Like any business, construction companies must monitor their operations and control costs in order to be efficient and remain profitable. Cost control requires these companies to monitor levels of raw material, maintain an accurate inventory, and reduce waste. Yet the platform and floor scales used to accomplish this require something special in the way of construction. They must be rugged and durable to withstand the rough usage and harsh elements inherent in any construction job. For projects done outdoors, corrosion resistance is a must. This means you can’t just buy any scale and hope for the best. By actively seeking industrial grade weighing equipment, you can greatly extend the useful life of your scales and have confidence that your measurements are and will continue to be accurate.
Stainless Steel Components
The load cell is responsible for the accuracy of your measurements and, as such, is one of the most important parts of your scale. Many scale providers offer scales that use a basic aluminum construction for their load cells. However, this oversight leaves them vulnerable to damage from corrosive materials as well as the rough handling and regular use they’ll get at a construction site. Arlyn Scales does things a bit differently. Since we manufacture and distribute our products, we have control over the quality of our materials and our manufacturing processes. So when we manufacture our industrial load cells, we use stainless steel. This automatically increases the accuracy of your measurements, since the load cell is better able to reject horizontal forces and is less vulnerable to plastic deformation that can occur with other materials. It also ensures that your load cells are extremely durable and able to withstand the stresses of daily use for years, unlike other models that would have to be replaced or serviced periodically. All electrical components of the load cell are coated in a thin layer of silicone for additional corrosion resistance and protection.
Exterior Protection
For harsh environments like a construction site, we recommend full stainless steel models for platform and floor scales. When placed in an oxidizing environment, stainless steel will actually develop a thin film on its surface that protects the scale and reduces the rate of corrosion to almost negligible levels. Stainless steel models are able to better protect your internal components (like the load cell) and stand up to the bangs, jolts, and hits that would damage another scale. And while many manufacturers use a standard enamel paint or powder coat to “protect” your scale’s platform from corrosion, it actually provides little benefit. This kind of paint is easily scratched off and once it’s gone it loses it’s “protective” qualities, leaving the material underneath exposed to corrosive agents that can actually form beneath the coating and migrate to other areas of the scale that are unseen until it’s too late. Instead, we’ve formulated a special three part epoxy coat and infused it with garnet particles to help protect the scale from abrasion. Yet we understand that not every budget will be able to justify the purchase of a stainless steel model, even at our factory-direct prices, which is why we also offer full steel construction with a unique, optional epoxy coating infused with zinc particles, which are preferentially oxidized. This means that even if the epoxy is scratched and the steel beneath is exposed, the zinc will protect the scale and prevent the spread of corrosion.
Available Models and Custom Solutions
Our corrosion resistant scales come in a variety of configurations including:
Product Code |
Capacity |
Resolution |
Platform Size |
| 320D-CR | 500 lbs. | 0.1 lb. | 20″ x 27″ |
| 320M-CR | 1,000 lbs. | 0.2 lb. | 20″ x 27″ |
| 320D-CR-36 | 500 lbs. | 0.1 lb. | 36″ x 36″ |
| 320M-CR-36 | 1,000 lbs. | 0.2 lb. | 36″ x 36″ |
| 5-4405-CR | 5,000 lbs. | 1 lb. | 48″ x 48″ |
| 5-4410,CR | 10,000 lbs. | 2 lbs. | 60″ x 60″ |
Each of these models features an extremely low profile that makes loading and unloading with forklifts and hand carts quick and easy. Our digital indicators provide a large, graphical display that can be easily seen from a distance and in various lighting conditions. If you require portability, caster wheels can be added to your scale. However, every construction site is unique. Whether you weigh unusually sized loads, need higher-than-average maximum capacities, better resolution, or another configuration unique to your project, we also offer custom design and development services.
Data Collection
Part of cost control is keeping and comparing records. We offer a variety of options for data collection including Wi-Fi and USB ports for flash drives. If you’re in a location where an internet connection isn’t readily available, we recommend capturing data on flash drive that can be later be removed and plugged into a computer where weight data can be stored, sorted and analyzed.
Scales for Explosive Environments
Sometimes projects will require you to work near or with materials that can be explosive under certain circumstances. If this applies to you, we offer a line of explosion proof scales that have been Factory Mutual approved for use in an impressive range of classified hazardous locations.
Factory Direct Pricing
You really can’t beat it. By eliminating the costs associated with middlemen, distributors and importers, we’re able to invest more resources in the design and development of higher quality products and still offer you competitive pricing. It also means that you’re able to contact the manufacturer directly should you have any questions about your scale. If you’re struggling to choose a scale that will work under your site’s unique conditions, contact us today. We can answer any questions you may have and help you select a model that meets your needs without any costly bells and whistles at a price that suits your budget.
