The Automotive Blog

aide automotive have been promoting the task of individual wheel brake testing using an infra red thermometer for many years.

In a recent Transport Operator publication an article by IMS Ltd, detailed some guidance on using a thermometer to brake check HGV trailers.

The atricle as per below,:

Here’s some guidance to help identify and resolve trailer braking system-related problems experienced when the vehicle is in service.

“The checks outlined are appropriate for a number of the most common problems such as; overheating brakes, poor braking performance and excessive lining/pad wear.

“Modern tractor/trailer combinations have advanced braking electronics.“Real-life dynamic testing helps to provide a clearer picture of the harmonisation between tractor and trailer.

Brake temperature testing is an easy way of determining just how effectively the tractor and trailer are working together.”

IMS continued: “It is recommended that tractor/trailer synchronisation or harmonisation brake adjustment tests are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure that the combination continues to operate safely and efficiently. “For the results to be
meaningful, the vehicle should be tested under normal, daytoday operating conditions.The tractor/trailer combination should be laden and driven in a conventional manner on the roadfor a period of no less than thirty minutes before commencing
tests. “Temperature measurements should be taken as soon as possible after the vehicle arrives at the workshop. The parking brake should not be applied but very importantly, full safety procedures should be observed to secure the vehicle by hocking
the wheels. “The temperature readings should be taken from the same point on each of the drums/ discs using a correctly calibrated, infrared thermometer. Record the findings for later reference. “Make sure that the configuration of the foundation
brakes fully complies with the brake calculation, referring to manufacturers’ specifications as necessary. The manufacturers’ recommendations can be obtained by locating the axle specifications on the axle serial plate. “It is then time to connect to the EBS unit to access the EBS data parameters and check that these are in line with the brake calculation and foundation brake specifications. “Next, conduct a rolling brake test on a DVSA ATF-approved commercial vehicle brake tester and record the findings. “Once all of the necessary data has been gathered, it’s time to share this with the EBS supplier and axle manufacturer to help identify the cause of the problem and to determine the best course of action to resolve it.”

aide automotive market a HGV Temperature Brake Check gun alone or with a kit of a brake tester (Bowmonk) Truck Or the Truck & Trailer version.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com
Our product range – Brake Testers – Trailer Testers – EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – Diagnostic Tools – Midtronics Battery Testers – Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto Braking Reversing System – HGV Diesel Tank Alarms – Plus More

With HGV & any fuel theft in the UK a never ending pest, we have seen many media reports and thought we could highlight some hot spots!

Fuel thefts from vehicles across Thanet – Feb 28 – 2 HGV were targeted on the A229 – Monkton / Minster Services 2 HGV’s Diesel Theft

Fuel was reported stolen from two more lorries at about 2.45am on Tuesday 3 March on the coastbound carriageway of the A229 outside Ramsgate.

Newark / Worksop 750 ltr of stolen diesel

Basingstoke / Feb 21 a total of 700 ltr of Diesel

Trio admit stealing diesel from lorry after police spotted van in Swaffham lay-by

Three teenagers siphoned 165 litres of diesel from a lorry while the driver slept in the cab.

But police officers who had a hunch about their Transit van parked in a lay-by on the A47 at Swaffham caught them as they made off.

At Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 18-year-old Bradley Hopkins, of Castle Acre Road, Swaffham, and two 17-year-olds, who cannot be named for legal reasons, each admitted theft of diesel worth £163.71 and going equipped for theft.

One of the trio was fined £150 for the theft and £50 for going equipped. He was also ordered to pay £55 compensation (a third of the diesel cost) to the lorry owner, £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge!
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Simple Protection of HGV Fuel Tanks With Anti #Siphon Or #Diesel Tank Alarm could save this hassle!!

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com
Our product range – Brake Testers – Trailer Testers – EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – Diagnostic Tools – Midtronics Battery Testers – Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto Braking Reversing System – HGV Diesel Tank Alarms – Plus More

McGowan Grab Hire – 10 Year Returning Customer!
When You Have Been Dealing With a Customer for Years, Its Surely Worth a Shout Out

Paul McGowan Grab Hire in Birmingham have been a returning customer for over 10 years.

