SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WEIGHING AND TRACKING FREIGHT

In a freight shipment system and method, the lift trucks used by the freight carrier for handling and loading freight shipments are equipped with a weighing device capable of weighing each piece of freight handled by the lift truck. The lift truck is also equipped with a scanner for scanning coded identifying information associated with each piece of freight. As each piece of freight is handled by the lift truck, the coded identifying information for that piece of freight is captured along with the weight of the load. This information is transmitted to a computer system where it can be used for real-time invoicing. The system can also use the captured information to perform additional automated functions, such as tracking of shipments, freight loss control, and assisting in avoiding overloaded trucks. The same system can monitor maintenance information for the lift trucks so as to provide timely preventive maintenance, and can also provide the human resources information, such as the lift truck driver identification and amount of time worked.