If you are working with truck scales, it is key to make sure that they are in working order so that you don't have to worry about your readings being off. If you under-weigh your loads, then you will be losing money. If you over-weigh your loads and someone finds out, you could be opening yourself up to a potential lawsuit and bad press. In order to make sure that your truck scales are in perfect working condition, check these three areas every time you do a routine inspection.

1. Check Your Load Cells

Look in your owners manual to find where the load cells are. Once you have located them, look for three things. The first is damage. If your load cells have damage, such as their outer shells becoming brittle and splitting, you need to make sure that you immediately replace these cells.

The second is corrosion. If you see the faintest hint of rust, you also need to make sure that moisture hasn't entered the cells. If moisture has entered the cells, you need to replace them. Otherwise, you can just put a waterproof coating over the corrosion to keep the water out.

Finally, check for mold. Mold is a key sign that moisture is pooling around the load cells. The reason why you don't want moisture to enter these cells is because any liquid is an excellent conductor. If liquid should enter these cells, then it could cause your loading cells to short.

2. Check Any Wiring

Make sure that you thoroughly inspect any wiring. Look for casings that have been damaged, any splintering wires, or any other suspicious areas, such as wire casings that are darker than the ones around them. You need to make sure that no moisture gets into your wiring as well, for the same reason as the load cells. Even if moisture hasn't gotten into the wires, a damaged wire can cause your entire scale to perform erratically, which will cause your readings to be incorrect.

3. Check Your Paint

The paint job on your scales and around your scales is not for aesthetic purposes only. It is one of the main ways that your scales are protected from corrosion. If this barrier should be flaking or be rubbed off, you need to replace the paint immediately or risk having your scales corrode. 

If you check these three things on a regular basis, then you can head off any problems with your weight scales before they actually manifest. This will help ensure that your readings are correct.