Tuesday 31 January 2017

Why those approach levels are important

Getting an axle weighbridge correctly calibrated is vital if the system is to provide accurate axle weights. But as the concrete approaches are so important to system accuracy, the calibration must be done on site.


Testing a system at the factory is a useful exercise to check that it works as a basic weighing machine, but it’s only when the system is installed in its final location that any problems caused by incorrect approach levels show up.

Which is why we have invested a significant sum in a purpose designed test vehicle specifically for calibrating axle weighbridges.

Every single Axtec axle weighbridge is tested on site using this unique facility. Thus every system gets a thorough test in its actual place of work and customers can be sure that both weighing system and approach levels are correct.

We normally suggest that an annual calibration is beneficial and we offer this testing facility to anyone who has an axle weighbridge.

It will starkly show up any issues.

Such was the case recently when we went to calibrate an axle weighbridge in the midlands. It was clear to the naked eye that the system had been poorly installed with no account taken of the existing concrete levels. With a roadway that sloped in two directions either side of a joint and the platform just installed with minimal construction work, the system was never going to accurately weigh a multi axle vehicle as intended.
Correct levels mean accurate vehicle weights.

Tests done with our specialist weighbridge test vehicle showed errors up to 1,450kg different to the  calibrated weight which meant that vehicles could be leaving the site seriously overloaded.
And all because the concrete approach levels were wrong.

No doubt the system was dead weight tested in the factory and almost certainly producing results within specification but failing to take account of the effects of the approach levels on a vehicles suspension meant that it would never be accurate on site.

The only course of action in this case is to lay correct approaches to ensure accurate weighing.

Sorting out a poor installation could be a costly business.

Monday 9 January 2017

Van registrations are up but overloading needs to come down.

Whilst it is good news that LCV registrations for the year just past were at record levels, the sheer number of vans on our roads could cause problems. 

As Nigel Base, the SMMT’s Commercial Vehicle Manager recently stated, “ ...overloading rates are far too high and rectifying this is a key priority for the coming 12 months.”

Overloading a van can have serious consequences as it affects most of the major components on the vehicle – the ability to brake, wear on the suspension and tyres, clutch life etc.

All of these add to the cost of operating the vehicle. More fuel is used and repairs and replacement parts are not cheap.

And we have in the past been asked to determine how heavy vehicles were that have been involved in accidents to establish if the weight had been a factor.

One of those accidents proved fatal.

 There a range of systems available to make sure that vans are not overloaded, the correct one will depend upon the application. Weighpads for occasional weighing or spot checks or a fixed axle weighbridge for those vehicles delivering full loads to a single point.

The system most commonly specified however is an OnBoard Load Indicator.

Axtec OnBoard Prevents Overloading of Vans

Axtec OnBoard shows front, rear and gross weights permanently on a simple to read colour display. Both the actual numbers and a graphical display are shown so there can be no confusion.

And drivers do not have to remember what their legal weights are as the system will do it for them
Legal weights are shown in green, anything over 80% is shown in amber and overloads are automatically highlighted in flashing red.

There are no knobs, buttons or switches which makes the system simple to use. No training is needed and drivers cannot say they don’t know how to use it. They simply have to look at it.

And for the fleet operator who wants to know what is happening out on the road, outputs for connection to a tracking device are provided as standard so that overloads can be reported back to base.


If avoiding overloads on your vans is a priority for you this year, then we have a range of systems and software to help.