Truck scales are the most integral part of businesses that require regular transportation and allocation of raw materials/goods from one place to another for fulfillment. The precision in weighing and its reliability is why companies rely heavily on these large weighing instruments. They do more good than bad ensuring the seamless operation of businesses that depend on and use them constantly. They help in managing resources, weighing them accurately, billing, storing transportation and load data, reducing the risk of accidents, and imposing heavy penalties due to overloading, etc. But there are times when due to many underlying reasons, these portable truck scales either fail to deliver accuracy in performance or they do not function as they should. These reasons might involve poor maintenance, careless as well as abrupt usage, or it can be some technical or physical damage due to which the truck scales fails to deliver accuracy in weighing. This blog will act as a guide to make you aware of what to do when your truck scale does not function properly.
Common Reason For Truck Scales Not Functioning Appropriately
Before we dive into what to do if your truck scale is not working properly, let's first learn about the common reasons, which hamper the seamless performance of these weighing instruments.
Moisture: Most truck scales are constantly in danger of getting damaged due to exposure to moisture. Moisture poses a great threat to the functioning of the load cells of these scales. Load cells are vulnerable and any exposure to moisture will hugely impact the proper functioning of these cells, as they are the backbone of precise weighing of truck loads. Moisture in the load cells can lead to a fluctuation in the weight measurement of the truckloads, thus it is important to inspect and clear the moisture from the load cells.
Debris And Dust Build-Up: Accumulation of dirt particles and debris, on the load cells or the digital instruments of truck scales is a big hindrance to the seamless performance and accuracy of these scales. Therefore, it is advised that regular cleaning should be done to ensure that there is no build-up of debris which is stopping the load cells from getting compressed and released properly when pressure or weight is put on them. Improper compression will only lead to inaccuracy in displaying weight.
Cable Damage: Cable damage can be one of the major causes of your truck scale not working adequately or failing frequently. Cable problems are why most truck scales are unable to function properly. Cables can be either broken, stretched, or unplugged from their power source. Apart from that build-up of mud, sand, etc, as well as exposure to moisture can also be a reason for the cable getting damaged. Checking the cable regularly ensures that these are in good condition, not damaged and there is a smooth flow of power through the cable.
Truck Scale Load Cells: As we have mentioned above moisture is a major cause of damage to the load cells. Apart from moisture, there are other factors that impact the smooth functioning of these load cells which impact the weighing accuracy of the truck scale. Other factors include Shock loading, overloading, lightning, natural disasters such as earthquakes, corrosion, etc. The precision of weighing depends heavily on the proper compression and release of the load cells, any small variation or damage in causes huge problems when weighing the loads on the trucks. Load cells must be inspected regularly to ensure are properly functional.
Junk Box: Junk boxes are the heart of the weighbridge of the truck scales. Junk boxes consist of delicate electronics that are responsible for operating or controlling the flow of power to the load cells and other parts underneath the weighbridge. But there are times when water moisture, and debris sneak past the seal of the junk box. The junk boxes should be sealed properly to block moisture and dust from entering inside them also giving a pathway to enter the load cells.
Now that we know the common reason for the improper functioning of these truck scales, let us move ahead and understand what to do when there are problems occurring in your truck scale.
Things To Do When Your Truck Scale Does Not Function Properly
There might be several underlying ways due to which your truck scales might not be working properly, but no worries, there are ways to troubleshoot them as well. These are some of the things that you can do in case your truck scale does not operate properly:
Inspection
The best way to troubleshoot problems is to visually inspect the issue that is hindering the functioning of the truck scale. It is important to carry out a thorough inspection, to look out for any physical damage, and to ensure that there are no loose connections or build-up of mud and dirt that can interfere with its operations. Be sure that all load cells, cables, and indicators are placed as required.
Calibrate the truck scale to catch any technical or physical fault in any part of the truck scale. Improper pre-calibration might be a cause of the inability to detect faults in the scale system. A verified and proper calibration can help determine the problems that might be hindering the truck scale from performing adequately. Calibration is an integral part of maintaining these weighing instruments so it should be done regularly to ensure precise measurements and proper functioning.
