
Weighbridge Systems and SolutionsMETTLER TOLEDO offers accurate and reliable weighing solutions for all of your transport and logistics needs – including industrial weighbridges... |

Now Available for Your Weighbridge - 10 Year Load Cell Warranty
METTLER TOLEDO is now backing our premium POWERCELL® PDX® load cells, with an unprecedented 10 Year Warranty. Delivering industry leading accuracy and reliability, a lower total cost of ownership, and now a Comprehensive 10 Year Warranty to back it up. If you are shopping for a new weighbridge, or simply wish to upgrade your truck scale - look no further than POWERCELL® PDX®.
To learn more about the 10 Year PDX Warranty, register here to speak with a local representative from your area.
Truck Scales for Over-the-Road Trucks | Weighbridge Software / Truck Scale Software Management | Truck Scale Upgrades | Off-Road Weighbridges |
Weighbridges for road-going vehicles available with a steel deck or concrete deck. | Gain complete control of your weighing transaction data with vehicle scale management systems for productivity and profit gains. | Retrofit older scales by adding the latest vehicle weighing technology to eliminate problems and extend the life of your scale. | Scales for weighing the larger and heavier trucks that are used for off-road hauling. |
Strength Proven structural designs for demanding applications Longevity Premium materials and manufacturing for lasting performance Multiple Configurations Choose full-length, multi-axle, or single-axle configurations | Improve Business Faster transactions, fewer errors, and better information The Right Fit Packages designed for businesses of all sizes | Increase Reliability Eliminate the causes of frequent downtime and high repair costs Protect Profitability Solve hidden weighing errors that drain profit from transactions | Extreme Duty Weigh up to 500t with unmatched POWERCELL performance Rugged Construction Handles massive loads and challenging environments year after year |
Vehicle Scale Terminals | Vehicle Scale Additions | Weighbridge/Truck Scale Load Cell | Combination Truck and Rail Scales |
From basic weighing to integrated control systems, the right scale terminal is ready to meet your needs. | A full line of peripherals designed to increase the capabilities of your vehicle scale. | Designed for truck scales and rail scales, advanced load cells increase weighing accuracy and reliability in demanding applications. | A section of rail for weighing rail cars combined with an integral concrete deck for weighing trucks. |
Clear Information Scale operators benefit from color screens, easy controls, and simple setup Enhance Integration Connect to printers, remote displays, and weighing software to manage information Improve Accessibility Process weighing transactions at any time with unattended weighing terminals | Improve Communication Keep drivers informed with remote weight displays, printers, and more Control Traffic Automate traffic management with sensory equipment | Premium Quality Laser-welded stainless steel for uncompromised performance Environmental Protections Built to withstand the harshest environments on Earth High Accuracy Leading innovations in weighing technology | Versatility Meet multiple vehicle weighing needs in one scale to save space and money Superior Strength Built to handle the loading points of multiple vehicles |
Weighbridges for road-going vehicles available with a steel deck or concrete deck.
Gain complete control of your weighing transaction data with vehicle scale management systems for productivity and profit gains.
Retrofit older scales by adding the latest vehicle weighing technology to eliminate problems and extend the life of your scale.
Scales for weighing the larger and heavier trucks that are used for off-road hauling.
From basic weighing to integrated control systems, the right scale terminal is ready to meet your needs.
A full line of peripherals designed to increase the capabilities of your vehicle scale.
Designed for truck scales and rail scales, advanced load cells increase weighing accuracy and reliability in demanding applications.
A section of rail for weighing rail cars combined with an integral concrete deck for weighing trucks.
What is a weighbridge and how does it work?
A weighbridge, also known as a truck scale, is system of several components that work together to provide weight readings when a truck drives on to the scale. Comprised of a foundation, bridge or deck, load cell system, terminal, and any accessories. These parts work together to provide a weight that can be used for a monetary transaction, inventory tracking, and to check legal weight limits for off-road and over-the-road travel. Weighbridges/truck scales can range in size to accommodate the small farmer, to multi-national aggregate facilities.
How much does a weighbridge cost?
