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Determine Your Customer's Requirements for Lift Truck On-board Check Weighing |
What You Need to Know About Forklift On-board Check Weighing & Safety Overload Warning Systems
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If the weight readout accuracy of +/- .5% to 1% of the maximum load capacity of the fork lift truck is allowed for that particular operation; then SkidWeigh is the solution to your customer's needs
Selecting
The
Right
System
There is a variety of on-board scales and check weighing systems available on the market offering an array of options for companies seeking solutions to their material handling productivity problems. We will provide a guide to two of the most prominent operating concepts, load cell and hydraulic pressure weighing systems.
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The most important is to find what the customer really needs. While most clients have a good idea of what they want, they may sometimes have unrealistic expectations of their material handling suppliers.
- Find out more about your customer's lift truck operating environment. This is the most important information that will make a difference between real world workable solution or failure.
- Does your customer utilize two different forks attachments during the normal operation? If this might be a case than you will need the system with two weighing channels capability.
- Everyone can sale you a forklift scale. Not everyone will sale you a right scale to match your customer needs, operational environment or right application.
Will the vehicle be driven only inside the plant or will the vehicle be driven outside as well. For example, in a typical transportation loading dock facility, there is a lot of dust and the vehicle is constantly moving in and out of the trailers. In some operational environments, the vehicle might be going back and forth from the freezer to the loading dock, which would indicate that water and humidity are present.
Knowing this type of information in advance will influence our decision as to which type of on-board system and accessories should be recommend for that particular customer.
What The Customer Really Needs
It is worth asking the question whether the customer always understands his own requirement. Some may only want a basic "lift and weigh" load weight readout. Whereas some other customers may want additional functions such as, tare input, total weight per waybill ID, waybill ID#, or a ticket printout of the load weights. The simple overload weight indicator might be the only requirement for some end user's having concerns with operators safety or perhaps giving them tools to minimize the damages to racking, shelving, etc.
Difference Between "Legal for Trade" and On-board Check
Weighing Systems
The majority of end users are not familiar with the difference between lift truck on-board scales and check weighing systems available on the market.
There are some applications where the end user requires a very accurate on-board weighing system. Such a system must be designed for weighing accuracy of +/- 0.1% and have "Legal for Trade" certification approval.
The cost for this accuracy is quite high, usually between $6,000 - $14,000 per installed unit, depending on the scale weighing capacity. These scale weighing accuracy must be maintained during the normal operation and will require a frequent visits from the service personal to satisfy the "Weights and Measurement Authority"
The majority of other material handling applications do not require such an accurate weight readout. For all practical purposes, the load weight readout accuracy within +/- 1 % to 2% of the lift truck lift capacity is good enough for the majority of material handling facilities.
The issue of the "Legal for Trade" system verses the check weighing system and their weighing accuracy readout is an important element and must be addressed with the potential customer at the beginning of the conversation. Too many times there is a misunderstanding about this issue and the end user does not know in which direction to proceed.
Make sure the customer is aware of the difference in weight readout accuracy, as well as the difference in costs.
Vehicle Lifting Capacity Will Be Reduced With Carriage Mounted Load
Cell Assembly On-board Scales
The "Legal for Trade" scales must have Weights & Measures certification approval. These systems are based on load cell attachments mounted on the vehicle carriage assembly.
The carriage load cell assembly systems will reduce the lifting capacity of the vehicle; anywhere from 8% to 14% which will depend on the rated capacity of the scale. Make sure you get all the facts from the supplier!
For vehicles requiring special attachments, you must make sure that the carriage based load cell system will perform as per the specifications. The lifting height is important and must be considered due to the reduced lifting capacity of the vehicle in a load cell environment . The fixed link of the load cell electrical cables from the carriage to the scale indicator may also cause problems. The weighing accuracy of "Legal for Trade" systems must be within +/- 0.1% of the vehicle's lifting capacity. For example , Class ll carriage, 5,000 pounds lift capacity, the accuracy within +/- 5 pounds.
