20 Lbs. doesn't seem like a lot to be off for a truck scale and while some of us wouldn't mind our bathroom scale being 20 Lbs. underweight, this can add up to huge loss over multiple trucks for an extended period of time.
A Company weighing 300 trucks a day priced at $28.00 a ton five days a week for a year could leave $21,840 dollars on the table because their scale was 20 Lbs. off.
To prevent our customers from leaving this money on the table, we put together a list of things you can do to maintain your scale's accuracy. We also added a Profit Loss Calculator to our website here.
How to Maintain the Accuracy of Your Scale:
1. Have your scale calibrated by a licensed scale service agent.
Any time a scale is used to weigh product being sold it must be tested for accuracy by a licensed scale agency. While other uses may not require calibration by a state licensed agency, it is highly recommended. This is because they were trained and certified on proper testing and calibration methods. If someone is not trained in how to properly test and calibrate your scales, you run the risk of inaccurate weighing or damage to the scale.
2. Ensure certified test weights are used.
Scales should always be tested using certified test weights. These are weights that are tested and adjusted to ensure they are accurate at least every other year. Testing and calibrating a scale with inaccurate test weights is a guarantee that your scale will be inaccurate.
3. Test the load points not just to a certain weight.
Testing the individual load cells ensures that all load cells are reading the same weight. This can also help identify if a specific load cell was damaged.
4. Regular inspections.
A visual inspection should be part of every visit from your service provider, whether it's a calibration, installation, repair or preventative maintenance.
5. Detailed reporting.
A good service provider will provide you with a summary after calibration and maintenance. It should include what was done, scale readings before and after service, and recommendations based on their findings. This information can help you make decisions about how soon you will need to repair or replace parts of the scale.