Overview
Industrial Truck Scales Built for Demanding Operations
A truck scale is more than a weighing platform. It is a complete industrial weighing system that must fit the vehicles crossing it, the number of transactions the site handles, the conditions around the scale and the way weight data moves through the business.
Avery Weigh-Tronix truck scales are designed for dependable vehicle weighing in logistics, agriculture, aggregates, mining, waste and recycling, manufacturing, construction, and other demanding operations. Each system can be configured around deck material, installation style, platform dimensions, capacity, traffic flow, controls and software requirements.
The weighbridge is manufactured in Fairmont, Minnesota from high-quality A36 steel. Fully assembled, continuously welded construction helps remove structural weak points, while proprietary Weigh Bar® weight sensors are engineered for repeatable weight readings and long service life. Modular, boltless sections use a hook-style connection that supports efficient installation and future changes to the scale configuration.
Standard scale widths range from 8 to 14 feet, with modular length combinations, steel or concrete driving surfaces, and above-ground or pit-mounted designs available. Warranty coverage ranges from 5 to 15 years depending on the model and component. Local support through approved distributors helps connect specification, installation, calibration, and ongoing service.
The right truck scale should hold accuracy, support legal-for-trade requirements where applicable, reduce avoidable downtime, and fit the operation for years. Use the comparisons below to narrow the options before requesting a site-specific recommendation and quote.
Product
Truck Scale Products
Avery Weigh-Tronix truck scale systems can be configured around the traffic, environment, compliance needs and data workflow of a wide range of industries.
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Products Details
Truck Scale Products and Controls
Standard Duty Steel Deck
BridgeMont BMS-SD Steel Deck Truck Scale
A permanent steel deck truck scale for moderate traffic and axle loads up to highway limits. Fully welded construction and Weigh Bar sensing support dependable legal-for-trade vehicle weighing in established operations.
- Steel driving surface
- Permanent pit or above-ground configurations
- Designed for moderate-duty truck traffic
Heavy Duty Steel Deck
BridgeMont BMS-HD Steel Deck Truck Scale
A heavy-duty steel deck truck scale for demanding traffic, higher loads and long-term industrial service. Selected configurations are available up to 135 tons, with 25-foot modules and multi-platform axle-weighing options available.
- Heavy-duty fully welded steel construction
- Modular length and width configurations
- Gross and multi-platform axle-weighing options
Heavy Duty Concrete Deck
BridgeMont BMC-HD Concrete Deck Truck Scale
A heavy-duty concrete deck truck scale that combines a concrete driving surface with an engineered steel structure. It is suited to demanding sites that prioritize traction, long-term use and concrete deck performance.
- Concrete driving surface
- Permanent pit or above-ground configurations
- Multi-platform axle and gross weighing available
Portable Full-Length
BridgeMont BMS-P Portable Truck Scale
A portable full-length truck scale for temporary, seasonal or relocatable operations. On a suitable stable surface, the system can reduce conventional foundation work and support a faster path to weighing at remote or changing sites.
- Portable and relocatable configuration
- Common fit for mining, quarry, timber, asphalt, roadwork and construction
- Installation may be completed in two to four hours on a suitable prepared surface
Vehicle Scale Control
ZM Kiosk Unattended Truck Scale Controls
A driver-operated control system for attended or unattended vehicle weighing. The ZM Kiosk can support identification, weight capture, ticketing and vehicle flow for sites that need extended hours or reduced manual transaction handling.
