[AT] Scales for antique tractors???

Thu Jan 12 01:16:26 PST 2006

Bruce:

Thanks for the referral. I'll check it out. 

Dean A. Van Peursem
Snohomish, WA 98290

Forbidden fruits create many jams!

www.deerelegacy.com

http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Fallon
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 7:59 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Scales for antique tractors???

Dean I know that a couple of years ago Island Recycling over here in 
Freeland had a drive on scale that was disassembled and for sale. You might 
call Dave Campbell  (360) 331-1727 and see if he still has it.

Bruce Fallon
Freeland WA. 98249
bfallon at whidbey.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Brueck" <b2 at chooka.net>
To: "'Antique tractor email discussion group'" 
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 6:38 AM
Subject: RE: [AT] Scales for antique tractors???

Decade late and a couple of miles short...

We had a FBM livestock scale on the farm at Ames, Iowa, the pen held 6-8
cattle.  Couldn't find anybody who wanted it, so it's buried with the rest
of the buildings and foundations on the property now.  I think it would have
been pretty straight-forward if a bit tedious to disassemble it and set it
up again.

I bet there are scales out there just waiting to be picked up.  Maybe place
an ad in the local papers?

B²

Bill Brueck (brick)
Chatfield, MN, USA

Confusion is a higher state of knowledge than ignorance.

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Dean VP
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 4:13 AM
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
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

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