Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel load cell for weighing heavy loads and a weighing system using the novel load cells on a vehicle, such as a refuse truck. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a weighing system on a front-end loader refuse truck for weighing scrap metals or trash in boxes or containers lifted by arms or forks on which a plurality of the novel load cells are mounted. In addition, a protection mechanism may be activated to protect the load cells from a falling container when the container is lifted over the truck for dumping the contents into the truck or when the arms or forks are placed into the sleeves of the container to be weighed.