[AT] Scales for antique tractors???

travis Register yestergears at filter.intrstar.net
Wed Jan 11 08:26:31 PST 2006


Dean:
   contact me off list yestergears at intrstar.net
I may know of a set of scales for sale.
Later
Travis
At 05:13 AM 1/11/2006, you wrote:
>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
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
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