Paul first contacted us when he a relative small fleet of 4 trucks to today’s impressive fleet of over 90 specialist vehicles consist mainly of 32-ton Grab & Tipper Lorries, 32&26-Ton Craned Flatbed & Cheese-Wedge Lorries and Road Sweepers.

Purchased various products over the years, Paul calls at least twice a year to purchase Truck Anti Siphon devices for new truck additions. Always happy to chat to Paul and offer our next day service! Thanks for the past and hopefully another 10 years of business.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com Our product range – Brake Testers – Trailer Testers – EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – Diagnostic Tools – Midtronics Battery Testers – HGV Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto Braking Reversing System – HGV Diesel Tank Alarms – Plus More

aide automotive’s Anti-Viral Fogging system with 5 Litre disinfectant – Great price Of JUST – £249.00 + VAT Super Antiviral Disinfectant’s powerful formulation kills arrange of pathogenic viruses in under 5 minutes.

The safe formula is suitable for use on most non-porous surfaces and when used as directed, leaves treated surfaces safe for human contact.

Independently tested February 2020 to European Standard BSEN 14476 Effective according to BS EN 14476 against enveloped viruses Kills 99.99% of germs and viruses Effective within 5 minutes Cleans and disinfects Non bleach formula Safe for food preparation areas Non tainting General purpose sanitiser Ready to use Tested to BS EN 14476, BS EN 1276 & BS EN 13697 Suitable for use in Chemical Fogging machines FEATURES Compact machine Ideal for house parties and small venues 500ml bottle of fluid included Ready for use Remote control with 5m cable SPECIFICATIONS Heating element: 500W Heat up time: 5 minutes Tank capacity: 500ml Power supply: 220-240Vac 50Hz

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com Our product range – HGV Brake Testers – Trailer Testers – EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – Diagnostic Tools – Midtronics Battery Testers – Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto Braking Reversing System – HGV Diesel Tank Alarms – Plus More

Trailer VOR Lock Order Taken from a Returning Customer Today!

Fleet Assess was founded by Niven Whiteoak in 2015.

With more than 25 years’ experience of the commercial trailer industry, with 20 plus years in the trailer rental sector.
Fleet Assess offer a one stop shop solution for all your trailer requirements, including trailer rental, procurement, maintenance, fleet management, repair, refurbishment, disposal, trailer sales and insurance assessment.

Following an order way back in 2016, Niven contacted aide automotive this week to repeat an order for the Trailer Security & VOR Lock.

We even could match his key number from 2016 so he has a fleet key for all locks.

Read more about Trailer Susie Locks

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com
Our product range – Brake Testers – Trailer Testers – EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – Diagnostic Tools – Midtronics Battery Testers – Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto Braking Reversing System – HGV Diesel Tank Alarms – Plus More

Order Of The Week!! Midtronics Battery Tester
aide automotive Order Of the Week !

Midtronics EXP 1000FHD Battery Tester to Travelmasters In Sheerness.

Director Matt Burke visited the aide automotive warehouse for a bit of dispatch training this week.

As our products are of great value, we like all orders to arrive prompt & in an excellent condition, our warehouse operative Lusy was demonstrating how NOT to & how to pack aide automotive orders to other warehouse staff.

aide automotive pride ourselves on a quality service from order to delivery (with a tiny bit of fun in between), so its important to make sure orders are treated with care when packing .

Thank you to Paul of Travelmasters for this weeks order of the week!

Remember!! Regular battery testing & charging will make a CV fleet productive & efficient, keeping vehicles moving in cold & sunny conditions.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com Our product range – Brake Testers – Trailer Testers – EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – Diagnostic Tools – Midtronics Battery Testers – Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto Braking Reversing System – HGV Diesel Tank Alarms – Plus More

Truck Fuel Tank Alarm Installer Approved

Following the approval of a NEW TankGuard Installer This Week.

AE Teesside have sent through some new photos of the customer HGV & Tank Alarm Install.

Paul Loughran Transport’s DAF truck was fitted in an excellent time for a first install. Paul contacted aide automotive to discuss the tank alarm product as a solution to a continued fuel theft attempt on his truck, looking at the cost we agreed to let AE Teesside (a local tachograph centre) to install the fuel security alarm and become an official installer for the north east of England.

