What Is a Forklift Scale?
A forklift scale is exactly what it sounds like— it’s a weighing scale that’s built directly into the forklift. The scale uses the forklift’s hydraulic sensor system in order to measure the resistance to the object the forklift is lifting while weighing the object simultaneously. This type of scale is typically used for weighing a product as it’s being loaded into transport vehicles.
How Do Forklift Scales Work?
As we said before, forklift scales use the built-in hydraulic sensor to weigh whatever is being picked up by the forklift.
As the forklift scale allows data management and weight into your operation, without the addition of route changes or extra steps, it benefits the bottom line by reducing the cost involved in cargo shipment and loading.
How Much Weight Can a Forklift Carry?
Most forklift scales can accurately weigh pallets up to 3,000 lbs.
Industry Applications of Forklift Scales
- Industrial factories
- Food handling
- Production floor
- Agriculture
- Distribution centers
- Cargo loading
- Produce coolers and storage
- Truck Loading
Features and Benefits of Forklift Scales
- Cost-effective because of efficiency in saving the ride to the vehicle scale
- Scale is portable
- Ideal design for uptime and safety
- Weight of the product is determined during the loading process
- Allows optimal loading of transport vehicles
- Prevents overloading penalty
- Maintains high accuracy regardless of environmental disturbances
- Provides a wide range of data collection options
- Easily maintenance and installation process
- On-board diagnostics and predictive warnings
Questions You Should Answer Before Buying a Forklift Scale
Recycling centers, warehouses, and logistic companies all frequently use forklift trucks. They’re ideal for operational needs due to their speed and ability to easily navigate around obstacles.
Many of these industries end up investing in a forklift scale because of the additional benefits they have. Not only is this useful in terms the process of getting objects or inventory from Point A to Point B, but forklift scales also measure and record data while doing so.
For example, forklift scales end up eliminating many tedious tasks at recycling centers. Bundled and palletized materials can be weighed on the way to the designated destination instead of slowing down the process by constantly stopping every so often at a floor scale to take a reading.
These are five things you should answer before investing in a forklift scale:
1. What are the dimension’s of your fork truck’s frame?
It’s important for you to know the dimensions of the frame of your fork truck, considering that it’s one of the first questions a sales associate will ask you during the buying process. Once they know what the proper dimensions are, potential scales will be recommended according to your needs.
2. Do you need to store or print transaction data?
If you think you’ll need to store data electronically, then a scales indicator will do just the thing for you. However, if you need to print the weight data, a printer will be added to your purchase. The printer will communicate with the indicator to swiftly and accurately print your data.
3. What is your fork truck’s weight capacity?
Not much can be answer until the capacity of your forklift truck is known. .
4. Do you prefer a wired or wireless indicator?
Both these types of indicators come with their own set of benefits and downfalls, so it’s up to you to decide what your needs are regarding the capabilities of an indicator. Wireless options require more maintenance because an operator must manually change the batteries of the scale itself in order to transmit power. A wired indicator is powered through the truck itself, which means less work for you, but also includes the hassle and mess of a physical power cord.