Industry-Defining Truck Scale Technology of 2015

For many years, truck scales were cumbersome systems that were usually mounted permanently on a concrete foundation. But today, there are many different types of truck scale technology, such as portable (or movable scales) as well as in-motion scales.

The load cells are the key component used by a truck scales in order to measure weight. The load weight of the vehicle is calculated by first using truck scales to weigh the empty vehicle (for calibration) and later when it is loaded.

Now in 2015, there are many types of truck scales used today. They can be classified based on the technology used, their applications, and whether or not they are portable, semi-permanent, or fixed. Below are some of the most industry-defining truck scales on the market today.

• On-board Truck Scales
• In-motion Portable Axle Scales
• Heavy-Duty, Steel-Deck Weighbridges
• Portable Wheel Weighers
• In-motion Rail Scales
• Grain Dump Truck Scales (Farming)

Heavy-Duty Truck Scale Technology

Heavy-duty truck scales, such as weighbridges, can be surface mounted or they can be pit mounted. They are typically built from concrete or steel and are extremely robust in order to sustain the weight measured. Modern weighbridges use multiple load cells connected to an electronic equipment that receives the sensor inputs.

In case of semi-permanent scales the weight readings are recorded in a nearby office. Many modern weighbridge truck scales are linked to a computer running truck scale software. They are capable of additional features such as providing reporting or printing tickets.

Truck scales are used in various industries that manufacture or move bulk items, such as in agriculture and farming, garbage dumps and recycling centers, mines or quarries, household goods, bulk liquid and powder movement, and electrical equipment.

Easy-to-Use Portable Truck Scales

Portable truck scales can also be found in various applications around the world. They have lower frame work that allows placement on non-typical surfaces. These portable truck scale systems are designed to allow a simple low cost installation.

In order to install this scale systems is required only a very simple low profile shallow pit. Axle and gross vehicle weight measurements can be done when vehicles drive over the scale system in-motion.


 Examples of portable wheel weigher solutions are the AXW-45, 95 and 110 Series of portable axle scales by WalzScale.com. They are ideal for in-motion weighing, off road conditions and applications requiring weighing large vehicles.

The benefits of the in-motion portable wheel weighers are:

• Removable ramps
• Tough, durable, and dependable construction
• In-Motion weighing (weighs truck loads while the vehicle slowly passes over the scale unit)
• Weight terminal included with ticket printer

For those applications requiring tracking and managing a multitude of data advanced weight study software is also available. This software can be used for vehicle weight studies and tracking in one central database various payloads, vehicle weight, and tire load data.

The technological trends in the truck scale industry in the year 2015 show an integration of recent developments in load cell technology, an increase in demand for high performance scales, an increase in demand for automated weighing solutions, emerging of using wireless technology for load cells, and the tendency to use electronic scales rather than mechanical scales.

3 Portable Truck Scale for Weighing Heavy-duty Truck Loads

Truck scales are a necessity in any logistics, mining, farming, and waste management operations that demands heavy-duty weighing of truck loads. There are many types of trucks scales to use for these operations, and also for different types of trucks. Understanding the types and their pros and cons will assist you in purchasing a quality scale that you can use for many years.

Among the most popular of truck scales for sale are portable truck scales. Portable truck scales are mobile, easy-to-use, and more affordable compared to other types of truck scale systems. Below we showcase three of the most popular and effective portable truck scales for weighing trucks and other heavy duty vehicles.

Portable Axle Scales

This type of portable truck scale is considerably small, easy-to-use, and affordable. However, portable axle scales will only accommodate one axle at a time. You can use the scale to ascertain that the truck is not above the set weight limit for each axle as set for certain roads.

You can hardly use the scales to measure the entire cargo and also you can not use them to charge your customers according to the weight of load you have ferried.
Features of portable axle scales

• Equipped with overload protection.
• They can stand several tons of weight.
• They are completely portable and you can use them in any area you find them suitable.
• Can measure a large varieties of vehicles ranging from mining trucks to some farming vehicles.
• They will occupy a little space due to their design.

