Portable Platform Scales - The objective of measurement

Weighing scales are one of the indispensible equipment for most types of industries and retail trade and weighing scales are used to measure the weight of the object placed on the scale. There are various types of weighing scales available in the market - platform scales, floor scales, digital scales, indicators, bench scales, counting scales, economical scales, etc.

Platform industrial weighing scales consisting of a platform coupled to an automatic system of levers and adjustable weights, for weighing large or heavy objects.

Portable platform scales of modular design includes at least one detachable portable scale platform and / or two side-by-side detachable platforms connected to and supported vertically by a pair of movable front and rear ramps. A coupling is used to connect/support the scale platforms in an end-for-end arrangement for constructing longer scales.

The invention of portable platform scales was conceived for weighing cargo carried by a truck or other vehicle. The platform scale is a portable, modular, drive-over scale that can be easily and quickly assembled without the use of special tools in any area where cargo has to be weighed. This portable scale accurately weigh trailers or vehicles having single and/or tandem axles and single and/or dual inboard and outboard wheels.

It is often necessary to find the weight of the cargo carried by a trailer or vehicle. Transportation laws in most states impose penalties if a vehicle exceeds the prescribed weight restrictions for roads and bridges. It is thus very important to determine the exact weight of the cargo. Grain elevators and highway weigh stations however use fixed platform scales with large, heavy platforms.

For avoiding the risk of paying hefty fines for exceeding permitted weight limits, it is desirable to check the weight of a cargo-carrying vehicle in the field. To meet this need, “portable” platform scale systems, have been developed and used for many years.

In most of the portable platform scales, a portable stand holds a microprocessor-based electronic scale indicator that also controls the weighing operation. The indicator is powered through a 12-volt DC battery. The indicator is electrically connected to the strain gauge load cells associated with the weigh beams.

Portable platform scales are available in different models, sizes, prices and capacities from different manufacturers to fulfill on site weighing requirements.

The portable platform scale system for weighing cargo in the field has some deficiencies. First, the scale has to be invariably placed on a large area with a smooth, even surface to obtain precise results. The simple fact is such smooth level surfaces are not always obtainable in the field. Besides, the size and weight of most portable platform assembly makes it not feasible for a person to position the assembly without the use of some heavy equipment like a tractor or forklift.

It has to be admitted that these equipment is not always readily available for use in the field. A portable platform scale assembly also needs adequate space for storage and transportation – that is often lacking. There are some more limitations as well. Thus, there is a need for an improved portable platform scale that is truly portable.