The document discusses different types of weighing systems for weighing pallets and materials handled by forklifts. It covers beam scales, pallet truck scales, powered pallet truck scales, hydraulic load indicators, hydraulic on-board weighing systems, fork scales, integrated fork scales, and carriage scales. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are provided.
The document discusses different types of weighing systems for weighing pallets and materials handled by forklifts. It covers beam scales, pallet truck scales, powered pallet truck scales, hydraulic load indicators, hydraulic on-board weighing systems, fork scales, integrated fork scales, and carriage scales. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are provided.
The document discusses different types of weighing systems for weighing pallets and materials handled by forklifts. It covers beam scales, pallet truck scales, powered pallet truck scales, hydraulic load indicators, hydraulic on-board weighing systems, fork scales, integrated fork scales, and carriage scales. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are provided.
The document discusses different types of weighing systems for weighing pallets and materials handled by forklifts. It covers beam scales, pallet truck scales, powered pallet truck scales, hydraulic load indicators, hydraulic on-board weighing systems, fork scales, integrated fork scales, and carriage scales. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are provided.
This guide provides an objective view of the various types of weighing systems available on the market for warehousing, logistics and a wide range of industrial applications together with the issues to be considered prior to purchase, taking into account the exact specification and requirements.
THE WEIGHING PROCESS
Many industrial and commercial companies require weighing activities in their process, for example, checking weights prior to onward transportation, establishing weights for invoicing, monitoring incoming goods, stock, production and despatch control, control of waste, health, safety and legislative requirements.
Increased technology now leads to further applications being possible.
A) BEAM, PALLET & PLATFORM SCALES
These form the most basic and cost effective form of weighing pallets, containers, boxes and drums. These are portable systems.
Advantages • Specially prepared site unnecessary • Portable and saves space • Low cost solution • Trade approved versions available • Minimal training required
Disadvantages • Relatively limited weight capacity • Non mobile • Requires alternative means of handling for the items to be lifted and placed
Advantages • Low cost mobile solution • Trade approved versions available • Minimal training required • Manoeuvrable and space saving equipment
Disadvantages • Limited weight capacity • Can be prone to abuse • Manual effort required
C) POWERED PALLET TRUCK SCALES
Providing load indication on more sophisticated powered pallet trucks which have potentially higher weight carrying capability than manual versions. Both load cell and hydraulic systems are available and this is explained later in this document.
Disadvantages • Less manoeuvrable on increased weights • Higher cost than a standard pallet truck
D) FORK LIFT TRUCK SYSTEMS
Different systems are available for varying applications and accuracy requirements as follows: -
a) Hydraulic Load Indicators
b) Hydraulic On-board Weighing Systems c) Fork Scale & Integrated Fork Scale d) Carriage Scale System e) Hazardous Zone Weighing
a) Hydraulic Load Indicator
Fitted as a basic and cost effective system, with a transducer fitted integrally into the hydraulics of the truck, the indicator enables simple overloading checks to be performed, often by means of green, amber and red LED indication of load weight. These systems are particularly suitable for applications where the load centre remains constant.
Advantages • Very cost effective to purchase and maintain • Simple visual and audible functions • Universal fitting applications • Can be easily moved to different trucks • Enhances operator safety
Disadvantages • Limited functionality • Less accurate than more sophisticated systems • Not trade approved • Limited options available • No moving parts • Does not monitor forward/lateral moment of load
Advantages • Cost effective to purchase and maintain • Good value for money solution • Universal fitting applications • Enhanced features available • Accuracy unaffected by a change of lifting attachment or load centre • Can be easily moved to different trucks • Can incorporate truck overload alarm • Can be fitted when attachment precludes load cell systems in forks • No moving parts • Saves time-consuming trips to and from fixed scales • Saves time through stocktaking by weight • Check weighs incoming supplies and outgoing products • Can help to avoid overloading of forklifts/vehicles/racking • Helps to reduce truck wear and tear • Does not affect driver visibility or truck lifting capacity • Promotes safer use of lift truck • Depending on system manufacturer, can be fitted to most Counterbalance and Reach Trucks, Powered Pedestrian, Narrow Aisle Trucks, Side Loaders and Container Handlers as well as Loading Shovels, Wheeled Loaders, Skid Steers, Excavators, and Tractor Loaders • Depending on system manufacturer, can incorporate truck overload alarm • Can be used with attachments • Hazardous zone configurations
Disadvantages • Less accurate than load cell based systems • Not Trade Approved
They operate completely independently of the lift truck, and on many suppliers’ equipment, the indicator is on top of one of the forks with the battery built into the other.
