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My recycling yard has me place all mixed metal in a big blue dumpster. its the ones that most stores have in the back to throw away trash. they then weigh it and deduct the weight of the dumpster. The reason i ask is we thought we had approxmatly 600 of steel and they are saying we only had 450. They are saying the dumpster is 540 pounds. Does that sound right?
i'd try weighing it up before putting it in. After a few episodes of inaccurate weights maybe consider other options
I would have them put it on the scale before you put your stuff in. Also, there are many different sizes of containers so a 2yd dumpster will weigh less than a 8yd dumpster. My guess is they used an 8 or 10 yard dumpster, so it sounds a little high to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by kinipela
Those dumpsters can weigh up to 1kw lbs depending on how they are rigged up.
Pic would help...I could weigh the one at work next week..but I would have them weigh it for ya
That sounds just about right comparing to my yard, they have the weights written on the side somewhere.
It might just be written in grease pencil but the bin will be from 500 to 600 some lbs.
at those rates you can't be getting much of a return for your scrap. I'd consider returning their bin anyway, obtaining something else to "toss" it into, and when it gets full, hauling it yourself to a decent yard ; )
540 lbs for an average dumpster is plausible, but your definition doesn't give us much to go on here....I can tell you that 450 lbs of typical mixed/somewhat prepared light iron/steel is what you can stuff in the back of an average large SUV or average minivan with the seats folded down. If you feel you had more than that, it is probably worth following the helpful advice and suggestions posted above.
Quote:
Originally Posted by volvoscrapper
first off thank you all for your help. The items we were brining fit in the back of an F350. We had 3 bbqs all aluminum and brass stripped, bed frame. 3 cast iron chairs, screen door, 3 buckets of misc weighing approximately 25 pounds each, baby crib metal frame, cast iron table, 2 dish washer racks, 2 pieces of steel about 5 pounds each, 1 steel table that was really light, 1 easy up that was only the poles. The dumpster was about 6 ft wide by 4 ft tall maybe.
Lol remindsv me of a similer learning experience..
5gal plastic buckets 2lbs
Milk crates 4 lbs
well it doesn't sound like they were off by much, here's why I say that....you and the yard are 25% apart on your judgement of the weight (600 you, 450 them).Quote:
Originally Posted by kinipela
Let's assume you were optimistic by about 10% and if the scale was in the low end of the range it might be off by 5% (even when tested and certified) because the instrumentation isn't perfect, and scales/gauges and any other measuring tool are usually most accurate in the midrange (that's why your speedometer goes to 120 or thereabouts). Also, perhaps they uh, "compensated" 10% a few years ago when they weighed the container. Add it all up, and when the subtracting is done, you're at 461 lbs.
But most likely your estimation was off more than theirs -- remember they have a big expensive scale and it is tested, and you're most likely guessing and putting buckets on an old bathroom scale. I'm not being critical, we've all been there.
It's all part of it. They got guys trying to sell them concrete and water, so they aren't losing any sleep about shorting a few pounds on a small load. the best thing you can do is take your next load to a different yard, see how it goes, make some mental comparisons.
I saw this topic heading and it made me giggle as I thought of Monty Python.
how much does a dumpster weigh?
more then a duck?
Well using a empty dumpster is a common practice in all scrap yards,but what is not normal is and i am assuming that because you did not say, is not having the tare weight of the dumpster sprayed on with paint, so that you would know the weight of the dumpster. The least they should have done was let you see what the the empty empty was. if that is the case they well trying to hide something,when i go to sell any thing, i have my own weights of every thing to compare to the yards scale, i also or who ever goes to the yard go right to the scale, the helper works with the yards man and i watch the scale and write the weights down. mistakes do happen being a former yard owner i know that all to well, you are not dealing with brain surgeons and mix ups are very possibile. watch your weights after all its your money.
Here in California scales and any device used in weighing "sold" items has to be checked and verified by county on regular schedule. They also do random spot checks of all businesses that utilize a weights and measures type of sale. So all bins, cans and dumpsters that are part of the weighing system are serial numbered and usually have the tare weights posted near the scale or in the office. If weights and measures inspectors find a businesses that is fraudulently conducting their businesses they can and do shut them down.
That is the rules, but with all government operation they are stretched way to thin and can't possibly get to all the places they need to. Ironically it is the department of agriculture that weights and measures division comes under. So can only wonder how much a agriculture bureaucrat knows about a scrap yard operation. I do know of one yard that was shut down for scale fraud, they close for about a month and opened under "new management". Everyone there looks to be same workers, so who knows?
With modern electronics scales the actual weight of the dumpster is not really important...just place the empty dumpster on the scale, zero it, and then fill with whatever. When scaling it, place it back on the scale and whatever you added to the dumpster is now displayed.
Thats the way a non ferrous yard I have dealt with does it. They have a couple of scales and the bins they use are generally partially filled with whatever the sort is...so if you got bare bright copper, they bring their partially filled bin out, zero it on the scale, let you toss in your lot, and put it back on the scale.
Seems to work well.
Jon.
I notice that this post has "guests" reading it.
the title of the thread makes me think of...
how long is a piece of string.
you must excuse me as I'm doing some scientific theory testing on what might be attracted to freshly discarded beer caps.
it is a bit like watching paint dry I suspect.
But I will be faithful with my endeavors as it entertains me if nothing else........
If you don't want "tare weight" you are goanna have to put the stuff on the scale...
bump
Scales are also regulated up here and most serious yards write the tare weight on their dumpsters. So you already know the dumpster weight before going to scale, but in the worst scenario, there's always the possibility to weight it with your load, get it emptied and weight it again empty. Total weight minus dumpster weight equals your load.