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Weighing pallets in factories and warehouses is an
essential process for ensuring out-going shipments aren't overloaded.
But with so many pallet weighing scales available,
deciding the type of pallet scale you need, be it a platform scale, u-frame,
drive thru, weigh beams or pallet truck scale, can be a tough call.
Choosing what you need depends on your use and your
requirements. Consider your specification - and the questions below - carefully
to help you decide.
Before purchasing, consider the following:
·
What are you
weighing? What does the capacity need to be?
·
What environment
will the scale be based in?
·
Will a mobile aid
the weighing process?
· Do you have any other requirements?
Then consider the options below, and choose the one which
is most appropriate to you.
The Platform Scale
Platform scales offer the most flexibility - weight wise -
for weighing heavy loads. They tend to have a much higher capacity and are
built for heavy use in industrial environments. Compared to pallet truck scales
they are also more accurate.
Their large bases are useful for weighing a range of
items, but the heavy weighing platform is difficult to move - so we recommend
it stays in a fixed location. An annual service contract is recommended to ensure the scale stays accurate.
The Pallet Truck Scale
Choosing a pallet truck scale can speed up your weighing
processes. The video below took Marsden
Group’s (leading weighing scales
manufacturer) newest platform scale and pallet truck scale and raced them to
show how long weighing a pallet took with each solution::
Pallet truck scales combine a scale with a pump truck -
therefore cutting down from both items to a single unit saves on factory
traffic. Waterproof pallet trucks and versions fitted with a printer are also available. Plus, you can use Marsden pallet
truck scales as standard pallet trucks when you don’t need it for weighing.
However, pallet trucks require charging as they are
powered by rechargeable battery.
Weigh Beams
Many weigh beams, including this new scale, are accurate
to 0.1kg - making them the most accurate option for weighing pallets - and an
added bonus is they can be easily stored away when not in use.
The biggest advantage for choosing weigh beams is probably
that they can be positioned the desired distance apart for weighing pallets of
any size. The beams can be positioned in relation to the load being weighed,
meaning you can use them to weigh other large items, such as dolavs.
Because you’re likely to be moving the weigh beams about
regularly, rather than sitting them permanently in a set location, a service
contract is strongly recommended to keep them accurate.
The U frame Scale
U frame scales, like the I-400-equipped UF-1200-I-400-NA are portable and fitted with handles and wheels - making it an
easy-to-use equivalent to platform scales.
Like weigh beams, u frame pallet scales are perfect for
limited space environments - because you can store them away when not in use.
But unlike weigh beams, these are one fixed unit meaning they’re a little
easier to move around your premises - and provide more stability when placing a
load on the scale.
The Drive Thru Scale
Drive thru scales are fitted with ramps so that they are
easier to load than platform scales, and you can roll a pallet truck onto the
scale when weighing pallets. This is ideal if you don’t have a forklift truck,
which is what you would need to add a pallet to a standard platform scale.
As with platform scales, you will need to ensure space is
made for drive thru scales as they are best kept in one fixed location. The
scale can be moved by forktruck - but care is needed when moving/repositioning
in this way.
However, drive thru scales tend to have a lower capacity -
like the DT-I-400 has a
1500kg capacity, whereas the P-NA-I-400 (the
platform scale equivalent) can hold weights up to 3000kg.
Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for running this article
Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for running this article
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