How to Read a CAT Scale Ticket

Contents

• What the ticket can tell you
• Steer axle
• Drive axle
• Trailer axle
• Gross weight
• Reading order
• What the ticket cannot do
• Sources

What the ticket can tell you

A scale ticket tells you measured weight at the time of weighing. For a tractor-trailer, the useful lines are steer axle, drive axle, trailer axle, and gross weight — four separate numbers that each require a separate legal comparison.

The ticket is a self-check record. It is not a state permit, not a route authorization, and not a guarantee that the vehicle is legal on every road between that scale and the destination.

Steer axle

The steer axle line shows the weight on the front axle of the tractor.

• Compare it to the applicable steer or single-axle limit for each state on the route. State limits vary; do not assume a familiar target number applies everywhere.
• Also check it against tire load ratings and manufacturer specifications. Equipment limits can be more restrictive than the statutory axle limit.
• Fifth-wheel position affects steer weight. If the steer reads heavy, sliding the fifth wheel back toward the trailer is often the adjustment to try.

Drive axle

The drive line is usually a tandem axle group on a standard tractor, and typically the heaviest reading on a loaded combination.

• Compare the drive reading to the applicable tandem limit — 34,000 lb under the federal Interstate framework, or the state’s non-Interstate limit if the route uses non-Interstate roads.
• If the drive is near or above the tandem limit, also check the bridge formula for the specific axle spacing. Spacing affects allowable weight beyond the simple tandem figure.
• Common adjustments for a heavy drive: slide the fifth wheel forward, or slide trailer tandems toward the front of the trailer. Either moves weight away from the drives. Re-weigh after the adjustment.

Trailer axle

The trailer axle line is where sliding tandems typically produce the largest change in readings.

• Sliding trailer tandems toward the rear of the trailer reduces the drive reading and increases the trailer reading.
• Sliding trailer tandems forward increases the drive reading and reduces the trailer reading.
• The same 34,000 lb federal tandem limit applies to the trailer group as to the drive group. Both must pass independently.
• Always re-weigh after a tandem slide. The second ticket is the practical confirmation that the intended axle group changed.

Gross weight

Gross weight is the total of all axle readings. It is compared to the gross vehicle weight limit — 80,000 lb under the federal Interstate framework — but it does not override axle, bridge, route, or permit limits.

Check gross weight last, after reviewing each axle group line. A gross reading under 80,000 lb means the vehicle passes the gross check only. It does not mean every other check passes.

Reading order

A practical order for reviewing a CAT Scale ticket:

1. Drive tandem first — usually heaviest; most likely to be near a limit.
2. Trailer tandem second — check whether a tandem slide is needed.
3. Steer axle third — compare to axle limit and equipment ratings.
4. Gross weight last — compare to the gross limit.
5. For each line, compare to the applicable federal and state limit for the route.
6. If any line is over, identify the adjustment type (distribution or total weight) before deciding next steps.

What the ticket cannot do

A CAT Scale ticket does not issue government authority of any kind. For state-specific limits, permits, and enforcement information, open the relevant state page and verify the official source linked there.

Sources

This page uses FHWA federal weight materials to frame the legal categories. No CAT Scale policy details are asserted here unless they are separately verified from an official CAT Scale source.