Weighbridges to fit-any existing pit
Coal Products Ltd (CPL) are the latest company to benefit from Weightron Bilanciai’s weighbridge manufacturing versatility and expertise. Weightron have significant experience in fitting weighbridges into existing pits and when the pit weighbridge at CPL’s Immingham plant needed replacing, they came up with a tailor-made solution based on their highly successful Eurodeck model.
Although pit mounted weighbridges offer a number of site-related operational advantages, replacing aging units can be difficult unless expensive and time consuming modifications are carried out on the pit structure. At many sites being without a weighbridge for more than two or three days can cause serious problems usually making this option impractical.
The Eurodeck is ideal for such replacements. Its low profile, modular construction means that non-standard imperial pit sizes and depths can be accomplished with minimum changes to the weighbridge structure. In this application the length of the standard 15 metre Eurodeck weighbridge was increased to approximately 16 metres and the height difference adjusted using specially designed steel legs, thereby ensuring the new weighbridge fitted exactly flush with the surface.
The Eurodeck design has an excellent reputation for strength and durability in the harshest of environments. The weighbridge features fully welded stainless steel load cells and a special restraint system to minimise the damaging effects of harsh vehicle braking. The main structural beams, which support a robust durbar deck, run length ways, consistent with traffic flow and have sufficient depth so that they do not need stiffening plates. This gives a consistent, well-drained weighing surface, avoiding any build up of condensation. The unsupported span between these beams is only 165 mm, which means that with maximum loading in the centre of a standard module, there is minimum deflection.
Weightron’s Sales Director Emlyn Roberts is clear on his company’s philosophy and as he explains: “Although we offer a wide range of standard weighbridges, we know that in the real world one size doesn’t fit all. As a result we maintain the flexibility in-house to build exactly the right weighbridge for any particular application, based on our proven designs. Many of our competitors do not have this versatile manufacturing capability whereas we are always pleased to look at customers’ out of the ordinary requirements.”
CPL’s Keith Gledhill is delighted with the way the project has been handled and as he concludes: “Weightron’s overall approach was very professional throughout. Having visited Weightron’s factory in Chesterfield to see the weighbridges being manufactured at first hand, it was very clear that they had the engineering and manufacturing capabilities to supply us with the best technical and commercial solution. The new weighbridge was completed within three weeks of our order placement and was fitted and commissioned within a day, causing minimum disruption to our site.”