When you’re in the market for a drum scale, first decide what brands and/or price range you are interested in. We mention this because the quality, accuracy, and consistency of Rice Lake Roughdeck BDP drum scales is going to be higher than some of the low cost platform scales you might find online. Why you might ask? One big reason is the strain gauge load cells. Of course, these systems are also likely going to cost more money as well.
A lot of industrial warehouse locations or perhaps a busy shipping area where goods are constantly being moved around by a pallet jack can use a drum weigher. A drum scale is typically a low profile floor scale that is actually a lower profile than a traditional 4×4 floor scales that virtually every warehouse utilizes.
Drum scales can be used with or without one or more ramps. Other weight choices to consider with a drum scale system include digital weight indicator features such as LCD display, RS-232 communication for connecting to a printer or computer, or battery power. Battery power is helpful and would allow the scale to be installed in remote locations where a power outlet might not be available. Another feature that is handy for a portable application would be either a portability frame, wheels, or two handles.
What are the Capacities and Readabilities of each Drum Scale model?
An imported drum scale platform typically features integral ramps, live side rails, wheels, and handles for the ultimate in versatile weighing. The majority of drum weighing scales are available in 500, 1000, or 2000 pound capacities. Popular platform sizes of most drum scales are typically somewhere around 30″ x 30″ or 36″ x 36″.
Also, it’s worth mentioning a special note regarding dimensions. You will want to make sure what dimensions you are going by when choosing a drum scale. Obviously, you want a low profile scale that is easy to roll heavy drums onto. But, there are the overall dimensions and there are the actual low profile platform portion of the scale to consider as well.
The CAS R2 Series Drum Scale stands out for its numerous features that make it a versatile and portable weighing solution. First, it is constructed with reinforced mild steel, ensuring durability and longevity. The anti-skid diamond plate deck guarantees a secure grip for the drums being weighed. The light weight R2 Series has two heavy duty handles and two casters built into the frame. Need to move your scale? No problem. Pick it up and roll it. It’s that easy! This product is manufactured overseas but supported by CAS USA headquartered in NJ.
One of the key characteristics of this drum scale is its portability. The integral ramps make it easy to roll drums onto the scale, and the live side rails provide added safety and stability during the weighing process. The scale is also equipped with built-in casters, allowing for effortless transportation from one location to another. Additionally, handles have been included to further enhance portability.
The Brecknell DS1000 Drum Scale boasts a range of impressive features that make it an excellent choice for bustling shipping areas and drum weight monitoring. Designed to handle the constant movement of goods by pallet jacks, this scale is both portable and low-profile. Its rugged steel deck is powder coated for durability, ensuring that it can withstand heavy use.
One standout feature of this scale is its unique 9% entry and exit ramp, which facilitates easy rolling of drums on and off the platform. This gradual incline eliminates any hassle or difficulty when maneuvering drums, saving time and effort.
With its user-friendly design, the imported Brecknell DS1000-LCD Drum Scale is incredibly simple to operate. Its indicator offers a comprehensive range of weighing functions, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications. Additionally, it features a display-hold function, allowing users to retain results on the screen for reference.
Most drum scales, which can also be called barrel weighing scales, are constructed of painted steel. The actual weighing platform is usually a diamond tread design. You can also get a stainless steel drum scale as well. Items can be weighed on the scale platform and/or across the side rails for larger items. A low profile design with ramps can be a great choice for dollies, wheeled carts with a drum to be easily rolled onto the platform.
In most cases, drum scales are designed to be durable and accurate. But, they are also designed to be lightweight and portable in many situations. This tends to create a little bit of a balancing act for many situations. In order to make a drum scale portable, it needs to be able to roll and be light enough for an average person to pick up on it’s side. But, one of the issues that we sometimes see with drum scales is a tendency for the scale to be dropped. This can happen fairly easily.
Someone sets the drum scale on its side and rolls it to a new location. They set the scale up against the wall and leave it. Then someone else comes by and knocks the scale platform over. And of course whomever knocks the scale over usually sprints away from the scene of the crime! Knocking over a scale can damage a load cell, bend or break a foot, and lead to down time without a scale.
In our opinion, if you can afford it, we recommend you buy your drum scale from certain scale manufacturers that utilize real alloy steel strain gauge shear beam load cells and not cheap thin planar beam designs that often aren’t as durable, can be hard to source, and sometimes need all four to be replaced.
Some of the low cost drum scales in the marketplace use cheaply made low cost options in the marketplace which use really cheap components, especially when it comes to load cells and summing boards. Contact our sales department for recommended drum scales that we feel will provide years of good weighing with accurate and serviceable shear beam load cells that can actually be replaced if necessary.