The cost of a weighbridge can vary depending on several variables including:
- size such as truck scale module length or custom wider width,
- material such as steel or concrete deck,
- load cell system purchased with the weighbridge,
- varying installation costs depending on the complexity of the installation,
- weighbridge management software and accessories desired with the scale
When shopping for a truck scale however, it is important to consider the long term costs associated with your purchase. At METTLER TOLEDO, we believe your truck scale should last you 20 years or more. Over time as parts fail, the cost to service and replace components of your weighbridge can add up. Investing in a higher quality scale up front can save you thousands of dollars in the future.
How long does a weighbridge last?
METTLER TOLEDO believes a weighbridge is a long term investment that should last 20 years or more. However this can vary depending on usage, environment and construction quality of the scale. For example, a scale seeing only 50 trucks per day will likely have a longer life than a scale seeing 500 trucks per day. When shopping for a truck scale, it is important to ask questions about the life cycle testing that is done to prove scale longevity. Most companies use FEA computer simulated design testing to prove their scale designs. METTLER TOLEDO goes a step further by performing true life cycle tests on all scale models before they ever see the public market. With our one of a kind module masher, we test our designs between 1 to 2 million cycles - or 20 years of heavy use. This proof, along with our long history of quality truck scales still in use - is a testament to the longevity of our truck scale.
What is the difference between analog and digital load cells?
Weighbridges with traditional analog systems must include a summing box or junction box. Junction boxes are more susceptible to interference from the environment, such as:
- water damage to jbox and cables,
- accuracy fluctuation from temperature,
- failure from lightning strike
Additionally, they are proven to be less accurate than digital systems. POWERCELL load cells from METTLER TOLEDO offer improved environmental protection and accuracy. By removing junction boxes from our POWERCELL PDX systems we have eliminated the biggest cause of weighbridge failure. In fact, our field gathered service data shows that our load cells have a failure rate of less than 0.02% - unprecedented reliability for your truck scale. POWERCELL PDX cells also include additional post signal processing after the A to D conversion that helps to eliminate errors caused by temperature, linearity and hysteresis - leading to a more pure and thus more accurate weight reading on the truck scale.
Are you constantly replacing load cells for your weighbridge? Discover load cell upgrade kits.
Load cell upgrade kits are available for truck scales where the bridge is still in good shape. If your weighbridge is still fairly new, but your load cell system is breaking down often - then you could be a good candidate for an upgrade kit from METTLER TOLEDO. Upgrading your truck scale to a POWERCELL PDX system will give you all the benefits of a new scale, including:
- improved accuracy
- improved reliability
- reduced breakdowns
- less cost in service fees
- a longer scale life
At a fraction of the cost of a new weighbridge.
How can I automatically track the transactions at my weighbridge?
Tracking the inventory and transactions that pass over your scale can be challenging, especially if you are still utilising hand written transactions or out dated software. These systems also allow for a large margin of human error. With DataBridge, METTLER TOLEDO's Data Management Software the process can be fully automated. Benefits include:
- improved inventory tracking/tracing
- reporting functionality
- interfacing with unattended terminals
- plug in technology for user built applications
- advanced fraud prevention
Allowing you to focus on the many other facets of your operation that need your time.
What are the most common ways customers can cheat a weighbridge?
Cheating at the truck scale is becoming more common and cheaters are becoming more sophisticated all around the world. Many businesses spend time and money protecting their facility with gates and guard shacks, but don't know that they could be getting robbed at the truck scale. We have targeted the top 5 ways truck drivers can cheat at the truck scale, including:
- Improper Positioning
- Load Cell Tampering
- Lightening the Load
- Disappearing Goods
- Data Altering
Download our free Fraud Prevention Guide to learn more.
How often should I calibrate my weighbridge?
The frequency of weighbridge calibration will vary from site to site, and is heavily influenced by usage. A truck scale seeing 50 trucks per day will not need calibrated as often as one seeing 400 trucks per day. Additionally the environmental conditions can play a role in how often a scale needs calibrated. The best way to determine the need at your site is to schedule a health check with a METTLER TOLEDO service technician. Based off the results of your check and the information you are able to provide on usage they can make a recommendation on calibration and other preventative maintenance procedures.
Other than calibration what else should I do to care for my weighbridge?
