When a warehouse manager hangs a pallet of steel beams on a crane hook, or a factory operator checks the incoming shipment of raw materials, every number that flashes on a crane scale matters. Even a small drift—say 2 or 3 kilograms—can affect safety, inventory accuracy, and sometimes even customer trust. Mistakes like these may seem minor at first, but over the course of a day, they can add up to serious errors. That’s why knowing how to reset a crane scale is not just a technical trick—it’s a key daily practice in many industries.
Apollo, a Taiwanese family-owned lifting equipment manufacturer with its KAWASAKI brand, has worked with logistics hubs, construction firms, and heavy-duty workshops since 1986. Their products are known for reliability and longevity. Among their portfolio, the KAWASAKI Crane Scale OCS and KAWASAKI Crane Scale OSC stand out for precise readings and simple reset functions, making them favorites in warehouses and industrial sites around Asia and beyond.
img.How to Reset Crane Scale for Accurate Weighing Results.webp
Why Do Crane Scales Need to Be Reset
Ensuring Measurement Accuracy
Every scale, digital or mechanical, is prone to small sensor drift over time. A few hours under heavy loads or repeated lifting cycles can cause the internal load cells to shift slightly. Resetting the crane scale re-establishes the zero baseline, ensuring that the weight displayed is purely the current load, not a combination of the load plus residual tension from previous lifts.
This is especially important in industries like steel trading or bulk material handling. One warehouse we visited in Singapore handles over 200 crane lifts daily. They noticed a 1–2 kg error creeping in after continuous operation. Resetting every morning kept their inventory reports consistent and avoided unnecessary disputes with suppliers.
Preventing Error Accumulation
Cumulative errors can silently affect daily operations. Without periodic reset, even minor offsets multiply. By the end of the day, a few kilos per lift can snowball into hundreds of kilograms, causing confusion in stock counts or shipping records. Resetting is the simplest way to stop this creeping inaccuracy.
Improving Long Term Reliability
Think of resetting as giving your scale a tiny “rest.” Like electronics in a smartphone or computer, internal components benefit from occasional refreshes. Resetting relieves the sensors and digital circuits from any lingering offsets, helping extend the long-term life of the crane scale. For busy operations where downtime is costly, this small step can save future headaches.
When Should You Reset a Crane Scale
After Overload or Shock Impact
Crane scales are designed to handle heavy loads, but accidents happen. If the hook experiences a sudden shock or overload, a reset is necessary to clear any distorted readings. Even if the display appears normal after a jolt, the sensors may have temporarily shifted. Resetting ensures the next measurement is accurate.
Following Battery Replacement
The KAWASAKI OCS and OSC models use standard AA batteries. Once they are replaced, it’s essential to reset the scale. Failing to do so may leave the display with residual values from the old battery cycle, causing inaccurate readings right at the start. In some cases, operators jokingly refer to it as “new battery syndrome.”
During Regular Calibration Schedule
Most industrial facilities adopt a monthly or quarterly calibration routine. Resetting the crane scale is always the first step in this process. Calibration fine-tunes the scale, but if the baseline isn’t zeroed, adjustments could be off. Operators we interviewed often reset their scales first thing in the morning before any calibration checks.
After Environmental Changes
Unexpected temperature spikes, humidity, or even vibration from nearby machinery can affect readings slightly. Some operators like to reset the scale after major environmental changes, especially when handling sensitive materials like chemicals or precision-engineered parts.
What Are the Basic Steps to Reset a Crane Scale
Power Cycling the Device
Sometimes, the simplest fix is the most effective. Turn off the scale, wait about ten seconds, and turn it back on. This helps the digital electronics reinitialize, clearing small glitches that could interfere with accurate readings. Many operators admit that power cycling alone resolves nearly 30% of minor errors without further action.
Using the Zero or Tare Function
Most modern crane scales, including the KAWASAKI OSC, have a clearly labeled zero button. Pressing it sets the display to “0.0 kg,” effectively clearing previous loads. The tare function is also handy if you hang a sling or container and want the net load reading. Operators appreciate how fast this is—sometimes under five seconds to reset and measure again.
Activating the Factory Reset Option
Occasionally, a display may show repeated error codes or unusual readings. In such cases, a factory reset may be needed. Apollo provides detailed manuals and online video guides for this process. Doing a factory reset restores the scale to its original settings, clearing all custom offsets or stored tare values.
How Can You Reset a Crane Scale Safely
Checking Load Conditions Before Reset
Never attempt a reset with a load still on the hook. Doing so can zero out the wrong value and mislead operators later, potentially causing dangerous overloading. Safety always comes first.
Using Stable and Flat Hanging Position
Ensure the hook is hanging freely without swinging. Even slight sway can confuse the sensors during reset, leading to inaccurate readings. Some sites use small guiding rods or temporary stops to reduce hook movement—an old trick many operators swear by.
Following Manufacturer Reset Guidelines
Both OCS and OSC models come with manuals outlining step-by-step reset procedures. Apollo emphasizes sticking to these instructions. Shortcuts might work temporarily, but they can result in misalignment over time or complicate warranty claims.
img.OSC.webp
Which Crane Scale Models Offer Easy Reset Functions
KAWASAKI Crane Scale OCS with LCD Display
The OCS features a 20 mm LCD panel, easy to read even under harsh sunlight. Zero and tare functions are single-button operations. For warehouses handling hundreds of lifts daily, this simplicity saves minutes—and prevents mistakes.
KAWASAKI Crane Scale OSC with Integrated Load Structure
With a robust integrated load design and optional handheld indicator, the OSC is ideal for construction sites and outdoor applications. Its overload warning triggers automatically if a reset doesn’t clear an anomaly, providing an extra layer of safety.
Apollo Hoist ODM and OEM Customization Support
Apollo doesn’t stop at standard models. For clients with unique requirements, they offer custom features: waterproof housing, explosion-proof designs, custom display units, and even firmware adjustments to match specific reset routines. Their customer support often shares tips from decades of field experience—something you won’t get from generic suppliers.
How Does Resetting Improve Industrial Applications
Reducing Weighing Errors in Warehouses
In a busy steel warehouse in Thailand, operators handle over 300 lifts per day. By resetting scales each morning, they reduced cumulative weighing errors by nearly 90%, preventing costly inventory mismatches.
Enhancing Efficiency in Construction Lifting
On a large bridge project, multiple cranes lift prefabricated beams simultaneously. Resetting each crane scale before operations ensures all beams are counted accurately, avoiding re-lifts that cost hours of labor.
Supporting Consistency in Manufacturing Lines
Automotive parts factories rely on precise material tracking. Resetting crane scales ensures data recorded in ERP systems aligns with real-world loads, maintaining quality control across assembly lines.
Improving Safety Compliance
Resetting also helps maintain regulatory compliance. Many safety standards mandate accurate load readings. By resetting scales regularly, companies avoid fines and maintain worker safety.
FAQs
Q1. Can I reset a crane scale while it is under load?
A: No. Resetting under load will zero out the wrong value and could lead to unsafe situations. Always reset when the hook is empty.
Q2. How often should I reset my crane scale?
A: For heavy industrial use, reset at least once per day. For lighter applications, reset whenever the reading seems off, after replacing batteries, or after any abnormal load event.
Q3. Do Apollo’s KAWASAKI crane scales come with reset instructions?
A: Yes. Both OCS and OSC models include manuals and optional online video guides. Apollo’s team also provides tips and troubleshooting support for proper resetting procedures.
Q4. Is a factory reset often needed?
A: Rarely. Most day-to-day offsets are corrected using the zero or tare function. Factory resets are reserved for persistent error codes or after software updates.
