Buyer’s Guide: Weighing Solutions for the Agriculture Industry

As an agricultural producer, getting the most accurate weight measurements for your harvests is crucial. Precise weights allow you to maximise profits, reduce waste, and run an efficient operation.

This buyer’s guide covers everything you need to know about weighing solutions for the agriculture industry. We’ll discuss common weighing challenges for farmers and ranchers, key features to look for in an agricultural scale, and reviews of top weighing systems on the market today.

Common Weighing Challenges in Agriculture

Agriculture comes with unique weighing and measurement challenges, including:

• Quantifying large volumes and heavy loads up to 10,000 pounds or more
• Withstanding exposure to dirt, dust, moisture, and other contaminants
• Portability to weigh loads in the field or barn
• Fast weight readout to facilitate quick buying and selling decisions during harvest

General Challenges that the agricultural sector is facing:

• labour shortages in the food and farming sector
• Read more about the main challenges facing the UK agriculture sector here

As you evaluate weighing solutions, make sure they are designed to handle the specific rigours, volumes and environments that are part of agriculture. Industrial-grade scales are best to withstand your workload demands.

Top Features of Agricultural Scales

When researching and selecting an agricultural scale, make sure it has features that address common challenges, including:

• High weight capacities for weighing heavy harvests and livestock
• Rugged load cells resistant to dirt, dust, and debris
• Portability with wheels, handles, ramps, stairs and lifts
• Connectivity and data tracking to quantify harvests
• Fast stabilisation times to quickly weigh moving loads
• Battery power for flexibility to weigh anywhere on the farm

Having the right features will lead to greater efficiency, profitability and regulatory compliance in your farming operation. Read here: Boosting Agricultural Efficiency with Accurate Weighing Tools

Best Weighing Systems for Agriculture

S5i Industrial Washdown Scale

The S5i enables agricultural processing facilities to seamlessly weigh product even in debris-laden, wet washdown environments. By withstanding exposure to water and grime, this stainless steel scale keeps your weighing processes moving efficiently during sorting, washing and handling of fruit, vegetables or meat.

Xtrem Zebra Oversize Load Scale

The adaptable Xtrem Zebra weighing system conforms to any harvesting container, feed bag or water tank to weigh your oversized agriculture loads. Customizable attachments meet your unique needs for irregularly shaped or extra-large items that exceed dimensions of standard scales. This flexibility optimises efficiency when dealing with diverse materials.

Gram PR Vehicle Weighing System

Simplify buy and sell transactions of agriculture loads like grain, corn and hay bales based on accurate vehicle weights. The durable yet portable Gram PR pads and display quantifies weight per vehicle axis plus gross weight. Integrated ticket printing professionalises business dealings by invoicing customers with weight data on the go.

Zmissil Industrial Floor Scale with Column

The Zmissil Industrial Floor Scale, designed for intensive industrial use, is an indispensable asset in the agricultural sector. Its robust stainless steel column ensures durability and ease of cleaning, crucial in the often challenging agricultural environments. This scale is equipped with multiple advanced functions that enhance the efficiency of weighing operations, catering to the dynamic needs of the industry.

One of the key features of the Zmissil is its versatility. With various accessories available, it can be adapted to a wide range of weighing needs, whether it’s for production processes, quality control, packaging, reception, dispatch of goods, or checking weights. The weighing pan, made from high-quality stainless steel AISI 304, is designed to withstand the rigours of industrial use. The scale also offers multiple platform sizes, allowing it to fit into different spaces and cater to various usage requirements in a warehouse or farm setting.

RX FOX Weighing Beam System

The Accurex RX FOX Weighing Beam System is a versatile and adaptable weighing solution designed to cater to a wide array of applications in various industries. Its ability to handle special-sized pallets, tanks, animal cages, or metal bars makes it an invaluable tool for scenarios where traditional scales are inadequate.

One of the most significant features of the RX FOX is its flexible beam separation. The beams can be placed up to 4 metres apart, providing the flexibility to weigh large or oddly-shaped items, such as long metal bars or oversized pallets. This adaptability is essential for businesses that deal with non-standard items, ensuring accurate weighing regardless of the item’s size or shape.

Installation and Maintenance of Weighing Systems in Agriculture

Setup Best Practices

Installing a weighing system in an agricultural setting is a critical step that demands meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and longevity. Here are some best practices to follow:

• Site Selection: Choose a location that is easily accessible and stable. The ground should be level and capable of supporting the weight of the system plus the agricultural products it will weigh.
• Professional Installation: Employ professionals who are experienced in installing agricultural weighing systems. This ensures that the system is set up correctly and calibrated accurately from the outset.
• Environmental Protection: Agricultural environments can be harsh, with exposure to elements like dust, moisture, and chemicals. Ensure the weighing system is placed in a location where it is protected from these elements as much as possible.
• Integration with Existing Systems: If the weighing system needs to be integrated with other farm management systems, ensure this is done seamlessly to allow for efficient data transfer and analysis.
• Training: Train staff who will be using the weighing system. They should understand how to operate it correctly to avoid errors that could affect its accuracy.
• Initial Calibration: After installation, calibrate the system thoroughly. This process should be done in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Ongoing Maintenance and Calibration

Regular maintenance and calibration are essential for ensuring the longevity and accuracy of your weighing system:

• Regular Inspections: Schedule regular inspections to check for any wear and tear, especially in components that are prone to damage due to regular use or environmental factors.
• Calibration Checks: Regular calibration is vital to maintain accuracy. The frequency of calibration will depend on the usage and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Always use standard weights for calibration checks.
• Cleaning: Keep the system clean. Dust, debris, and other materials can accumulate on the weighing system and affect its accuracy. Regular cleaning, as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, is essential.
• Software Updates: If your system uses software, ensure it is always updated to the latest version. Software updates may include important improvements or bug fixes that can enhance the system’s performance.
• Repair and Replace: Promptly repair or replace any worn or damaged parts. Delaying repairs can lead to inaccurate readings and potentially compromise the system’s integrity.
• Documentation: Keep a log of all maintenance and calibration activities. This record is crucial for tracking the system’s performance over time and identifying any potential issues early on.

By following these best practices for setup, maintenance, and calibration, agricultural businesses can ensure their weighing systems function optimally, providing accurate data that is crucial for efficient farm management.

Conclusion

An investment in a heavy-duty weighing system designed specifically for agriculture will provide many returns through more precise yield tracking, evidence-based selling prices, and efficient operations. Take time to understand key features and read in-depth reviews before selecting your solution. We hope our guide gave you a solid starting point to choose the best scale to drive productivity on your farm or ranch.