RICE LAKE RL-MPS-40 Mechanical Physician Scale User Manual
- June 3, 2024
- RICE LAKE
Table of Contents
RICE LAKE RL-MPS-40 Mechanical Physician Scale
Introduction
The Rice Lake Mechanical Physician Scale (RL-MPS-40) is ideal for use in
health clinics and doctors’ practices for height and weight measurement.
The scale is durable, having a sturdy enameled steel body, removable slip
resistant cover, a retractable aluminum height rod and rear wheels. This
manual guides the user through basic instructions on pillar assembly, wheel
installation, height rod installation and the zero adjustment of the scale.
Safety
Safety Signal Definitions
- Indicates an imminently hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. Includes hazards that are exposed when guards are removed.
- Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided could result in serious injury or death. Includes hazards that are exposed when guards are removed.
- CAUTION Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
- Indicates information about procedures that, if not observed, could result in damage to equipment or corruption to and loss of data.
General Safety
Do not operate or work on this equipment unless this manual has been read and
all instructions are understood. Failure to follow the instructions or heed
the warnings could result in injury or death. Contact any Rice Lake Weighing
Systems dealer for replacement manuals.
WARNING
Failure to heed could result in serious injury or death.
- Do not transport the scale while someone is standing on it.
- To avoid cross contamination, the scale should be cleaned regularly.
- Avoid contact with excessive moisture.
- Do not allow minors (children) or inexperienced persons to operate this scale.
- Do not jump on the scale.
- Do not place fingers into slots or possible pinch points.
- Do not use in the presence of flammable materials.
- Use the scale only to determine weight of people while standing.
- Do not make alterations or modifications to the scale.
- People with disabilities, or who are physically frail, should always be assisted by another person when using this scale. Do not use the scale on slippery surfaces, such as a wet floor.
- Do not use this scale when the body/feet are wet, such as after taking a bath.
- Weight exceeding the maximum capacity may damage the scale.
- Do not drop the scale or subject it to violent shocks.
- For accurate weighing, the scale must be placed on a flat, stable surface.
Assembly
Place the unopened shipping container in an open area with room for unpacking
the scale.
When unpacking the RL-MPS-40, ensure that all assembly parts are accounted
for. Check the RL-MPS-40 for any visible damage. If any parts were damaged in
shipment, notify Rice Lake Weighing Systems and the shipper immediately.
IMPORTANT
The RL-MPS-40 must be properly packed with sufficient packing materials prior
to being moved or shipped. Retain the original shipping materials and
container, if possible.
Damage caused by improper packaging is not covered by the warranty.
Scale Assembly
The following tools are required to assemble the RL-MPS-40. Use the following
sections to assemble the scale.
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Wrench (included)
Pillar Installation
- Set the scale base on a hard level surface.
- Remove the ties from the scale base and the cable tie that holds the steelyard rod from shifting during shipping.
-
Insert the pillar into the scale base assembly ensuring that the smaller face of the weight beam faces the scale base.
-
Secure the pillar to the scale base using a Phillips head screwdriver and eight bolts with washers.
Steelyard Rod Connection
The steelyard rod is located inside the scale pillar. Once the pillar is
attached to the scale base, the steelyard rod must be attached to the bottom
of the scale.
-
Lay the scale on a table. Ensure that the scale base ties have been removed.
-
Insert the hook end of the included wrench into the small hole in front of the steelyard rod. Pull the rod to connect it to the scale base.
-
Push the long lever frontward, then hook the bearing of the steelyard rod on the pivot of the long lever.
- Visually ensure the force lever assembly linkage is centered and properly aligned by looking underneath the top weigh beam. Tip scale slightly if needed. The linkage must be free floating in order for the scale to weigh properly.
- Place the scale gently back on the floor, ensure all feet are out from under the scale location.
IMPORTANT Ensure that the linkage is straight and free floating, if twisted it can cause weighing issue
Height Rod Installation
Use the following steps to install the height rod.
- Insert the slotted holes of the height rod onto the two hex-head screws on the front side of the pillar
- Use the wrench to tighten the two hex-head screws until snug, do not over tighten.
