A&D Industrial Scales Buying Guide: Counting, Platform & Crane Scales

Industrial and commercial weighing requirements differ fundamentally depending on your operating environment—whether you are counting tiny components on a workbench, withstanding hose-downs on a wet food-processing floor, or lifting heavy freight overhead with a crane. A&D (A&D Company, Limited), a Japanese maker of weighing and measuring instruments, designs purpose-built scales for each specific scenario. This guide helps you match the exact equipment to your application.

What we stock: the models pictured below are examples of each type and are not currently sold in our store. The A&D scales we do ship from Japan include the GC series counting scales (GC-3K, GC-6K, GC-15K, GC-30K) and the IP67 dustproof and waterproof platform scale FG-30KCMWP. See all of them in our A&D scales collection.

1. Counting Scales — For Parts Counting & Inventory Accuracy

Designed specifically to determine the quantity of identical items rapidly by weight rather than manual counting. The critical specification to compare here is the minimum countable weight: the lower this number, the smaller and lighter the individual parts you can measure with high precision.

• A&D FC-1000i — Minimum countable weight 0.02g, ideal for ultra-small components (screws, tiny electronic parts)
• A&D FC-20Ki — 0.4g countable weight, general-purpose parts counting for medium components
• A&D FC-10Ki — 0.2g countable weight, mid-precision counting balance
• A&D HC-6Ki — 6kg capacity counting scale optimized for small-lot warehouse inventory
• A&D HC-3Ki — 3kg capacity, compact benchtop counting scale

2. Dustproof & Waterproof Platform Scales — For Factory Floors & Washdown Areas

Unlike bench or counting scales, these heavy-duty platform scales are built for rigorous industrial environments where floors get wet, muddy, or dusty. They are essential for food processing, chemical plants, and outdoor yards requiring regular hose-down cleaning.

• A&D HW-60KCWP — 60kg capacity, fully dustproof and waterproof platform scale
• A&D HW200KC — 220kg capacity, robust dust/waterproof digital platform scale for heavier loads
• A&D HW200KCP — Same 220kg-class platform featuring a built-in printer (indicated by the "P" suffix), ideal for printing weight tickets directly on-site

3. Crane & Hoist Scales — For Heavy Freight & Overhead Rigging

When your application involves suspended loads, overhead lifting, or heavy freight that cannot be placed onto a standard floor scale, a crane scale is the tool built for the job.

• A&D FJK500I — Heavy-duty hoist/crane scale engineered for safe overhead weight verification
• A&D FJ-T001IS — Hoist/crane scale featuring remote operation capabilities for high-load lifting and hazardous overhead environments

Which A&D Scale Do You Need?

To choose the right model, evaluate your primary operation:

• Counting inventory or small parts? Opt for a high-precision counting scale and verify the minimum countable weight matches your lightest part.
• Operating in a wet or dusty workspace? Choose a waterproof platform scale to protect your hardware from moisture and debris damage.
• Weighing suspended or overhead loads? Select a durable crane scale designed specifically for lifting applications.

Explore our complete selection of professional tools and precision instruments in our A&D scales collection and our Measuring Instruments collection.