Weighbridges are sometimes overlooked on the list of key equipment investments. However, on-farm weighing systems are an important management tool as they can provide accurate information to farmers which would otherwise be sought from third party sources.
Weighing systems allow farmers to accurately track what enters and leaves their farmyards including grain, silage, straw, forage, inputs and manures. In a tillage scenario, the ability to weigh grain allows growers to precisely determine the yields of their fields. While yield monitoring systems on combines can be accurate, without regular calibration they often contain a margin of error. There are numerous types of weighing systems available depending on the intended use, budget and nature of enterprise.
Fixed full size weighbridge
The tractor and trailer both drive onto the bridge.
William Sexton farms in Naas, Co Kildare and recently installed a 50t fixed over ground weighbridge to weigh grain entering and leaving his yard. The DMC 50T Super Wide weighbridge measures 15.6m long x 3.5m wide and was designed for farm use. The bridge is mounted on top of a concrete base and is enclosed by concrete ramps at either end. William preferred to keep the weighbridge on top of concrete for ease of maintenance and cleaning.
The weighbridge is rated for 50t and contains six NSAI-certified Zemic load cells. Both the tractor and trailer drive onto the bridge where an LED indicator displays the weight. The vehicle must be static when weighing. A docket containing the gross weight and tare weight (empty vehicle weight) is printed using the Epson docket printer supplied. The weighbridge cost €13,000, however the concrete ramps, base and roadway were additional.
Multi-axle weighing platforms
Liam Robb's Dinamica Generale axle weigh platforms are sunk into to the existing concrete yard.
Liam Robb farms in Co Donegal and installed his Dynamic Platform axle weighing system in 2005 after constructing his grain store. He needed an accurate method of monitoring grain in and out of the store. He settled on the Italian made Dinamica Generale axle weighing platforms as he couldn’t justify the cost of a full size weighbridge. Each 2m-long platform was sunk into the existing concrete yard in order to keep machinery level when weighing. The dynamic weighing system means each axle of the vehicle is weighed separately without the need to stop. Vehicles cross the platforms at around 2km/h. An internal alarm is sound as each axle crosses, indicating that the axle has been weighed. The platforms each contain four load cells and weigh up to 10t/axle (total of 20t/axle). Each axle weight is tallied on the digital indicator. A tare weigh is programmed into the indicator and a ticket is printed giving the gross and net weight of the vehicle. When he purchased the platforms in 2005, the system cost £5,000 plus VAT.
Portable weigh beams
The 4.2m-long weigh beams have a weighing capacity of 60t.
Robert Gallagher farms in Eglinton Co Derry, growing whole crop arable silage and grass silage for his 500kW anaerobic digestion plant. After researching a number of weighbridge systems, Robert purchased a set of Griffith Elder portable weigh beams to track the quantity of forage entering his clamps. The 4.4m-long weigh beams have a weight capacity of 30t per part weight, allowing for a total weight of 60t, each beam contains two load cells of 20t capacity. The factory calibrated portable beams can be run on the eight hour rechargeable battery contained within the portable peli case indicator box, an external battery or can be powered through the mains supply.
The tractor is weighed first, followed by the trailer. An LED display guides the vehicle over the weigh beams using a traffic light system. The vehicle must be stationary when weighing each axle.
Robert uses a key fob system which identifies each vehicle that drives over the beams, recording a tare weight for each. The weights are automatically calculated and printed onto a ticket and saved onto a memory stick. The weigh beams are fully portable and Robert also hires them out. The system cost £7,100.00 plus an additional £1,200.00 for the key fob system, including 3 fobs (plus VAT).
Load cells are sensitive and owners often forget that weighing systems need to be maintained. Lightning strikes, power surges, accidental knocks and rodent damage can all potentially damage load cells so contact your insurer to enquire about covering the bridge in your insurance policy. Weighbridges should always be kept clean underneath as a build-up of dirt can prevent the bridge from oscillating, affecting its accuracy. Bridges should be checked for accuracy every year so weigh a vehicle on a certified weighbridge and compare it to the readings of your own bridge and calibrate load cells accordingly.
