Interview with a Pioneer: Graeme Elphinstone on the Evolution, Accuracy and Future of Onboard Weighing Systems

In a quiet corner of Tasmania’s east coast, overlooking the forests and waters that helped forge one of Australia’s most enduring engineering legacies, I sat down with Elphinstone Engineering’s chief designer and founder, Graeme Elphinstone, to talk weighing systems.

It’s a conversation that begins in the past — in 1976, to be exact — when a young Graeme first retrofitted an imported onboard weighing system to a log truck in Triabunna. It was a simple idea born from frustration — yet it would change the future of Australian transport forever.

“You need to remember that the seventies were incredibly tumultuous times for road transport,” Graeme says, leaning forward with intensity. “Overloading was rife. Truckies had no real way to know what they were carrying — especially in the bush where the weight of each log could vary dramatically depending on moisture content.”

For log truck drivers, that moisture variable was a nightmare. A green log cut fresh that morning could weigh 1.3 tonnes per cubic metre, while one left to dry at the landing might weigh just 1.0 tonne. The guesswork often led to consistent overloading — and the consequences weren’t just fines. They were breakdowns, safety hazards, and ongoing tension with regulators.

Chain of Responsibility – Before It Had a Name

When Tasmanian Pulp & Forestry Holdings (TPFH) introduced a “non-payment overload” penalty in 1974, it wasn’t just about enforcing legal weights. It was an early — and highly effective — example of what we now call chain of responsibility.

“That move set the tone for a more professional approach to loading,” Graeme explains. “It removed the incentive to overload. Suddenly there was motivation to invest in accuracy — and that’s where we came in.”

His brother Dale, then working on log truck engines in Canada, tipped him off that North American operators were trialling onboard weighing systems. Graeme acted quickly, importing four of what he considered the best units available. With a $1,000 incentive from the Triabunna chip mill, contractors installed them — and saw immediate results.

Weighing in on the Benefits

Nearly fifty years later, Elphinstone Weighing Systems has grown from a practical solution to a precision powerhouse — still built, refined and supported in Tasmania. But beyond compliance, Graeme says the real benefit of onboard weighing systems is profitability.

“If you can accurately and consistently load to maximum payload, you’re making more money every trip. Plus, you’re protecting your equipment. Lighter tare specs, consistent fuel use, fewer repairs. Everyone in the supply chain wins — especially the driver who knows they’re legal.”

The launch of EasyWeigh in 1989 was another game changer. The wireless remote allowed drivers and loader operators to see the live weight while loading — no more climbing in and out of the cab.

“If the truckie had to load himself, he just took the remote with him in the loader,” Graeme says. “It was a productivity breakthrough and a massive safety win.”

Soon after, Elphinstone began manufacturing their own load cells, giving them greater control over quality and design. This also enabled them to innovate at speed — introducing the clever EasyAir transducer as a lower-cost, highly accurate solution when load cells weren’t practical.

By 2007, their EasyWeigh Multi system offered multi-channel readouts for entire truck and trailer combinations. In 2015, the Multi Reader brought every axle group to one screen. And the EasyView Android app meant operators could monitor and log weights remotely.

“It’s all about giving the operator better tools,” Graeme says. “We even have some drivers who’ll throw a rock on just to hit that perfect weight. That’s how accurate our system is — within 0.5% of the actual payload, consistently.”

Ready for the Road Ahead

What makes Elphinstone’s onboard systems truly stand out today is their future compatibility. They’re already certified under the TCA’s Smart OBM (Category B) framework, meaning they tick every box for operators working under the NHVR’s IAP and Higher Mass Limits schemes.

“The software is upward compatible,” Graeme points out. “If a supplier like MTData or Navman changes their IVU system, we can upgrade to suit. That protects our customers’ investment.”

And with local manufacturing, there’s no long wait for parts. If a component fails in Brisbane, they can have it on a flight the same day. In a time when global supply chains are stretched, that’s a huge advantage.

“We have a third generation of dedicated employees working here,” Graeme says proudly. “They’re passionate, and they know that in transport, service is everything.”

The Last Word

Graeme’s advice to operators considering onboard weighing today is both practical and prophetic.

“Ask yourself this,” he says. “Why would you put on a system that only meets today’s requirements — when you can install one that future-proofs your investment?”

With ever-tightening regulations, rising fuel costs, and increasing demand for data transparency, Elphinstone’s system isn’t just a tool — it’s a strategic asset.

From a makeshift scale on a log truck in 1976 to today’s fully integrated digital systems, Elphinstone Weighing Systems continue to shape the future of freight. And if you ask Graeme Elphinstone, the secret to success in transport is simple:

“Get the load right, every time.”

Learn more about Elphinstone’s EasyWeigh onboard systems at www.elph.com.au Or contact our support team for a tailored weighing solution that fits your fleet and future. http://www.elph.com.au/contact/