Tank Guard automatically arms after the ignition has been switched off for sixty seconds. With a sophisticated sensor fitted externally in a discreet location on the outside of the fuel tank. If thieves attempt to remove the locked cap, or jemmy out the sender unit or in any way attack the tank then the Tank Guard alarm will be activated. This will result in a 114 decibel siren giving a deafening warning to drive the thieves away.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 to discuss our Fuel Theft prevention products for HGV’s.

England’s Commercial Vehicle traffic commissioners report emphasising the importance of competent #brake #testing procedures for heavy vehicles.

Acknowledging that operators had been investing in roller brake testing, the TCs were pleased to note that this was improving brake performance at annual test.

“In 2017/18, there were almost 10,000 fewer failures for service brake performance at commercial vehicle annual tests than in 2013/14,” said the report.

“The biggest improvement we have seen is for trailers – in the same period, an extra 5,500 passed their brake performance test the first time.” However, while the TCs praised these “really encouraging” results, they insisted that there was “more to achieve” – not least because “brake failures are still dominating the top ten reasons for MOT failure”. There were 22,000 failures for service brake performance in 2017/18; and the TCs highlighted a range of commonly recurring issues relating to brake tests. One such issue was that of periodic maintenance inspection (PMI) brake checks being conducted on unladen vehicles and trailers with wheels locking at very low brake efforts; another was test printouts saying ‘pass’ where it was clear one or more brakes were not working properly. Operators and transport managers failing to understand the information on the printout was a further bugbear, as was the issue of technicians conducting brake tests failing to identify potential serious safety concerns. TCs also highlighted a general failure to grasp that the standards applied at PMIs should actually be higher than minimum annual test requirements.

Also, there are a great number of commercial workshops who are still of the misconception that all of the aforementioned brake tests have to be performed on a roller brake tester. This is not the case! The Traffic Commission has allowed the use of a DVSA-approved brake tester, like a decelerometer / BrakeCheck, for all non-MOT brake tests.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com Our product range – HGV Brake Testers – Trailer Testers – EBS/ABS Sensor Tester – Diagnostic Tools – Midtronics Battery Testers – Anti Siphon Devices – ISOCheck – Trailer Locks – Auto Braking Reversing System – HGV Diesel Tank Alarms – Plus More

Portable Brake Testing Using a Bowmonk BrakeCheck

ISOCheck Prevents Trailer Rollover!!

Truck & Bus Email Focus On Time This Week. Truck Body Components is this weeks feature, aide automotive feature again….

ISOCheck can be used as a constant visual aide on any truck and trailer, especially for double decker or car transporter trailers.

Double decker trailers with a defective EBS system would vastly increase the chances of roll over or jack-knife.

With ISOCheck in place a driver or depot gateman would be able to see the RED warning light. ISOCheck EBS tests the ISO Socket 7638 Pins 1 to 5 but also tests Pins 6 & 7,”the EBS CAN lines”. ISOCheck is compatible with all electronic braking systems, Wabco, Knorr Bremse and Haldex,

Contact aide automotive for prices / information

0115 8456471

info@aideautomotive.com

Double decker trailers with a defective EBS system would vastly increase the chances of roll over or jack-knife

Truck & Bus Email Focus Last Week Was Commercial Vehicle Security

Vehicle Security is the Feature, Preventing Freight Crime is a Continued Concern to the haulage trade and aide automotive offer the solution to protecting truck diesel fuel.

Cost effective and reliable the FuelKeep Value is :

• Low cost – high value

• High strength steel

• Quick & easy permanent fit

• High fuel flow

• Extensive range of model

As well as the FuelKeep HGV Anti Siphon, the TankGuard Fuel Tank Alarm was entered into the email.

The Truck Fuel Tank Alarm has a sophisticated sensor, If thieves attempt to remove a Fuel Cap, remove the sender unit or in any way attack the tank then the Tank Guard alarm will be activated.

Fuel Keep is an ideal cost effective anti-siphon suitable for owner drivers and small fleets that are at risk of third party fuel theft. FuelKeep is quickly fitted to the tank with no drilling or gluing and has been tested to refill up to 120 litres per minute, devices work with OEM fuel caps.

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or info@aideautomotive.com

aide automotive offer the solution to protecting truck diesel fuel