While calibration is an important part of caring for your weighbridge and ensuring accuracy, there are many other preventative maintenance actions that can be taken to extend the life of your scale. A few points to consider:
- how you can keep your scale clean
- scheduled maintenance to avoid break downs
- checking terminal error logs
- inspecting load cells
To learn more about the measures you can take to care for your weighbridge, download our Preventative Maintenance Guide.
Services
Weighbridges, Load Cell Systems, Upgrades and Accessories

Explore our Services - Tailored to Fit your Equipment
We support and service your measurement equipment through its entire life-cycle, from installation to preventive maintenance and calibration to equipment repair.
Maintenance & Optimization

Publications
Literature for Truck Scale and Weighbridge Knowledge

Weighbridge Buying Guide
When considering a new weighbridge, straightforward and reputable information can be difficult to find. Educational material that can guide you through the key decisions can be very valuable. This guide is designed to help you make an informed decision when buying a new weighbridge. Whether you need help getting started or want to better understanding technology and specification options, this guide will be useful.
What is a weighbridge?
Truck scales or weighbridges are industrial scales that are capable of weighing trucks of all sizes. The most common use of a truck scale is to determine the weight of bulk goods being bought and sold in truckload-sized quantities. In those cases, information from the scale is a crucial part of the business transaction. The scale functions much like a cash register. Enforcement agencies use weighbridges to check for a truck's compliance with road-going vehicle weight limits and Chain of Responsibility. They are also used to monitor intake and output volumes at facilities, such as solid-waste processing and recycling centers, construction sites and more.
How long is an average weighbridge?
In applications in which you need to weigh the entire truck, your weighbridge must be long enough to hold all of the wheels of the longest truck you plan to weigh. That usually means 18 to 24 metres or 60 to 80 feet long for tractor-semitrailers, and up to 30 metres or 100 feet for double trailers. The overall maximum length of over-the-road tractor trailers is typically regulated by regional/state/provincial authorities.
What is a load cell?
The sensory devices used to measure the weight on the scale. Load cells are the heart of any weighbridge. They are the sensors that measure the weight of objects on the scale deck. Most truck scales require 6 to 12 load cells. They must work together flawlessly to provide accurate weight readings.
Are analog or digital load cells better?
Digital load cells are proven to be more accurate than analog load cells. POWERCELL digital load cells are also equipped with signal processing capabilities at each cell. POWERCELL load cells can eliminate errors by monitoring and adjusting the weight measurement based on a number of criteria. They also can include features, such as predictive diagnostics, self-monitoring, breach detection and remote diagnostics. Analog load cells may be required for some applications, such as hazardous environments, where voltage outputs are closely monitored. Outside of those situations, analog is often considered to be an old technology from the past. POWERCELL digital load cells are the future.
How does a weighbridge work?
Five main components must work together for a truck scale to function properly. 1. Foundation: permanent installations use a concrete foundation. 2. Weighbridge, also known as the scale deck: this is the structure that creates the driving surface for the trucks. The weighbridge is typically composed of modular sections that are placed together to span the desired length. 3. Load cells: these are the sensors that measure the weight on the scale. In most modern scales the weighbridge is supported by the load cells themselves. 4. Terminal: sometimes referred to as an indicator, the terminal is the control panel for the scale. It displays the weight value to the operator, and often serves as the connection point for other scale peripherals. 5. Cables: the signal from the load cells must be transmitted to the terminal. In most cases this is done with cables.
What is the difference between concrete and steel deck weighbridge?
Steel and concrete decks should provide equal weighing performance because both are built to the same design specifications. However, there are some differences that could make one deck type more advantageous for your application. Steel-deck truck scales have a quick installation time of one day and they are lighter weight. Concrete deck scales have a 28-day installation time, as the concrete must cure for this allotted time. They are also much heavier. Concrete-deck scales have better traction than steel decks, which can be slippery when wet. Additionally, concrete scales are better suited for point loading, as it is not recommended on a steel deck. Maintenance, service life and total project cost for both are about the same. Business owners will have to determine what is best for their application and needs.
What is a junction box?