- Portable and relocatable configuration
- Supports ID card reader and printer options
- Vehicle detection and VoIP options
- Integrates with ZM510, ZM605 or ZM615 indicators
Truck Scale Product Comparison
Solution |
BMS-SD |
BMS-HD |
BMC-HD |
BMS-P |
ZM Kiosk |
Type | Permanent | Permanent heavy duty | Permanent heavy duty | Portable | Controls |
Deck or role | Steel deck | Steel deck | Concrete deck | Steel weighbridge | Transaction and driver interface |
Traffic and application | Moderate traffic; highway-limit axle loads | High-demand industrial traffic and heavier loads | Demanding sites prioritizing concrete surface and traction | Temporary, seasonal and relocatable operations | 24/7 attended or unattended scale operation |
Configuration highlights | Pit or above-ground; modular sizing | Up to 135 tons; 25-ft modules; multi-platform options | Pit or above-ground; multi-platform options | Suitable stable surface; reduced conventional civil work | ID, printing, vehicle detection, VoIP and indicator integration |
Next step | View specifications | View specifications | View specifications | View portable options | View kiosk controls |
Truck Scale Types
Compare Truck Scale Types by Site Vehicle Flow and Weighing Task
Different truck scale options solve different operational problems. A permanent full-length weighbridge is designed for repeatable vehicle weighing at a fixed site. A portable truck scale supports temporary, seasonal or relocatable work. Pit-mounted and above-ground installations solve different space and access constraints, while static, multi-platform axle and weigh-in-motion systems capture weight in different ways.
Start with the weighing task, not the product name. Define whether the system will be used for commercial transactions, inventory control, compliance checks, loading control or internal process data. Then consider the largest vehicle, heaviest expected load, axle spacing, trucks per day, peak queue, available footprint, environmental exposure and the systems that need the resulting weight data.
Permanent Versus Portable Truck Scales
Permanent truck scales are generally the best fit for established facilities with consistent vehicle traffic, long-term weighing needs and a prepared site. They can be configured as above-ground or pit-mounted systems and integrated with scale houses, indicators, unattended kiosks, printers, gates, lights and business software.
Portable truck scales are designed for operations that need to relocate the scale, reduce conventional foundation work or begin weighing at a temporary site. Avery Weigh-Tronix BridgeMont BMS-P portable truck scales can be installed on a suitable stable surface and are used in applications such as mining, timber, road construction, asphalt, quarries and construction. Portability does not automatically mean a system is appropriate for every commercial transaction, so type approval, site conditions and local placing-in-service requirements should be confirmed.
Pit Mounted Versus Above Ground Truck Scales
An above-ground, or pitless, truck scale keeps much of the system accessible for inspection, cleaning and service. It usually requires ramps and enough approach space for vehicles to enter, position and exit safely. This layout often reduces excavation and makes drainage and under-scale access easier to plan.
A pit-mounted truck scale places the deck near the surrounding road surface. It can be a strong choice when site footprint, traffic layout or elevation makes ramps impractical. Pit construction typically requires more excavation, drainage planning and below-deck cleanout and service access. The best layout depends on available space, soil, water conditions, civil cost and how the scale will be maintained.
Steel Deck Versus Concrete Deck Truck Scales
Steel deck truck scales can shorten on-site installation because the driving surface arrives as part of the manufactured scale and does not require deck-concrete curing. They are well suited to operations that prioritize a faster installation window, predictable factory construction and a lighter structure.
Concrete deck truck scales can offer strong traction and a durable driving surface for heavy-duty service. They add concrete placement, curing and site coordination to the installation plan. Neither deck is automatically the better choice: traffic, climate, corrosion exposure, traction needs, maintenance practices and the acceptable shutdown window should drive the decision.
Static Full-Length Axle and Weigh In Motion Systems
A full-length static truck scale weighs the complete vehicle while it is stationary and is the usual starting point for legal-for-trade gross vehicle weighing. Multi-platform configurations can capture axle groups and gross weight during the same stationary transaction, which can help with loading control and axle-weight visibility.
Axle scales, wheel load scales and weigh-in-motion systems address different needs, including screening, enforcement, fleet loading and high-throughput vehicle monitoring. Their accuracy class, operating method and approval status can differ from a full-length static truck scale. Buyers should confirm whether they need legal-for-trade gross weight, axle information, screening data or process control before selecting the system.
