A system for weighing spools of paper includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders with pistons which may be extended to support the ends of the reel upon which the paper spool is wound. One fluid inlet of each of the cylinders is connected to a fluid reserve tank. The other fluid inlet communicates with an air-hydraulic booster through a hydraulic fluid line. A four-way, two-position valve includes an inlet from a high pressure air supply, an exhaust outlet, and air lines connected to the fluid reserve tanks and to the air-hydraulic booster. Load cells positioned on each of the pistons are connected to a scale device which provides a visual weight display. When a spool of paper is to be weighed, the valve directs high pressure air to the air-hydraulic booster to extend the pistons. The force exerted by the spool on the load cells is equal to the weight of the spool.