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I am interested in the idea of having an electonic or mechanical scale under the pumpkin as soon as it starts to when it finishes. Than you can skip measurments and get exact weight, and know exactly what you gained in a day or week. I know you can get ones that go outside and work outside, but there probably really expensive.

9/7/2005 10:17:02 PM

Netherlands

Two to four old (or new) bathroom scales is all you need. Put some kind of board across the bottom halves of the scales. Your pumpkin's total is the weight of all four scales added up minus the board. It's been done before.

9/8/2005 12:58:12 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I don't agree with the 4 scale method. A bathroom scale is designed so you are weighed on a level surface. Placing your feet at the designated spots. Try weighing your self on carpet, then move your feet around on the scale..you will see the weight change. Now place it on a solid surface. No imagine these scales being in your garden and times the inaccuracy x 4.

9/8/2005 9:41:29 AM

Netherlands

Borje Gustavsson from Sweden uses the scales as I described them (I stole his idea). Here's a link with pictures and what he has to say about it. (In English).
http://www.geocities.com/skurupsborren2/English-KvP-28oktober.html

9/8/2005 12:31:40 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Still very inaccurate. Has he ever posted information of what his bathroom scales state verses a certified scale. I do Product Reliabilty for a living. A bathroom scale is exactly that...to be used in a bathroom. Show me some data to make me a believer...which will not happen.

9/8/2005 1:03:28 PM

Netherlands

You are probably right. Would it be less accurate than the OTT method?

9/8/2005 1:09:50 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I would guess that the scale method would at least be more consistent. It may not be more accurate than OTT (although I'd bet it would be). But I would imagine that, if they were inaccurate, the scales would be off by a similar margin each time you read them. Whereas, OTT measurements can be done differently each time.

9/8/2005 2:07:02 PM

ohio

Are you only going to grow one pumpkin?

9/8/2005 2:49:36 PM

West Bridgewater /Brockton Ma. USA

I think the answer to this is how much are you willing to spend ? I bought a digital electrroic scale to cut cost and time for my wholesale Prizewinner operation . When I was looking at what scales are out there I feel there are a few models that would do what you want to do....all for a price . See my Growers Diary (BGib)if you care to see the direction I took ,a crane scale type what you would be looking for is a platform scale Capacity is going to be your $$$ breaker,.... 500,1000 or 2000 lbs ..
JMHO
Bill G.

9/8/2005 3:47:31 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

i picked up a platform scale 1000lber for 50 bucks.

9/8/2005 4:31:51 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I think the bathroom scale method would be fine for this
purpose... it's not a final weight - I don't think you can
use it for a contest, but to see daily weight gains, it would
be fine.

As long as it's a "static system", the weight is going to be
accurate as long as all the weight is supported only by
the scales. The biggest problem is going to be rust and
general decay over the season. I'm not sure how long they'd
last. But if the ground isn't moving, then the weight is
all going to be shown on the scales.

9/8/2005 6:17:27 PM

That State Up North

Don't use a scale, it won't be accurate. Research sensor drift if you are unfamiliar with what will happen when you leave a load on a load cell, or a spring based measuring system. Use a balance, or just get the in-line and piek it up once in awhile, then your investment is a tripod per fruit, one scale, one block and tackle, and one lifter.

Nic Welty

9/8/2005 8:44:09 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Eh, I hope someone can not only try this for an accurate
daily weight gain (and intra-day gains), but for the end
of season weight and prove or
disprove it once and for all. In principle, there is
nothing wrong with it. Unless you are in an earthquake
or sinking in mud (which would quickly render the system
useless) it's going to measure all the weight.

You may be correct about the sensor drift, but it may also
be enough to go out and jump up and down on each scale
each day to keep it from sticking on a "dead spot".

Not really related, but I learned a lesson in scales at our
state fair this year. I had a pumpkin weigh light, at
exactly 412. But the scale that they have in the "produce
section" was small... it had a 1000 pound capacity, but the
deck was small. So I had them weigh it with the pallet,
then we subtracted the pallet and it came to 412. It was
supposed to weight about 470, so I protested (nicely) and
had them take it to the big livestock scale.

This HUGE scale... it's enourmous. You could put a whole
herd of buffalo in there, or perhaps a couple-a F-150s.
So we put my little pumpkin in there, and it came to 412!
Exactly! So, I shut my mouth and accepted 412.

9/9/2005 2:24:24 AM