm x Height 80 mm x Depth 55 mm
SkidWeig SP-1000 Series SkidWeigh Plus Systems
| Model | Applications | Features | Remarks |
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SP-1000 |
For Lift Trucks Used in General Material Handling Facilities |
Basic Unit with Standard Features as per Technical Specifications |
Unlimited vehicle lifting capacity, 12 to 48 V DC operating voltage |
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SP-1000-10 |
For Lift Truck Used in General Material Handling Facilities |
SP-1000 Series with On-board printer for 12V DC vehicles |
Dot Matrix Printer Model IPR-12 |
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SP-1000-20 |
For Lift Truck Used in General Material Handling Facilities |
SP-1000 Series with On-board printer for 24 to 48V DC vehicles |
Dot Matrix Printer Model IPR-24/48 |
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SP-1000-30 |
Hydraulic Lift Tables |
SP-1000 Series with 120V AC to 12V DC voltage converter |
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SP-1000-40 |
Loaders |
Basic Unit with Standard Features as per Technical Specifications | Printer available |
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Industry Links
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Customer's Utilizing SkidWeigh Systems
Patented Technology USA 4,757,712; 4,949,263 Canada 1302566; 1304479 Australia 598,376;605,647 Germany 38811280.0; 3887754.6 EC 0293697; 0351453
Integrated Visual Data Technology Inc. Oakville, Ontario, Canada