Meat Scale Buying Guide: Legal-for-Trade Counter and Back-Room Scales for Butcher Shops and Meat Markets
Reviewed by MNM Scales technicians · Updated November 2, 2026 · Prices checked November 2, 2026
Short answer: a butcher shop or meat market needs a legal-for-trade price computing scale at the counter and a washdown bench scale in the back room. At the counter, the Torrey PC-40LT weighs 40 lb in 0.01 lb steps and raises the customer display above the meat case, at $272. For a wet counter, the Adam WBZ-15a is an IP66 washdown price computing scale at $198. In the back room, the A&D SE-60KAM weighs 130 lb in 0.02 lb steps, is IP68 rated and runs on batteries, at $739. All three are NTEP approved. Call (832) 290-3120 and tell us what you cut and sell.
This guide is for butcher shops, meat markets, carnicerías, grocery meat departments and small meat processors choosing scales for the sales counter and the back room. MNM Scales has sold, calibrated and repaired scales for over 30 years from our shop in Cypress, Texas. Need a scale that prints price labels for packaged cuts? See our label printing scales and our deli scale with label printer guide.
How to choose a meat scale
- Start with the job. A counter scale prices meat for the customer. A back-room scale weighs incoming product, trim, batches and cases.
- Buy legal for trade for anything you sell by weight. Choose an NTEP-approved scale for the counter and for any back-room scale used to price or pack product for sale.
- Size the capacity. A 40 lb counter scale covers most retail cuts. Choose 80 lb for bulk orders and family packs, and a 130 to 500 lb bench scale for boxed meat and large cuts.
- Match the readability to the price. At 0.01 lb, a 40 lb price computing scale prices to the hundredth of a pound.
- Plan for cleaning. Stainless plates clean quickly at a dry counter. Use an IP66 to IP68 washdown scale where it gets washed or splashed.
- Let the customer see the sale. A customer display on the back of the scale, or a tower that lifts it over the case, shows weight, price per pound and total.
- Buy it calibrated. Order calibration with a certificate so the scale arrives ready for TDA inspection and daily use.
Counter scales for the meat case
A price computing scale shows the weight, the price per pound and the total price at the same time. Enter or recall a unit price, set the cut on the plate, and the operator and customer read the same numbers.
Tower display over the meat case
The Torrey PC-40LT weighs 40 lb in 0.01 lb steps and has an adjustable tower display that lifts the customer reading above deli cases and glass sneeze guards. It stores 100 PLUs with 4 direct access keys, adds up several items in one sale with cash register functions, and has pre-pack mode and ½ and ¼ price keys. The case and 11.45 x 14.05 inch plate are stainless steel, and the rechargeable battery runs about 100 hours between charges.
Flat-top counter scales
The Torrey LPC-40L is the compact 40 lb x 0.01 lb model, with a 12.2 x 8.86 inch plate and a backlit display on both sides, at $191. For heavier cuts, bulk orders and family packs, the Torrey PC-80L weighs 80 lb in 0.02 lb steps on the same 11.45 x 14.05 inch plate as the PC-40LT, at $288. Both have 100 PLUs, progressive tare and pre-pack mode.
Washdown counter scale
The Adam WBZ-15a weighs 15 lb in 0.005 lb steps in an IP66 housing with a grade 304 stainless pan that lifts off for cleaning. It shows weight, unit price and total on front and rear backlit displays, and runs on its AC adapter or built-in rechargeable battery. It suits meat and seafood counters that are cleaned with water through the day.
Back-room scales for receiving, cutting and processing
In the back room, a meat scale weighs incoming boxes and primals, checks trim and yield, and weighs batches for grinding, sausage and marinades. These scales get splashed and washed, so washdown construction matters more than price computing.
- A&D SE-60KAM: 130 lb x 0.02 lb on an 11.8 x 15 inch platform, IP68, with a 39 mm display and about 500 hours on 6 D-cell batteries, so no power cord runs near the water.
- A&D SE-150KAM: the same IP68 design at 330 lb x 0.05 lb for full boxes and large cuts.
- A&D HV-200KCWP: a 500 lb multi-interval IP65 bench scale (150 lb x 0.05 lb, 300 lb x 0.1 lb, 500 lb x 0.2 lb) with a 15.4 x 20.9 inch stainless platform and 5-step comparator lights for filling cases to a target weight.
Processors running a full plant line can compare more stations in our food processing scales guide, and our washdown scales guide explains IP65, IP67 and IP69K ratings. Hunters and processors weighing game should also see our deer scale guide.
