To prevent truck scale damage during the winter months, it is important to take action early. Winter weather can disrupt mechanical and electrical components, but simple preventative steps can make a big difference. Whether it’s heavy snow or mild freezing, all operators should prepare in advance to avoid scale damage, downtime and lost productivity.
Schedule a Cleaning
The cleaning of weighing systems is essential to maintaining accuracy, ensuring optimal operation, and preventing system contamination.
During the winter months, rain or snow followed by freezing temperatures can turn dirt into mud. In turn, this mud expands when frozen and restricts the scale’s movement, causing inaccurate measurements. This mud and ice buildup between the scale deck and load cells can lead to costly disruptions.
Gerhart technicians are experts in thoroughly cleaning scales. Scheduling a cleaning with us prior to harsh weather is easier and more cost-effective than having to fix the issue afterward, which may involve hours of thawing and downtime.
We recommend scheduling as early as summer through beginning of fall for best practices.
Protect from Snow and Ice
In snowy regions, remove snow from the scale promptly using a shovel (not a plow), and avoid salt, as it can corrode the scale. After snow removal, grease mechanical connections and replace any worn T-belting to prevent long-term damage.
Safeguard Weight Indicators
Winter temperatures can damage weight indicators, which typically have an operating range of 14°F to 104°F. In areas with temperatures below 14°F, it is crucial to install weight indicators in heated enclosures or temperature-controlled scale houses to prevent damage.
Taking these steps can help you avoid truck scale damage during the winter. Contact our technicians for routine maintenance and expert advice to protect your equipment from the cold.