Which Floor Scale Is Right for Your Application?

In manufacturing and distribution centers, floor scales facilitate the weighing and measuring of ingredients, components, and products. These heavy-duty devices are designed to withstand the pressure of bulky and massive items being dragged or pushed across their surfaces throughout the day. Some models include options such as additional resistance to the stresses of harsh environments, automatic data logging, or wireless capabilities. Many industrial floor scales also measure density, pressure, volume, and other important parameters.

Floor scales are an integral part of a wide range of industrial operations. Industrial floor scales make monitoring for quality control, coordinating weights for shipping, logistics, and a variety of other measurement-based operations easier.

Types of Floor Scales

There are a number of different types of industrial floor scales.

• Basic floor scales only measure weight. These simple devices can hold weights up to 20,000 lbs.
• Low-profile scales can accommodate pallet jacks. Like basic scales, they are usually limited to weight measurements.
• Lift scales allow access to the underside of the deck for easier cleaning. Made from stainless steel, lift scales are the ideal solution for operations that require detailed attention to hygiene.
• Portable industrial floor scales are similar to low-profile scales. However, these devices include a swivel mechanism that allows them to be folded and moved away from the area when not in use.
• U-scales make it easier to weigh pallet loads. Lifted pallet jacks can be positioned directly onto the scale without the need to negotiate narrow ramps.
• High-precision floor scales facilitate high-accuracy measurements. Since these scales provide minute measurement details, they are often limited in capacity to allow a higher resolution.
• Heavy-capacity floor scales accommodate large amounts of mass. These devices are used to weigh items above 50,000 lbs. Bolt-style footing increases safety by preventing the scale from sliding during use.

Each type of industrial scale is best suited for a particular purpose or line of business. Some models include additional capabilities to allow for a wider range of industrial measurements.

How to Choose the Right Floor Scale for Your Application

Selecting the appropriate industrial floor scale for your operation will largely depend on the unique requirements of your application.

Ask yourself the following questions to determine your requirements:

How do you plan to load your scale?

• If you rely on forklifts and pallet jacks to maneuver your loads, opt for U-scales and similar devices that make it easier to place loads into the proper position.

Do you require a more mobile unit?

• For remote operations or smaller companies with limited space and resources, portable industrial scales allow flexibility.

How accurate do your measurements need to be?

• High-precision floor scales facilitate high-accuracy measurements for industrial operations that use chemicals, food ingredients, and other reactive components.

Is your space limited?

• Besides the floor scale itself, take into account the space needed for ramps and moving pallet jacks or forklifts. Choose a more compact model such as a U-scale if you can’t commit the space for larger units.

What are your sanitation requirements?

• Food, medical, and cosmetics manufacturers and researchers are better able to maintain sanitary conditions with lift scales.

What hazardous conditions will your scales be subjected to?

• Corrosive materials, caustic atmospheres, moisture, and abnormal temperatures can compromise your scale’s functionality. Choose a hardier model that is designed with materials that resist corrosion and physical damage, such as stainless-steel lift scales.

Floor Scales from Garber Metrology

In industrial operations, choosing the right floor scale is essential. The wrong equipment can limit your ability to produce superior products, compromise the safety of your facilities, and/or increase the risk of accidents or compliance issues.

Garber Metrology makes it easy to find the perfect industrial floor scale for your operation. Our metrologists and technical support team are available to help you discover the right solutions for your industrial measurement needs. Regardless of your intended application, space limitations, or special requirements, our team can help you find an industrial floor scale that satisfies your specifications.

Our selection of industrial weight solutions also includes truck, crane, and bench scales, as well as check-weighers. Garber Metrology is your source for comprehensive industrial weight solutions.

Contact us for more information on selecting the right floor scale for your operation.