Advantages • Fast, accurate (0.1%) & reliable • Easy to install (no cabling necessary on integrated systems) • Radio Frequency options are available • Minimal changes to be made to the fork lift truck • Systems are easy to change from one lift truck to another • Can be trade approved • Stainless steel forks available for use in hazardous areas • Enhanced options & software available • Reliable, robust, dust and water resistant to IP65 • No deration • Weight reading as soon as load lifted off the ground
Disadvantages • Can be more costly than hydraulic systems • More servicing required to maintain accuracy • Potential loss of visibility on integrated systems • Replacement forks more expensive • Cannot be fitted when attachment used • Load cells in forks more susceptible to damage • Forks are wider and deeper than standard which may limit the pallets and stillages that can be weighed
d) Carriage Scale This system is fitted to the fork carriage, which runs within the mast of the truck. Can be used on trucks, which carry handling attachments, such as rotators, grabs, clamps, etc.
Disadvantages • More expensive than other options • Because of the weight of the system itself and where it is fitted, it reduces the lifting capacity of the truck • May suffer greater variations on readings • Loss of driver visibility
e) Hazardous Zone Weighing
For use in Zone I and II hazardous areas, special systems are available to meet current regulations.
Systems for lift trucks are available which operate both on hydraulic and load cell systems, in addition to the hand pallet truck.
The advantages and disadvantages are comparable to the standard systems.
Many times companies have not identified the level of accuracy that is actually needed. Without detailed knowledge of weighing systems, companies can often ask for +/-1 or 2kg without actually knowing if it is necessary for the application.
To help identify the level of accuracy required, it is important to look at the
material that is to be weighed and the reason for weighing it. With this information it is soon clear whether forklift weighing is suitable or not.
WHAT IS TO BE WEIGHED?
The answer to this gives you an idea of the value of the commodity to be weighed. If this is low to medium cost raw materials such as bales of waste paper, recycled glass or plastic, then forklift weighing can be suitable. If it is high cost material such as copper, brass or aluminium, then a greater level of accuracy can sometimes be required.
WHY IS IT TO BE WEIGHED?
• to check weigh incoming materials that are purchased by weight
• to prevent overloading the racking/shelving in the stores • to prevent overloading the forklift itself • to issue to production by weight • to issue material for processing by a sub-contractor • to identify the weight of the product/s made • to monitor scrap at various stages of production • to prevent overloading vehicles • to identify the weight of goods despatched by carrier • to identify the weight of crates, boxes or containers before export • to promote the safer use of the lift truck • to meet the requirements of quality control procedures (ISO 9000) • to stocktake by weight • to save time-consuming trips to a fixed scale . . . • to save the space taken up by a fixed scale and the space to access it with the forklift truck.
Many companies are prepared to trade off the accuracy of a fixed scale compared with the speed of easily checkweighing as goods are received or despatched. One company supplied saved a 20 minute journey to and from a fixed scale that was located in another building! SUPAWEIGH / LOADCHECKER HYDRAULIC SCALE
ACCURACY
When we install we guarantee that our engineers can achieve accurate weighing with an increment of 10kg maximum on forklift trucks up to 5T capacity. This means that the display increases or reduces in steps of 10 and, effectively, the weight of the load on the forks is rounded up or down to the nearest 10kg.
APPLIED WEIGHT 994 DISPLAY SHOWS 990
996 1000
On lower capacity trucks to 2.0T we can sometimes reduce the resolution to just 5kg but this depends on the truck rather than the Scale. Hence, this is something we find out when we install and are unable to guarantee in advance.
We usually talk about accuracy in terms of the applied load +/-10kg. It is
important to remember that the increment does not vary according to the load applied and, therefore, when calculating percentages, the heavier the load the better the accuracy. e.g.
+/- 10kg on applied load of 1000 is 1%
2000 0.5% 3000 0.33% 5000 0.2% etc
The accuracy of the Supaweigh Scale is unmatched by any other hydraulic
weighing system for lift trucks on the market today. LOADCELL WEIGHING ACCURACY
When customers need a better level of accuracy, the answer lies in loadcell technology which is incorporated into the scales listed below:
We usually talk about accuracy in terms of the applied load +/- 0.1% or one increment, whichever is the greater
SALES SUPPORT
As a company Timotex are pleased to be involved at the enquiry stage so that
we can make sure that weighing requirements are met with the right scale for the application every time.
