Finding the right weighbridge for your fleet of vehicles requires knowing your options. Here are factors to consider before buying a weighbridge.

Did you know that weighbridges have been used since the 1740s?

For almost three hundred years, businesses and individuals have been using weighbridges, and their usefulness has not diminished in that time. Businesses from mines to recycling centers use weighbridges on a daily basis.

If you’re thinking about buying a weighbridge then there are a number of things you need to consider.

Read on to learn more.

1. Type of Weighbridge

The first thing to consider when buying a weighbridge is the type of weighbridge that you need.

You have a wide range of options. You might be looking for an above-ground weighbridge, a pit weighbridge, or possibly a portable weighbridge. 

Then there is the material to consider. You could opt for a concrete weighbridge, or a steel weighbridge might be better suited to your needs.

Think carefully about the exact type of weighbridge that you need.

2. Vehicle Size

Another important consideration is the size of the vehicle that you’re intended to use on the weighbridge.

If you’re using a weighbridge to weigh large trucks full of ore, then you’re going to need a much larger weighbridge than if you’re using it for smaller vehicles.

You also need to think about what your needs might be in the future; you don’t want to end up outgrowing your weighbridge as your business evolves.

3. Location

The location of your weighbridge needs some serious thought.

You need to take into account a number of variables. The gradient of the slope where you intend to place the weighbridge is important, as is ensuring that there is enough room for vehicles to access the weighbridge.

You also need to take into account the turning circles of the vehicles that will be using your weighbridge; there needs to be enough room for it to be practical to use.

You also need to take into account environmental factors, such as potential flood sites.

4. Warranty

A weighbridge is a significant investment, so you want to be completely confident about your purchase. 

A good weighbridge company will provide you with a warranty that guarantees your weighbridge against any defects. This will give you peace of mind that your weighbridge supplier has complete confidence in the products that they offer.

If a supplier doesn’t offer a warranty then you might want to look around for other options. Otherwise, you might find yourself with expensive repair bills that can end up hurting your business.

You should also ensure that you have a warranty for any calibration work that is done.

5. Maintenance and Support

A weighbridge is a complex piece of equipment. In order to keep your weighbridge in tip-top working order, it needs regular maintenance by a professional.

You need to be sure that when you buy a weighbridge, you also have the option to get regular maintenance from the same company. This is important because by using the same company for your maintenance needs, you can be sure that they have the necessary expertise in the exact make and model of weighbridge that you buy.

You should also look for a business that offers support for your weighbridge, in case you have any issues or queries. With good support, you can get the answers to your questions in short order.

6. Calibration

A weighbridge is only of any use if it has been properly calibrated. Without the right calibration, you can’t be sure that your weighbridge is accurate.

Calibration ensures that the weight displayed by your weighbridge accurately matches the weight of what is being weighed. This is something that should be done by a trained professional in order to ensure that the calibration is as accurate as possible.

Once again, it’s always best to get calibration services from the same business that supplied your weighbridge. They’ll have the expertise required for your exact model of weighbridge so that you can be certain that your calibration is perfectly accurate.

That doesn’t mean you should just choose any company that offers weighbridges and calibration. You need to be sure that they have highly-trained technicians who can calibrate your weighbridge accurately and safely.

7. Budget

The final consideration when buying a weighbridge is your own budget.

Once you’ve decided on a budget, you should try to find the best weighbridge you can that fits that budget. It can be sorely tempting to opt for a cheap weighbridge that comes in well under budget. More often than not this a false economy, however.

Cheap weighbridges are likely to be less accurate, less durable, and as we’ve already discussed, if they don’t come with a strong warranty, you may find yourself with large repair bills before very long.

You also need to consider the cost of installation, which will vary depending on the type of weighbridge that you want to buy. In-ground installations will usually be more complex, for example.

If you choose wisely and buy from a reputable supplier, then your weighbridge should give you years of perfect use.

Are You Thinking of Buying a Weighbridge?

If you’re thinking of buying a weighbridge then you’re in the right place.

We offer a wide range of weighbridges for sale including concrete weighbridges, steel weighbridges, portable weighbridges, and more. Our extensive range of weighing products includes everything from precision weighing systems to heavy-duty weighbridges for the quarrying and mining industries.

We also offer support services, including scale calibration and weighbridge maintenance, as well as weighbridge software solutions.

Contact us today for a quote.