Axle weighers
Page 44
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REGARDING the letter sent by John L. Hathaway (CMJuly 10) . on axle weighers, although on the surface it would appear that the measurement of roadspring deflection will give an indication of the weight of an axle, in fact any indication so obtained could be extremely inaccurate. The reasons for this are numerous: stiction on the springs, stiction in the shock absorbers, varying stiction between axles or multiaxle vehicles, and so on. Errors of up to 4.5 tonnes on a 30-tonne vehicle are common.
Engineers at ours and associated companies have studied the problem over some years and have some to the conclusion that the only reliable way to measure axle weight is to measure axle deformation. After all, the axle is the thing that really matters as it is this that the authorities are interested in.
There are a number of systems available using this method of measurement, including our own, and although the initial cost may be higher, we are certain that the resultant accuracy, in the end, will give considerable cost savings both in efficient operation and covering legal requirements.
C. P. CROMPTON Director Orbit Controls Limited Lansdown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.