Portable Weigh Pads 

Also known as the truck axle scales. Generally, they are light portable scales made to weigh individual wheels and axles to ensure the compliance with the legal weight limits. Many of the models will allow connectivity to over six wheels.

These portable truck weighing scales allow individual wheel weighing and combined axle weighing, which you can perform at the same time to increase weighing efficiency and accuracy. To attain weight accuracy you should have all the wheels on a level ground and on the same plane. That will avoid inadvertent weight transfers.

In-Motion Portable Truck Scales

Weigh in motion portable scales are capable of recording the actual weight of a moving truck. The scales will mostly be installed on free weighs specifically for weighing the semi trucks at weigh stations. The scales are advancement as the truck will not need to get into a standby for the weight recording as it was the case in the older static weigh stations.


There are many weigh in-motion truck scales you can use to ensure compliance with the set regulations and also analyze the vehicle while on the road. The scales in addition, offer a cost effective solution by monitoring the heavy duty tucks while traveling over the highway. They will also measure per axle weight or the gross weight while the truck is in the highway speed. The weigh in motion scale will measure the axle spacing to get the class of the truck and also will record the vehicle speed.

When searching for portable scales for weighing trucks, there are many things to consider. You should consider the scale with a certification from the relevant authority and also the right size. The other factors to consider include weight capacity, feasibility of axle scales concrete or steel plate deck options and pit or pitiless scales.

How GPS Technology Has Evolved the Third-Party Logistics Industry

The third-party logistics industry is undergoing a rapid transition due to the advances in information and communication technologies.

Advancement in information technologies has brought substantial benefits to logistics service providers, specifically third-party logistics (3PL) companies. The development and application of these technologies such as global positioning system (GPS) are especially important and helpful in transportation and logistics activities that are integral components in any supply chain system.

In this article, we discuss the application of GPS-based information technologies to optimize operations of companies providing third-party logistics service. We discuss how these technologies help to enhance the effective and efficient management of their businesses and analyze the interaction of GPS implementation and several key characteristics of the logistic distribution context.

Because of the wide range of business activities involved in the transportation process, logistics related costs account for a quite substantial share of the total costs for any company. In the past decade, other technologies such as enterprise resource planning and electronic data interchange systems substantially improved the efficiency of supply chain management. In this decade, the emergence of GPS improves logistics operation efficiency.

In recent years, GPS has been used in vehicles of logistics service providers. GPS is used for obtaining information with respect to the position, speed, and travel direction of vehicles. In addition, there are concepts and techniques to combine GIS, GPS, and other digital communication technologies to locate the position and velocity of vehicles.

The emphasis of the concept is on the importance of the connection with the central monitoring system. There have also been studies on the application of GIS and OR techniques in the problems of technician-dispatching and home deliveries and parcel delivery. in Korea. GPS is also important for geographic data collection, global positioning system based addressing, vehicle routing, and resource discovery.

GPS and related new computer systems and information technology have a huge impact on logistics distributions. We need to understand GPS usage and have a deeper understanding about the benefits and values generated by these technologies in logistic operations and provide analysis of why these benefits exist. For instance, improved just-in-time service, optimized delivery schedules, and routes are made possible by these technologies, real-time monitoring, and data transfer are obtained between dispatchers and drivers helps improve supply chain management.

Moreover, these advantages can also be extended and enjoyed by their costumers such that the entire supply chain operations can be optimized. Studies reveal important and critical issues during the application process of these new technologies. While some of the issues are inherent and closely related with the further development of these new technologies, others need stronger collaboration and support from logistics management partners and from other important players in the business.

Results confirm the potential of related technologies of GPS for enhancing operating efficiency and productivity, improving communication and relationship building, and facilitating collaboration and strategic planning of a firm and its supply chain. The results have to be interpreted cautiously and need to be validated with further extensive studies. Continued large-scale research should be planned and conducted to further explore broad range of business sectors.