Weighbridge maintenance checklist.
Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly weighbridge maintenance checks, a fault-finding table and the mistakes that damage load cells.
Keep the deck free of debris, keep water away from load cells and run the electronics through a CVT with good earthing. Check zero daily, drainage and cables weekly, earthing and a corner test monthly, have an engineer visit every 3 months, and re-verify with Legal Metrology every 12 months.
A weighbridge is a measuring instrument used for trade. Small, regular checks keep it accurate, keep the Legal Metrology stamp valid and prevent expensive breakdowns. This checklist applies to pit-less, pit-type, concrete (RCC) and modular weighbridges with analog or digital load cells.
Three rules that prevent most failures
- Keep the deck freeNothing may touch the deck except the load cells: no stones, mud or debris between deck and foundation.
- Keep water awayPits and load-cell pockets must drain; cells and cables must never stand in water.
- Protect the electronicsRun the indicator and PC through the CVT and keep the earth pits watered and connected.
Daily: operator, 5 minutes
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Zero reading | With the deck empty the indicator must show zero. Press ZERO only when the deck is clear; if it drifts again, call service. |
| Deck clearance | Walk round the platform and clear stones, mud and debris from the gaps. |
| Vehicle position | All wheels on the deck; the vehicle must stop fully before weighing. |
| Printer and software | Paper loaded, date and time correct, tickets printing correctly. |
Weekly
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Drainage | Pit-type: clear the drain and sump. Pit-less and modular: clear soil and water from the load-cell pockets. |
| Cables | Look for cuts, rodent damage, crushing or loose glands. |
| Junction box | Lid closed and sealed, no moisture inside. |
| Reference truck | Weigh one known truck and record it; a change of more than one division needs a service visit. |
Monthly
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Earthing | Water the earth pits; check earth wires from deck, junction box and indicator. |
| CVT and power | Indicator and PC on the CVT; no welding or motor load on the same supply. |
| Corner test | A known load near each end and in the middle should read the same within one division. |
| Stoppers | Side and end stoppers keep a small gap and must not touch the deck. |
Every 3 months and every year
An engineer inspects each load cell and mounting, cleans and re-tightens the junction box, checks calibration and the deck or concrete for rust or cracks. Every year the weighbridge needs Legal Metrology re-verification; steel decks need de-rusting and repainting where exposed. A Symphony AMC covers the quarterly visits and calibration before re-stamping.
Fault finding
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Zero drifts or weight keeps changing | Debris touching the deck, water in a cell or junction box, damaged cable | Clear the gaps, dry the pocket or box; call service if it continues |
| Different weight in a different position | One load cell or mounting; deck touching a stopper | Corner test, then a service visit for cell check and trimming |
| Weight much lower than expected | A wheel off the deck, vehicle moving, deck resting on debris | Re-weigh with all wheels on and the vehicle stopped |
| Display dead after a storm | Lightning or surge damage | Switch off, check earthing and CVT, call service before re-powering |
Never
- Weld near the deck with the load cells connectedDisconnect the cells and earth the welding return close to the work.
- Break or move the Legal Metrology sealsThe weighbridge becomes illegal for trade until re-verified.
- Jet-wash the junction box or indicatorKeep water away from the electronics.
- Overload, brake hard or turn on the deckNever load beyond the rated capacity; vehicles must not stand partly on the deck.
Questions, answered.
How often should a weighbridge be serviced?
Why does my weighbridge show a different weight each time?
Can I weld on a weighbridge?
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