Simply put, a pit scale is a scale built into a large pit. The weight plate of the scale sits at ground level. Scales such as this are typically found at truck weigh stations, but aren’t limited to that. Pit scales are often used in a wide variety of applications, from manufacturing plants, feed mills, and train stations.
A pit scale is remarkably like digital scales, such as the one in your bathroom. Load cells are mounted beneath the platform and measure the weight of an object that comes to rest on it. What is unique about pit scales are the size of them. Truck weigh station scales are large enough to accommodate an entire tractor trailer and can measure hundred tons. Train weigh stations are even more sophisticated, incorporating the rails themselves into the scale so the train merely must pass over that part of the track.
It is not just the size of the pit scale that makes them both impressive and useful, but also the way they are built. The advantage to having a pit scale is that they are built entirely underground. Due to their low profile, a pit scale can free up a lot of surface space, which not only helps to protect the sensitive equipment below but keeps the area above ground free and clear.
We do not often think about it, but weight is an especially important measurement in our world. Take the tractor trailers, for example, without them, our country would inevitably come to a halt. Depending on what they are hauling, it can make for quite a heavy load, couple that with the weight limit on bridges and it becomes quite clear why knowing the weight you have in tow is important.
For that reason, not only are the scales important, but keeping them maintained and calibrated is as well. Garber Metrology has been doing just that since 1975. Garber has been helping to keep balance in the world. Whether you need to measure out tons or ounces, Garber can help keep you calibrated and up to speed with the weight of the world.