Truck scale option |
Best fit |
Site and installation |
Key tradeoffs |
Questions to confirm |
Permanent full-length |
Fixed facilities with repeat vehicle traffic and long-term legal-for-trade or process weighing | Engineered foundation; pit or above-ground; utilities and approaches | Highest site commitment; broad integration options | Vehicles, capacity, transactions per day, trade use, deck and data flow |
Portable full-length |
Temporary, seasonal or relocatable mining, quarry, construction, asphalt and timber sites Suitable stable surface; reduced conventional civil work | Mobility and fast deployment; site and approval requirements still apply | Move frequency, surface, capacity, ramps, power and local approval | |
Above-ground |
Sites with room for approaches and a preference for easier access | Ramps, guardrails and approach space; less excavation than a pit | More footprint; easier cleaning and service access | Available length, grade, turning path, drainage and snow/debris control |
Pit-mounted |
Space-constrained sites or road-level deck access | Excavation, pit walls, drainage and below-deck access | Compact traffic layout; more civil work and cleanout planning | Water table, drainage, confined access, service and debris removal |
Steel deck |
Projects prioritizing faster deck installation and factory-built construction | No field-poured deck-concrete cure | Surface maintenance and traction needs depend on application | Climate, corrosion, shutdown window, point loads and expected life |
Concrete deck |
Heavy-duty sites prioritizing traction and a concrete driving surface | Concrete placement, curing and site coordination | Added installation time and weight; strong operational surface | Cure schedule, climate, reinforcing, traction and civil contractor scope |
Multi-platform axle |
Operations that need stationary axle-group and gross weights | Longer or segmented platform layout | More measurement detail; additional configuration and service considerations | Axle spacings, vehicle mix, trade use and reporting requirements |
Axle or weigh-in-motion |
Screening, enforcement, loading or high-throughput monitoring | Application-specific roadway and sensor design | Higher throughput; not interchangeable with every static legal-for-trade need | Required accuracy, speed, enforcement/trade status and data use |
Truck Scale Configurations
Choose the Right Truck Scale Capacity, Length and Configuration
Truck scale capacity and deck dimensions should be selected around the vehicles the site actually expects to weigh, including future equipment and occasional heavy loads. A nominal maximum capacity is only one part of the decision. Buyers should also review concentrated load capacity, duty cycle, axle loading, traffic volume and how vehicles will be positioned on the deck.
Measure the longest tractor-trailer, rigid truck, tanker or multi-axle combination expected at the site. Record the maximum gross load, axle spacings, vehicle width and any off-road tire or point-loading conditions. Standard Avery Weigh-Tronix truck scale widths range from 8 to 14 feet, and modular sections support multiple length combinations. The BridgeMont BMS-HD is available in configurations up to 135 tons and includes 25-foot module options for selected layouts.
Vehicles and Loads
Document the vehicle envelope before selecting a scale.
- Longest and widest vehicle
- Maximum expected gross and axle loads
- Axle spacing and off-road vehicle conditions
Traffic and Duty Cycle
Match the structure and transaction workflow to the site’s real volume.
- Trucks per day and peak-hour arrivals
- Inbound, outbound or two-direction traffic
- Queue space, bypass needs and future growth
Site and Environment
Plan for the conditions around the scale, not only the deck.
- Soil, drainage, standing water and frost
- Mud, debris, snow, salt or corrosive exposure
- Available footprint and service access
Data and Compliance
Define what happens after the weight is captured.
- Commercial or internal process use
- Indicator, ticket, printer and operator needs
- ERP, reporting, remote display or unattended operation
Weigh Bar Weight Sensors and System Reliability
Load cells are the sensing elements that convert force on the weighbridge into a weight reading. Avery Weigh-Tronix truck scales use proprietary Weigh Bar® weight sensors. When comparing truck scale load cells or other sensing technologies, buyers should look beyond the name and ask how the system manages moisture, shock, side forces, overload, cable and electronics exposure, signal stability, diagnostics and replacement access.
Structural capacity, sensing, mounting, checking, indicator performance and installation quality work together. A robust weighbridge cannot compensate for poor drainage, unstable foundations or neglected maintenance. Evaluate the complete scale system and the service plan that will keep it accurate and available.
