Buying Used Truck Scales

Buying a new truck scale is a significant investment. Many consider purchasing a used scale or imported scale off the internet. The savings by purchasing a used truck scale may be right for your company, if the right scale is purchased at the right price.

Defining your business needs should be your initial priority.

What type of equipment is going to be weighed
- Equipment dimensions
  - Overall length
  - Width
  - Distance between axles
- Gross weights of vehicles being weighed
- Will the scale be used for commercial purposes?
Daily volume of vehicles to be weighed
What commodity is being weighed?
How will owning a truck scale benefit your company?
- Will interfacing the scale with your current computer system save time and labor costs?
- Is it for inter-company use only or will items be bought and/or sold over the scale.

Evaluate the scales.

Now that you have found a used scale how do you assess it? Truck scales are used hard and abused by both drivers and Mother Nature. If it has already been removed from the foundation – does it work properly?

Is the weigh-bridge structurally sound?
Can the weighing modules and stands be removed without damage?
What support structure will be needed at the new location, and what will it cost?
- Does it allow for easy cleaning and routine maintenance?
Is there adequate room for vehicles to access and exit the scale easily and not create traffic problems? Did you allow sufficient room for state regulated approaches and ramps.
Are all the critical components available, and functioning properly?
If intended for commercial use ensure it is NTEP approved and has a COC.
- To verify if a scale is approved; the following website lists if the scale has a certificate of conformance – http://www.ncwm.net/certificates
- What additional local, state and federal requirements apply to commercial use?