https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Public Works & Utilities


Multideck truck scale takes a weight off the shoulders of Utah officials

Multideck truck scale takes a weight off the shoulders of Utah officials

The scales, which UDOT MC uses to ensure that all passing motor carriers meet state regulations, take quite a beating and from more than the consistently
  • Written by American City & County Administrator
  • 29th August 2008

The scales, which UDOT MC uses to ensure that all passing motor carriers meet state regulations, take quite a beating – and from more than the consistently heavy loads.

“Our biggest concerns are snow and icy roads, and we have to combat these conditions with large amounts of salt and other means,” said Kim Banks, UDOT MC facilities coordinator. “The salt can lead to corrosion in metal scales or cause concrete deck scales to crack.”

In addition, the Perry, Utah, port, located north of Salt Lake City on Interstate 15, is near a wetland area, causing the water table to be high. In such an environment, a scale not only must withstand challenging conditions but also must be easy to maintain.

Previously, UDOT MC had employed several scales by manufactured by Fairmont, Minn.-based Avery Weigh-Tronix for similar applications, and the department found that the scale systems were durable and reliable. Consequently, for its recent renovation of the port of entry, UDOT MC approached Meldrum Scale Co. in Sandy, Utah, for a new kind of Avery Weigh-Tronix solution.

“Avery Weigh-Tronix offers a galvanizing option and corrosion-resistant steel for their scales, making their weighing equipment better suited for harsh environments. Plus, the fact that the equipment is self-checking has made the biggest difference for us, since we haven’t had to deal with checking rods or other extraneous equipment to ensure the scale is centered correctly,” Banks said. “Avery Weigh-Tronix weighing systems also come with a better warranty than competing models, and so far we’ve had nothing but good luck with the scales. There have been several we’ve used extensively without issue, including a double-ended strain gauge Weigh Bar-type load cell scale, which is 21 years old and still operating well.”

Streamlining the weighing process

The application that UDOT MC was seeking for the Perry location would vary significantly from prior scale installations. To weigh the semi trucks more efficiently, UDOT MC decided to employ a 120-foot-long multideck truck scale that would allow the vehicles to stop only once, streamlining the weighing process.

“The Avery Weigh-Tronix truck scale consists of six decks, each configured to accommodate the most common truck axle configurations and arranged in a row, ensuring an entire semi truck can be weighed in one step,” said Jeff Meldrum, co-owner of Meldrum Scale. “Over a three-month period, we replaced the old existing single-axle-type port-of-entry scales with two sets of six multideck scales (one northbound and one southbound), rebuilt the scale approaches and ensured all scales were configured according to their requirements.”

The six decks that comprise the scale are placed in a certain order according to size and length, and operators can select to stop a truck in one of several places on the scale. Most trucks only need to stop once. The arrangement makes the weighing process run smoothly for the port supervisor and crew, who were heavily involved in the scale’s configuration.

“When we were in the process of devising the scale system we wanted, we brought the idea of a multideck scale to the port supervisor and crew,” Banks said. “After measuring hundreds of the vehicles they worked with on a regular basis, they determined the actual formula we’d need for the length and placement of these scales. Letting the people using the equipment be involved in the process was one of the smartest things we’ve done.”

A driver-friendly system

The scales work in conjunction with Avery Weigh-Tronix E1310 indicators, which gather readings from all truck axles, as well as the total weight of the truck. The system has proven to be very driver-friendly – trucks simply pull up to the scale, the port operator presses the “Print” button on the indicator and all information is printed in a single step.

Banks said the assistance Meldrum and Avery Weigh-Tronix provided throughout the process was key to the project’s success.

“Avery Weigh-Tronix and Meldrum said, ‘Tell us what you want, and we’ll build it,’” Banks said. “They have been more than helpful. We had a good idea, received great input and whatever we’ve asked for, they’ve provided.”

An additional advantage to the scale’s design is the simple access it provides for maintenance. Since all the Weigh Bar-type load cells and additional components can be accessed from above the scale, nearly all maintenance necessary can take place without needing to perform any work underneath it – a great benefit when working in an area with a high water table.

By combining a team of UDOT MC employees, a flexible and helpful equipment provider and the tested durability and high performance of Avery Weigh-Tronix weighing equipment, the Perry, Utah, port-of-entry scale system now is in operation – and those involved in the project are excited about the results.

“These scales keep getting better and better,” Banks said. “They’re tough, durable – anything we’d want a scale to be.

“I know I sound like a salesman, but I’m a very thrilled customer.”

Avery Weigh-Tronix provided this case history. The views and opinions expressed in this case history do not necessarily represent those of GovPro.com.

Tags: ar mag News Public Works & Utilities

Related


  • The uncertain future of community composting in New York City
    After roughly a decade of service in New York City, the last two community composting sites will not have their leases renewed. These sites are situated on land belonging to the city’s Parks Department: the Lower East Side Ecology Center is at Corlears Hook Park in Lower Manhattan, and Big Reuse is located under the […]
  • Public safety needs a better way to triage emergency calls
    The overarching goal of the public-safety community is to ensure that 911 callers receive the most appropriate emergency response as quickly as possible. Lives often are on the line in an emergency, and every second matters. Achieving a balance between sending the optimal response to an emergency and having it arrive as fast as possible […]
  • Biden’s relief plan includes $350 billion for local and state government
    President-Elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion relief plan Thursday to combat the COVID-19 crisis and the economic downturn it has caused. In addition to $400 million to combat the pandemic specifically, the proposal includes $350 billion for state, local and tribal governments that would help them to bridge budget shortfalls, help public works maintain […]
  • How Philadelphia is aiming for zero waste
    The city of Philadelphia has long collected data on city properties’ waste generation and leveraged it to improve waste management, but now it’s honing in on the commercial sector too, realizing this will be crucial to hitting Philly’s zero waste targets. Today it runs a voluntary program where both municipal and commercial operations do detailed […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • The 21 neediest American cities in 2021
  • FirstNet Authority releases new details about impact of Nashville explosion on broadband system
  • Report: Many governments facing revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19
  • Cleveland launches program to create circular rconomy

White papers


How a unified HR system helps one public safety organization manage crews, payroll, and more in a single platform

7th January 2021

Your Roadmap to COVID-19 Funding

18th December 2020

The One Where Everyone Wins: A Mutually Beneficial Contracting Method

10th December 2020
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

The latest episode The Young Leaders Podcast focuses on Cyril Jefferson. Cyril is the youngest African American to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Hillsboro, Oregon is pioneering a new #renewableenergy generation technology through a partnership with… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

The impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on #telework was swift and profound. Now, the big question is whether – and to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Get ready for the can't-miss webinar on how to kickstart your efficiency improvement plan with Luke Anderson of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Among all states headed into the 2020 general election, which ones have voting populations that are the most demogr… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in our readership survey to help us shape future content so that we c… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

See how cities different approaches to distribute masks in their communities >> spr.ly/6010GAPLa

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

While #facialrecognition is a powerful tool that can improve law enforcement efficiency, that doesn’t necessarily t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X