20 Ton Crane Scales

What are 20-ton crane scales?

If you work in an industry that requires weighing heavy or bulky loads, such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, or other industrial weighing solutions, you may have heard of crane scales.
Crane scales are devices that measure the weight of a load that is lifted by a crane, hoist, or winch. They feature an upper shackle and lower hook, and display the weight of a lifted load via a digital or analog display. Crane scales are useful for ensuring the safety and efficiency of lifting operations, as well as for monitoring and recording the weight of products or materials.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a crane scale is its load capacity, which is the maximum weight the scale can handle. Load capacity varies depending on the type and size of the crane scale, but generally ranges from a few kilograms to hundreds of tons. For example, a 20-ton crane scale is one that has a load capacity of 20 tons, or 20,000 kilograms. 

How do 20-ton crane scales work?

The main component of a crane scale is a strain gauge, which is a small sensor attached to the scale load cell body.  When a weight is lifted or a force is applied, the sensor changes its electrical resistance in accordance with the slight deformation to the load cell body. By measuring the change in resistance, the crane scale can calculate the force exerted by the lifted load on the sensor. This force is proportional to the weight of the object, which allows the crane scale to display the object’s weight in various units of measurement, such as pounds or kilograms, on a display.

What are the different types of 20-ton crane scales? 

Almost all 20-ton crane scales have a similar basic design. Yet, there is still variety among various design features. 

Digital display technology

Back in the old days, a scale would use a spring to measure weight and show it on an analog display. These types of crane scales still exist, but they can never match the convenience or accuracy of a crane scale with digital display technology. 

Further, there are different styles of digital display. Some heavy-duty crane scale models feature an integrated or built-in display, while others have a remote or handheld display. 

Others yet have the option for both, where the handheld display can be converted into an integral display, such as the Ron 2150 Wired Crane Scale with 2"/50mm Attachable Display.

Wireless crane scales

Another factor is wired vs. wireless crane scales. In a wired system, the display is connected to the crane scale body with a wire or cable. But wireless systems make use of advanced radio frequency technology to wirelessly broadcast the measurement to the handheld remote display, for example, the Ron 2501H Wireless Crane Scale.

Wireless systems offer several advantages over wired systems, including:

• Increased safety by allowing operators to remain farther away from heavy lifts
• Decreased risk of accident by removing the potential tripping hazard of a wired system
• Increased flexibility by giving operators increased freedom of movement
• Quick and easier installation and teardowns, since there are no cables to run

Specialized crane scales

Other types of 20-ton crane scales include those especially suited to particular applications or work environments. 

For example, there are crane scales that can withstand the harsh conditions and extreme heat of a foundry where molten metal is poured. To endure this type of environment, a crane scale must have a heat shield to protect the sensitive electronics. 

Or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, some crane scales must be able to withstand the occasional splash of water when used in an offshore or marine environment. For this, a scale can be outfitted with an extra level of environmental protection, such as IP67.

How to choose the best 20-ton crane scale for your needs

Now that you have a solid understanding of what crane scales are and some of the various types, let’s look at factors to consider when selecting a new crane scale.

Capacity

If you know you’ll never need to conduct lifts larger than 20 tons, then a crane scale with a 20-ton load capacity will be your best bet. However, if you think you’ll need to go over that 20-ton limit, you may need a system capable of high-capacity weighing. 

The most important thing is to never overload your system, as this is both dangerous to team members onsite, and can cause permanent damage to the system.

Our line of overhead crane scales ranges from a half-ton up to a 30-ton capacity, so choose the capacity that will suit your needs.

Accuracy

What good is a scale if it isn’t accurate? At Eilon Engineering, our focus is on precision weighing equipment. That’s why our hanging crane scales and load monitoring systems all have a standard accuracy of 0.1% of the system’s full scale. 

That means our 20-ton load capacity crane scales are accurate to within 20 kilograms of the lifted load.

Portability

Having a system that can be easily transported to and from the job site saves time and labor costs. 
Eilon Engineering systems are remarkably lightweight and portable—our half-ton through 20-ton crane scale models can easily be carried by one person.

Quality

When it comes to weighing heavy, expensive equipment, a poor-quality system simply won’t cut it. 

When selecting a new overhead crane scale, don’t cut corners—invest in a high-quality, heavy-duty crane scale that’s built to last. In the long run, it will save you both time, money, and a lot of headaches. 

At Eilon Engineering, we pride ourselves on quality. Our durable scale design uses aerospace-grade steel for load monitoring systems that last a lifetime. 

Because of our commitment to quality, Eilon Engineering has nearly five decades of experience in providing industrial weighing solutions to customers across a wide range of industries and sectors, including companies like NASA, the United States Air Force, Ford Motor Co, GE, and countless others.

And since all Eilon Engineering systems now come with a 5-year warranty, you’re guaranteed a high-quality crane scale that’s built to last.

Learn more

Whether you need a 20-ton crane scale or any other capacity load monitoring system, let us know. We’ll be happy to work with you to help you find the industrial weighing solution that’s right for you.