Method and apparatus for performing temperature compensation for a payload measurement system

The present invention provides a method and apparatus configured to perform relative load compensation for a payload measurement system of a machine. The machine has at least one cylinder for elevating a payload carrier. The cylinder is connected to a fluid circuit having an actuating fluid. The payload measurement system is calibrated. Then a load of unknown weight is lifted. To determine the weight of this load, the system determines an uncompensated payload weight as a function of sensed pressure values of the actuating fluid. Temperature of the actuating fluid is sensed at the time of calibration and at a time of lift and the difference is scaled. A payload weight is determined as a function of the scaled temperature and the uncompensated payload weight.