Scrap Metal Scale Buying Guide: Crane and Beam Scales for Scrap Yards and Recyclers
A scrap metal scale has to handle heavy, awkward loads, and for weighing on the hook the Brecknell BCS-10K crane scale (10,000 lb x 5 lb, with remote) is on sale for $649.00 (regular $750.00), in stock.
Reviewed by MNM Scales technicians · Updated November 4, 2026 · Prices checked November 4, 2026
Short answer: a scrap metal scale has to handle heavy, awkward loads: bundles and bales lifted by a crane or hoist, or bins and boxes set down in the yard. For weighing on the hook, the Brecknell BCS-10K crane scale (10,000 lb x 5 lb, with remote) is $649. For bins and pallets, the LP Scale LP7630A portable beam scale (5,000 lb x 1 lb) is $998. If you buy or sell scrap by weight, you need a legal-for-trade scale: call (832) 290-3120.
This guide is for scrap yards, recyclers, fabrication shops and demolition crews that weigh metal for sorting, shipping and inventory. MNM Scales has sold, calibrated and repaired scales for over 30 years from our shop in Cypress, Texas, and we are one of the largest scale distributors.
What a scrap metal scale needs
- Capacity with headroom: pick a scale rated above your heaviest bundle, bin or bale, not your average one.
- A readable display at a distance: a bright display and a remote keep people clear of a suspended load.
- Tough construction: cast or steel housings, sealed keys and hooks with latches stand up to a scrap yard.
- Battery power: yards rarely have outlets where the weighing happens, so a rechargeable battery helps.
- Totals: an accumulate function adds up lifts or bins for a load or a shift.
Scrap metal scale models compared at live prices
| Model | Type | Capacity x readability | Key features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brecknell BCS-10K | Crane scale | 10,000 lb x 5 lb / 5,000 kg x 2 kg | 1.4 in LED, remote (32 ft) for zero, tare, hold and accumulate; rechargeable battery, 60 to 200 h; ultimate load 4 times capacity | $649 |
| LP Scale LP7630A-4.7-48-5000 | Portable beam scale | 5,000 lb x 1 lb | Two 4.7 x 48 in U-beams with wheels, 4 load cells, LP7516 indicator with 1 in backlit LCD, 20 ft cable, RS-232 | $998 |
| LP Scale LP7630A-4.7-48-10000 | Portable beam scale | 10,000 lb x 2 lb | Two 4.7 x 48 in U-beams with wheels, 4 load cells, LP7516 indicator with 1 in backlit LCD, 20 ft cable, RS-232 | $1,098 |
Browse all hanging and crane scales or industrial scales. For more on hook weighing, see how to choose a crane scale.
Crane scale or beam scale for scrap
- Crane scale: the BCS-10K hangs from a hoist or crane hook, so you weigh bundles, engines and bales while you move them. The remote runs zero, tare, hold and accumulate from up to 32 ft away.
- Beam scale: the LP7630A-4.7-48-5000 and LP7630A-4.7-48-10000 are two wheeled beams you roll under a bin, pallet or gaylord. Space them to fit the load, and roll them out of the way when you are done.
- Both run on rechargeable batteries or an AC adapter, and both weigh in lb or kg.
Weighing scrap: a yard workflow
- Zero the scale with nothing on it; on the crane scale, zero with any sling or chain attached so only the scrap is weighed.
- Weigh one grade at a time: copper, brass, aluminum, steel and stainless.
- Use tare for the bin or container so the display shows net metal.
- Use accumulate to total lifts or bins for each load.
- Write down or print each weight; the LP7516 indicator has an RS-232 port for a printer (not included).
Rules: legal for trade for scrap
Weighing scrap for sorting, inventory or checking outgoing loads is in-house weighing. Buying or selling scrap by weight is a commercial transaction, and the scale has to be legal for trade. The BCS-10K and LP7630A models in this guide are not legal for trade, so use them for in-house weighing and call us for an NTEP-certified scale for buying and selling. Our NTEP guide explains the certificate, and we handle legal-for-trade scale calibration in Texas.
Texas note: 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. See TDA’s scales used in trade guidance (PDF) and our TDA scale certification guide, or call us or TDA to confirm your use.
Calibration and rental
- BCS-10K calibration add-ons: our TDA-registered technicians calibrate your scale in-house before it ships. Add in-house calibration with a certificate ($495) or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate ($995). See NIST vs in-house certificates.
- Beam scale calibration: call for a quote.
- On-site service: $295 + $2 per mile per visit across the Houston area, plus calibration per scale; see on-site calibration.
- Mail-in, repairs and rentals: use mail-in calibration, have us repair the brands we sell, and rent all types of scales while yours is in for service.
Not sure which scrap metal scale fits? Tell us your heaviest load, how you move it and whether you buy or sell by weight. We will match the scale and ship it calibrated. Shop: 21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433, visits by appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of scale is used for scrap metal?
Yards use crane scales to weigh bundles and bales on the hook, and beam scales or floor scales for bins and pallets. This guide covers the Brecknell BCS-10K crane scale and LP Scale LP7630A beam scales.
Do I need a legal-for-trade scale to buy scrap metal?
Yes. If you buy or sell scrap by weight, the scale has to be legal for trade. The BCS-10K and LP7630A are for in-house weighing; call us for an NTEP-certified scale.
What capacity crane scale do I need for scrap?
Pick one rated above your heaviest lift. The Brecknell BCS-10K weighs up to 10,000 lb in 5 lb steps.
Can a beam scale weigh scrap bins?
Yes. Roll the two LP7630A beams under the bin, then tare the empty bin. The 5,000 lb model reads in 1 lb steps and the 10,000 lb model in 2 lb steps.
How is a crane scale powered in a scrap yard?
The BCS-10K runs on a rechargeable battery for 60 to 200 hours per charge, depending on brightness and idle settings; the charger is included.
Do you calibrate scrap metal scales?
Yes. For the BCS-10K, in-house calibration with a certificate is $495 and NIST-traceable is $995. For beam scales, call for a quote. On-site service is $295 + $2 per mile per visit plus calibration per scale.