Commercial livestock scales are used for weighing cattle, sheep, pigs, bison, and other animals like llamas and alpacas. Some scales weigh a single animal or many livestock. These large scales can weigh animals up to several tons. A platform scale generally has large and heavy objects placed on it consistently. This requires that the platform scale be made from materials that will support the extra weight.
Platform scales must be able to support the weight of these larger and heavier objects and must also be able to register their weights. Therefore, the load cells should be stainless steel for durability and accuracy.
At Arlyn Scales, our scales are constructed from high-quality materials specifically designed to weigh all sorts of animals. As a leader in the electronic scales industry for over 30 years, we pride ourselves on being able to provide our customers with the latest technology at an affordable price.
Industries That Use Commercial Livestock Scales
Zoos and Veterinarians use them to assess the health of animals and to determine if the animal is ill. This includes typical farm animals such as cows, but also unusual animals like crocodiles. Because cattle ranchers typically buy and sell livestock, it is very common for them to need these scales as well. As a result, the scales are heavy-duty and are made to withstand weather conditions.
Scales for the buying and selling of livestock typically need to meet a state’s maintenance, construction, testing, and certification requirements based on the Division of Weights and Measures of the Department of Commerce or similar state department. Commonly a basic maintenance tolerance is one pound per 1,000 pounds of the test load. It’s not uncommon for states to require public stockyards, slaughtering houses, packing plants, buying stations, or livestock market agencies to have a state livestock weighmaster present to record the weights.
Resilient, Weather-Resistant Scales
Your livestock operation requires sturdy equipment that can take the abuse that animals can deliver and Arlyn Scales are up to the task. We weld our scales together rather than using fasteners that can loosen and break over time. Our load cells are mounted in fabricated pockets within the scale frame, which protects them from dirt contamination and lowers the profile of the scales.
As you may well know, animals can become stubborn when it comes to stepping onto a scale, especially if it’s high. Our low-profile scales help make it easy to get animals up on the platform. We can also fit rubber matting to help make the animals more comfortable and ensure easy clean up of waste.
Our scales are designed to be hosed down for cleaning. The finish on steel models is a three-part epoxy paint that has a zinc component for resisting oxidation, even when the finish is scratched deeply. An optional finish on stainless steel platforms contains a garnet component that resists scuffing. Stainless steel construction provides further corrosion resistance and additional strength.
Extra Features For Livestock Scales
Livestock scales take into account animal movement during the weighing process. The scales are designed with weight average and hold options to ensure that the animal is weighed correctly. Smaller livestock scales weigh animals up to 500 pounds and the size can vary from 22 in. x 44 in., to 27 in. x 60 in but can also be provided in custom sizes.
These scales are animal-friendly because they have a low profile, making it easy to guide the animal onto the platform. There is also a rubber mat that adds to the animals’ comfort and ramps are also available. The smaller size is good for alpacas and llamas. They commonly have a resolution of 1/10 of 1 lb. that allows for weighing smaller animals like kittens and puppies. They will also have the weight average and hold feature to obtain an accurate weight of a moving animal. They are usually made of aluminum and are durable.
Automated pig sorters group the animals by weight. This provides an easy method to ship a load of pigs with the desired weight range. They also reduce stress on the pig and improve their health by allowing them some freedom of movement. These units monitor weight gain over time and make better use of your space by minimizing alley space. Some livestock scales can weigh up to 20,000 pounds.
They can be equipped to connect to a computer to record weights in real-time and easily compare birth, weaning, yearling, gains, and sales weights. They can be mounted under a feed hopper, cattle squeeze, hog crate, or a custom platform. They are designed with the ability to be used outdoors and allow for manure, mud, or snow that may build up on the scale surface.
It is important to assess the type of animal that will be weighed to obtain the correct and safest scale available.
Data Logging and Record-Keeping
When you order our platform h scales, you can acquire weight data for nearly an unlimited number of entries to save onto flash memory devices. The weight data can then be uploaded to computers via USB, while others still have wireless capabilities such as Bluetooth and WiFi. The data is stored as CSV files, which are universally accepted by most business and production software. If you choose to connect your scale directly to your PC, we offer free software that automatically imports the CSV files into Excel spreadsheets or Access databases.
Contact Arlyn Scales for all Your Livestock Scale Needs
Modern livestock scales are the ideal tool to make the critical task of weighing livestock easier, faster, safer and more cost-effective. With the proven reputation of turning an investment into profit, Arlyn’s Commercial Livestock Scales can make a measurable difference in farming and ranching applications.
The durable design and NTEP approval combined with safety features and domestic quality construction make Arlyn Scales the best choice for our customers. Contact us for more information on commercial livestock scales.
