Reliable container weighing underpins safe stowage, correct freight charges, and compliance with SOLAS Verified Gross Mass rules. Whether you operate a port, rail terminal, or inland depot, container scales face tough conditions: heavy handling equipment, dust and moisture, salt air, vibration, and constant usage. Without structured care, accuracy drifts, downtime rises, and safety and compliance risks increase.
A practical maintenance plan does not need to be complicated. It should combine routine housekeeping, regular mechanical checks, a clear calibration and verification rhythm, and robust environmental and electrical protection. The guidance below reflects best practice Sasco Africa sees across high-throughput operations and will help you extend lifespan, preserve accuracy, and keep operations audit-ready.
Routine cleaning, alignment, and mechanical checks
Start with daily housekeeping. Sweep the deck and approaches to remove stones, pallet fragments, twistlock debris, and wire straps that can wedge between the deck and the frame. Keep drain holes and channels open so water cannot pool around load cells or junction boxes. Clean with a soft brush and low-pressure water where necessary, and avoid directing high-pressure jets at load cell seals, cable glands, or indicator housings. Use pH-neutral cleaners and dry the area thoroughly.
Verify that the platform moves freely without binding. Check the gap between the deck and bump-stops or check-rods and confirm it matches the manufacturer’s specification, ensuring the deck is protected from lateral impact but not rubbing. Inspect anchor bolts, footings, and ramps for looseness, cracks, or settlement. The deck should remain level; if you notice tilt or uneven approach transitions, adjust or repair before continued use to prevent side loading of load cells.
Observe how containers are positioned. The container must be fully on the weighing surface, centered, and stationary; partial or twisted placement can produce large errors and mechanical stress. Train operators to avoid dragging containers across the deck. Look for early signs of corrosion, chipped paint, or fatigue around welds and mounting hardware, especially in coastal environments. Lubricate only the mechanical points specified by the manufacturer, and never apply grease to load cell elastomer seals. Record every inspection and any corrective action in a maintenance log.
Calibration and verification for consistent accuracy
Begin each shift with quick functional checks. Power up the indicator and allow the system to warm to operating temperature. Verify zero with an empty platform; the zero should be stable and within the allowable range. Use a small certified test weight or a known check load to confirm the display responds correctly and returns to zero. If readings are unstable or drift, suspend weighing and escalate to maintenance.
Schedule formal verification at intervals that reflect usage and risk: many busy depots choose monthly or quarterly checks, while low-throughput sites may stretch to semi-annual. Use certified test weights or a certified reference load, and follow a structured procedure: zero, mid-span, and full-span points; at least one decreasing load point; and a corner or section test to confirm balance. For SOLAS VGM processes, use a SANAS-accredited service in South Africa or the relevant national accreditation elsewhere, and keep certificates up to date. Calibrate after any overload event, relocation, component replacement, or major structural work.
Document everything. Keep a calibration file that includes raw test data, environmental conditions, adjustments made, certificates, and the technician’s credentials. Trend key indicators over time such as zero offset, span error, and corner variance; trends help you predict issues before they impact operations. Configure your indicator to capture time, container ID, operator, and tare methodology so VGM records withstand audits. Lock or password-protect calibration parameters to prevent unintended changes and set acceptance criteria that trigger maintenance automatically.
Environmental and electrical protection to extend lifespan
Moisture, dust, and salt are the enemies of reliability. Inspect cable glands, conduits, and junction boxes for tight seals and intact gaskets; replace damaged parts immediately. Open junction boxes periodically in a safe, dry environment to check for condensation, corrosion on terminals, or swelling desiccant packs; replace desiccant if saturated and re-seal carefully. In coastal areas, apply approved corrosion inhibitors and maintain paint systems on decks, mounts, and hardware.
Temperature swings and mechanical shock also degrade performance. Avoid calibrating during rapid temperature changes or when the deck is hot from direct sun; allow the system to thermally stabilize for repeatable results. Use approach speed limits and physical bumpers to reduce impact loads from forklifts and reach stackers. Do not side-load the deck or twist containers on the platform. If your process demands in-motion weighing, ensure the equipment is designed and approved for dynamic use, otherwise weigh only when the load is stationary.
Protect the electronics. Provide a clean, stable power supply with proper earthing, surge protection, and lightning arrestors appropriate to local conditions. A small UPS can prevent data loss and indicator faults during short outages. Inspect connectors for damage or oxidation and use dielectric grease where recommended. Route cables in conduit, secure them clear of traffic, and apply rodent protection where needed. Keep indicator firmware current, back up configuration and calibration data, and verify that integrations to yard or terminal systems are functioning and time-synchronized.
Conclusion
With consistent housekeeping, structured mechanical inspections, disciplined calibration, and strong environmental and electrical protection, container scales will remain accurate, dependable, and compliant. The result is safer handling, better cost control, and uninterrupted throughput, even in demanding African operating environments.
If you are looking to strengthen your weighing program, explore Sasco Africa’s range of weighing systems solutions and scales, along with service contracts, calibrations, and spares. Our team can help tailor a maintenance plan and technology stack that fits your workload, standards, and budget.
We specialise in commercial and industrial weighing solutions across a wide range of industries. If you would like to use our services, contact us today for a free quote or to get your questions answered by our weighing experts.
