Do You Need Legal for Trade Approval for Your Rail Scale?

If you plan to sell product using the weight readout from your rail scale, the answer is definitely yes. Legal for Trade is a certification controlled by Weights and Measures agencies to ensure the weighing system is accurate enough to allow fair commerce using the weight readout of the system.

If you do not need Legal for Trade approval, you might be using your rail scale for checkweighing rail cars, tracking inventory, verifying safe loads and performing non-commercial filling operations. Non-Legal for Trade rail scales can usually be installed in as little as one day because most do not require a concrete foundation or reconstruction.

Legal for Trade rail scales are typically more precise and are usually permanent rail car weighing solutions. Because these systems tend to be more complex and require a concrete foundation, Legal for Trade rail scales have a longer installation time and generally require a larger up-front investment.

NON-LEGAL FOR TRADE RAIL SCALES

There are many advantages to purchasing a non-Legal for Trade rail scale, including the short installation time and affordability. Heavy-duty, accurate, non-Legal for Trade rail scales are ideal for checkweighing applications and ensuring rail car loads are safely balanced. Some models can be easily integrated into existing railroads with minimal downtime or modifications.

Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ RailBoss® system is a non-Legal for Trade rail scale made of heavy-duty gauged rail sections. These systems replace sections of existing railroad and function as a checkweigher for rail cars. It does not require a pit or concrete foundation and can be installed in a single day. 

LEGAL FOR TRADE RAIL SCALES

Legal for Trade rail scales are the most durable and accurate railroad scales you can install. With a concrete foundation and the ability to be customized for each application, traditional Legal for Trade railroad track scales will provide the utmost in longevity and accuracy.

Rice Lake’s SURVIVOR® PL and SURVIVOR RT are Legal for Trade rail scales that provide durable accuracy. The SURVIVOR PL Series is a low-profile, modular design rail scale with several platform sizes available to meet the needs of a variety of rail car weighing applications. The SURVIVOR RT Series is designed as a combination of a rail scale and truck scale to handle diverse railroad weighing needs.

Learn more about Rice Lake’s rail car weighing systems and find the right solution for your unique needs.