FAQs

Ask yourself these few questions.

1. How heavy do I need to weigh and What Capacity do I need (see below)?
2. What increment size do I need? I suggest you select your increment size first then get the largest capacity that supports that increment size, typically this will give you the greatest versatility (see below).
3. What size platform is needed to support your application? Let us know as an example if you need an 18”x 18” platform or if a 12”x 12” is sufficient.
4. Do you need to interface with any other device or is it stand alone weighing. Other devices might include: printer, computer, remote display, PLC, cash register, Ethernet network, etc.
5. What is your application? How and what will you be using the scale for: portion control, wash down, counting, check weighing, grading, animal weighing, etc.

If you can give us a rough idea of these 5 questions above, we can give you many great options at different price points.

Depending on your application, but for most it’s the heaviest weight you expect to weigh plus any tare container or vessel used to hold your desired weight, plus 30%

It is the smallest displayed digit on your scale readout, it can be in lbs, kg, grams ounces or other type measurements. Example 50lb capacity x 0.01lb, the 0.01lb is the increment size. It is all dependent on your application to how fine do you need to read your weight in. Typically, I suggest that you select your increment size first, then get the largest capacity that supports that increment size, this will give you the greatest versatility.

See the Conversion Table at the bottom of all the questions for additional help.

Gross weight is the total weight on the scale including the package, container, box, bag or emptied vehicle plus product or item being weighed. Typically it is the Gross weight that is used as the shipping weight.

Net weight is the weight of the product or item being weighed LESS the package, container, box, bag or emptied vehicle. When purchasing a product by the its weight you are using only Net weight you are paying for.

Tare weight is the weight of the package, container, box, bag, or emptied vehicle LESS the weight of the product or item being weighed.

NTEP stands for National Type Evaluation Program, Which means it has met standards needed to be use as a “Legal for Trade” scale (sometimes called Certified) and can be used to buy and sell items by the weight. This is regulated by the State Department of Agriculture to ensure its compliance and is stickered as “Certified”.

If you are buying and selling from the weight of the scale, then YES. If you are not buying or selling by the weight of the scale than you do not (typically for in house use like: ingredient, check weighing or production type scales).

If you turn a hose on your scale, or use the scale in a wet environment then YES you do need a wash-down unit. Yes, it cost much more than a non-wash-down scale. The fastest way to damage a scale is to use a NON-wash-down scale in a wet environment.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an International Standard created to insure comparable procedures and methods are followed by all companies in participating countries to facilitate free and fair global trade. ISO-17025 is General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories to the main ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard to ensure the accredited scale company is deemed to be technically competent and follows a Quality management system for policies and procedures.

We are ISO-17025 Accredited, with regularly scheduled audits to ensure our ongoing accuracy and compliance with all regulator bodies.

Depending on time and use, but every scale should be tested at least annually. A good industrial scale should maintain its calibration for quite a while, but having it checked at periodic time intervals just ensures its accuracy.

#1: Overloading: If it’s a small capacity scale or balance, it is overloading (damages load cell).

#2: Moisture: getting water into the load cell, load cell cable or on the PCB (printed circuit board). Typically caused by using scale in a wet or wash down area that is not designed for that type of area.

#3: Power Problems: bad, dirty, erratic power from bumps, spikes, and surges. Can be fixes by using a surge protector or voltage regulator depending on the degree of bad power.

#4: Shock loading: this is caused by hitting or slamming the scale platform with a weight that is less the capacity onto the scale very hard.

These are the most common problems we find with 90% of all the scales we repair.

We use only manufacture approved parts in repairs and will give you an option at expedited freight when ordering those parts.

We charge in fraction of an hour increments for service labor in our shop and on your-site.

We typically have the ability to provide a loaner while your scale in being repaired.

We will provide a rough estimate of cost and down time over the phone, after you give us a brief description of the problem you are having.

Typically, don’t move your scale more often than you need to. Every time you move your scale, there is a chance of knocking it out of level, calibration or dropping it.

Keep power cord and any excess load cell cable neatly tied up and out of the way. This will prevent a tripping hazard as well as damage to these cables which turns into a service call.

Keep weighing surface and area around the scale clean and free of debris. Often garbage and debris not cleaned up can end up under the weighing surface causing binds and inaccurate weights.

Both, we would be happy to come out to your site to perform service or you can bring the scale in for service. Note if you bring in your scale for in shop service, we do not charge for evaluations: we will give you an estimated quote of repairs before doing any work.

Yes, we regularly work after hours on Overtime, as well as Weekends and Holidays. Please note overtime rates apply as needed.

We are licensed and regulated by the States Department of Agriculture in the States we perform work. We only use Traceable standard (weights and equipment) to NIST. All of our work is done to meet NIST Handbook 44 and we are ISO-17025 accredited.