Scale specs
Cattle Scale Types and Indicators Explained
Load bars, cages and group scales side by side, what each indicator records, and which setup fits your pens.
Side by side
Cattle Scale Types and Indicators: Every Model Sorted
11 cattle scales on this site. The bar shows where each group sits between the lowest and highest price.
Weight only
$1,899.99
Shows weights on the screen. The simplest setup.
- Tru-Test S3 Scale$1,899.99
Bluetooth to phone
$2,749.99 to $3,389.99
Sends weights to a phone app for records.
- Gallagher W-0 Scale$2,749.99
- Gallagher W-1 Wireless Scale$3,389.99
EID recording
$4,599.99 to $5,199.99
Records weights against each animal’s EID tag.
- Gallagher TWR-5 Indicator$4,599.99
- Gallagher TW-1 Scale$4,699.99
- Gallagher TW-3 Scale$5,199.99
Single animal cage
$3,771 to $9,206
A cage that weighs one head at a time.
- W-W 240S Series Scale$3,771
- W-W LFT-3000S Scale$9,206
Group scale
$8,923 to $16,956
Weighs several head at once and averages them.
- W-W 602S Group Scale$8,923
- W-W 801S Group Scale$16,956
Calf scale
$2,485
Small scale for newborn and young calves.
- Raytec Calf Cart Scale$2,485
Prices last checked September 2026. Freight is extra unless noted.
How to choose
How to Choose: Cattle Scale Types and Indicators
Why it matters
Cattle Scale Types and Indicators: Why It Matters
Records
If you track weaning weights or gains, an indicator that saves data saves hours of writing.
EID tags
EID indicators link each weight to a tag number when paired with a reader.
Where you weigh
Load bars under a chute weigh during processing. A cage or group scale weighs in the pen.
The details
Cattle Scale Types and Indicators: The Details
A cattle scale has two parts: something the animal stands on, and an indicator that reads and shows the weight. Load bars go under a platform or chute. Cage and group scales come as one unit.
The indicator decides what you can do with the numbers. A basic one shows weight. Better ones save sessions, send data to your phone, or record each weight against an EID tag.
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Questions
Cattle Scale Types and Indicators: Questions
What is a load bar scale?
Two weigh bars that go under a platform or chute, wired to an indicator that shows the weight.
What does a scale indicator do?
It reads the load bars and shows the weight. Better indicators store weights, add animal IDs and send data to a phone or computer.
What is an EID scale?
A scale indicator that records each weight against an electronic ID tag, read by an EID reader.
Do I need Bluetooth on a cattle scale?
Only if you want weights sent to a phone app. Gallagher’s W-0 and W-1 do this.
What is a group scale?
A large cage scale that weighs several head together and gives an average weight.
Can I put load bars under my chute?
Many chutes accept load bars. Check the maker’s kit for your model.
How accurate are cattle scales?
Accuracy depends on the load bars, indicator and a level base. Keep the scale clean and calibrate it as the maker suggests.
What do the different scale setups cost?
On this site, from about the price of an indicator alone to several thousand dollars for complete kits and cage scales.
Which cattle scales are listed as “Weight only”?
Tru-Test S3 Scale ($1,899.99–$3,098.99).
Which cattle scales are listed as “Bluetooth to phone”?
Gallagher W-0 Scale ($799.99–$2,999.99). Gallagher W-1 Wireless Scale ($1,589.99–$4,199.99).
Which cattle scales are listed as “EID recording”?
Gallagher TWR-5 Indicator ($4,599.99–$4,799.99). Gallagher TW-1 Scale ($2,149.99–$4,699.99). Gallagher TW-3 Scale ($2,799.99–$5,199.99).
Which cattle scales are listed as “Single animal cage”?
W-W 240S Series Scale (from $3,771). W-W LFT-3000S Scale (from $9,206).
Which cattle scales are listed as “Group scale”?
W-W 602S Group Scale (from $8,923). W-W 801S Group Scale ($16,956).
Which cattle scales are listed as “Calf scale”?
Raytec Calf Cart Scale (from $2,485).
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