Weighbridge

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A Weighbridge, in the UK, is a large weighing system that can weigh entire vehicles and their contents. In the US, this would be called a truck scale. A weighbridge can be surface mounted, with a ramp leading up a short distance and the weighing equipment underneath, or it can be pit mounted with the weighing equipment and platform in a pit so that the weighing surface is level with the road. They are typically built from steel or concrete and by nature are extremely robust.

Weighbridges are used in industries that manufacture or move bulk items, such as in mines or quarries, recycling and bulk liquid and powder movement. Since the weight of the vehicle carrying the goods is known (and can be ascertained quickly if it is not known by the simple expedient of weighing the empty vehicle) they are a quick and easy way to measure the flow of bulk goods in and out of different locations. There are even versions that can weigh rail wagons and freight using weight sensors built into the rails.

Weighbridges can be used for two main purposes

• Selling or charging by weight over the bridge (Trade Approved)
• Check weighing both axle weight and gross vehicle weights

In addition to the larger full-size trade approved weighbridge used for selling and charging by weight, shown in the picture above, a single axle weighbridge or axle weigher system can be used to check individual axle weights and gross vehicle weights to determine whether the vehicle is safe to travel on the public highway without being stopped and fined by the authorties for being overloaded. As with the full-size weighbridge these systems can either be surface mounted or pit mounted.

[edit] See also

• Weigh lock, a portion of a canal used to weigh barges