- Press the red button at the top of the height rod and ensure it moves easily
Rice Lake Mechanical Physician Scale Model RL-MPS-40
Wheel Installation
To install the wheels onto the scale, use the following instructions.
IMPORTANT
Ensure the wheel mount bracket is toward the bottom of the scale, as
illustrated in Figure 2-10. If wheels are mounted upside down, it can cause
scale errors.
- Align the wheel mount to the scale frame, ensuring the bracket is facing the bottom as illustrated in Figure 2-10.
- Insert the screws with washers (included) through the bracket and the scale frame.
- Adjusting the bracket to a level position and tighten screws.
To move the scale, hold both sides of the pillar top and tip slightly to keep the front side of the platform away from the floor while pushing to new location.
CAUTION Ensure all feet and other body parts are clear from the location before setting the scale upright.
Counterpoise Weights
A 50 lb and 20 kg counterpoise weight are included and can be added to the first slot in the main beam of the mechanical physician scale to enable it to weigh larger capacities
Weigh in Kilograms
Position the 20 kg counterpoise weight in the first slot and move the main
poise weight to the 180 kg slot.
Now the scale is ready to weigh 200 – 220 kg.
Weigh in Pounds
Position the 50 lb counterpoise weight in the first slot and move the main
poise weight to the 390 lb slot.
Now the scale is ready to weigh 440 – 490 lb.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Zero Adjustment
To ensure accurate weighments, a zero adjustment should be done to the scale
after assembly is complete.
To perform a zero adjustment:
- Ensure the scale is sitting on a level surface.
- Check the eye loop area of the scale to ensure that the scale pointer is equally balanced between the eye loop area.
- Gently press the scale pointer down until it touches the bottom of the eye loop area.
- Release the scale pointer, it rises up and down in the eye loop area. It should settle in the center of the eye loop area.
- If the scale does not settle in the center, the small zero balance weight must be adjusted. Turn the zero adjusting screw using a flat head screwdriver. The zero balance weight moves accordingly.
- Perform Step 2 again. Continue adjusting the screw until the scale pointer settles in the center of the eye loop area.
Troubleshooting
The accuracy of the RS-MPS-40, when calibrated at the factory, falls within
plus or minus 1/4 pound. For the most accurate weight, always use the scale on
a hard, level surface and stand in the center of the scale platform with the
weight distributed as evenly as possible.
If an error occurs or seems excessive, check the following
| Problem | Possible Fix |
|---|---|
| Zero balance of beam | The weigh beam must be balanced so the pointer settles |
in the center of the eye loop when both poise weights are set at zero Adjust
the balance by turning the zero adjusting screw at the left end of the weigh
beam; see Section 4.1 on page 8
Beam does not move freely| Ensure the pointer is not touching the side of the
eye loop in its range of travel
Visually ensure that the linkage is centered and properly aligned; see Section 2.1.2 on page 4.
Platform rocks excessively| Ensure scale is setting on a level surface
Beam does not move at all during a weighment| Ensure the poise weights are not
set at a higher weight than the person’s actual weight; if so set the weights
lower Check to see that the steelyard rod is properly connected and aligned;
see Section 2.1.2 on page 4
Scale is out of calibration| Recalibrate by placing a known weight on the
scale and moving the zero adjusting screw to bring the scale back to zero
Specifications
- Maximum Capacity………………………… 440 lb (200 kg) with Counterpoise weights ……… 490 lb (220 kg)
- Graduation …………………………………… 0.25 lb (0.1 kg)
- Height Rod Range…………………………. 24-84″ (60-212 cm)
- Min. Value of Height per Division…….. 0.125″ (0.1 cm)
- Platform Size………………………………… 14.75″ x 10.75″ (374.65 x 273.05 mm)
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Rice Lake Weighing Systems® is a registered trademark of
Rice Lake Weighing Systems.
All other brand or product names within this publication are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
All information contained within this publication is, to the best of our
knowledge, complete and accurate at the time of publication. Rice Lake
Weighing Systems reserves the right to make changes to the technology,
features, specifications and design of the equipment without notice.