Common Mistakes When Purchasing or Renting a Truck Scale
Purchasing or renting a truck scale is a major investment that requires adequate research and careful consideration. Overlooking seemingly minor details or cutting corners during the purchasing process could leave you facing major operational headaches.
With that in mind, here are some common mistakes when purchasing a truck scale and how you can avoid them.
Not Doing Enough Research
The first step to finding the right truck scale for your business involves conducting extensive research. Some basic factors you need to consider during your research include the following:
- Do you need a steel or concrete deck?
- How long and wide should the scale be?
- What type of weighing mechanisms will offer the best mix of reliability and accuracy?
Without adequate research, you might select a scale that doesn’t align with your operational needs or cannot hold up in the environment in which you intend to deploy it.
Ignoring Regulations
Consider the specific weight and calibration standards for your industry. Overlooking these can lead to fines or other legal penalties. Depending on what industry you operate within, ignoring regulations may also result in disruptions or mandated operational shutdowns.
Make sure you choose a piece of equipment that promotes compliance and business continuity so you can avoid these headaches.
Overlooking Site Requirements
Where you place your scale will have a direct impact on its performance and reliability. You’ll need to evaluate the soil and drainage around your preferred placement site. You will also need to contact local utility providers to check for obstructions like gas or power lines.
Is the site you chose prone to water accumulation? If so, you’ll need to talk to scale providers about how this might impact performance and equipment lifespan. Certain types of weighing mechanisms are more resilient to moisture exposure and water buildup. Others can incur severe damage if submerged in water.
Underestimating Your Usage Needs
Think about the volume of trucks you will be weighing each day. You should also consider how heavy those loads will be on average. Failing to consider your usage needs could shorten the lifespan of your scale or lead to frequent repairs. For example, a light-duty scale should not be used to weigh heavy loads frequently.
Cutting Corners on Maintenance
Truck scales aren’t maintenance-free. You’ll need to create an upkeep schedule and stick with it if you want to keep your new piece of equipment in good working condition. Each brand and style of truck scale has different maintenance recommendations. Talk to the scale provider for tips on caring for your equipment.
You should also find out whether they offer any maintenance and calibration services. After all, who better to maintain your scale than the company that installed it?
Focusing Solely on Price
Running a business means making smart budget decisions and saving money when you can. However, choosing the cheapest scale you can find could result in long-term costs and increase your risk of compliance issues.
An inferior scale may be less accurate and have a shorter lifespan than a higher-quality piece of equipment. If your scale goes down frequently, all of that unexpected downtime will quickly eat away at the money you saved by buying cheaper equipment.
Why These Mistakes Matter
Truck scales are an important part of your operations. If they are up and running, you can quickly move trucks in and out of your facility. However, when they go down, your operations can come to a grinding halt. Operational delays are just one of the consequences associated with buying the wrong scale.
Subpar weight measurement equipment also increases the risk of fines and legal issues. To make matters worse, cheap scales may be more prone to breakdowns. That means you’ll be spending a ton of time and money on repairs.
Tips for Success
Here are some tips to help you find the right truck scale for your business:
- Consider factors like load capacity, environmental conditions, and frequency of use
- Partner with an experienced provider so you can obtain expert guidance and ongoing support
- Ask detailed questions about warranty coverage, maintenance, and the provider’s experience with similar installations
While buying the wrong truck scale can have major consequences, all of the mistakes outlined above can be avoided by doing your due diligence and partnering with a reputable provider.
Ready to Purchase or Rent a Scale? Seek Out Industry Experts
Before you invest in a truck scale, make sure you do your homework and speak to an industry expert who can facilitate a smooth purchasing experience. Look for full-service providers that assist with everything from equipment selection to setup and maintenance.
By avoiding these common mistakes and choosing a reputable scale provider, you can obtain equipment that supports your operations.