Types of weighbridge, explained.
The main types of weighbridge: pit-less (surface), pit-type (pitted), semi-pit, concrete RCC, steel, modular and portable. How each sits on site and where it fits best.
The main types of weighbridge are pit-less (surface-mounted on pedestals with ramps), pit-type or pitted (deck flush with the ground in a drained pit), semi-pit (shallow pit, no long ramps) and modular or portable (bolt-together, moves between sites). Decks are steel, concrete (RCC) or steel-cum-RCC. Accuracy depends on the load cells, not on the pit.
Weighbridges (truck scales, called dharam kanta in India) are grouped in two ways: how the deck sits on the ground and what the deck is made of. The load cells, indicator and accuracy class can be the same in every type: accuracy depends on the load cells and calibration, not on whether there is a pit.
By installation: how the deck sits on site
| Type | How it sits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pit-less (surface-mounted) | Deck on concrete pedestals above ground, ramps at both ends | Most open sites; lightest civil work, no pit to flood |
| Pit-type (pitted) | Deck in a drained pit, flush with the ground | Tight plots; trucks can enter from any side |
| Semi-pit | Shallow pit, deck at or just above ground level | Sites that want no long ramps but less excavation than a full pit |
| Modular / portable | Bolt-together sections, built-in ramps; no foundation, just a hard level surface | Project sites that move; installs within hours |
By deck material
| Deck | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Fabricated mild-steel girders and top plate, painted | General industry; lighter, quick to install |
| Concrete (RCC) | Reinforced-concrete deck cast on site in a steel frame | Coastal, saline and chemical sites; no rust, no repainting |
| Steel-cum-RCC | Steel structure with a concrete top | Heavy tippers, mines and salt works |
By electronics
Every type can use analog or digital load cells, and any of them can be made unmanned with RFID, boom barriers, cameras and the SMFW Weighment Software.
Which type should you choose?
Start with the site: space for ramps, groundwater and drainage, how long you will stay, and the heaviest truck. Our pit vs pit-less guide walks through the choice, and the capacity guide sizes the deck.
Questions, answered.
What are the main types of weighbridge?
Is a pit weighbridge more accurate than a pit-less one?
Which weighbridge type is most common in India?
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