Choosing the right industrial scale can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. Use this quick guide to understand the 7 most common types and find the best fit for your specific weighing needs.
6 Common Types of Industrial Scales
- Platform Scale
Platform scales are equipped with a robust weighing platform and a weighing indicator, designed for general weighing in workshops, warehouses, and production areas.
Best for: Packaging lines, quality control, general workshop use
Capacity range: 30 kg – 500 kg
Key features: Stainless steel platform scale, digital readout, parts counting function, overload protection
- Bench Scale
Compact and portable, bench scales sit on tabletops or workbenches for precision tasks like portion control, parts counting, or lab work.
Best for: Food portioning, small parts counting, lab use
Capacity range: 6kg – 150 kg
Key features: High-precision bench scale, stainless steel construction, parts counting function, overload protection
- Waterproof Scale
Built to survive wet environments, waterproof scales feature high IP ratings (IP68 & IP69K) to withstand washdowns, humidity, and chemicals without failing.
Best for: Food processing, pharmaceutical, chemical plants
Capacity range: Varies widely
Key features: IP68 & IP69K scale, washdown safe, stainless steel material
- Floor Scale
A heavy-duty scale designed to sit flush or low to the floor, allowing forklifts and pallet jacks to drive directly onto the weighing surface. Floor scales are built for high-capacity loads in busy industrial environments.
Best for: Warehouse freight checking, heavy manufacturing, bulk material weighing
Capacity range: 1,000 kg – 10,000+ kg
Key features: Low-profile floor scale, forklift-compatible, pitless installation option, legal-for-trade available
- Livestock Scale
Specially designed for weighing animals, livestock scales feature non-slip flooring, safety side walls, and weight-averaging software to handle moving animals.
Best for: Farms, ranches, veterinary clinics
Capacity range: 1,000 lbs – 10,000+ lbs
Key features: Portable livestock scale, animal weight averaging, sturdy animal crate
- Weighbridge
The heavy-duty champion for weighing trucks and containers. Weighbridges are essential for logistics, mining, and agriculture operations. Available in pit-mounted (ground level) or surface-mounted (with ramps) configurations.
Best for: Mining, logistics, waste management, agriculture
Capacity range: 30 tons – 200+ tons
Key features: Heavy-duty truck scale, pit-mounted or surface-mounted, digital truck scale software integration
Recommended Weighing Indicators for Each Application
For platform scale, bench scale and floor scales → K1 / K1C industrial indicator
- IP67 waterproof protection
- LED or LCD dispaly
- Combines high-precision weighing, durable structure, and user-friendly operation.
For Waterproof Scales → K9 washdown indicator
- IP68 & IP69K
- Dual RS232
- Drop-resistant and corrosion-resistant
For Livestock Scales → K7 animal indicator
- IP67 waterproof protection
- PBT rugged housing
- Accumulate up to 2,000 records
For Truck Scales → K3000 weighbridge indicator
- 304 stainless steel housing
- IP65 waterproof protection
- Default with RS232 and RS485
- Digital or analog instruments are available
Common Mistakes When Choosing Industrial Scales
- Focusing only on price
While cheap scales may seem appealing, in the long run, inexpensive industrial scales often come at a higher cost. Low-quality load cells can drift over time, and displays are prone to damage in harsh environments. Instead of investing heavily upfront, it’s better to choose a reliable industrial scale from a reputable manufacturer, ensuring years of accurate, maintenance-free operation.
- Ignoring the Working Environment
A standard scale won’t last long in harsh conditions. Dust, moisture, chemicals, and temperature extremes all take their toll. If your facility requires daily washdown, you need a waterproof scale with an IP68 or IP69K rating. If you’re in a dusty warehouse, look for dust-resistant enclosures. Matching the scale’s protection rating to your actual environment prevents early failure and safety risks.
- Choosing the Wrong Capacity
Overbuying and underbuying are both costly mistakes. A scale that’s too large won’t register small weight changes accurately (poor resolution). A scale that’s too small risks overload damage and safety hazards. The sweet spot? Choose a capacity 20-30% higher than your heaviest typical load. This gives you a safety margin without sacrificing accuracy for lighter loads.
Need Help Choosing the Right Scale?
No matter your industry or field, and whatever type of weighing equipment you require, HiWEIGH can provide solutions. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.