Each manufacturer has incorporated specific elements into their truck scale design to offer application advantages. However, most truck scales incorporate similar basic design elements and choices, such as deck and foundation types. Understanding the fundamentals of truck scale designs will help you and your scale supplier discuss which manufacturers offer the designs best suited for your operation and business needs.

Choosing Your Scale Supplier

Take time to and choose a scale supplier who will be able to provide the best services in your area. Ask potential scale suppliers about the products they sell and services they offer; some suppliers are exclusive to one manufacturer, which can work for your business, but it might also limit your choices. Choosing a scale supplier who also specializes in scale service can be an advantage. Having one contact for all your scale maintenance, service and replacement parts can help streamline your initial scale purchase and upkeep throughout its lifespan.

Before choosing a manufacturer, reach out to other truck scale owners, or ask your scale supplier to provide testimonials from similar businesses in your region. Knowing firsthand accounts about scale manufacturers and their reputation for quality products and services can be the deciding factor in your purchase.

Scale Design

Most truck scale manufacturers offer standard vehicle scales, but some will make custom designs to fit existing foundations, saving you time and money by eliminating site reconstruction. 

To ensure your scale is large enough for your application, plan your truck scale needs based on the largest truck you ever plan to weigh at your operation, including future trucks since truck scales should easily provide 25 years or more of dependable service with reasonable care.

Steel or Concrete Weighbridge?

A big consideration when choosing a truck scale is whether to select a steel deck or a concrete deck weighbridge. Both have advantages. Here are a few differentiating features that will help you choose the right type.

Concrete Deck Advantages

• Concrete provides better traction in wet or icy weather
• Five to seven years longer life, and less maintenance needed
• More mass means less friction and wear
• Better load distribution

A concrete deck, which needs approximately 21 to 28 days to cure, is poured during installation and is usually done by an outside contractor—adding additional costs to your truck scale purchase at installation. Cured, factory-poured concrete decks may be damaged during transport and may have higher installation and transport costs due to the heavy weight of concrete.

Steel Deck Advantages

• Fast installation, and easy relocation and expansion
• Lower profiles and variable deck plates available
• Less initial cost and no need to wait for a concrete deck to cure

Installation usually takes less than one day, and a steel deck scale weighs less, making it easier to relocate and expand if needed. Steel decks usually offer traction treads on the driving surface—beneficial in wet conditions due to rain or snow.

Expansion and Upgrades

Weighing applications and process needs can change with the demands of commerce. As businesses grow and weighing requirements are expanded, additional modules may need to be added to an existing truck scale system. You need to be certain that your scale manufacturer can produce an additional module that fits perfectly with your current scale.

Some manufacturers design their truck scales with hinge fixtures that easily allow the addition of new modules to lengthen existing truck scales.