Air-Weigh Scales, in Oregon, sells two scale systems. The AW5750 Truck Scale includes the in-cab display and keypad, axle weight sensors, and a Truck ComLink that processes the truck and trailer weight data.

The trailer weight data, including six axle weights, GVW and net payload, shows up on a single in-cab display screen as soon as the driver hooks up to the trailer. Air-Weigh automatically communicates its weight data to the truck’s J-1708 data bus, so the weights are available for integration with the truck’s own in-dash display and any off-board communications devices. The AW5802 Self-Weighing Trailer Scale is mounted independently on the trailer and includes the trailer scale with its own display and keypad and the axle weight sensors. While this trailer scale is a stand-alone unit, it can communicate with any Air-Weigh equipped tractor. Air-Weigh displays the weight of the axle group to within 135 kilograms, (300 pounds) of a DoT scale. Air-Weigh has about 35,000 units fielded today.

Weigh Right Inc.’s primary clients are in the 18-wheel motor freight, construction, logging, waste, aggregate hauling, and agricultural markets. Its on-board scales can measure the weight on all axles, including air suspension, steel spring, rubber spring, and hydraulic suspension axles. Its most recent solution is the Easy Air II, for air suspension systems. The sensor part of the system is made by an airline tap made into the suspension, which transfers suspension pressure to proprietary air quick-connect ports (one per axle group) called a Meter Connect, mounted outside the trailer and/or tractor. A memory chip in the Meter Connects dust cap stores information on how the Easy Air II meter should convert suspension pressures into real axle weight for an axle group. The Easy Air II meter is a portable battery powered computer that attaches to the Meter Connect to read the suspension pressure. It displays front axle, drive axle, and total weight for the tractor and leading, trailing, and total weight for the trailer, and help text that prompts the driver through the scaling process. Other in-cab Weigh-Right systems also include weight alarms for automating axle functions or warning loaders when an axle weight has been exceeded.

Vulcan On-Board Scales, in Seattle, Washington, lays claim to being able to fit scales on anything with wheels. Currently offering the Vulcan V600, 500 and 200 meters, Vulcan recently introduced the V300 Series meters and all-digital air pressure sensor for on-board weighing. The new digital air pressure sensor is designed to compensate for weight changes due to changes in altitude. The V300 Series meters provide system troubleshooting, including load sensor diagnostics. The V300 is a less complex meter designed for truckers that need only to see weight readings. The V600 is a high-end model that has additional display capabilities and can communicate with other smart devices, such as computers. Although Vulcan has worked on projects where its scales have been integrated with in-dash displays, most of its units are stand-alone as the company waits for the industry to settle standardization issues that will eventually herald the integration of on-board scales with truck electronic systems.