Platform scales are often used in agricultural and manufacturing settings to weigh heavy or bulky items such as pallets or containers, or to measure large animals and livestock as well as bulk commodities and food sacks. However, as platform scales can take on a diverse range of (big as well as smaller) items, they can also be seen in airlines, warehouses, and hospitals.
Although platform scales are capable for all sorts of applications, it is still important to find the right model that will best suit your needs. Costs for these scales can vary quite widely, and some platform scales are designed for specific businesses or applications.
So how do you pick one that is right for you?
There are a few factors to consider when looking for the right platform scale for your business:
What platform size do you need?
Knowing what the scale will be used for will help you determine the dimensions needed for your platform scale. For example, if you will be using the scale to measure only small items, such as stacks of paper or smaller household pets, a small platform will most likely suffice. On the other hand, if you need to weigh large animals like cattle, or big boxes for shipment or manufacturing purposes, a larger platform size is a must.
What capacity and readability are required?
A high capacity scale, such as the Anyscales PL3000-S platform scale that can take up to 2000kg, is perfect if you need to weigh large and heavy items all the time. However, if you only need to weigh smaller goods, it is not necessary to invest in high capacity industrial platform scales. Remember, the higher the capacity, the more costly the future servicing might be.
The other thing to consider is how precise you need your measurements to be. Do you need to know the difference between 0.02 kg, or can you work with a division of 1kg? This will determine the readability you need in the platform scale.
Where will the scale be located in?
When it comes to the location of where your scale will be, there are two things to consider: firstly, how big is the space? You need to make sure that the platform scale you get will be able to fit in the space.
Secondly, is the environment wet or dry? If the scale needs to be kept and used in a wet or harsh environment, ensure that you get one that is made of stainless steel, as well as dust and waterproof. The A&D SW Series platform scale has a protection rating of IP-69K, making it suitable for regular high pressure hosing and cleaning.
What are the features required?
Most platform scales come with a list of standard features as well as some advanced ones. Ensure that the model you choose has all the features you need that will help simplify your tasks or make your processes more efficient.
You should also consider the type of indicator that you need. Depending on your tasks, a simple, standard indicator may be good enough, or you may need a washdown indicator, or perhaps one that is approved for trade use.
One last tip: always choose a platform scale that is bigger than your biggest object, and with a capacity that is able to handle your heaviest load.
These are just a few pointers to help you in your process of selecting the right platform scale for your business. If you need further assistance on your purchase, contact Anyscales today and our team will be able to help you get the scale you need.
