What is a weighbridge?

To make the waste removal process quicker and more efficient for everyone, weighbridges play an important role in accurately measuring the weight of waste without disrupting operations or relying solely on human intervention.

In this article, we will answer the popular question, “what is a weighbridge?”, explore why weighbridges are often used at tips and waste disposal locations, discuss the benefits of a weighbridge and learn about the different types of weighbridges. 

What is a weighbridge?

Weighbridges are purpose built machines, designed to weigh large industrial vehicles and their contents for commercial purposes. Commonly referred to as truck scales or railroad scales, weighbridges are typically found at landfills, truck stops, trucking terminals, quarries, and ports. 

In the waste management industry, they are essential for ensuring accurate waste disposal charges and identifying overloaded vehicles, benefiting companies who charge customers based on the weight of their waste loads.

Why are weighbridges used?

Weighbridges work by measuring the overall weight of a vehicle, which is then used to calculate the weight of the waste retrieved or removed. In order to be compliant with weight restrictions and regulations, vehicles need to be careful not to exceed a weight that may affect the safety of the vehicle. During the loading process at trucking terminals or ports, the truck is weighed by driving onto a weighbridge and the weight recorded. The truck is then loaded with goods and driven onto another weighbridge and reweighed. This is to ensure that the truck is not overweight and therefore complies with weight restrictions. If the weight limit is exceeded, additional fees may be incurred to transport the excess goods. Therefore, by using a weighbridge the shipping company can ensure that they are remaining compliant with regulations whilst avoiding any potential fines or safety risks associated with overweight vehicles.

In the context of waste removal, the opposite is completed. A vehicle that arrives at a landfill loaded with waste is weighed and that weight recorded. Once the vehicle has disposed of their waste at the landfill site, it is weighed again, and the new weight helps to calculate how much waste was disposed of. This can help landfills and tips to charge accurately for businesses to dispose of commercial waste.

What are the benefits of a weighbridge?

A weighbridge offers benefits for both the customer and the business involved in the waste removal transaction. The benefits of a weighbridge are as follows:

Accuracy & consistency 

It is almost impossible to accurately gauge the weight of your waste by eye. Having a weighbridge system provides precise weight measurements which ensures that the customer is never wrongly charged for the disposal of waste and that pricing remains consistent and fair across the board.

Quick & easy service

As the waste does not need to be weighed manually, using the weighbridge makes the process much quicker and easier as it alerts people if the vehicle is too heavy, helping to prevent vehicles from travelling overweight and in unsafe conditions. The process itself is as simple as driving onto and off of the weighbridge and getting a price for the waste almost instantly. 

Health & safety 

Utilising a weighbridge removes all of the guesswork around the vehicle’s weight, helping to ensure the safety of the operators, customers and the general public. 

Affordable services 

Using a weighbridge means that a quicker and more accurate service can be provided whilst offering the best price on the operations involved in weighing and processing your waste.

What are the different types of weighbridges?

There are four common types of weighbridges. Typically they are made of steel or concrete which is supported by load cells that measure the weight of the vehicle as it passes over the platform. They may also be fitted with a computer system where you can record the weight readings and other necessary data. Here are the four common types:

Pit-mounted weighbridges 

This type of weighbridge is ideal for sites with limited space or where a low profile is required. They are named pit-mounted as they are installed in a pit that is dug into the ground so that the weighing surface is flush with the ground level. 

Surface-mounted weighbridges

Surface mounted weighbridges are much easier and cheaper to install compared to pit-mounted weighbridges, yet they require a larger amount of space. This type of weighbridge is installed above ground level so trucks drive onto the weighing surface via a ramp. 

Portable weighbridges

Portable weighbridges are ideal for use in temporary sites or remote locations as they are usually lightweight and made of durable materials such as aluminium or steel. 

Axle weighbridges  

Axle weighbridges are commonly used in mining and construction industries as they are designed to weigh individual axles or a group of axles rather than the entire vehicle. This is to ensure that individual axles do not exceed weight limits.

Waste management from EJ Shanley

At EJ Shanley, our advanced weighbridges at our Warminster and Trowbridge sites offer a fast, reliable solution for vehicle weighing and waste disposal. Whether you’re looking to ensure compliance, manage waste efficiently, or support sustainability, we’re here to help. Contact us today for more information and to get started!

Keep Exploring Our Articles