What Is a Class 2 Load Cell?

If you are researching a Class 2 load cell for a forklift, the terminology can get confusing pretty quickly. “Class II” refers to the forklift carriage and application, while the scale itself uses load-cell sensors to measure weight. American Forklift Scale offers a Class II load-cell scale for applications that need carriage-mounted weighing, including Legal for Trade uses.

For more information about Class 2 load cells, keep reading. And for information and a 21 day trial of our practical, easy-to-use forklift scale solutions, get in touch.

What Is a Class 2 Load Cell?

In forklift applications, a Class II load-cell scale is an onboard weighing system designed to mount on a Class II forklift carriage. The scale uses strain-gauge load cells to measure the force exerted by the load and convert that force into a weight reading.

The Class II system available from American Forklift Scale has a 5,000 lb capacity with 5 lb graduations. It comes in 28-inch and 34-inch carriage configurations and uses two 5,000 lb S-beam load cells.

There is an important terminology distinction here. "Class II" describes the forklift carriage that accepts the scale. It does not describe a special category of load-cell sensor. The sensors in this particular system are S-beam strain-gauge load cells.

How Does a Class II Forklift Load Cell Work?

A load cell converts mechanical force into an electrical signal that the scale electronics can interpret. As weight is placed on the forks, force transfers through the scale carriage to its load cells.

Further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Load_cell

S-Beam Strain Gauge Load Cells

An S-beam load cell contains strain gauges attached to a metal sensing element. Applied force causes an extremely small amount of deformation in that element. The strain gauges respond to the change and produce an electrical signal proportional to the force.

The forklift scale uses two 5,000 lb S-beam load cells. The electronics process their signals and calculate the displayed load weight.

This approach differs from a hydraulic forklift scale, which calculates weight from pressure within the forklift's hydraulic lift circuit.

The Carriage and Inclinometer

The sensors are only part of the complete scale.

The Class II model uses 1 1/2-inch-thick front and rear steel plates connected by four flexures. Its top cleats are welded, pinned, and bolted, and the assembly includes a welded centering pin.

An electronic junction box incorporates an inclinometer as part of the weighing system. Weight information then goes to the operator's display through the scale electronics.

What Is a Class II Forklift?

Class II forklifts are electric motor trucks designed primarily for narrow-aisle applications. Reach trucks and similar warehouse equipment commonly fall within this category.

Carriage dimensions become important when you add an onboard scale. American Forklift Scale offers its Class II load-cell system in 28-inch and 34-inch configurations. Both have a 5,000 lb scale capacity.

Compatibility should be checked before purchase, particularly if the truck uses an attachment. Most Class II forklift attachments can work with this scale, but the specific truck and attachment combination should be reviewed first.

Is a Class II Load Cell Scale Legal for Trade?

The Class II forklift scale available from American Forklift Scale is NTEP certified, with NTEP Certificate of Conformance 06-074 listed for the system.

Legal for Trade weighing comes into play when the displayed weight determines the financial value of a commercial transaction. A company that sells or purchases material according to the weight recorded by its forklift may require an approved scale.

Many warehouses use scales differently. A distribution center may check pallet weights, verify outbound freight, monitor rack loads, or confirm truck loading. These are check-weigh applications, and they generally do not require Legal for Trade equipment.

Your state and application determine the applicable requirements, so confirm local weights-and-measures rules when the scale will be used for commercial transactions.

Class II Load Cells vs. Hydraulic Forklift Scales

Both systems provide onboard forklift weighing, but they reach the weight reading in different ways.

When a Class II Load Cell Scale Makes Sense

A load-cell scale measures mechanical force through strain gauges. For someone who specifically needs an NTEP-certified forklift scale, the Class II system offers a 5,000 lb solution that mounts directly to the carriage.

It can also be a good choice for operations that specifically prefer a carriage-mounted weighing system.

When a Hydraulic Forklift Scale Makes Sense

American Forklift Scale's primary hydraulic system reads pressure from the forklift's lift line. A pressure transducer sends information to the indicator, which converts the hydraulic reading into load weight.

These scales provide 98% or better accuracy for check weighing and can handle capacities up to 100,000 lb without derating the forklift. Since the system interacts with the hydraulics, it also works well with specialty attachments.

For warehouses, manufacturers, logistics operations, and other businesses that want dependable load verification without Legal for Trade certification, the hydraulic system is often the more affordable and practical option.

What Happens to Forklift Capacity After Installation?

A carriage-mounted load-cell scale changes the forklift's effective load center because it adds weight and moves the forks farther forward.

The 28-inch Class II scale weighs approximately 392 lb, while the 34-inch version weighs approximately 420 lb. Both configurations have an effective thickness of approximately 4.55 inches.

Those changes affect the truck's rated lifting capacity.

OSHA requires the forklift's capacity information to reflect attachments that alter safe capacity. After installation, the truck needs an updated identification plate with its revised capacity and center-of-gravity information.

This is an important difference between a carriage-mounted load-cell system and American Forklift Scale's hydraulic system, which does not require forklift derating.

What Should You Look for in a Class II Forklift Scale?

Start with your forklift itself. Confirm the carriage dimensions, truck capacity, attachment configuration, and power requirements. American Forklift Scale requires forklift information before a Class II system is quoted so the application can be reviewed.

Next, decide how you will use the weight data. Legal for Trade requirements may point you toward the NTEP-certified Class II scale. Routine load verification may make a hydraulic system more economical.

Display and communication preferences also deserve consideration. The Class II system supports dedicated forklift indicators as well as cabled and cableless configurations. Available communication options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For electric forklifts, static discharge protection and an appropriate chassis-mounted power conditioner also need to be considered during installation.

Find the Right Forklift Scale With American Forklift Scale

A Class II load-cell scale can be an excellent choice when you need a 5,000 lb carriage-mounted weighing system or NTEP certification. Hydraulic forklift scales cover a different range of applications, particularly check weighing, specialty attachments, and high-capacity lifts.

American Forklift Scale offers both technologies, so you can choose based on the work your forklift needs to do.

Call (888) 640-2725 and tell us about your forklift, carriage, attachments, and weighing requirements. We can help you determine which type of onboard scale fits your operation.