A system and method of adjusting a zero reference may comprise retracting ram of an actuator coupled to a load cell from a first position to a second position. The system and method may comprise reporting a measurement by a load cell, in response to the actuator being in a second position. The system and method may comprise calculating a force being measured by t the load cell. The system and method may comprise creating a zero reference offset value based on the calculation, in response to the force calculation resulting in a non-zero force calculation. The system and method may comprise adjusting a zero reference value of the load cell by the zero reference offset value.