Prime installing onboard scales for time, cost savings

March 1, 2008
Prime, North America's largest refrigerated carrier, is outfitting its entire fleet of Class 8 trucks with Right Weigh onboard load scales

Prime, North America's largest refrigerated carrier, is outfitting its entire fleet of Class 8 trucks with Right Weigh onboard load scales. The move is being done to increase efficiency and safety, say officials at the carrier.

Prime is using Right Weigh's exterior-mounted scale Model 310-54 to monitor its trailers and the interior dash-mounted Model 510-46 for its tractors.

The Model 310-54 displays, on an analog dial face, the truck's real on-the-ground axle weight measurement, instead of a standard suspension PSI (pounds per square inch) value. The scale is pre-mounted in an impact resistant, all-weather enclosure.

The Model 510-46 interior scale also provides real on-the-ground axle weight measurement, shown on an analog, in-dash, backlit gauge.

Both load scales measure a tractor's drives or trailer's axle weights, with an accuracy of 250 pounds or better.

Simple to adjust through the calibration screw on the face of the gauge, they offer the same weight information as their digital counterparts, Right Weigh officials say, but “without the significant expense.” The scales have a MSRP from $95 to $230.

To operate the scales, the driver loads his truck as he normally would. Then, with the brakes off on a level surface, he reads the scale and adjusts the load accordingly.

With more than 3,500 Right Weigh scales already in use fleetwide, Prime is continuing to retrofit its existing tractors and trailers, while all new trailers come equipped with the scales installed at the factory.

While the load scales are providing a strong return on investment for the company, they are also directly benefiting drivers, says Paul Higgins, Prime's plaza director. Being able to weigh at the loading site, drivers no longer have to use public in-ground scales, which saves time, money, and aggravation. What's more, the onboard scales help drivers maintain safe and legal axle weights.

Based in Springfield, Missouri, Prime transports a variety of goods throughout the contiguous US, Canada, and Mexico with a fleet of more than 2,800 tractors, 2,600 refrigerated trailers, 824 flatbed trailers, and 163 tanker trailers.

Sponsored Recommendations

Heavy-Duty Maintenance Checklist

A maintenance checklist can help ensure you hit everything necessary during an inspection. Check out our free downloadable checklist to help streamline your repairs.

Five Ways a Little Data Can Save Your Company Millions

While most trucking and logistics companies rely on cellular to keep their work fleet connected, satellite has the ability to connect anywhere and through small data transmission...

Fleet Case Study: 15% YOY Growth for ITDS

Learn how this small trucking company scaled significantly and maintained outstanding customer service without adding additional people. Sylectus TMS can automate operations and...

Unlocking Fleet Safety & Efficiency: The Managed Service Advantage

Want to boost your fleet's safety and efficiency? Tune in now to discover the power of Managed Services in optimizing your safety program, streamlining operations, and making ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!