Read more
Watch: top sheds of the year for beef, dairy, sheep and tillage farmers
Grain store’s state-of-the-art construction
Weighbridges are sometimes overlooked on the list of key equipment investments. However, on-farm weighing systems are an important management tool as they can provide accurate information to farmers which would otherwise be sought from third party sources.
Weighing systems allow farmers to accurately track what enters and leaves their farmyards including grain, silage, straw, forage, inputs and manures. In a tillage scenario, the ability to weigh grain allows growers to precisely determine the yields of their fields. While yield monitoring systems on combines can be accurate, without regular calibration they often contain a margin of error. There are numerous types of weighing systems available depending on the intended use, budget and nature of enterprise.
Fixed full size weighbridge
The tractor and trailer both drive onto the bridge.
William Sexton farms in Naas, Co Kildare and recently installed a 50t fixed over ground weighbridge to weigh grain entering and leaving his yard. The DMC 50T Super Wide weighbridge measures 15.6m long x 3.5m wide and was designed for farm use. The bridge is mounted on top of a concrete base and is enclosed by concrete ramps at either end. William preferred to keep the weighbridge on top of concrete for ease of maintenance and cleaning.
The weighbridge is rated for 50t and contains six NSAI-certified Zemic load cells. Both the tractor and trailer drive onto the bridge where an LED indicator displays the weight. The vehicle must be static when weighing. A docket containing the gross weight and tare weight (empty vehicle weight) is printed using the Epson docket printer supplied. The weighbridge cost €13,000, however the concrete ramps, base and roadway were additional.
Multi-axle weighing platforms
Liam Robb's Dinamica Generale axle weigh platforms are sunk into to the existing concrete yard.
Liam Robb farms in Co Donegal and installed his Dynamic Platform axle weighing system in 2005 after constructing his grain store. He needed an accurate method of monitoring grain in and out of the store. He settled on the Italian made Dinamica Generale axle weighing platforms as he couldn’t justify the cost of a full size weighbridge. Each 2m-long platform was sunk into the existing concrete yard in order to keep machinery level when weighing. The dynamic weighing system means each axle of the vehicle is weighed separately without the need to stop. Vehicles cross the platforms at around 2km/h. An internal alarm is sound as each axle crosses, indicating that the axle has been weighed. The platforms each contain four load cells and weigh up to 10t/axle (total of 20t/axle). Each axle weight is tallied on the digital indicator. A tare weigh is programmed into the indicator and a ticket is printed giving the gross and net weight of the vehicle. When he purchased the platforms in 2005, the system cost £5,000 plus VAT.
Portable weigh beams
The 4.2m-long weigh beams have a weighing capacity of 60t.
Robert Gallagher farms in Eglinton Co Derry, growing whole crop arable silage and grass silage for his 500kW anaerobic digestion plant. After researching a number of weighbridge systems, Robert purchased a set of Griffith Elder portable weigh beams to track the quantity of forage entering his clamps. The 4.4m-long weigh beams have a weight capacity of 30t per part weight, allowing for a total weight of 60t, each beam contains two load cells of 20t capacity. The factory calibrated portable beams can be run on the eight hour rechargeable battery contained within the portable peli case indicator box, an external battery or can be powered through the mains supply.
The tractor is weighed first, followed by the trailer. An LED display guides the vehicle over the weigh beams using a traffic light system. The vehicle must be stationary when weighing each axle.
Robert uses a key fob system which identifies each vehicle that drives over the beams, recording a tare weight for each. The weights are automatically calculated and printed onto a ticket and saved onto a memory stick. The weigh beams are fully portable and Robert also hires them out. The system cost £7,100.00 plus an additional £1,200.00 for the key fob system, including 3 fobs (plus VAT).
Load cells are sensitive and owners often forget that weighing systems need to be maintained. Lightning strikes, power surges, accidental knocks and rodent damage can all potentially damage load cells so contact your insurer to enquire about covering the bridge in your insurance policy. Weighbridges should always be kept clean underneath as a build-up of dirt can prevent the bridge from oscillating, affecting its accuracy. Bridges should be checked for accuracy every year so weigh a vehicle on a certified weighbridge and compare it to the readings of your own bridge and calibrate load cells accordingly.
Read more
Watch: top sheds of the year for beef, dairy, sheep and tillage farmers
Grain store’s state-of-the-art construction
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