What are floor scales used for?

When looking for weighing scales for your business, it can be easy to get bamboozled by the different names for different types of scales. Maybe, it’s easier to understand the type of scale you need by knowing what they’re commonly used for. Which brings us to floor scales. What are floor scales used for? In this blog post, we’ll take a look. 

What is a floor scale?

A floor scale is a type of weighing scale that can be used on production or warehouse floors due to its rugged and durable structure. If you require a high capacity weighing scale for heavy duty weighing a floor scale is a great choice.  

Heavy industrial weighing is made easy as floor scale capacities can go up to 600kg which is far greater than a bench scale.  

What is a floor scale used for? 

Floor scales are incredibly versatile and robust which is why they are mostly found in commercial and industrial environments. For example, floor scales are used for weighing bulky items such as boxes and crates within dispatch departments as they are efficient for busy, fast-paced environments where checks need to be made before transport. 

Food and drink production companies such as breweries frequently use floor scales to weigh produce in bulk. For breweries in particular, floor scales are a great choice due to their durability and (for those with IP ratings) protection from water and any other spillages. The scales will be used to weigh ingredients and if the weight is too high for a bench scale to be used, i.e., 30kg or more, a higher-capacity platform scale would be needed.  

Floor scales may also be used for weighing outgoing goods such as casks or crates - either to check the weight of goods being loaded onto a truck, or to ensure the weight of the produce matches the price the customer is paying (where price is based on weight, trade approved floor scales would be needed). 

Agriculture environments often use floor scales due to their rugged build due to having a large surface area. Floor scales are perfect for weighing farm animals, and even animal feed. Stainless steel floor scales are also easy to clean down - essential in farming environments. 

Floor scales are also used by companies that collect waste to recycle such as recycling plants. By using scales, they can manage how much they are picking up from customers and watch their overall performance, making floor scales perfect for this application. 

Floor scales may also be used to weigh luggage. Luggage comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it is important to get the correct weight, measuring accurately what is being loaded onto planes and other vehicles preventing overloads and accidents. Floor scales may also be used by warehouses and factories for weighing goods prior to loading a lorry, to ensure the lorry does not exceed its maximum permitted weight.  

Floor scales are great animal scales too! 

Floor scales take on a lot of weighing responsibility including being animal scales as they are frequently used in veterinary settings. They provide enough strength to withhold and weigh larger pets, farm animals and even zoo animals. Alongside the wide variety of functions floor scales have, most will also have a dynamic weighing or ‘hold’ function. This feature takes an animal’s movements on the scale into account by freezing the average weight. 

Weighing animals is made easy with Adam's CPWPlus L veterinary scale: the high capacity of this floor scale makes it perfect for, vets, farms and pet shops. 

Floor scales vs bench scales 

Floor and bench scales are very similar weighing instruments and can often be interchangeable with each other but there are a few differences. A bench scale is a small, compact scale that can be used on a work surface or countertop and commonly used to weigh ingredients and food items before being sold to a customer. Their small design makes them excellent for environments that are pushed for space and where weighing will not exceed around 30kg. So, what makes bench scales different to floor scales?  The obvious difference is in their size however, they also have completely different capabilities. Bench scales are typically of lower capacities than floor scales.  

A few things to consider before buying a floor scale.  

There are a few things to consider before you buy a floor scale to guarantee that all your weighing needs are fulfilled.  

1. Capacity 

This is one of the most important considerations when buying a floor scale - make sure the capacity option you choose is high enough for the items you'll be weighing. 

1. Platform size 

The platform or pan size of your floor scale is another important consideration to make. The correct pan size ensures a safe and accurate weighing process. For large warehouses, users can buy a bigger floor scale with a larger surface area, but for smaller, more cramped environments, a floor scale with a smaller pan size may be better 

1. Trade approved 

UK and EU law states that where an item's price is based on its weight, a trade approved scale must be used to determine the price. could result in fines or even prison as the customer can be misled when making purchases. 

1. IP ratings 

IP ratings make cleaning your floor scale easy reducing the risk of any damage to the internal components of the scale. The higher the IP rating means the more protected the scale is against water, dirt, and dust. Ensuring that your scale can remain hygienic by being able to thoroughly clean it. 

Recommend floor scales 

Inscale IWW Waterproof Floor Scale 

The IWW is an affordable, professional waterproof floor scale that features an IP68-rated waterproof indicator, and an IP67 base, with encapsulated loadcells for added protection from water and dust. Available in a range of base sizes and capacities and is very easy to use when you need a simple, accurate scale for weighing in tough environments. 

Adam GFK Checkweighing Floor Scale 

The GFK is a durable and versatile floor checkweighing scale that offers speed, performance and value. Suitable for warehouses, production floors and general industrial applications. The GFK also comes in a large selection of capacities and increments to suit your weighing needs. 

Adam 'Gladiator' Trade Approved Waterproof Floor Scale 

The ‘Gladiator’ is one of Adam Equipment’s most durable industrial weighing scales, with IP68 protection, sealed keypad and rugged grade 304 stainless steel construction. These popular floor scales feature encapsulated loadcells in the base for added protection from moisture, as well as a sealed keypad to protect the indicator in the most demanding environments. 

Kern EOC Fine Precision Industrial Floor Scale 

The EOC is a high precision/high resolution industrial weighing scale from Kern, with a stainless steel weighing pan, IP65 load cell and a simple indicator for straightforward weighing. The IP65 protected load cell means this scale can withstand use in harsher environments, where it may be exposed to moisture or dust.  

Adam CPWPlus L Floor Scale 

The CPWplus L floor scale is highly versatile offering a wide choice of weighing capacities up to 300kg. Due to its flat stainless steel surface and washdown capabilities, the CPWplus is ideally suited for industrial and commercial applications as well as weighing dogs, pets and other animals in veterinary practices. 

Want to find out more about how to use a floor scale or need guidance on buying a floor scale? Get In Touch with the Inscale team.