Junction boxes (also called "J-boxes") are used with analog load cells, as well as most digital load cells. Junction boxes combine the signals of multiple load cells and then transmit the summed signal. A typical truck scale using analog load cells will have 2 to 4 junction boxes.
What is the difference between pit and above ground foundations?
A pit scale, as the name implies, is built over an excavation, and the surface of the weighing platform is flush with the surrounding ground. The depth of the pit is subjective, but can affect the ease of service from any maintenance crew. Pitless, or open-sided scales, are built up from a grade and have a profile about 28 to 51 centimeters or 11 to 20 inches. They may have one or both sides open. While the choice between a pit or pitless installation is often based on preference, there are a few instances that may require the use of pit—such as if there is not enough room for an approach, if there is a height restriction, or if safety regulations require it as there is no chance a truck can fall off the sides. The choice will have to be specific to the company and installation requirement.
How can I upgrade my weighbridge?
Replacing a truck scale is an expensive solution that might not be necessary if your load cells are failing. When a scale, especially a relatively new one, experiences frequent downtime and repairs, the problem can often be traced to some part of the load-cell system (load cells, cables, connectors or junction boxes). Upgrading these components with a POWERCELL® PDX® load-cell system is a cost effective way to turn a troublesome scale into one that performs better than new. METTLER TOLEDO is able to easily retro fit even competitor scales with new load cell technology.
How accurate is a weighbridge?
The accuracy of a weighbridge easily can be taken for granted. But, if you buy or sell goods with the use of a truck scale, accuracy is critical to your transactions. The accuracy of the scale can influence profit margins, inventory levels and quality management. The size of the legal accuracy tolerance for your scale depends on your location and whether your region recognises NMI, NIST/NTEP, OIML or other standards. The tolerance is a function of the scale's capacity being utilized and the size of the scale's weighing increment. For example, according to NTEP regulations, a truck scale with 200,000-pound capacity weighing 70,000- to 80,000-pound trucks can have 160 pounds of error (positive or negative). While that is the approved level of accuracy, METTLER TOLEDO continues to offer superior accuracy with POWERCELL PDX.
How can I protect my weighbridge from lightning?
Most weighbridge providers offer weighing systems with numerous grounding features. A single-point grounding system with surge protectors can be the first line of defense for the scale and scale house. These passive systems offer some level of protection. Active systems are able to re-route the current of a lightning strike away from major components. POWERCELL PDX load cells are equipped with a proactive lightning system called StrikeShield. These load cells actively divert a lightning strike away from the terminal and have been tested up to 80,000 amperes in a laboratory to prove their effectiveness.
What is the average life span of a weighbridge?
Most scale owners expect a weighbridge to last 10 to 20 years, but lifespan depends on several factors. First, selecting the appropriate scale option and highest quality manufacturer will set your scale up for either a long life or a short one full of regret. There is a large variance in manufacturing quality that should be considered when shopping for a truck scale. Environmental factors and traffic volume also play a part. A scale that weighs 200 trucks per day will wear faster than a scale weighing only 20 trucks per day. METTLER TOLEDO has scales in the field still operating that are 35 years old. Many competitors have only been manufacturing for ten years. Make sure you consider proven performance when shopping for a weighbridge.
How often should I calibrate a weighbridge?
Most legal-for-trade applications require the scale to gain certification of compliance from local weights and measures authorities at certain intervals (annually, semi-annually, etc.). Another factor that should be considered when determining how often to calibrate is how many trucks per day will be weighed on the scale. The demands of heavy traffic volumes often cause the scale's accuracy to drift outside of tolerance levels faster; putting the business at risk of losing additional profits. If your vehicle scale experiences high volumes of trucks per day, you should consider increasing the frequency of calibration. And finally, environmental factors will affect the calibration of a weighbridge. As temperatures fluctuate, the large-scale structure will expand and contract. These subtle changes will adversely impact the calibration of the scale. A few of the most advanced scales, such as POWERCELL PDX scales, can protect and even compensate for these effects, but most do not.
Truck Scale Videos
Watch Truck Scales and Components in Action

Vehicle Scale Video Gallery
METTLER TOLEDO uses advanced technology to provide vehicle weighing solutions that are unmatched in the industry. We have several short videos that show how you can improve your business with our weighbridges, software, and technology.