Never Too many questions!

Often, critical questions are overlooked when purchasing a scale or evaluating service needs. At Berne Scale, we’re here to guide you through the process—helping you ask the right questions from start to finish.

Allow our seven decades of scale expertise to save you time, reduce costly mistakes, and eliminate unnecessary frustration by ensuring you choose the right scale and service solution for your specific needs. The first time!

  • Choosing the right scale matters!

    We would love to assist, contact us and save yourself time and money!

    Consider these key factors when finding the scale that fits your needs.

    Capacity & precision:

    • Match the scale’s maximum capacity to your heaviest loads.

    • Confirm increment size best suited for your accuracy requirements. The division size is the smallest weight increment the scale can accurately display or measure.

    • If the scale will be used for shipping, commerce, invoicing, or regulatory reporting, plan for legal‑for‑trade requirements — this affects acceptable capacity and tolerance ranges. See “Does my scale need to be legal for trade?”

    Calibration & compliance:

    • Does our scale need NIST/ISO‑traceable calibration certificates?

    • Verify if the scale must be legal‑for‑trade; that status impacts calibration frequency, documentation, and certification procedures.

    Process features (what do you want the scale to do?):

    • Identify required functions: manual tare, auto‑batching, check weighing, piece counting, etc.

    • Do I need to hook up to a printer or PC and is it compatible?

    • Consider automation needs: programmable I/O, PLC compatibility, and data export for traceability or integration with your systems.

    Serviceability & lifecycle:

    • Consider your future and not just your immediate needs.

    • Choose manufacturers that provide spare parts, calibration and testing procedures, and product support.

    • A well-supported brand reduces downtime and lifecycle costs, and increases refurbishment and retrofitting options.

    Environmental suitability:

    • Match the scale to its operating environment: wet/washdown, high static/dry, corrosive or caustic exposure, or hazardous (intrinsically safe) areas.

    • Use purpose‑built models for harsh conditions to protect accuracy and longevity.

    Need help selecting a model or checking legal‑for‑trade requirements for your industry? Provide the application, typical load range, and environment and we would love to recommend options.


  • We generally recommend a yearly calibration and service for all scales - but it depends…

    1. How often is your scale being used?

    2. How mission critical is your scale to your operation?

    3. How accurate does your scale need to be for day to day operation?

    4. How much abuse does your scale take?

    Discounted rates on inspections and standard service can be applied when you schedule two or more inspections a year with the Berne Scale Service Arrangement!

    Contact us and let us help you meet your specific needs!

  • In Minnesota, a commercial scale or meter is defined as any scale or meter used to buy or sell commodities or services for which the price is determined by the measurement on that device.  The Weights and Measures Division inspects commercial scales and meters.  If a scale or meter passes inspection, the investigator attaches a dated approval scale to the device.  The investigator rejects any commercial scale or meter that is not accurate, not of commercial quality, or not suited for its intended purpose.

    You must have a commercial quality scale if you buy or sell a commodity or service by weight.  For example, you must have a commercial quality scale to sell candy, produce, nails, beads, seed, bait, oxygen, or other commodities by weight.  Your scale must also be of commercial quality if it prints price labels for meat, deli, bakery, produce, or other items; if it is used to buy metal, jewels, or any other commodity by weight; or if it is a shipping or laundry scale, or is used to determine the price of any other service.

    https://mn.gov/commerce/business/weights-measures/scales-meters/

  • Give us a call at: 952-544-2422

    Give us an email at: info@bernescale.com

    Reach out to us through our contact page where we will get back to you as soon as possible.

    Or stop in and say hi!

    2200 Edgewood Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55426

  • Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 4:30.

    Other hours available by pre-arrangement.