One of the primary reasons that logistics vehicles are weighed is to avoid overloading. Federal vehicle weight limits were put in place to protect the highway system. Overweight or unevenly loaded vehicles cause greater wear and tear on roads and highways, as well as posing a danger to bridges and other infrastructure.

Regulations and laws governing truck weights are a blend of federal and state laws. Federal law controls maximum gross vehicle weights and axle loads on the Interstate System. According to federal law, gross vehicle weights must not exceed 80,000 lbs, axle weights must not exceed 20,000 lbs, and there is a weight limit of 34,000 lbs for tandem axles.

The simplest way to check the weight of vehicles is to use a truck scale. For logistics companies that operate large fleets, pairing truck scales with indicators, traffic lights, barriers, and software can create a fully automated traffic management system.

Forklift scales can also be used to weigh goods during loading, allowing operators to ensure that trucks are loaded evenly.

While federal weight limits were imposed with the primary goal of protecting the highways, vehicle loading can also directly impact driver safety and vehicle maintenance. Overloading vehicles can make them less stable, more difficult to steer, and increases braking distances. It can cause tyres to overheat and wear more quickly, which increases the chance of failure. Overloading vehicles also increases fuel consumption and can void insurance policies.

Using a truck scale, operators can quickly calculate gross vehicle weights and avoid the risks associated with overloading. Cargo scales, deck and bench scales, and forklift scales can also be used to weigh and/or verify individual consignment weights, which allow operators to calculate full load weights and axel weights.

In any logistics operation, optimizing loads helps to maximize payload. Weighing goods as they are loaded – using floor, bench or forklift scales – can help to ensure that vehicles are loaded optimally. As well as reducing unnecessary trips using underloaded vehicles, weighing goods helps to protect operator revenue by ensuring that customers are billed accurately according to the weight of their consignment.

Linking weighing equipment with software and back-office systems can also help to keep a record of goods being transported. Optimal loading also ensures that delivery schedules aren’t delayed by unnecessary roadside inspections, which can add to operational costs.