Scaling by axle at the shipper. Where do you line up your axles on the scale?

I would think the most accurate way to weigh on a raised platform is to pull almost all the way on the scale but stop just before trailer tires roll onto scale. Record weight A. Then pull all the way on, record weight B. Then just barely pull the steers off the scale. Record weight C.

B - C = steers
B - A = trailer
A - (B - C) = drives

 

I would pull onto the scales until my drives were at the edge of the scales but not on them, record that weight, that's your steer weight. Then pull up until the trailer axles are almost on the scales but not on, then record that weight. Subtract the steer weight from the steer/drive axle combo weight to get your drive weight. Then pull up far enough so only your trailer axles are on the scales, center them on the scale if space allows, record that, now you have your axle weights. I've done it this way for years and never had a problem. If my axle or gross weights were very close to legal limit I would still weigh at a CAT scale as one never knows for sure how accurate shippers scales are.

 

The most accurate *should* be in the center of the platform. That said, a certified scale *should* be accurate regardless of placement.

Also, be sure that you don't have any braking going on across the edge of the scale. Holding the service brake pedal while weighing part of your truck can change the indicated weight by a considerable amount. If weighing just the steers, only use trailer brakes. Steers + drives? Only tractor OR trailer brakes.

On a CAT scale (or any scale that weighs axles independently), I only set my trailer brakes.

 

i think of it like this. 12.4 + 34 = 46.4. as long as the truck don't weigh over 46.4 i'm golden. anything over that mark and the drives are too heavy. but we've got gauges to see that before we even roll.

then scale tandems, make sure they aren't over 34.

doesn't matter at what position on the scale you are. watch the sign if they got one. once that axle hits. that's what it reads untill something changes like rolling off the other side. or adding an axle.

if you happen to be on a scale with a ramp. you defenitly want to pull as far forward as you can without the next axle rolling on.


with full tanks my steers weight 12.4 doesn't matter how heavy the drives are or if there's a trailer at all. my steers weigh the same. unless i move the 5th wheel back. but that's in a FL. not all trucks work that way.

 

Snowwy, is your truck licensed for 80K? Isn't 12,400 about 400 over? Or do you have the heavy tires and 13,200 steer rating?

 

your steer rating is whatever your tires are rated for. and steers are generally rated for 6,175 lbs. X 2 = 12,350 lbs.

there's other accomodations that can make steers haul heavier. but for the basic operations. that's the rule.

 

My typical way was to roll all on and get a gross (all axles) (if that's not good then the rest of the exercise may be a waste of time), then roll the steers off there platform then note weight, then pull off leaving only the trailer on and extrapolate the numbers. This keeps as much of the truck near the platform in case of slight grades on/off the platform that can drastically affect weights in some extreme cases where scales are ONLY intended to get gross weights.

 

I respect your opinion...but it doesnt matter how close or far your drives and trailer tandem to the scale.
Weight wount change if you bring the drives close or far to scale.