Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced a new weighing system for wheel loaders designed as a certifiable on-board system. Unlike conventional weighing solutions, the system meets standards that enable official certification of measurement results – a novelty in the segment of mobile earthmoving machines.
Certifiable precision as a differentiating feature
Volvo CE's new system differs from conventional weighing systems through its compliance with legal metrology requirements. While previous solutions merely served as reference values, the new technology enables legally compliant measurements directly during operation. Particularly for billing by weight, as is common in recycling or bulk material handling, this could eliminate downtime at stationary scales and reduce operating costs.
The system works with hydraulic pressure sensors and records the load weight during the lifting process. Key to certifiability is the integration of calibration routines and documented measurement accuracy across the entire operating range. In practice, this means: operators can use the weighed quantities directly as a billing basis without additional verification weighings.
Market positioning against Caterpillar and Liebherr
With this technology, Volvo CE positions itself as an innovation driver in the intelligent construction machinery segment. Competitors such as Caterpillar and Liebherr also offer weighing systems, but without comprehensive certifiability according to European legal metrology standards. Caterpillar's Production Measurement System, for example, focuses on fleet productivity and telematics integration, but does not achieve legal metrology quality.
Liebherr relies on the LiDAT weighing system for its wheel loaders, which also promises high accuracy, but is primarily designed for internal process optimization. Volvo's initiative targets markets with strict billing requirements – such as municipal waste disposal operations, recycling facilities, or gravel works, where traceable weight documentation is business-critical.
Technical integration and retrofitting capability
The system is integrated into the machine control at the factory and can be retrieved via the display in the operator's cab. An interface to fleet management software enables automatic data transfer to back-office systems – an important aspect for operators relying on digital documentation and process automation. Information on retrofitting capability for existing fleets is not yet available, which will be a critical factor for operators with large wheel loader fleets in calculating payback periods.
Outlook: Market readiness and competitive response
Volvo CE has not yet provided concrete information on availability, certification partners, or pricing. What will be decisive is which national metrology authorities recognize the system and whether an EU-wide approval is sought. The industry is also watching whether competitors will follow with their own certifiable solutions. For fleet managers and purchasing teams, the technology will be particularly interesting once measurable savings through reduced weighing times and improved billing accuracy can be demonstrated – classic criteria for a positive payback calculation.