Why aren't my floor scale weight readings repeatable?

If your weight readings are not repeatable, the first question you need to ask is what is the rated capacity of the floor scale? The scales are normally rated at 0.03% accuracy, so a 1,1000lb scale is usually repeatable to +/-0.3lb.  You will need to determine if your scale is outside the specified rating.

The next step in troubleshooting is to perform a test that will eliminate half of the possibilities, then perform another test to eliminate the remaining possibilities, etc. Once you eliminated all the possibilities except one, you have found the problem.

If you have the option to swap controllers you should try that first to determine if the non-repeatability stays with the scale or moves with the controller. If the problem stays with the controller, then the scale is not the problem. If the problem stays with the scale there are a couple of likely causes:

Non-repeatability is usually caused by mechanical binding or interference. Typically there is some small obstacle overlooked during installation or maintenance. If you have a flexure or conduit going to the scale and it causes binding, the scale will not zero properly and/or will not provide repeatable readings.

In the case of a floor scale the feet contain a metal cupped foot. This foot may have a rubber pad installed or need one. The latest family of floor scale feet do not require this rubber pad. Check the adjustable feet to ensure they still have the rubber pads installed. These rubber pads compensate for the side motion generated when weight is applied to your scale. The rubber pad on the four corner feet absorb this movement and allow the platform to return to its original position, providing a linear and repeatable weight reading. If your rubber pad is damaged or missing you will need to replace it and re-calibrate your system.

Other systems using ball bearing feet will repeat, but may be nonlinear over the total range of the scale.

To install new rubber feet on your scale:

1. Secure the scale into a position so the bottom of the scale foot is accessible.

2. There should be an indented area in the bottom of the metal foot, find that and completely remove the old rubber pad or the adhesive used on the new rubber pad will not work.

3. Adhere the replacement pad to the proper location on the metal foot using good epoxy glue. Follow the epoxy manufacturer's instructions for use and cure time and return the scale to operations once the epoxy has properly cured.

Replacement rubber pads are obsolete cannot be reordered from Hardy Process Solutions for our scales and load cells. We will need the model/part number to help you receive a part for your scale.

Replacement feet for the HI AFSU series floor scales is model number HI HARF5.  This is one foot/corner and not a set.