Modular Scale Houses and Weigh Stations

Weigh stations are large scales that are used to check the commodities that trucks carry to and from their destination. They are important because an overweight truck could do severe damage to the roads and bridges if it is too heavy. This also applies to highways and freeways, where weigh stations can often be found. In America, the maximum weight that a truck with a full trailer can be on the road is 80,000 pounds.

An overloaded truck can be incredibly dangerous. In fact, trucks could be considered the most dangerous vehicles on the road. Even without the added weight, they are extremely heavy. An overweight truck can be difficult for a driver to control or stop, resulting in a dangerous accident or the truck tipping over. Weigh stations assist in monitoring the trucks so that everyone on the road can remain safe. 

When a truck driver sees a weigh station that says open, they must exit the freeway or highway and enter the scales to be weighed. 

The weight of a truck is usually calculated in two ways:

• Axle Weight- The amount of weight carried by each tandem axle on a truck. This is calculated by dividing the total weight load by the total number of tandem axles. Then adding the weight of the tractor that is pulling the trailer. 
• Gross Weight- The combined weight of the entire load, trailer, tractor, and any added accessories. 

If a truck does not stop at the designated weigh stations, they could risk being pulled over and ticketed by law enforcement. Weigh stations serve an important function to ensure that our highways remain safe, and to prevent unnecessary wear and tear to our roads. 

However, weight is not the only thing that is checked at these stations. Each state collects taxes on transported goods based on weight. So, weigh stations are sometimes used for collecting taxes. Not only that, but there are sometimes surprise inspections of the driver’s logs. These logs detail how long the driver has been on the road, the amount of breaks they’ve taken, and for how long those rest periods have been. Their hours are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is to ensure that the drivers do not fall asleep behind the wheel, and that they are receiving adequate rest on their long journeys. 

• Some additional items that the inspector may check the vehicle for include:
• Air pressure on tires
• Tire tread
• Oil, fuel, or anti-freeze leaks
• Brake functions
• Fuel tanks
• Hose or tubing leaks
• Engine checks

In addition to trucking companies, the mining industry relies heavily on the accurate weighing and measuring of their materials. Weighing solutions such as the truck scales mentioned above play a key role in daily mining operations. This includes the extraction, loading, processing, and transportation of mining materials. 

These are some weighing solutions that mining operations typically use: 

Weigh bridges or multi-deck weighbridges

• Axle weighers
• Wheel weighers
• Belt weighers
• Weigh Bins and Hoppers
• End loader scales
• Onboard vehicle weighing

There are a variety of other commercial industries that rely on weigh stations for their operations. They are often used by: 

• Asphalt and Concrete Companies
• Farming and Agriculture
• Pharmaceuticals
• Sealant Solvents
• Tobacco
• Textiles
• Waste and Recycling
• Postal Mail and Shipping

Weighing is fundamental to almost every business. Weight measurement is an important component of managing costs, maintaining quality, and assessing overall efficiency.

Scale houses are mainly used as an office building for the weigh station employees. It is a climate-controlled area where administrative work can be done, but also serves as a break area or rest zone. They serve as an important aspect of weigh station operations, and offer comfortable, safe, efficient workspace for staff.

Scale houses are portable, meaning they can be easily moved to another area or location if needed. They can also be custom built based on your specific needs. These modular scale houses are built in a factory, which means they arrive to your site ready for use. 

Are you in need of a modular scale house? Get your new modular building delivered to your trucking stop or mining site today. Avoid the unnecessary construction traffic, safety risks, and time that would be required when you build with conventional construction. 

At BOXX Modular, we have extensive experience in helping businesses like yours to receive the scale house they need to support their operations. Request a quote today or contact one of our representatives.