2011 - Volume #35, Issue #3, Page #35
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System Turns Air Suspension Into On-Board Weigh Scale
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Air-Weigh sensors measure air pressure in suspension systems to 1/27 of a psi. That equates to increments of 20 to 40 lbs. of on-the-ground weight. Some Air-Weigh components work with mechanical suspension systems as well.
"When producers are out loading grain or livestock, they don't know what they've got until they get to the scales," says Martin Ambrose, Air-Weigh. "With the high cost of fuel, you want to carry as big a load as you can without overloading. One over-weight ticket will cover the cost of our system in most states."
Experienced drivers of air suspension systems have long been able to estimate weights based on psi gauge readings. Air-Weigh offers two systems that deliver actual weight readings. Once calibrated under no load, the systems monitor pressure increases and translate them into on-the-ground weight loads. Air-Weigh scales can also measure deflection in vehicle axles for accurate weights on mechanical suspension trucks.
System selection depends on how it will be used and whether multiple trailers are used with the same tractor. "QuickLoad is our entry level scale system. It has a dashboard indicator that gives you the gross vehicle weight if the trailer is dedicated to that tractor, as well as readings for the payload," says Ambrose. "It flashes when you get close to the legal limit.
"QuickLoad communicates changes in air pressure via an air line that runs from the trailer suspension system on each axle group forward to the dash," he says. "All the sensors and electronics are in the dash pod. If you change trailers, you have to double check calibration."
In addition to gross vehicle weight, QuickLoad can deliver steering axle, driving axle and trailer axle weights, as does the full-featured LoadMaxx system. This is important as the DOT can ticket a driver if an axle group is overloaded even if the gross vehicle weight is under the legal limit.
LoadMaxx has sensors located in the suspension system of both the trailer and the tractor unit. Signals from a control box mounted on the trailer are sent electronically to the monitor in the cab via the standard multi-plex wiring harness used for lights. No extra cables or wiring harness is needed.
"If you pull more than one trailer with the same tractor or swap out trailers over the course of the day, LoadMaxx retains the calibrated weight of the trailer and communicates it to the tractor when hooked up," explains Ambrose.
LoadMaxx offers a printer interface on the monitor. With the optional printer, the operator can print weights for sharing with a landlord or when switching fields.
A CAN bus interface allows wireless transfer of information to fleet headquarters, dash display, or transfer to an on-board computer. Two alarms can be set to warn the operator when an axle group weight or the gross vehicle weight approaches and exceeds legal limits.
Ambrose says customers describe new ways of working with area grain merchants made possible by the accuracy of the on-board scales. "We have customers who have worked out arrangements with their grain buyers to accept readouts in lieu of scale tickets," says Ambrose. "Our system isn't licensed or certified, but they have seen how accurate it is. Some have even told us they found out their local elevator scale wasn't as accurate as they thought."
Both systems are easy to install, he says. "About 80 percent are self installed. The hardest part is running the connection to the 12-volt panel."
QuickLoad has a suggested retail price of $400 and approximately $200 for each trailer unit, depending on brackets and other hardware needed. The LoadMaxx runs $850 to $900, depending on hardware for the cab connections. Each trailer module costs around $700.
Ambrose reports the systems are gaining popularity as available options from trailer manufacturers and a growing number of tractor manufacturers, including Mack and Freightliner. Others offer it as a dealer installed option.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Air-Weigh, 1730 Willow Creek Circle, Eugene, Ore. 97402 (ph 541 343 7884; toll free 888 459-3444; www.air-weighscales.com).
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