Weighty Matters: How To Weigh A Load On A Scale
Topic 33508 | Page 1
From Mr. Curmudgeon
Depends on which scale is nearby. Actual scale use is pretty easy if using CAT scales. Pull slowly onto the scale plated, position your steers on the forward plate, the drive axle tandems on the second plate, and the trailer tandems on the long rear plate. Those "full draft" scales will print out each of the three weights. Easy peasy. Always pull onto a scale centered left to right, and slowly (5mph or idle roll) to prevent locking or binding the plates or damaging the mech. Releasing brakes allows for natural settling of the scale and accurate weigh (see notes below on sloped approached to shorter scales).
If it is an unattended single draft or double draft (long enoug to weigh a three axle dumper in one shot, but not a full 18 wheeler) scale common with many ag locations you need a notebook Crayolas and a calculator. Pull forward slowly so JUST the steer axle is on, release brakes (or if slope approach ramp use trailer brakes to hold your spot) and let the scale settle, write down the weight displayed. Move up slowly until the steers are off and the drives only are on write down that weight. Do the same for the trailer tandems. That gives you three weights, add them together for your gross weight.
I used to pick up soy for export on a single plate full draft, had to do multiple calcs. First weigh steers (write it down) , then weigh steers and drives (write it down). Subtract the steers from the steers & drive tandems to get just the drive weight. Then pull fully forward so just the entire unit is on the single plate, write down your gross. Then pull forward to clear your drive tandems, leaving just trailer tandems on the plate, and write that down. I always tool photos of the numbers to show anyone that thought I was over. And I always confirmed at a multilateral full draft (commercial certified or CAT) scale asap.
I used the CAT scale app, made everything easy to accomplish when using a cat scale. No waiting in line inside to get tickets, they send the scale ticket to your phone.
Hope this helps.
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
CAT Scale:
A network of over 1,500 certified truck scales across the U.S. and Canada found primarily at truck stops. CAT scales are by far the most trustworthy scales out there.
In fact, CAT Scale offers an unconditional Guarantee:
“If you get an overweight fine from the state after our scale showed your legal, we will immediately check our scale. If our scale is wrong, we will reimburse you for the fine. If our scale is correct, a representative of CAT Scale Company will appear in court with the driver as a witness”
Cat Scales:
A network of over 1,500 certified truck scales across the U.S. and Canada found primarily at truck stops. CAT scales are by far the most trustworthy scales out there.
In fact, CAT Scale offers an unconditional Guarantee:
“If you get an overweight fine from the state after our scale showed your legal, we will immediately check our scale. If our scale is wrong, we will reimburse you for the fine. If our scale is correct, a representative of CAT Scale Company will appear in court with the driver as a witness”
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
This is the screen shot of my last load sent to me using the CAT Weigh My Truck app
If you don’t have the app, you will need to pull onto the scale and use your service brake pedal to stop, stabilize and then release the pedal. Make sure you are stopped dead and not rolling. As mentioned, do not set the tractor or trailer brakes as the scales are supposed to be dead level and you should not roll forward or back. If you don’t have the app, press the call button on the scale post from your driver’s window. The weigh master will probably ask you over the speaker for your truck number and then wait until you are told that your scale ticket will be available inside. Park somewhere out of the way and go pay $14 and get your ticket.
From Rob T.
I found this video to be very useful when scaling a load my first time. If you need help understanding sliding your tandems please make it into a separate thread to make it easier for other new drivers to find.
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
From Rob T.
The biggest things to remember with scales is DO NOT slide your tandems on the scale, and you MUST go park elsewhere to run inside for your ticket. Do not leave your truck on the scale or just ahead like you do while fueling. The places I scale at usually have an open pump so I'll pull ahead of the pump and run in or park off to the side if parking is limited and i can do so safely. If a pump is out of order parking ahead of it is a safe bet but I do not recommend parking behind it as you may get blocked in. I try to be courteous and stay out of the way of others that need fuel or a legal parking spot as I'm going to hit the restroom and grab my ticket and be gone within 5 minutes.
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
From BK:
This is the screen shot of my last load sent to me using the CAT Weigh My Truck app
If you don’t have the app, you will need to pull onto the scale and use your service brake pedal to stop, stabilize and then release the pedal. Make sure you are stopped dead and not rolling. As mentioned, do not set the tractor or trailer brakes as the scales are supposed to be dead level and you should not roll forward or back. If you don’t have the app, press the call button on the scale post from your driver’s window. The weigh master will probably ask you over the speaker for your truck number and then wait until you are told that your scale ticket will be available inside. Park somewhere out of the way and go pay $14 and get your ticket.
As mentioned when using a CAT scale , the ticket will be emailed to you. My company requires us to scale any loads over 30k lbs. When sending in my paperwork I include the scale ticket to show I did my job. Sometimes where I scale is too busy/packed to safely park to go inside for my ticket. In these instances, I just forward the emailed ticket referencing the load number.
CAT Scale:
A network of over 1,500 certified truck scales across the U.S. and Canada found primarily at truck stops. CAT scales are by far the most trustworthy scales out there.
In fact, CAT Scale offers an unconditional Guarantee:
“If you get an overweight fine from the state after our scale showed your legal, we will immediately check our scale. If our scale is wrong, we will reimburse you for the fine. If our scale is correct, a representative of CAT Scale Company will appear in court with the driver as a witness”
Something my trainer told me the very first day, "When you get pulled into the scales, in any state, be calm and cool, act like you've been driving for years, and go slow, and pay attention"
And my 1st time on a scale I was a bit nervous, but kept replaying what he told me in my head, never had an issue with any scale house lol
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TT On Facebook
Hey there,
I posted this question below in the Just Talking Thread and the suggestion was given to place this as a separate thread to help the Truckerhood especially us new rookie drivers.
Enjoy!