Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-07-15 Origin: Site
A Livestock Scale is one of the most valuable tools on any farm. It provides critical data for managing animal health, optimizing feeding strategies, ensuring market readiness, and maintaining regulatory compliance. However, even the most rugged scale—like those from Massive Weighing—requires regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure long-term accuracy, safety, and durability.
Whether you're weighing cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs, proper scale upkeep helps prevent malfunctions, corrosion, or inaccurate readings. In this guide, we'll walk through best practices for cleaning and maintaining a Livestock Scale, ensuring your investment continues delivering reliable performance year after year.
Mud, manure, and feed residues
Animal movement and impact
Rain, moisture, and humidity
Urine and corrosive waste
Bacterial growth and biofilm
Load cell damage
Inaccurate weight readings
Electrical short circuits
Frame rust or corrosion
Animal safety hazards
That's why Massive Weighing designs its Livestock Scales with durability in mind—and why proper care is essential to keep them in top working condition.
Routine cleaning should be part of your daily workflow, especially if your scale is in frequent use.
Always remove all livestock from the scale before cleaning. Ensure gates are open, and the unit is disconnected from power if needed.
Use a stiff-bristled broom or scraper to remove manure, hay, and debris from the platform surface. Follow with a gentle water rinse to wash away residues. For outdoor scales, a low-pressure hose works well.
Note: Never use high-pressure washers directly on the load cells, junction box, or digital indicator.
Massive Weighing Livestock Scales are built with anti-slip tread plates and water-draining surfaces. After rinsing, ensure no standing water remains on or under the platform.
Once a week (or more frequently in heavy-use conditions), perform a deeper clean.
Apply a non-corrosive, animal-safe disinfectant to eliminate bacteria and reduce the risk of infection or disease transfer. Rinse thoroughly to prevent chemical buildup.
Look for signs of:
Rust or wear on painted or galvanized components
Damage to the anti-slip surface
Accumulated buildup beneath the scale
Massive Weighing's stainless steel and powder-coated models resist corrosion, but regular checks prevent long-term damage.
Clean underneath and around the scale. Accumulated bedding, straw, or waste under the frame can affect weight readings or obstruct load cell movement.
Once a month, dedicate time to functional and mechanical maintenance.
Check the load cells for:
Visible signs of corrosion or dirt
Loose mounting bolts
Chewed or damaged cables (especially in open barns with rodents)
Massive Weighing uses sealed, IP-rated load cells, but foreign material can still interfere with accuracy.
Weigh a known object or test weight to verify accuracy. If readings are off:
Re-zero the scale
Calibrate using your indicator's procedure
Call support if readings continue to drift
Massive Weighing scales come with easy-to-follow calibration instructions or optional on-site support.
Inspect the display unit for:
Cracks or display issues
Moisture ingress (especially in humid barns)
Secure cable connections
Digital indicators from Massive Weighing feature backlit displays, waterproof enclosures, and shock resistance, but routine visual checks help prevent problems early.
Depending on your region's climate, adjust your maintenance strategy during rainy or cold seasons.
Use protective covers when not in use
Raise the scale off flood-prone ground
Ensure no water pools under the platform
Remove ice and snow buildup
Avoid salt near metal components (use animal-safe alternatives)
Store portable scales indoors when possible
Massive Weighing's livestock scales include weather-resistant IP65/IP67 enclosures, but proactive care extends longevity even further.
If you use a livestock scale for seasonal weighing, store it properly:
Clean thoroughly before storage
Dry all surfaces to prevent rust
Disconnect cables and wrap securely
Store indoors or under cover in a dry, rodent-free area
Massive Weighing offers compact models with detachable indicators and easy-carry frames, making storage and redeployment hassle-free.
While daily zeroing is helpful, your livestock scale should undergo full calibration at scheduled intervals. Recommended:
Every 6–12 months for high-use farms
Annually for low-volume use
After relocation, major weather events, or impact damage
Massive Weighing can provide certified calibration services or guide you through on-site adjustment.
Using harsh chemicals: These may corrode the frame or load cells
High-pressure cleaning: Can force water into sensitive areas
Letting debris accumulate under the scale: Can affect weighing performance
Ignoring zero drift: Indicates possible sensor or electrical issues
Overloading: Frequent over-capacity loading can permanently damage load cells
All of these can shorten the lifespan of your investment. Avoid them by following the best practices outlined here.
Massive Weighing has been manufacturing high-performance weighing systems since 2003. Our livestock scales are:
Built with corrosion-resistant materials
Designed for farm durability and easy cleaning
Available in both portable and permanent models
Backed by expert technical support and spare parts
Trusted by farms and ranches across the globe
From rugged construction to intelligent design, every component is engineered for long-term, low-maintenance use.
Caring for your Livestock Scale from Massive Weighing is not just about keeping it clean—it's about protecting your animals, your investment, and your data. With just a few minutes of care each day, your scale will remain a reliable part of your operation for years to come.
By following the cleaning and maintenance steps in this guide, you'll enjoy consistent performance, reduce unexpected breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your equipment.
A cleaner scale is a smarter farm tool. Let Massive Weighing help you weigh with confidence—day after day, season after season.
