This is a fully certified Mobile Weighbridge™ that can be set up in 10 minutes at virtually any location. Following is a list of frequently asked questions relating to the Mobile Weighbridge™ and the response.

(a) What sort of ground preparation is required for the Mobile Weighbridge™

No ground preparation is required at all for the Mobile Weighbridge™. It has steel pads very similar to that found on a Crane, which are placed under the legs giving a ground pressure of approximately 50 lb/in². Should the ground be very soft then these pads can be supplemented with timber shoring.

(b) Can the Mobile Weighbridge™ be placed on inclined ground?

Yes. This is one of the benefits of the Self Leveling System, and the only real limitation to the amount of inclination the Mobile Weighbridge™ will operate on is the angle of the ramps and the ability of the vehicles to climb up them. At 50mm off the ground at one end the inclined angle of the ramps is 9º, and at 425mm off the ground the inclined angle is 16º.

(c) Does the Mobile Weighbridge™ require acceleration/deceleration arresters?

No. These are an integral part of the Mobile Weighbridge™, however a maximum speed of 4 km/hr should not be exceeded.

(d) Self-powered or external power?

The Mobile Weighbridge™ has its own power supply in the form of a 22 hp diesel engine to run the hydraulics as well as charging the 12 VDC and 24 VDC systems. The 12 VDC system just runs the engine and the 24 VDC system powers the onboard PLC, the weighing indicator, the docket printer (if fitted) and any data acquisition and management systems.

(e) What comes with the Standard Mobile Weighbridge™?

The basic Mobile Weighbridge™ comes as a bare unit complete with the following:

1. Weighbridge including power supply, hydraulic ramps, legs, footplates.
2. Leveling system.
3. Weighing indicator.

Optional extras depending on requirement are:

1. Rear axel (including air or hydraulic brake kits).
2. Front King Pin (for tractor unit or dolly).
3. Front dolly (including air or hydraulic brake kit).
4. Lighting kit (to comply with transport regulations).
5. Remote control stations for legs– front and rear.
6. Data Acquisition and Management Software suitable for PC.
7. Single docket printer.

(f) Calibrating Methodology.

The Mobile Weighbridge™ is calibrated to OMIL (Intl) standards for a class III scale, and must be re-certified every 12 months.

(g) Meaning of Class III Scale.

Mobile Weighbridges™ manufactures its equipment in compliance with the International Standards of OMIL. A Class III scale has an accuracy of 3 divisions at full load, i.e. a 30 Tonne weighbridge has divisions of 10 Kg and therefore is accurate to 30 Kg’s at full load or 0.1%.
The first test at the time of manufacture OMIL requires that the scale is accurate to half of this tolerance i.e. 0.05% or 1.5 divisions at full load. Subsequent annual testing then reverts back to 0.1% tolerance.

(h) Adjustments required during shifting?

No adjustments are required during the shifting of the Mobile Weighbridge™. This is the big advantage of the integral self-levelling and jacking system. The Mobile Weighbridge™ has two operating modes; firstly, Manual mode is for raising the ramps, lifting the machine and all other functions for the relocation process. Secondly, once relocated and back at ground level, the machine is switched over to Automatic mode and it performs all levelling functions itself and once it is level it then allows weighing functions to commence.

(i) Cycle time.

The Mobile Weighbridge™ takes approximately 15 seconds to stabilise and print out a weight; added to this is approximately 45 seconds to drive the truck on and off. This gives a rate of 60 weighs per hour maximum.

(j) MIS Data and print out facility.

As noted in (e) the Mobile Weighbridge™ can have an optional extra single docket printer. Mobile Weighbridges™ Ltd has full Data Management software packages including Microchip Identification Systems for unmanned operation. This package is all part of the Omron Electronics system on which the Mobile Weighbridge™ operates so that it is all matched and compatible. The information gathered can be stored in a local PC, and can also be connected via modem or telemetric means for real time data transmissions to any remote location.

(k) Maintenance cost.

As the Mobile Weighbridge™ has very few moving parts the maintenance costs are minimal. The diesel engine will require regular servicing as with any machine i.e. filters, oil changes etc, and the rest of the machine will give trouble free service as long as it is operated as designed and free from damage.

(l) Frequency of maintenance.

The diesel engine requires daily checks, oil, water, hydraulic oil level and air cleaner. Further to this the engine should be serviced at regular intervals, 500 hrs under normal operating conditions and 300 hrs in a harsh environment, being oil change, filter changes, checking radiator etc. The Mobile Weighbridge™ has a full self-diagnostics programme built in so that any other faults are immediately identified and pinpointed whilst the machine is in service, giving safety and minimising downtime.

(m) Self-balancing of load distribution.

As with all load cell weighbridges, the load can be applied to any or all load cells and the weight will be the same. This is tested in the calibration test and a certified load applied to each corner must register the same as that load applied in the centre of the platform. The 30 Tonne Mobile Weighbridge™ has 4 x 25 Tonne load cells, giving an overload rating of approx 1.6 on each end.

(n) Can you split weigh with the Mobile Weighbridge™

Yes, but to split weigh a truck and trailer on the Mobile Weighbridge- the trailer has to be disconnected from the truck. If the approaches are level both ends and are within the Weights and Measures legal limits there is no need to disconnect the trailer.

Hopefully, this is sufficient information for you to get an understanding of our equipment. When calculating Return on Investment, the big saving is the reduction in transport time/cost as the Mobile Weighbridge™ is always in the most efficient place, minimising these inefficiencies.