[AT] Scales for antique tractors???

[Jerry Rhodes]

Dean, you may want to check with your local DOT, they use portable scales to
weight check trucks on the road, they carry them in the trunk of their
cars..do a web check of "Toledo Scales" they are the big one around here,
Jerry NW Ohio Trader

----- Original Message -----
From: "charlie hill" <chill8 at cox.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:35 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Scales for antique tractors???


> Dean,
>
> Around here now they have really cracked down on over weight log trucks.
> The result is the use of portable scales on the job site.  I don't know
that
> much about them but I suspect that a new industry has sprung up for
building
> portable scale units that don't require a lot of complicated setup at the
> site.  You might want to check with some local timber companies.
>
> Charlie
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dean VP" <deanvp at att.net>
> To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 5:13 AM
> Subject: [AT] Scales for antique tractors???
>
>
> > Our local antique tractor club is considering building a portable
platform
> > scale to weigh antique tractors and garden tractors for use during
pulling
> > competition.
> >
> > Having had some professional experience with load cells and associated
> > electronics and observing some rather erratic scales at various antique
> > tractor shows in the area I would like to offer other alternative
options
> > for the club to consider before venturing into a possibly ill advised
> > building adventure. There are scales available to rent if the risk of
the
> > urge to "do-it ourselves" is properly recognized and tempered.  But I'm
> > not
> > sure that can be controlled.
> >
> > If there were appropriately skilled scale personnel in the club I would
be
> > less concerned. But, what I see is a possibility of "we can build
anything
> > and make it work" syndrome developing. Not recognizing some of the
> > inherent
> > risks and financial exposure.  Therefore, I am soliciting advice from
any
> > others on the list who may have technical advice and/or experience in
such
> > an endeavor.
> >
> > My gut tells me there are used, commercial, ready made solutions that
have
> > had good design methods used and are probably less expensive than the
cost
> > of doing it ourselves.  MY guess is that there may be surplus platform
> > scales available that no longer fit the needs of today's commercial
> > requirements but would be totally adequate for the clubs needs.
> >
> > I know we do not need certifiable weights and measures accuracy
traceable
> > to
> > the National Bureau of Standards. :-) However, some reasonable level of
> > accuracy is required but consistency is probably even more important.
> >
> > My guess is the scale probably will need to weigh up to 12,000 - 15,000
> > lbs
> > but also weigh 500 lbs reasonably accurate as well. That may be more
> > difficult than expected. The inconsistencies I have seen on some of the
> > scales used at local tractor shows has been largely due to temperature
> > variations and loading position sensitivities. These all can be
> > compensated
> > for with a good design and appropriate electronics. So far I don't see
> > that
> > kind of collective design skill within the club personnel and therefore
I
> > see the us heading for the wonderful experience of kaleidoscope hell
> > (tweak
> > it until it works) and severe cost overruns. I do see a significant
level
> > of
> > naivety. :-) I currently see the potential of "We can do it for $1500
> > turning into a $5,000 doesn't work so good end result".
> >
> > So... I'm looking for ideas on where one would go to find a low cost
> > commercial solution. I would think there would be used commercial scales
> > available on the market that might fit both our technical requirements
and
> > simultaneously fit our financial budget. I may be wrong.
> >
> > Any suggestions would be appreciated. Help???
> >
> >
> >
> > Dean A. Van Peursem
> > Snohomish, WA 98290
> >
> > Forbidden fruits create many jams!
> >
> > www.deerelegacy.com
> >
> > http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > AT mailing list
> > Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
> > http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
> >
> >
> > --
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.17/226 - Release Date:
1/10/2006
> >
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>