Avery Weigh-Tronix suggested AJL mount a forklift scale on its five tonne Linde forklift.

Avery Weigh-Tronix's forklift scale has doubled the throughput for vehicle recycling company AJL Recycling, leading to an extra revenue of GBP600 (USD1,189) each week.

Before investing in the forklift scale, AJL used a platform scale. Employees would have to push or lift the vehicle for recycling onto the scale for weighing.

It was then processed and crushed into a metal bale, weighed again and loaded onto a trailer, which was collected when it was full.

The process was time-consuming and the weight of the vehicle and the bales was estimated, and because customers are paid based on tonnage, this often led to payment disputes with the vehicle's owner, and potentially overloading trailers.

AJL managing director Alan Lee says it was through a twist of fate that the recycler opted for a forklift scale.

"Unfortunately, a fire on the site destroyed the platform scale that we used for weighing the vehicles. An ideal solution would have been to install a weighbridge, but this would be an expensive investment and there is not enough room."

Avery Weigh-Tronix suggested AJL mount a forklift scale on its five tonne Linde forklift. A special 53-inch carriage was needed to fit the scale.

The forklift scale lifts and weighs a vehicle in one motion and the customer can see the vehicle's weight on the scale's indicator.

"The customer can now clearly see the true vehicle weight and is satisfied that he is getting a fair price for it," Lee says adding that the site's vehicle throughput probably doubled through word-of-mouth promotion.

After processing the vehicle, the forklift scale weighs the crushed bales when they are lifted and loaded on trailers, enabling AJL to keep records of the trailer's load and prevent overloading.

"We have a duty of care to ensure that vehicles do not leave our site overloaded. It is not fair if drivers get caught with an overloaded vehicle through no fault of their own," Lee says.

Avery Weigh-Tronix's forklift scale facts

• Can be fitted to any industry standard forklift without welding
• Available in 2,500kg (5,512lbs) or 5,000kg (11,023lbs) capacities
• Out of level compensation approved up to 4o transverse and 8o longitudinal
• Simple operation - requires minimal training
• RS232 serial port for easy connection to printer for weight documentation
• Can be used as part of an advanced, fully programmable data management system.