We recently attended the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Show in Las Vegas and had the opportunity to answer on-board weighing questions with many people involved in the scrap recycling industry.  The largest volume of inquiries involved one application specifically: roll-off vehicles.

A couple of things  come to mind when you mention scrap metal. First would be the huge revenue potential. Whether involved in the actual recycling process or simply hauling the material, scrap metal equals money. Second would be weight. Both customers and haulers want to know exactly how much they are transporting or having delivered. This is where our expertise is proving to be a huge benefit within the industry.

Vulcan On-Board Scales has been providing on-board weighing solutions for roll-off applications in the refuse industry for years.  Our systems are simple to use and incredibly accurate. By utilizing shear pin load cells as replacements for the existing hinge pins and using our hydraulic pressure sensor to measure the the hydraulic hoist pressure, operators are able to see a variety of weight readings. These include Gross Weight, Net Payload, and Axle Weights. All these reading are typically within 1% of GVW. This gives the hauler a clear picture of how much or how little they may actually be hauling.

Maximizing payload, decreasing trips and wait times, and providing customers with individual data are just some of the ways using on-board scales can make your operation more efficient and more profitable.

No problem. Vulcan On-Board Scales’ digital air sensor can be used on both the tractor and trailer (G-103), or in conjunction with our 5th wheel load cells on the tractor (G-213 + G-300). We also provide scale solutions for spring suspension trailers combined with an air tractor including our single point load cell (G-203 + G-320) and center hanger bracket system (G-203 + G-310). With this type of flexibility, Vulcan can help you scale your specific configuration without compromising.

Check out the newest article from MSW Management by Carol Brzozowski concerning the latest and greatest on making your transfer vehicle fleet more efficient, productive, and safe.  Our own Jerry McCurry discusses how on-board weighing systems have become crucial to transfer stations trying to achieve these goals.

Yes that is right.  It is a new trade show season and Vulcan On-Board Scales is hitting the road. We welcome you to stop by and chat with our sales staff.  All of our consultants have over 15 years of on-board weighing experience so they know a thing or two about what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t when it comes to scales.

Here is a link to the shows we are attending.

Vulcan trade show schedule

And if you can’t make it to Las Vegas, Louisville, Indianapolis, or Dallas don’t worry.  You can call us anytime to discuss your specific application.

Hit it Willie!  On the road again. Just can’t wait to get on the road again …

Those familiar with the trucking industry have likely heard about Australia’s famous road trains.  Those trucks with multiple trailers that travel across the remote outback.  But even in the most remote locations they are still subject to strict weight compliance regulations.

Vulcan On-Board Scales provides load cells together with our strategic partner in Australia Elphinstone Weighing Systems, to scale these massive tractor / trailer applications.

For example, one configuration utilizes 44 load cells and a stack of meters to read all seven channels to make sure the train reaches it’s maximum hauling weight of 374,000 pounds without going overweight.  To put it in perspective, a typical application here in the states uses 4 to 6 load cells or sensors and hauls 80,000 pounds.

Because these vehicles travel from remote locations the safety, legal, and financial consequences of being overweight or underweight can be very significant to the bottom line of the operation. The on-board scale system has to be able to handle the toughest conditions and still meet exacting standards.  We are proud to say that Vulcan and Elphinstone not only meet these standards but exceed them.

We would like to offer our thanks to Jay Proffitt of Proffit Construction in Solon, Iowa, and Ed Smith with Altorfer Power Systems in Cedar Rapids for exhibiting our dump truck scale system at the Altorfer open house on December 14th.  Jay has been running our scales on a couple of his dump trucks for several years and recently had them installed on his new Caterpillar truck on display at the open house.

Proffitt Construction is using the Vulcan On-Board Scales G-513 Dump Truck Scale System, which consists of two shear pins for sensing weight at the rear of the dump bed and a hydraulic sensor on the lift cylinder for sensing weight at the front of the bed.  The scale system displays the net weight in the dump body on an in-cab meter with a bright red LED display.  The system can also calculate and display front and rear axle weights if desired.

Jay has reported significant savings from being able to maximize his payloads, avoid overloading and eliminate wasted time.  In addition to standard dump truck hauling operations, for about four months each year the trucks are used for “stockpiling” (July through October).  This involves moving material from the crusher to stockpiles within the quarry with each truck averaging about 40 to 70 loads per day.  Jay says that even with this extreme use the rear shear pins have shown very little wear.

Thanks again from all of us at Vulcan for the opportunity to exhibit our products!

Welcome to the Vulcan Connection. The blog hosted by Vulcan On-Board Scales.  Vulcan designs and manufactures on-board scales and on-board weighing solutions for trucks and trailers with spring, air, and mixed suspensions.

For nearly 30 years since designing the first double shear beam load cell, Vulcan On-Board Scales has been helping fleet owners and owner operators in the timber, refuse, aggregate, general trucking, and other industries become more efficient. By maximizing their load and minimizing underweight losses, reducing overweight liability issues, reducing maintenance issues due to exceeding vehicle load capacities, and reducing safety concerns caused by overloading, owners and operators can realize the full potential of their equipment.

This blog will keep you informed of the latest and greatest in on-board weighing including new advances in technology, what works, and more importantly, what doesn’t.  We also hope to have a little fun along the way sharing our experiences at trade shows, interviews with your peers, and anything we might find interesting.

So stay tuned and feel free to let us know about any questions you may have regarding on-board weighing!