Check The Load Cells
When scouting for issues in the truck scales, always make sure to thoroughly check the load cells. Load cells determine the weight of the loads put on the weighbridges. It is very crucial for you to clean and calibrate these load cells regularly and make sure that they work properly without any buildup of debris or exposure to moisture, that might cause them to get jammed up. Replace the load cells by contacting your manufacturer, if the load cells are worn out, and permanently disabled.
Power Supply Issues
Power-related issues are a common reason for scale failures. Ensure there is a constant power flow to the scale and examine whether any fuse has burnt out or the circuit breaker has been tripped. Power surges, short circuits, etc, can cause issues in the power supply, so it is important to inspect thoroughly and replace any faulty components. Check for damages on the power supply cables, and also ensure that there is an active supply of electricity in the main power points. Also, inspect the batteries if the truck scale uses batteries to operate. Buy new ones if they are worn out or use fresh ones if used with batteries.
Indicators and Displays
Wrong indications or errors in display might be a cause for concern. This might create a false alarm and panic among the on-site workers, who rely on these indications which might be a technical issue and not a real problem in the physical parts of the scale. Wrong indications might cause confusion, and lead to the diagnostics of the entire scale. It is best to re-calibrate the truck scale in this case and check all the cables as well as the load cells to ensure that they are perfect, and not damaged.
Software Bugs
Truck scales come integrated with advanced software that helps in managing data and ensures everything is functioning properly and that there are no issues in any part of the scale, including the load cells, weighbridge, power supply, etc. But there are times when the software has bugs in it, meaning defects that lead to improper functionality of the software itself. To troubleshoot this issue it is important to keep the software up to date, and use it as a guide. If the issue is not resolved call a trusted software programmer or the truck scale manufacturer to assist in resolving this issue. Software problems can lead the hardware (truck scale) to work inadequately.
Impact Of Environment
Environmental factors have a huge impact on the functioning of the truck scales. Natural hazards can either break or disable these scales entirely. Exposure to extremely high or low temperatures, moisture, debris, etc, can lead to many problems in the performance of these truck weighing instruments. Installing the truck scale in an appropriate location where it is safe from the adverse effects of the environment is a wise choice. Make sure that your truck scale is made up of corrosion-resistant materials to guarantee proofing from the harmful effects when exposed to moisture.
Schedule Repairs And Maintenance
Irregularity in repairing and maintaining the truck scales is one of the reasons why your truck scale might not function properly. It is important for you to have a routine inspection, with regular repair and maintenance to ensure seamless functioning and longevity. Also, remember to clean and wash the truck scale thoroughly to ensure the removal of dust and debris buildup that later causes problems in weighing operations. Failure in routine inspection, repair, and maintenance might be a costly affair for you in case your truck scales do not perform adequately or get completely disabled. This will ensure smooth functionality and help you detect any malfunctions as well as fix them immediately.
Contact Your Manufacturer
If you fail to diagnose and fix the above problems or any other issues not mentioned above, do not hesitate to call your manufacturer. These truck scales come with a guarantee period, and the manufacturer is liable to provide you with services in case of any functional problem with these scales. Discussing the issue with the manufacturer company is the perfect thing to do as they might be sending trained and professional technicians who will inspect your truck scale and carry out the necessary repair and replacement required to fix the issue. If your truck scale has crossed the guarantee period, contact a certified truck scale technician, who might be able to help resolve the issues that are arising. They might also give important advice regarding the malfunctioning of your truck scale also ways to prevent the problem from recurring in the future.
Truck scales are a long-term investment, it is your responsibility to carry out a routine inspection with regular cleaning and repair work, to enhance lifespan and precision in performance. However, if there are still functional problems in your truck scale, it is best to contact the truck scale manufacturers or a certified technician to help you determine and resolve the issue with your truck scale. Ignoring servicing your scales will later impact your business operations badly and might cause long hours of downtime, which will lead to losses. In case you detect any inaccuracy in weighing truck loads, inspect immediately and get it fixed to prevent the situation from getting worse later on in the future. Precision is everything when it comes to using truck scales.