In almost every case, the installation of the carriage load cell based weighing system will have to be done by the scale supplier. The same applies for some other check weighing systems, such as chain mounted, chain anchor bolts and forks load cell.
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It should also be noted that when lift trucks equipped with such on-board weighing systems are to be traded in or replaced with the another vehicle; the carriage load based weighing system and some other can not be moved from truck to truck easily.
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In addition to the reduction of the vehicle lifting capacity, it is important to note as well that such a system will not show to the operator a true vehicle overloading conditions, specially as loads are being retrieved / lifted at different mast heights.
What Kinds Of The On-board Check Weighing Systems Are On The Market
All other lift truck on-board weighing systems that do not meet "Legal for Trade" approval are known in the material handling industry as the "On-Board Check Weighing Systems".
They can be of the same design concept such as the load assembly mounted in the carriage of the vehicle or can also be designed for hydraulic pressure transducer / transmitters installed in the lift circuit, or load cells mounted in the lift truck's chains and forks.
The price range for on-board check weighing systems can be anywhere from $1,300.00 to $6,000.00 . The check weighing accuracy from all of these systems are in the range from +/- 0.5% to 5% of the vehicle's lifting capacity and availability of other useful functions which is a reflection in the price range.
Things
To Consider Before Purchasing On-board Scale!
Find out more about the working concept for lift truck on-board scale or check weighing system
- Learn more about degree of difficulty to install the system into the vehicle
- Can installation / calibration be done by local lift truck technician or must be done by the supplier
- What technical specification and data from lift truck dealer is required to specify right unit, important
- Will on-board weighing system work with a specific lift truck attachments
- Will on-board weighing system work in wet, dusty environment or freezer
- Total cost, including the installation costs
- Find out the location for the system installation ( Dealer, Customer or Scale Supplier )
- Calibrating procedures
- Safety of the installed components (Example: Leaf chain load cells installation procedures)
- Check weighing accuracy in relationship to vehicle lifting capacity
- Are there any loses of the vehicle lifting capacity, important in high reach working facilities
- Warranty
- Return policy, re-stocking charges
- Total weight of the weighing system and it's components
- Shipping costs: Important since some system will weigh a several hundreds of pounds
- Serviceability after sale
- Delivery times
- Purchasing terms
All of the above should be investigated before making the final decision on the appropriate on-board scale or check weighing system.
Check Weighing Solutions For The Real World
 click image to enlarge |
The facts
are that well designed hydraulic
pressure transducer based on-board check weighing systems
are the most economical and reliable solution to your customer's
requirements.
The key to the successful lift truck check weighing system is in a software development that takes into account many variable conditions within vehicle hydraulic lift circuit. Simple solution of having some kind of indicator connected to the pressure sensor will provide less than desirable results. In order to minimize the weighing readout errors some suppliers of lift truck hydraulic pressure based check weighing systems are trying to compensate this by introducing certain operational conditions / external devices ( proximity switches, level indicators, bringing forks to certain heights, lowering forks, bleed off valves, etc.) but without any measurable success. |
Putting the Pieces Together...
Keep
It Simple!
When on the market to supply your customer with the on-board lift truck scale or check weighing system, before making any decision, make sure you do your homework!
Why SkidWeigh System?
It all adds up to the best R.O.I. for you customer
Our products are designed on the working concept based on the hydraulic pressure transducer installed in lift circuit of the vehicle. As of example, the ED2-Series line consists only of two components, digital indicator and pressure transducer. There is no operator input, no buttons to press. System can be installed on any material handling vehicle ( No hand pallet trucks or electric low lift ), regardless of the power supply, for lifting capacity up to 50,000 pounds or kilograms.
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All of the SkidWeigh models are designed as a "On-board Check Weighing Systems".
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The development of the software / hardware for SkidWeigh product line was made with the Lift Truck Dealer in mind. The goal is to keep it simple, make it fully automatic, obtain the best weighing accuracy possible, easy to install and calibrate and make sure that works for long time. Our marketing strategy is to supply our products directly to the Lift Truck Dealers. Our success is the repeatable customer base that keeps coming back to purchase additional units once the first installed unit has been proven in the real world operational environment.