Compliance
Legal for Trade Compliance Software Integration and Maintenance
A truck scale purchase should account for the full system around the weighbridge. Compliance, transaction controls, software, calibration access and preventive maintenance can determine whether the scale supports the business reliably after installation.
NTEP and Legal for Trade Truck Scale Requirements
When a truck scale is used to establish weight for buying, selling, freight charges or another commercial transaction, the system may need to be legal for trade. NTEP evaluates weighing-device types against applicable requirements in NIST Handbook 44 and issues Certificates of Conformance for approved configurations.
NTEP type approval is not the same as approval of the installed scale. The completed commercial system may also require inspection, testing, sealing, registration or placing in service by the authorized state or local weights-and-measures agency. Confirm the model-specific NTEP certificate, indicator and software configuration, installation requirements and local process before the scale is used commercially.
Truck Scale Software Ticketing and ERP Integration
Weight data may need to reach an operator station, ticket printer, remote display, accounting system, ERP, inventory platform or line-of-business application. Map who needs the data, where it should go, what information must accompany the weight and how quickly it must be available.
A connected truck scale workflow can reduce manual entry, improve traceability and speed up vehicle processing. Integration requirements may include vehicle or customer identification, inbound and outbound weights, tare records, product codes, transaction tickets, data export, traffic lights, gates, cameras, printers and remote access.
Self Service and Unattended Truck Scale Operation
Unattended controls can extend operating hours and create a consistent driver workflow without requiring a dedicated scale operator for every transaction. A typical self-service sequence may identify the driver or vehicle, capture the weight, validate the transaction, print or send a ticket, control a light or gate and transfer the record to reporting or business software.
The ZM Kiosk provides an Avery Weigh-Tronix foundation for attended and unattended vehicle-scale control. The complete design should account for driver instructions, site safety, vehicle detection, intercom or VoIP support, exception handling and what happens if a transaction cannot be completed automatically.
Truck Scale Maintenance and Calibration Planning
Maintenance frequency depends on traffic, environment, regulatory requirements and the scale design. A preventive plan should include routine visual inspection, cleaning around and beneath the deck where accessible, debris and ice removal, drainage checks, cable and connection inspection, indicator verification, calibration checks and scheduled service by qualified technicians.
High-volume, legal-for-trade or harsh-environment sites may need more frequent checks than lightly used internal scales. Keep calibration, repair and inspection records, and define the service response and backup weighing plan before a failure occurs. Easy access for cleaning, inspection and component replacement can lower downtime and ownership cost over the life of the scale.
Pre-purchase checklist:
- Confirm whether the application is commercial legal-for-trade or internal process weighing.
- Verify the NTEP Certificate of Conformance for the proposed scale, indicator and configuration.
- Identify the state or local inspection, registration and placing-in-service process.
- Map required tickets, users, identifiers, reports, exports and ERP or software connections.
- Define attended, self-service or mixed operation and the required traffic-control devices.
- Confirm cleaning access, calibration support, preventive service and emergency response.
Related Scales
Related Industrial Weighing Scales
Some operations need more than a truck scale at the site entrance. Forklift truck scales can capture weight while material is being moved, while floor scales and platform scales support pallets, totes, bins and internal process loads. Used together, these systems can help compare incoming vehicle weight, internal material movement and outbound shipment records without turning every weighing task into a trip across the truck scale.
Made in USA
Truck Scale Manufacturing and Quality in Fairmont Minnesota
Avery Weigh-Tronix manufactures truck scales in Fairmont, Minnesota and works to ISO 9001 quality-management standards. Build quality is checked throughout manufacturing so structural construction, scale components and the finished system meet defined quality requirements before shipment.
High-quality steel, fully welded construction and controlled manufacturing processes support long-term performance in harsh industrial environments. Buyers and project teams can also arrange a tour of the Fairmont manufacturing facility to see how Avery Weigh-Tronix truck scales are built and inspected.
