In response to serious inaccuracies found at a competitor weighbridge, Axtec, the UK’s only specialist supplier of axle weighing systems, is taking a lead on commercial vehicle safety by offering free-of-charge calibration checks with its unique truck and trailer test vehicle at any axle weighbridge facility in the UK.
“We were asked recently to calibrate a competitor’s axle weighbridge,” said Axtec Managing Director, Keith Gresham, “and, frankly, we were appalled with our findings. Following calibrated deadweight and dynamic tests, the weighbridge in question proved to be seriously inaccurate – overweighing by almost one tonne,” he said.
The company’s test vehicle, a DAF XF 105 Super Space Cab, is specifically designed for calibrating axle weighbridges and is used to verify the national network of DVSA enforcement weighbridges.
“At best,” continued Gresham, “the user was seriously under-loading its vehicles and experiencing adverse fuel economy as a result. However, suppose the operator had been overweighing by a similar amount; its vehicles would be leaving the depot seriously overloaded, running illegally and, worse still, dangerously compromising safety.
“This isn’t the first instance of Axtec discovering wildly inaccurate weighbridges,” added Gresham, “I’m of the belief that a good many truck operators are at risk of systematic weight infringements.”
Axtec’s own unique test vehicle, which includes (test weights designed specifically for calibrating axle weighbridges, truck mounted forklift and a modified tractor unit allowing testing as a 2-axle rigid), offers the only full, on-site calibration service available for axle weighbridges. “We use our test vehicle to install and calibrate every one of our own installations,” added Gresham, “a factory deadweight test only tests the accuracy of the weighing machine. The only way to ensure the full installation is within specification is a thorough test on site.”
Axtec’s vast and unrivalled experience in this field means itis able to test, maintain and calibrate other manufacturers’ axle weighbridges, and usually to a higher standard than the original supplier.
“This is not the first time we’ve found an axle weighbridge to be drastically inaccurate,” said Gresham, “so, we’re making the facility available to others as we can test and calibrate all manufacturers’ axle weighbridges. With potentially disastrous consequences at stake through overloading and incorrect axle weight distribution,” he said, “we feel we have to take a lead on safety.”
