Avoid weighbridge breakdowns with regular servicing

Weighbridge breakdowns can cost thousands of dollars an hour, so it’s imperative that weighbridge owners or operators have effective troubleshooting strategies in place.  Keeping a weighbridge operating optimally should include a preventative maintenance programme, routine checks and regular scheduled servicing with a reputable and experience provider.

Many weighbridges are also certified legal-for-trade and their precision weighing instruments need to be kept in peak working condition and tested regularly so that they meet stringent legislative requirements.

Service and support are critical issues for weighbridge operators, and whilst day-to-day ‘housekeeping’ (removing debris, doing check weighs, checking for any water pooling etc) will make a significant difference to the ongoing accurate and reliable operation of the weighbridge, regular servicing should be non-negotiable.  DIY maintenance is important, but professional servicing by experienced, knowledgeable technicians is imperative.

The benefits of regular servicing are many and varied, with the most obvious – and most important – one being that it minimises the likelihood of costly weighbridge breakdowns.  It will also ensure that the weighbridge performance hasn’t been compromised by any of the following:

• moisture in the load cells or on the weighbar
• structural damage as a result of heavy braking by a vehicle or heavy loads being dropped onto the deck
• build-up of debris under or around the platform
• extreme weather conditions, including electrical disruption from lightning
• continuous operation

Some important points about weighbridge servicing:

• A planned maintenance contract is important, but flexibility is equally important. Frequency of use, environmental conditions, unexpected shock loading etc can all impact on the integrity of the weighbridge and the contract needs to be sufficiently flexible to allow for a rapid response if required.
• Technology is available which assesses servicing requirements based on the working patterns of a weighbridge, not simply on a time schedule. This can be extremely valuable particularly for unmanned weighbridges in remote locations.
• It’s a false economy to cut back on maintenance programmes in order to cut costs. Keeping your weighbridge in good working order will save in the long run.
• A service contract should be tailored to meet the weighbridge’s specific needs. A brand-new weighbridge may only need an annual service, whereas older equipment may require more regular checks, replacement of old load cells etc.
• Maintenance work that’s done outside of a scheduled service may actually contravene regulations governing the legal use of the weighbridge, so operators need to be cautious of DIY work.
• Any service provider worth their salt understands the importance of a rapid response (and the financial implications of a sluggish response) and they will have trained service technicians who can respond quickly and professionally.

For practical and professional advice about weighbridge servicing, talk to the local experts at UltraHawke.  With 150 years’ experience and an extensive countrywide network of fully trained service technicians to support their 100% Australian-manufactured weighbridges for sale, UltraHawke is a highly respected leader in the weighing industry.  In fact, they’re the only weighbridge manufacturer in Australia capable of providing a turnkey, bespoke weighbridge solution including weighbridges, accessories, industrial scales, weighbridge load cells, measurement equipment and wheel wash systems.  Call them on 03 9357 7470 or visit www.ultrahawke.com.au to see their full range of weighbridges for sale, their products and services.