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?

We can help with your planning and evaluation, contact our sales department for more information.