Frequently Asked Questions

Allow us to provide a personal touch.  Give us a few pieces of information and we'll reach out shortly or give us a call if you need help immediately. 

No, we sell through authorized distributors.  Give us some basic info and we'll get you to a distributor that is best for your needs. Click here for our Sales Inquiry Form.

Yes, all Dillon products come with a NIST traceable calibration certificate.

We recommend a 12 month calibration cycle.

All products can be calibrated at our facility in Fairmont, MN.  Send your unit in along with this form.  If you need more information send us a note and we'll be in touch shortly or give us a call.

Fairmont, Minnesota, USA

Yes, Dillon has a 24 month warranty across our entire range.

A dynamometer measures the tension force exerted between two points in any direction.

Dynamometers are used to ensure the correct tension in power lines, telephone lines, zip wires, elevators, median barriers and architectural construction. They are also used to measure weight or downwards force in aviation MRO applications, hoisting and lifting and for load testing – amongst other diverse applications.

Just attach the shackles and read the dial or screen.  If you have an application that's not that simple, please give us a call or fill out this form and have us get in touch for personal service.

It depends on the unit you have.  Some units require certain shackles to guarantee accuracy.  Send us some info here and we'll let you know what will work with your unit or give us a call if you need an immediate answer.  

The AP is a simple mechanical dynamometer with a dial face.  The EDjr is a basic digital dynamometer.  The EDX is a digital dynamometer with extra features such as data logging, custom units and optional remote viewing.  There are some specification differences as well.  See our product page for more info.

A typical crane scale is designed to measure hanging loads.  A dynamometer can measure tension vertical, horizontal or anywhere in between.  Add a hook to a dynamometer and you have a crane scale with versatility.

EDXtreme units have a serial output so can be connected to PC's to capture real time data.

EDXtreme units have a serial output so they can be connected to external displays, printers and computers.

The Dillon Quick Check is a shunt meter that measures tension on a cable or rope by simply clamping on.

Currently, the quick check can measure tension up to 10,000 lbs on most cables and ropes between 3/16" - 1" in diameter.

Any of the Dillon dynamometers can be used.  Sometimes there are other options.  Give us a call or send some info on your application and we'll let you know any possibilities.

We have many cables in our library that most likely match the cable you have.  If you don’t see your cable, let us know and we'll dig deeper or discuss having a sample sent in for proper calibration.

Put simply... to guarantee accuracy.  Depending on the cable, sometimes making adjustment calculations can get you close.  But after extensive testing on many different cables, we have found that individual calibrations is the only way to provide the results you expect from a Dillon.

Quick Check units have a serial output so can be connected to PC's to capture real time data.

The X-Force Gauge comes in Compression, Tension, or both and is used for numerous applications to check and calibrate applied force.  The U-Force Gauge is a thinner unit designed for handheld use or in smaller test fixtures. See our product page for more info.

The Dillon force gauge is an ultra-small instrument that displays the force exerted between two load points. The mechanical force gauges are ideal for standalone force applications or as the load defining component of a much larger system.

Force gauges are used in a variety of industries for aviation to mechanical engineering.

We don’t have a digital version of the force gauge, but let us know about your application and we'll see if there's a product that will work for you.

It is a device that provides switch outputs which change state (open/close) at specific forces that can be connected to cut off switches or external alarm devices.

The DynaSwitch is installed in-line with various hardware options and the Craneguard is clamped on to the cable.

Force control switches are used to protect cranes, hoists and other lifting machinery against weight or force overload as well as slack load. They are also used to perform control functions in the case of DynaSwitch.

Overload protection, underload protection, Batching & desired force attainment (used in repetitive operations such as presses).

• Low differential travel switch
• Weatherproof low differential travel switch
• Explosion proof switch

Customers may connect these switches to a variety of devices such as relays, lights and alarms or to the motor controller to stop crane movement.

Up to 4 depending on the unit and switch. See our product page for more details.

Yes, as long as you have a known load to calibrate to.  Instructions are in the user manual.