Wheel loaders as mobile weighbridges

In the current economic climate there is a growing awareness in the quarrying industry of the use of on-board weighing systems as a cost-effective mobile weighbridge. RDS Technology’s Loadmaster 9000i has been developed specifically for this purpose.

For an on-board weighing system on a wheel loader to be used as a mobile weighbridge, it must first be tested to an exacting set of EEC conforming criteria by the local Trading Standards Office. In the UK this can be to OIML R51 and R76 (Class IIII) standards or the new pan-European MID Class Y(b) approval, which the Loadmaster 9000i attained earlier this year. Once the approval is obtained, invoices can then be raised directly from the weight readings on the Loadmaster 9000i installed on the loader, negating the need for a weighbridge. This makes the Loadmaster 9000i ideal for use on temporary or smaller sites or as a back up to an existing weighbridge in case of breakdown or inclement frozen weather.

Using two pressure transducers in the lifting circuit, the Loadmaster 9000i turns hydraulic pressure readings into weight and allies this to other readings from a number of separate sensors. These include an oil temperature sensor to ensure the vehicle is working at the correct temperature, a bucket sensor to ensure that weight readings are taken with the bucket crowded to the correct position and also an angle sensor that ensures correct readings when weighing on rough or uneven terrain. The end result of this multiple-sensor combination ensures the weight readings are consistently accurate and within parameters that allow their use for the sale of goods.

The Loadmaster 9000i benefits from an advanced weighing routine recently developed by RDS. Through the use of the new software algorithm, the effects of external factors such as vehicle bounce or uneven load can be significantly reduced. This has resulted in increased accuracy of bucket and load weighing.

Also offered with the Loadmaster 9000i, is the ability to print load summary data for a hard copy record or to transfer it to an office PC via the integral SD card port. Having come from an approved weighing system, this data can then be processed and used for invoicing purposes as well as stock control.

For more information contact RDS Technology on tel: (01453) 733300.