Easyweigh: The Only Certified Smart OBM Solution for Spring Suspension Heavy Haulage

As the Australian heavy haulage industry steps into a new era of compliance, digitalisation, and real-time data integration, one name continues to lead the way in onboard mass technology—Elphinstone Engineering.

For over five decades, Elphinstone has shaped the future of load management. From its earliest onboard weighing systems launched in 1976, to the world-first Easyweigh platform introduced in 1989, Elphinstone has consistently delivered practical, innovative solutions to Australia’s toughest transport challenges. Today, the company is once again at the forefront—providing the only certified Smart OBM system that can accurately weigh spring-suspended heavy haulage vehicles.

A Game-Changer for Heavy Haulage Compliance

The announcement of Queensland’s Revised Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Access Regime marked a turning point for the heavy transport industry. Developed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), the new system mandates the integration of certified Telematics Monitoring Applications (TMA) with Smart Onboard Mass Management (Smart OBM) to enable real-time data reporting, route tracking, and compliance with mass limits.

Yet, for operators of heavy vehicles running on conventional spring suspension, a problem remained: most OBM systems simply can’t accurately weigh these vehicles.

“Elphinstone’s fifth wheel load cells are currently the only onboard weighing system that can accurately weigh heavy haulage vehicles fitted with conventional spring suspensions and still meet the OBM requirements for compliance and additional mass,” says Grant Elphinstone, Technical Director of Elphinstone Weighing Systems.

That’s not just a technical win – it’s a game-changing advantage for operators relying on spring-suspended low loaders and platform trailers, particularly those in the mining and renewables sectors where gross combination masses can easily exceed 100 tonnes.

Outdated Rules, Modern Problems

The current Class 1 access framework in Queensland was built on 1980s engineering principles and hasn’t kept pace with the rapid evolution of modern heavy vehicles. Designed when the average platform trailer was far less capable, today’s Class 1 operators are navigating outdated mass tables, unclear restrictions, and painfully slow permit approvals.

Operators often find themselves blocked by inconsistent access rules, poorly communicated mass limits, and unclear conditions for route planning. In response, TMR’s new digital regime is a welcome shift—especially for companies looking to streamline logistics and minimise downtime.

Under the revised policy:

  • Platform trailers and low loaders over 59.5 tonnes will be first to transition.
  • TMA will become mandatory, with Smart OBM required within 12–18 months.
  • The new system went live in Q4 2024, offering more certainty, faster approvals, and richer data for asset management.

Why Elphinstone Easyweigh Stands Alone

Elphinstone’s Easyweigh is no ordinary OBM. Developed in 1989, it was the first system to store calibration data in each individual truck and trailer, making it fully interchangeable without adjustment. When a truck powers on, Easyweigh automatically detects connected trailers and displays them in correct order—saving time and eliminating confusion.

Easyweigh is:

  • Fully TCA-certified, making it compliant with TMR’s Smart OBM mandates.
  • Compatible with spring and air suspensions, uniquely suited to heavy haulage.
  • Integrated with telematics to provide real-time weight, performance, and location data.
  • Expandable with features like RF handheld remotes for easy loading at the landing or stockpile.

This seamless digital integration means heavy haulage operators can now align compliance with productivity—no more juggling guesswork with legality.

Smart OBM, Smarter Decisions

The real power of Easyweigh lies in its data-driven capabilities. By connecting to modern telematics systems, it empowers operators to make informed decisions about:

  • Route and bridge compliance
  • Load optimisation and axle distribution
  • Fleet scheduling and asset utilisation

Combined, these insights reduce costs, increase uptime, and ensure smoother permit approvals—especially important as the new digital framework replaces the cumbersome manual permit process.

As Grant Elphinstone explains, “Operators have welcomed the Revised Class 1 Regime. It’s providing long-overdue clarity and modernisation, and Easyweigh is ready for it.”

Looking Ahead: Future-Proof Your Fleet

With Australia’s transport regulations moving rapidly toward digital enforcement and smart compliance, investing in TCA-certified OBM technology is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Whether you’re hauling wind turbine blades in North Queensland or 100-tonne mining gear through the Pilbara, Elphinstone’s Easyweigh system is the only solution proven to handle spring suspension heavy haulage at OBM-certified accuracy.

That means:

  • No reengineering your trailers.
  • No uncertainty around compliance.
  • Just plug, weigh, and go—accurately and legally.
Click here to download a printable copy of Elphinstone Weighing Systems Heavy Haulage Onboard Weighing brochure.

Want to learn more?
Visit elph.com.au to discover how Easyweigh can future-proof your operations. Or call our team today to schedule a free compliance consultation. http://www.elph.com.au/contact/

 

Built tough. Built smart. Built for the road ahead.
Elphinstone Easyweigh.