Description:Staffordshire County Council Weights and Measures Department checking a 40 tonne weighbridge. Probably on coal board property in north Staffordshire.
A weighbridge is a big scale set into the ground used to weigh vehicles.. The weigh pan is the large plate you can just see in the left foreground. The large vehicle is called the Weighbridge Unit and carries the weights from one weighbridge to another. On the right is the inspector’s assistant as he is wearing gloves on - Inspectors always wore a suit and tie and never got their hands dirty. The Inspector would be in hut checking that the indicator states same weight as the weights on the plate.
To test the weighbridge 500kg weights are hoisted down on the plate four at a time. There would be a weight indicator in a hut nearby, which should indicate weight added. Weights are added and the indication should match what has been put on, and continue to be added until the weighbridge's maximum range is reached. Weights can be added one at a time by removing 3 that have been added by the hoist and then rolling them back on one at a time. The weights have a metal handle to help push them.
Next, the roller weights are pushed into each corner of the plate to see if there is any variation because a vehicle may stop to be weighed on a corner. This is called the 'corner test'. If it varies too much then the weighbridge cannot be used till adjusted.
The Morris van to the right belongs to Avery and probably belongs to the fitter who would make and necessary adjsutments to the weighbridge.