See How Our Truck Scales Are Made
Truck Scale Case Studies
Truck Scale FAQ
A truck scale is an industrial weighing system designed to weigh complete vehicles and their loads. A full system can include the weighbridge, weight sensors, indicator, foundation, approaches, ticketing or software, traffic controls and calibration. Truck scales may be used for commercial legal-for-trade transactions or for internal inventory, loading and process control.
Common truck scale types include permanent and portable full-length scales, above-ground and pit-mounted installations, steel and concrete decks, multi-platform axle systems, axle scales and weigh-in-motion systems. The right option depends on the weighing purpose, required accuracy, vehicle mix, site, traffic and approval requirements.
A permanent truck scale is installed at a fixed site on an engineered foundation for long-term use. A portable truck scale is designed to be installed with less conventional civil work and moved when the operation changes. Portable systems are common at temporary, seasonal, mining, quarry, timber and construction sites, but site stability and legal-for-trade requirements still must be confirmed.
Choose an above-ground scale when the site has room for ramps and approaches and easier access for inspection and cleaning is a priority. Choose a pit-mounted scale when a road-level deck and a smaller traffic footprint are important. Pit systems usually require more excavation, drainage and below-deck maintenance planning.
A steel deck arrives with its driving surface and can reduce installation time because no field-poured deck concrete must cure. A concrete deck can provide strong traction and a durable driving surface but adds concrete placement and curing to the project. Climate, traffic, corrosion, traction, maintenance and shutdown time should guide the choice.
Capacity should be based on the heaviest expected gross load, axle loads, vehicle type, traffic and future needs. Buyers should also compare concentrated load capacity and duty rating rather than relying only on nominal total capacity. Avery Weigh-Tronix offers modular configurations, and selected BMS-HD systems are available up to 135 tons.
A legal-for-trade truck scale is approved and installed for use in commercial transactions based on weight. The proposed model and components should have the appropriate NTEP type approval, and the installed system may need testing, sealing, registration or placing in service by the authorized state or local weights-and-measures agency.
Truck scales can connect weight records with printers, remote displays, ticketing systems, accounting tools, ERP platforms and other business software. Integration can include vehicle or customer identification, inbound and outbound weights, tare records, product codes, tickets, traffic controls and data exports. Requirements should be mapped before the system is specified.
Yes. An unattended truck scale can use a kiosk and connected controls to identify a driver or vehicle, capture weight, issue a ticket, operate a light or gate and transfer the transaction record. The ZM Kiosk supports attended and unattended vehicle-scale workflows with options including card readers, printers, vehicle detection and VoIP.
The schedule depends on traffic, environment, legal requirements and internal quality needs. Routine work may include visual inspection, cleaning, debris and ice removal, drainage checks, cable and connection inspection, indicator verification and calibration checks. High-volume, legal-for-trade and harsh-environment sites may require more frequent service.
Truck scale price varies by capacity, dimensions, duty level, deck, installation style, foundation, site conditions, freight, installation, controls, software and commissioning. Compare the installed project and total cost of ownership, including preventive service, repair access, downtime risk and expected service life, rather than the weighbridge price alone.
Timing depends on whether the scale is portable or permanent and on the foundation, deck, utilities, permitting and inspection requirements. A portable scale on a suitable prepared surface may be installed in hours, while permanent projects can take multiple weeks. Field-poured concrete work and regulatory commissioning may extend the schedule.
Prepare the largest vehicle dimensions, maximum gross and axle loads, axle spacings, trucks per day, peak traffic, commercial or internal use, site dimensions, preferred installation and deck, soil and drainage conditions, environmental exposure, power and data availability, software destinations and service expectations.
Request a Quote
Request a Quote for a Truck Scale System
Choosing the right truck scale depends on your vehicles, traffic, site, legal-for-trade requirements and the way weight data needs to move through the operation. Avery Weigh-Tronix can help compare permanent, portable, steel deck, concrete deck, pit, above-ground, multi-platform and unattended truck scale options.