HBB Series
Boom Barrier
Automated vehicle boom barrier for unmanned/gated weighbridge sites — opens on authorized weighment, stays shut otherwise.
Manufacturing
Built, installed & supported by HMT
Compliance support
Calibration & Legal Metrology guidance
System ready
Automation, ticketing & ERP integration
01Overview
Ties into the weighbridge software's ticketing sequence: the barrier opens once a weighment completes and the vehicle is authorized to proceed, and stays shut for unrecognized or unauthorized vehicles. Standard component of an unmanned weighbridge deployment.
02How it works
The barrier reads the weighment result, not the vehicle
A boom barrier at an unmanned or semi-automated weighbridge site is wired into the weighbridge software's ticketing sequence, typically via a relay or serial signal output. When a weighment completes and the system confirms the vehicle is authorized to proceed — matched against a vehicle list, or simply having completed a valid weighment cycle — the software triggers the barrier to open. An unrecognized or unauthorized vehicle, or one that hasn't completed weighing, doesn't get that signal, and the barrier stays down.
Motor-driven boom with a manual override
The boom arm itself is raised and lowered by a motor-driven mechanism, sized to the boom length for the lane it's covering. A manual override — typically a mechanical release or a key-operated manual mode — lets staff raise the boom by hand during a power outage or a maintenance situation, so a barrier fault doesn't strand vehicles or block emergency access.
Interfacing with weighbridge software, not standing alone
The barrier's real function only exists as part of the weighing sequence — on its own it's just a gate. Its value comes from being tied into the same software that manages the weighment and ticketing process, so the physical act of letting a vehicle through only happens once the software has confirmed the digital record is complete and valid.
03Manufacturing & build quality
The barrier mechanism is built around a motor and gearbox assembly sized to the boom length and expected duty cycle (how many open/close operations per day the site will put it through), housed in a weatherproof cabinet rated for continuous outdoor exposure. The boom arm itself — typically 3 to 6 metres for single or double-lane gates — is fabricated from lightweight but rigid material to keep the motor's load manageable while still resisting wind loading in the raised position. Control electronics, including the relay or serial interface that will connect to the weighbridge software, are assembled and tested for correct signal response before the unit is fitted into its housing, and the complete assembly is cycle-tested for repeated open/close operation before dispatch.
04Problems it solves
Unauthorized vehicle entry at unmanned sites
Without a physical barrier tied to the weighment sequence, an unmanned or lightly staffed site has no automatic way to prevent an unauthorized vehicle from simply driving through.
Vehicles leaving before a weighment completes
A barrier that only opens once the weighment is confirmed complete prevents a driver from pulling away mid-cycle, which would otherwise produce an incomplete or invalid reading.
Staffing cost of manual gate control
Manually operating a gate for every vehicle requires a dedicated staff member at that post; an automated barrier tied to the software removes that ongoing labor requirement.
Traffic queuing and flow management
Coordinated with the weighment sequence and, often, a traffic light, the barrier helps manage vehicle flow through a single lane so vehicles don't bunch up or attempt to enter while the deck is occupied.
05Why it matters
An unmanned weighbridge is only as secure as its ability to physically stop a vehicle that hasn't completed a valid weighment — without that, the whole point of automation is undermined by the possibility of vehicles simply bypassing the process. The boom barrier is the physical enforcement mechanism behind the digital ticketing sequence, and it's what lets a site genuinely run unmanned rather than just automated-but-still-needing-someone-to-watch-the-gate.
06Salient features
- Boom lengths typically 3–6m for single/double-lane gates
- Interfaces with weighbridge software over relay or serial signal
- Manual override for power-loss or maintenance situations
08Technical file
Need the full technical sheet?
Request drawings, model-specific details and project documentation from the HMT team. A downloadable product file will appear here once approved.
09Complete system
Plan beyond the deck.
A vehicle weighing point can combine the weighbridge with indicator, load cells, traffic management and H-Weigh software for an accountable end-to-end workflow.
08In the field
09Frequently asked
What boom length do we need for our lane?
Boom length is sized to fully span the lane width with some margin — typically 3m for a single lane and up to 6m for a wider or double-lane gate; measure the actual lane width before ordering.
What happens to the barrier during a power outage?
A manual override lets staff raise the boom by hand, so vehicles aren't stranded and emergency access isn't blocked if power is lost.
How much integration work is needed with our weighbridge software?
The barrier interfaces over a relay or serial signal, which most weighbridge software supports as a standard output — integration is typically a configuration task at commissioning rather than custom development, but confirm your software supports a barrier trigger output before ordering.
Does the barrier need routine maintenance?
Yes — as a mechanical, motor-driven component with a daily duty cycle, periodic lubrication, mechanical inspection, and motor/gearbox checks are worth scheduling, particularly at high-traffic sites.
Can one barrier serve two lanes?
Generally no — each lane needs its own barrier and boom, sized to that lane's width, since the barrier needs to fully block the lane it's controlling.
10Industries this serves
Ready to spec a boom barrier?
Tell us the application — our team responds with model recommendations, not a generic brochure.