Here is what you need to know about Weighbridges

Road safety is a major concern for all. Everybody is a road user, whether you are behind the wheel, being chauffeured or a pedestrian. A humongous out-of-control heavy load truck careening towards you is not a sight you yearn for. It is therefore imperative that trucks, containers and other vehicles that facilitate the movement of ultra heavy loads are weighed. This is where weighbridges come into play.

What is a weighbridge?

Also known as a truckscale, a weighbridge is a set of scales used to weigh bulky items. This set of scales is mounted by the manufacturer on a concrete surface. When the large vehicle drives onto the weighbridge, its weight ismeasured.

Functions of the weighbridge

It is designed to take the weight of large vehicles like trucks and rail containers – the vehicles that move very heavy goods around. The main function is to weigh these vehicles. Weighbridges ensure that only trucks or trailers that meet the standard weight set by law are allowed to pass. Vehicles that exceed the limit allowed are detained for further action.

Recommendations

Truckscales are recommended for use in industries that deal with the following:

• Iron and steel
• Liquid
• Powder
• Mining
• Quarries
• Household appliances
• Metal
• Motor vehicles

Any industry where heavy loads are frequently moved should give a weighbridge manufacturer a call.

Laws and regulations

• Regulations are put in place to protect not only the drivers of the vehicles lugging tonnes of goods but also the vulnerable pedestrian or driverusing the road. Limits on various vehicles are put in place and exceeding them could even mean jail time.

• The overall weight of the vehicle is measured. This is inclusive of individuals in the vehicle (the driver and passengers), and the goods in transit.
• The driver is responsible for keeping the weight of the vehicle at the recommended limit. Failure to adhere to the set laws on weight could lead to hefty fines and/orloss of licences.
• Law enforcement will not allow a vehicle with excess weight to pass. The excess weight must be shed and this could mean losing some of the goods in the driver’s care. This is not a pleasant prospect.

Do weighbridges help?

An overweight vehicle is not safe for eitherthedriver or other roadusers. Driving a heavy vehicle is a stressful affair without the added disadvantage of excess weight. The suspension may fail to work while negotiating corners and the brakes are likely to fail. This is a recipe for disaster.

Weighbridges help because they help to establish whether a vehicle has excess weight. Measures are then taken to safeguard very road user.

Too much weight makes it difficult for a vehicle to respond as it should, putting not only the driverbut other road users as well in danger, hence the need for weighbridges to ensure that weight regulations are adhered to.

Weighing must be reliable and accurate to give exact figures. The industry is then able to better maintain their goods and equipment.