Do please call on us for product information, site visits, and demonstrations.
SUPAWEIGH WEIGHING SCALES Fork Lift Truck Association Lift, weigh and go! The Supaweigh XL and Loadchecker weighing scales are approved and supplied for all leading makes of forklift truck. The Supaweigh can be fitted to counterbalance, reach, powered pedestrian, narrow aisle, side loaders and container handlers as well as loading shovels, wheeled loaders, skid steers, excavators, tractor loaders and R.T. Handlers
XL model shown
FEATURES: • Unmatched accuracy • Comprehensive screen prompts for easy operation • Tactile keypad • Lift truck overload alarm • Accuracy unaffected by a change of lifting attachment • Styled, diecast case sealed to IP65 • Reliable and maintenance free • Calibration certificate traceable to national standards • CE marked • Solid state memory for data storage up to 10 years
XL FEATURES: • 0-9 keypad for fast entry of digital tare and 10-digit product/identification code which appears on printout • 4 memory channels to store load data • Target load entry linked to target alert
Turns your lift truck into a mobile weighing station
SUPAWEIGH WEIGHING SCALES
Loadchecker model shown
GUARANTEED UNRIVALLED ACCURACY,
RELIABLE & COST EFFICIENT • Typically +/- 10kg on a lift truck to 5000kg lifting capacity. That is unquestionably better than any other scale of its type on the market today
• Saves time-consuming trips to and from fixed scales
• Saves time through stocktaking by weight
• Checkweighs incoming supplies and outgoing
products
• Can help to avoid overloading of
forklifts/vehicles/racking
• Helps to reduce truck wear and tear
• Does not affect driver visibility or
truck lifting capacity
• Promotes safer use of lift truck
Lift truck weighing has never been easier
SPECIFICATION OPTIONS Power supply: Voltage 12 volts DC nominal Current: with printer 430mA; nominal 5A peak • Choice of Thermal or Tally Roll without printer 380mA maximum printers Filtering: Protected against interference, supply excursions and transient voltages (60dB attenuation at 10Mhz) • Alpha numeric keyboard for Display case: Heavy gauge steel bracket mounting with locking device Keypad: Touch sensitive. Resistant to ethanol, gycol, isoproporal, detailed product code entry acetaldehyde, aliphatic hydrocarbons, xylene, perchloroethylene, 1.1.1. trichloroethane, ethyl acetate, • RS232 bi-directional interface diethylether, acetone, methylethyl ketone to link to a PC Performance: Up to 200 tonnes Accuracy: Typical Resolution Forklift Truck 1000-5000kg 10kg maximum • Radio data transfer 5000-10,000kg 10 or 20 kg 10,000 or more 10 or 20 or 50kg • Customised software to suit Circuitry: Solid state microprocessor controlled Display: 120mm x 25mm transflective liquid crystal. Large 9mm individual requirements high charcaters Display lighting: Automatic LED backlighting • Multi-lingual screen prompts in Printers: Thermal and Dot matrix most European languages Printer Memory: Up to 400 loads divided across four memory channels Printout: Time (24 hr clock), date, totaliser channel, load weight, load count, 10 digit product code, load weight. Customised options available Weighing Modes: XL: Subtractive from target load linked to load alert Loadchecker: Additive to one memory channel Keyboard*: Alpha numeric, standard QWERTY36 key pad, sealed to IP67 RS232*: Bi-directional to transmit printer memories at 1200 baud, 8 bit, no parity, 1 stop bit Dimensions XL/Loadchecker w 200mm x d 85mm x h 125mm Dot Matrix Printer w 128mm x d 122mm x h 90mm Thermal Printer w 135mm x d 130mm x h 64mm Operating Temp With Printer 0ºC to 60ºC Without Printer -10ºC to 60ºC Storage Temp Without Printer -20ºC to 60ºC
CE Marked
*Only available for Supaweigh XL scale
Timotex has a policy of continuous product improvement and reserves the
Designed & Printed by Rotary Printers (Stourport-on-Severn) Ltd., Tel: 01299 823839 right to change specifications without prior notice
