Navigating the Diversity of Weighbridge Types: A Comprehensive Guide

A weighbridge is an essential platform for a company that needs to determine the mass of a vehicle. They can be commonly found on farms and in the construction industry but have their place also in manufacturing plants, mining operations and even hospitals. You will find a diverse range of weighbridges on the market since some types will fit better different needs. Their accuracy and functionality evolved to answer best the needs of consumers. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to navigating different varieties of weighbridges. 

As a business owner, you understand that the accuracy of your weighing data is essential to conducting optimal operations and offering quality. It is best to get a specific weighbridge to meet your needs. 

Above-ground weighbridges 

In terms of accessibility and price, the above-ground weighbridge is the best. You do not need excavation or civil work to set them up, so deployment is easy, and they can be relocated effortlessly if necessary. Their structure is made of a steel frame to ensure a solid base and provide enough rigidity to support heavy vehicles. Maintenance is easy, as all parts of your weighbridge are accessible, which gives them a big plus compared to other types. 

The inconvenient part is the space required to store them, as they need ramps that are 3 to 5 meters long! Indeed, to measure large loads and trucks, they must get on the ramp safely. Add to that ample allowance to secure the vehicle on the truck and workers around, and it looks like you will have to dedicate a large area in your company site to your above-ground weighbridge. 

In-ground and Pit weighbridge

Their weighing structure is installed in a recessed pit, semi-pit, or flush pit to quote different inground designs. They are a space saver and are very convenient if your company has limited space to allocate to the weighbridge. You do not need a safety ramp as the vehicle stays on the ground and can approach the platform from any direction. 

Excavation and civil work, will be costly, depending on the pit and bedrock composition, when implanting an in-ground platform on your business site. 

Portable weighbridges 

Moving the weighbridge rather than the vehicles is better for some projects, mostly in the logging and mining industries. A portable weighbridge is an accurate choice for this business situation. You can attach your portable weighbridge to a truck or a trailer; they are easy to move and can be set up quickly. They will save you money regarding load transportation as it will be on the site. Their maintenance is easy, and you can bring it directly to a specific service centre.  

However, they have weight capacity limitations compared to their fixed counterparts. They will not offer all the customisation options you may find on fixed weighbridges, which restricts their suitability for specialised applications. 

Summary 

When choosing a weighbridge for your company, you must determine your needs in terms of loads, space, and portability to get the right one.