[AT] Scales for antique tractors???

Wed Jan 11 07:27:43 PST 2006

I don't believe that the portable scales the DOT uses would be accurate 
enough for tractor pulling.   When I used to drive a truck DOT would let you 
slide on the first 1 or 2 thousand lbs of overweight because they knew  the 
portable scales were off because of being moved around and not being set up 
on a perfectly flat surface.   The scales I mentioned earlier that are used 
by loggers are a full platform scale but will only weigh one set of tandem 
wheels.  A tractor trailer would weigh the front axle then the pulling 
tandem then the trailer tandem and sum the weights.

Maybe if you got 4 of the individual wheel scales like DOT uses and placed 
them on a flat slab such that all the tractors could use them without the 
need to move them around you might get close enough to prevent a fight in 
the pits.   Tractor pullers are interested in getting exactly to the right 
weight.  Not plus or minus 10% or so.

Charlie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Rhodes" <jlrhod at alltel.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Scales for antique tractors???

> 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
>> >
>> >
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>> _______________________________________________
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>> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
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>
>
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