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The ED2-Series SkidWeigh is the only forklift on-board check weighing system that is found to be installed in multiple quantities within the same company.
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We do not make any claims, we do not make any comparisons, just facts.
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Should your customer application be out of the ordinary or our product line is not suitable, we will not sale it to you.
These innovative products (Patented Technology, Worldwide) are economically priced, backed with a two year warranty and are simple to install by the qualified lift truck technician.
Our return policy is as follows:
Full credit if returned within 30 days and unit is not damaged
Between 31 and 90 days of purchase, credit note for full amount less 25% restocking fee to be used against future purchase, if unit is not damaged
No credit after 90 days
There is no need for the in house "Scale Technician Expertise" or outside service installation personal in order to install and calibrate the SkidWeigh systems.
Because orders received in lower quantities are shipped out within 24 hours, there is no need to stock them.
The end user sales and installation price is determined by the individual Lift Truck Dealer.
Overseas Lift Truck Dealers
We supply the ED2-Series SkidWeigh Systems Worldwide.
Orders are shipped within 24 hours from Toronto distribution facility. The ED2-Series single order shipping weight of approx. 1.1kg ( 2,7lbs) are shipped by air, via UPS.
Products Overview
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Working Concept |
Reduction of Lift Truck Lifting Capacity |
Level of Expertise for Scale Installation |
Technical Data on the Forklift to be Provided by Lift Truck Dealer |
Capability of Ease Installation of the System to Another Forklift |
| Lift Truck Carriage Load Cell |
Yes |
Scale Supplier Technician |
Yes |
No |
| Lift Truck Forks Load Cell |
Yes |
Scale Supplier Technician |
Yes |
No |
| Lift Truck Leaf Chain Load Cell |
No |
Scale Supplier Technician |
Yes |
No |
| Lift Truck Leaf Chain Torsional Load Cell |
No |
Scale Supplier Technician |
Yes |
No |
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Pressure Transducer |
No |
Lift Truck Technician |
No |
Yes |
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ED2-Series SkidWeigh Systems
| Ski ED EEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD |
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| For Vehicle Lifting Capacity (Kg or lbs) | Vehicle Operating Voltage (DC) | Weight Indicator Digital Display | Application | Order Number |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | General Operations |
ED2-Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Cold Storage Facilities |
ED2-F- Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Trailer/Truck Forklifts |
ED2-TMLT-Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Rough Terrain Forklifts |
ED2-RTLT-Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Freight Loading Docks |
ED2-FW-Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Weighing with Overload |
ED2-SM-Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | In % Of Lifting Capacity |
ED2-SLL-Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Overload Alarm/Relay |
ED2-SM-OAS Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Accumulative Total |
ED2-AT Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Electric Stacker |
ED2-EPT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | With Printer Interface |
ED2-Printer |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Mobile Column Lifts |
ED2-MCL |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Hydraulic Lift Tables |
ED2-HLT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Skid Steer Loaders |
ED2-SSL |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Skid Steer Loader with two Weighing Channels |
ED2-SSL-SM |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Skid Steer loader with Accumulative Total |
ED2-SSL-AT |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Rear End Truck Waste Container Carrier |
ED2-CC |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Waste Container Carrier with Overload |
ED2-CC-SM |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Large Lifting Capacity Forklifts with Overload |
ED2-LFC-SM |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Large Lifting Capacity Forklifts with % Overload |
ED2-LFC-SLL |
| 100000 | 12 V | 10 to 125% dial | Lift-O-Graph kit for 12V Operating System |
ECCR-125-12 |
| 100000 | 12 to 55 | 10 to 125% dial | Lift-O-Graph kit for 12-55V Operating System |
ECCR-125/24/55 |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | Overload with Alarm and two weighing channels |
ED2-X2-Series |
| 50000 | 12 to 48 | Five Digits LED | European Version Overload with Alarm and two weighing channels |
EED2-X2-Series |
Note: ED2-Printer Model has RS-232 port for the on-board printer. Printer not included. You must order printer IPR-12V in addition