| Where it works | What to look for | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Meat case and sales counter | NTEP price computing, customer display or tower, 0.01 lb readability | Torrey PC-40LT, Torrey LPC-40L |
| Wet counter, seafood and meat | IP66 washdown price computing, lift-off stainless pan | Adam WBZ-15a |
| Bulk orders and family packs | 80 lb capacity with price computing | Torrey PC-80L |
| Cutting room, receiving and batching | IP65 to IP68 washdown bench scale, 130 to 500 lb | A&D SE-60KAM, A&D SE-150KAM, A&D HV-200KCWP |
| Pre-packed cuts with price labels | Label printing scale | Label printing scales (see the label printer guide) |
Meat scales in stock
| Scale | Type | Capacity x graduation | Features | NTEP CC | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrey PC-40LT | Price computing, tower display | 40 lb x 0.01 lb | Adjustable customer tower, 100 PLUs, stainless case and plate, about 100 hour battery | 95-041A12 | $272 |
| Torrey LPC-40L | Compact price computing | 40 lb x 0.01 lb | Operator and customer displays, 100 PLUs, about 100 hour battery, RS-232 | 06-046A4 | $191 |
| Torrey PC-80L | Price computing | 80 lb x 0.02 lb | 11.45 x 14.05 in stainless plate, 100 PLUs, pre-pack mode | 95-041A12 | $288 |
| Adam WBZ-15a | Washdown price computing | 15 lb x 0.005 lb | IP66, grade 304 stainless pan, front and rear displays, rechargeable battery | 10-082A1 | $198 |
| A&D SE-60KAM | Washdown bench | 130 lb x 0.02 lb | IP68, 11.8 x 15 in platform, about 500 hours on 6 D cells | 11-048A1 | $739 |
| A&D SE-150KAM | Washdown bench | 330 lb x 0.05 lb | IP68, 11.8 x 15 in platform, about 500 hours on 6 D cells | 11-048A1 | $778 |
| A&D HV-200KCWP | Waterproof bench | 150/300/500 lb x 0.05/0.1/0.2 lb | IP65, 15.4 x 20.9 in stainless platform, comparator lights, AC power | 17-099A3 | $1,005 |
Accessories sold separately (not included): the SCE-02 USB and SCE-03 RS-232C interfaces for the SE series, and the HVW-02BCWP USB interface for the HV-200KCWP. The SE series runs on 6 D-cell batteries.
Setup tips and common mistakes
- Tare the tray or paper: use tare for butcher paper, trays and containers so the customer pays only for the meat.
- Level the scale: adjust the feet until the scale sits level and steady before the first sale of the day.
- Check zero: zero the empty scale at the start of each day and after cleaning.
- Keep the customer display in view: point the rear display or tower toward the customer so they can watch every sale.
- Clean to the rating: wash a washdown scale to its IP rating, and wipe a dry-counter scale with a damp cloth instead of spraying it.
- Keep cords dry: in wet rooms, use battery-powered scales or route the AC adapter away from water.
- Weigh within capacity: move heavy boxes to the back-room bench scale rather than overloading a counter scale.
Rules: legal-for-trade meat scales in Texas
Meat sold by the pound is priced from the scale reading, so the counter scale is a commercial device. TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. Any scale used to buy or sell by weight has to be legal for trade, and we recommend NTEP models for that use. Every scale in the table above carries an active NTEP Certificate of Conformance, listed in the table. Our TDA-registered technicians can calibrate your scales and place them in service for trade; see our legal-for-trade scale calibration in Texas, our NTEP guide and our TDA scale certification guide.
Calibration and rental
- Adam WBZ-15a (up to 6.2 kg): in-house calibration with a certificate ($195) or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate ($495).
- Torrey PC-40LT and LPC-40L (6.2 to 35 kg): in-house calibration with a certificate ($250) or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate ($595).
- Torrey PC-80L, A&D SE-60KAM and SE-150KAM (35 to 150 kg): order in-house calibration or NIST calibration with the scale; for the A&D HV-200KCWP (over 150 kg), order in-house calibration or NIST calibration. Call us for current pricing on these tiers.
- On-site service: $295 + $2 per mile per visit across the Houston area, with calibration charged per scale; see on-site calibration in Houston and our scale calibration service in Houston.
- Certificates and schedules: see NIST vs in-house certificates and how often a scale should be calibrated.
- Mail-in, repairs and rentals: send a scale for mail-in calibration, have us repair the brands we sell, and rent all types of scales while yours is in service.
Opening or refitting a shop? Tell us how many counters you run, what you cut and pack, and whether the back room is washed down. We will match the counter and back-room scales and quote them calibrated. Shop: 21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433, visits by appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of scale does a butcher shop need?
A butcher shop needs an NTEP legal-for-trade price computing scale at the counter, such as the Torrey PC-40LT, and a washdown bench scale for the back room, such as the A&D SE-60KAM.
Does a meat scale have to be legal for trade?
Yes, if you sell meat by weight. Any scale used to buy or sell by weight has to be legal for trade, and we recommend NTEP models for that use. Every scale in our table carries an active NTEP certificate.
What capacity meat scale should I buy?
A 40 lb x 0.01 lb price computing scale covers most retail cuts. Choose the 80 lb Torrey PC-80L for bulk orders, and a 130 to 500 lb washdown bench scale for boxes and large cuts.
Can a meat scale be washed down?
Choose a washdown model. The Adam WBZ-15a is IP66, the A&D SE-60KAM and SE-150KAM are IP68, and the A&D HV-200KCWP is IP65. Wipe dry-counter scales such as the Torrey PC series with a damp cloth instead.
Do you sell meat scales that print labels?
Yes. See our label printing scales and our deli scale with label printer guide for networked label scales and their labels.
Do you calibrate meat scales in Houston?
Yes. Order in-house or NIST calibration with a new scale, use mail-in calibration, or book on-site service across Greater Houston for $295 + $2 per mile per visit. Call (832) 290-3120.