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. 

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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 costs.

Vehicle lifting capacity will be reduced with carriage mounted load             cell assembly on-board  scales

            The "Legal for Trade" scales must have Weights & Measures certification approval. These systems are based on load cell attachments  mounted on the vehicle carriage assembly.  

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. Make sure you get all the  facts!  

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.

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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. 

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Products Overview 

 

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
Pressure Transducer	No	Lift Truck Technician	No	Yes

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ED2- Series SkidWeigh System

Universal check weighing system for lift truck / loaders lifting capacity up to 10,000 kg or lbs. regardless of the vehicle make or model No operator input required No keypads, buttons or switches  Simple operation; lift the load and take a weight readout No special functions ( tare, total, print, parts count, visual overload alarm, etc.) It will not reduce lift capacity of the vehicle Indicator with large four digits LED readout, mounting bracket included Will operate in extreme environmental conditions, wet, dusty and freezer  Operating temperature -40șC to +85șC Operating humidity range, 0-95 % R.H. non-condensing Two known test weights  required to calibrate system Installation and calibration  time approx. two hours Installed system can be re-installed to any other vehicle if required Installation can be done at the end user facilities Installation video included Shipping weight, approx. 2 lbs. U.S.A. Lift Truck Dealer Price, duty and freight included, F.O.B. your destination

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SkidWeig

SP-1000  Series SkidWeigh Systems

Standard Ranges

Custom design systems available for any type of material handling vehicle

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