Monthly Archives: July 2018

Regardless of whether you’re in a small operation with just a bench scale or a single floor scale, or in a huge, busy facility with multiple floor scales and a truck scale, weighing technology is the heart of any recycling facility. All of these different types of scales are used to weigh the cans, brass, aluminum, copper, steel, or other materials being recycled; these weights are used, in turn, to determine payments or credits. As the movement to stay “green” has swelled, the need for more – and more efficient – recycling technology has become greater. The following are some key tips for selecting the best weighing technology for recycling applications:

1. Buy scales with heavy duty load cells. Thanks to the high traffic and spills common to recycling applications, stainless steel load cells are a must-have in recycling weighing. Load cells have to hold up over time, and in demanding applications like recycling, stainless is best – particularly in above ground, rather than pit, scales, due to frequent cleaning and maintenance needs.
2. Just like load cells, get heavy-duty cables. Recycling facilities are dirty, with spills and the rodents those spills inevitably attract. Stainless steel sheathing on cables will prevent those cables from getting chewed through, as well as protecting them from weather, spilled materials, and cuts from forklifts or other hazards. Protecting cables protects plant uptime. Find high-quality equipment at Industrial auction hub.
3. Find software designed for the task. Regardless of scale type, the weighing software used for recycling plants should be capable of recording multiple customers, producing reports, and printing tickets with payout amounts included. When a truck pulls onto the scale, the computer can automatically tally totals and print the ticket. This advanced software significantly shortens transaction time, helping to avoid backups.
4. Lightning protection is essential. All of the steel we just described makes these scales a prime lightning strike risk, and without proper protection, lightning can render a scale useless.
5. Maintain scales carefully. A quarterly Preventive Maintenance Agreement is recommended to inspect and calibrate all recycling scales. Additionally, frequent maintenance to clean trash away and wash out scales, especially under the scales, is incredibly important, as recycling facilities are traditionally very messy.

A scale chosen correctly for recycling applications will result in less downtime and a lower cost of ownership over the lifetime of the scale. Interested in learning more? Check out information on our Intalogix™ Technology for lightning protection, FB2558 Digital Instrument with recycling-ready software, Aegis Floor Scales, and Talon Truck Scales.