What Are Load Bars Used for in Livestock Weighing Systems?
Accurate livestock weighing is essential for every modern farm. From tracking animal health to planning feed programs and managing sales, reliable weight data ensures better decisions and higher profitability. And while many producers pay attention to the livestock weighing indicator, they sometimes overlook a critical component of the system: load bars.
Load bars are the foundation of most platform and chute-based weighing setups. Without stable, durable load bars, even the best livestock weighing indicator cannot deliver accurate results.
In this article, we break down what load bars do, how they work, and why they matter for your farm’s day-to-day operations.
1. What Exactly Are Load Bars?
Load bars (also called weigh bars or weighing beams) are rugged steel bars with integrated load cells. Their purpose is simple but essential:
They measure the weight applied from above—typically from a cattle crush, platform, crate, or alleyway scale.
Instead of installing a full floor scale, farmers use load bars because they are:
Portable and easy to move between locations
Durable enough for harsh farm environments
Compatible with most weighing platforms and chutes
Cost-effective compared to traditional heavy-duty scales
This makes them one of the most versatile components in modern livestock weighing systems.
2. How Load Bars Work in a Livestock Weighing System
Load bars operate using load cells—precision sensors that convert physical force into electrical signals.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:
The animal steps into the crush, crate, or onto the platform.
The weight pushes onto the load bars beneath.
Each load cell inside the bars measures the pressure and converts it to an electrical signal.
The signals are sent to the livestock weighing indicator.
The indicator processes the data, stabilizes movement, and displays the final weight.
When paired with a high-quality livestock weighing indicator—especially one with advanced filtering algorithms—you get fast, accurate readings, even with animal movement.
3. Common Applications of Load Bars on Farms
Load bars are used in many livestock operations. Their flexibility makes them ideal for:
• Cattle Crush or Squeeze Chute Weighing
Used beneath the crush for accurate weigh-ins during health checks, dosing, and pregnancy scanning.
• Platform or Deck Scales
For weighing sheep, goats, pigs, and smaller livestock.
• Alleyway Weighing Systems
Paired with an alleyway platform for fast-throughput weighing.
• Portable Weighing Setups
Perfect for multiple paddocks or mobile operations.
• Feedlot and Backgrounding Systems
For tracking weight gain and calculating feed conversion efficiency.
Because they’re designed for outdoor environments, heavy loads, and constant animal movement, load bars are one of the most long-lasting components on any livestock scale system.
4. Why Load Bars Matter: Accuracy, Efficiency, and ROI
When farmers ask why their livestock weighing system seems inaccurate, the issue often isn’t the weighing indicator—but the load bars.
High-quality load bars provide:
• Precision Weight Measurement
Stable readings reduce guesswork and improve dosing, treatment, and selling accuracy.
• Reduced Maintenance Costs
Rugged outdoor construction prevents rust, moisture infiltration, and sensor damage.
• Faster Weighing and Better Flow
Paired with a good livestock weighing indicator, farmers get fast-locking weights even with active animals.
• Better Data for Decision-Making
Accurate weight tracking improves herd management, profitability, and long-term planning.
Simply put:
Your weighing system is only as accurate as the load bars beneath it.
5. Choosing the Right Load Bars for Your Farm
When selecting load bars, consider:
- Load capacity (usually 2,000–5,000 kg depending on herd size)
- Bar length and compatibility with your crush or platform
- Cable protection (important for outdoor environments and chewing risks)
- Waterproof and dustproof rating
- Compatibility with your livestock weighing indicator
- Warranty and manufacturer reliability
Premium load bars—especially those built for outdoor farm use—deliver accuracy and long-term reliability that cheaper models simply cannot match.
For example:
ABH cattle load bars — which can protect the inner part of the bars from soil, manure, etc.
AB5T double-deck weigh beams — designed to withstand the toughest livestock operations.
ABT outdoor weighing load bars — delivering dependable readings in coastal farms, open yards, mobile trailers and slaughterhouse settings.
Final Thoughts
Load bars are the backbone of many livestock weighing systems. They support the platform or crush, transfer force accurately, and work hand-in-hand with your livestock weighing indicator to deliver precise weight data.
If you’re upgrading your weighing setup, replacing an old pair, or building a new scale system, investing in high-quality load bars will directly improve your efficiency, data accuracy, and long-term herd performance.
