It is vital that all dirt, mud, and debris is cleaned from around load cells and cable. In the winter months, if temps are cold enough, this debris freezes and will inhibit weighbridge movement leading to inaccurate weights or even load cell damage.

I want to be snug!

As seasonal temperatures change, so do end and side-to-side bumper checking adjustments. End bumpers should be adjusted to 3/16″ and side-to-side bumpers should be adjusted to 1/8″. End plates MUST be removed to check side bumpers; a visual underneath is not enough. Plus, while the end plate is removed cleaning around the load cells is a snap!

I want to be secure!

Inspect anti-rotation pins on rocker column load cells to be sure they are intact and not bending, or worn. B-TEK Scales LLC has new anti-rotation pins and hardware kits readily available.

I want to move!

Rocker column load cells should be removed periodically so that upper and lower receivers can be cleaned, greased, and inspected. If the lower receiver does not have a convex radius, it should be replaced.

I want to be sealed and dry!

Apply dielectric grease to load cell connectors, and be sure that connectors are tightened securely (hand tight plus ¼ turn on digital cells).

If junction boxes are opened, wipe clean all gasket mating surfaces and apply a thin film of grease to gasket surface to aid sealing. Replace desiccant bags and inspect circuit boards for corrosion.

I want to be grounded!

Check, clean, and coat all ground connections with oxidation-preventing grease. Ohm readings should be taken from several points in the system, any reading over 1 ohm is suspect. Grounding problems can cause drifting, weight repeating problems, as well as leave the system susceptible to surge/lightning damage.

PrePass trucks that receive a green light in Ohio must still enter an open weigh station if they are pulling an oversize/overweight (even permitted) load. What is PrePass?

PrePass is an intelligent transportation system (ITS) service that electronically verifies the safety, credentials, and weight of commercial vehicles at participating state highway weigh stations. Because they comply electronically, commercial carriers enrolled in PrePass are authorized to bypass these facilities rather than pull in for manual inspection. PrePass is available to motor carriers at nearly 300 facilities in 30 states. It isn’t a FREEPASS, do do not be confused if your haul is oversized or overweight!

Ohio once had different speed limits for most of the state’s freeways- 65 MPH for cars and 55 MPH for semi- trucks.  Now most of Ohio’s roadways have just one speed limit for both cars and trucks.

The different speed limits first appeared on the Ohio turnpike, when the turnpike authorities changed it to 65 MPH for cars and 55 MPH for semi-trucks. Toll rates significantly increased between 1982 and 1999, most likely because of this change.  Many truckers refused to pay the high rates.  Governor Taft and the Ohio Turnpike commission decided to lower the toll rates and increase the speed limits for the semi’s to entice the truck’s back onto the turnpike and away from the side roads.  Another part of the plan was to get truckers to use the Ohio turnpike more, this also allowed for the enforcement of weight laws on the side roads.

Just what are the tolls on the turnpike? The overall length limit on tractor-trailer combinations of 75 feet for the Ohio turnpike. Longer Combination Vehicles (LCVs) are allowed to be up to 90 feet long.  The weight limit for one axle is 21,000 lbs and  for a tandem (less than 8 ft spacing) is 34,000 lbs.  The overall gross weight limit of 90,000 lbs (given your axle weights are within turpike regulations).  Note that the Ohio Turnpike Commission increased toll rates for all vehicle classes effective January 1st, 2007.  Now, truckers pay an additional $2.50 to cross the length of the Ohio toll road on top of the $25.75 or $31.00 (depending on which weight class they fall within) they were already paying to travel the turnpike. Also, in addition to the tolls, the Ohio fuel tax rate is $0.28 per gallon of diesel fuel.  The fuel tax rates per state and federal are below**:

Interested in where the weigh stations are located throughout the state*?

*Courtesy of ODOT

**Courtesy of Ohio Tax

More national weigh station information can be found at Coops Are Open