Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Brake Check’

Do You Know What Brake Testing You Should Be Doing?

June 19th, 2019 Comments off
Since April 2014 the DVSA have been recommending commercial vehicles undertake 4 brake tests per year!

This is a recommendation based on the DVSA’s guidance paper.

So as this is a recommendation, what is the law? Is the law is one RBT as a MOT per year?

Well it is if the DVSA is a guidance paper, or is it?

If the guidance set out by the DVSA isn’t followed and the operator is inspected by the DVSA or addressed by a traffic commissioner. The guidance set out by the DVSA is used as the standard an operator should meet, does this now make it law?
Well the operator has to make this call; do you follow the guidance or not? Keeping a fleet roadworthy and safe must be a high priority for any management team, after all the with laws around corporate manslaughter all risks need to be seriously considered.
Many operators have moved with the guidance but still 5 years has passed with some commercial vehicle operators still unaware of the law and guidance.

So, regarding commercial vehicle brake testing, the guidance states:

Document :Guide to maintaining road worthiness
Commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles (Revised 2014)

Section 5: Safety inspection and repair facilities

Extract –
“Therefore, it is normally expected that the vehicle or trailer should complete at least three successful brake efficiency tests spread throughout year in addition to the annual MOT test.”

An operator can take the decision to carry out brake tests using roller brake tests or a decelerometer.

As the consequences of non-compliance with the required standards can be very severe and include prohibition, fines or prosecution, operators are advised to ensure that they are familiar with all the changes within the DVSA guidance.

Following The Bath Tipper Incident Inquiry, HGV Brake Testing is Essential!!

The inquiry showed the Bath tipper truck to have been poorly maintained which resulted when tested to have a very poor brake efficiency.
aide automotive recommend the use of roller brake testers and decelerometers within a 12-month maintenance and testing policy.

Also, the use of an Infra-Red Temperature Gun, Infra-Red Temperature guns are an excellent way of individual brake testing of wheel disks or drums to determine brake activation. With the ease of just pointing the Infra-Red Light at the wheel hub from the outer edge of a trailer or truck and without removing wheels, an infra-Red Temp Gun can indicate if a wheel is not braking efficiently as compared to the other wheels on the vehicle.

aide automotive market a range of Brake Testing, Servicing & Diagnostic Tools for commercial vehicle workshops.

With the Bowmonk BrakeCheck Portable Decelerometer Printer kit, a workshop can meet the 3 additional required brake tests with minimum fuss. For Trailer Servicing & Diagnostics, aide offer a complete Trailer Electrical (ABS Light & EBS CAN Line Test), Light and Air Brake Tester with Diagnostics interface for Trailer ECU Code Reading / Clearing and management data viewing. EBS/ABS Sensor Master testing can be conducted with the Sensor Master, while Battery Diagnostics Tests with a Midtronics MDX Battery Tester.
aide automotive offer a range of products to help with DVSA Guide To Roadworthiness. Contact us via our website www.aideautomotive.com
HGV DVSA Truck Brake Tester

 

Brake Tester, Diagnostics, Battery Testers

aide auto Market Truck & Trailer Workshop Test Tools

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Commercial Vehicle Brake Testing Up To Standard?

May 18th, 2018 Comments off

Brake performance testing should be a key part of your maintenance

The Governments Moving On Blog recently posted the below press.
Brake performance testing should be a key part of your maintenance regime that needs to happen at every safety inspection.
And, if you find any braking performance problems while the vehicle or trailer is in use, you’ll need to get a measured brake efficiency test before you use the vehicle again.
For most of you, this is standard practice and shows that you’re committed to running your fleet compliantly and protecting other road users.
Tragic consequences
But unfortunately some licence holders don’t meet the minimum standards and the consequences can be devastating.
In 2015, DVSA examiners investigated a road traffic incident involving a 32-tonne tipper vehicle. Four people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed when the vehicle’s brakes failed on a steep hill.
Our investigation found the operator’s brake testing was far below the required standards. The company’s approach to brake testing was nowhere near thorough enough, and on 5 out of 13 safety inspection records, the brake test section had been left blank.
In the other records, the comments were too limited for anyone to understand what they meant.
Successful court convictions
Two individuals from the company were each convicted of four counts of manslaughter at Bristol Crown Court.
The company director was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison and the mechanic was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison.
The Traffic Commissioner revoked the company’s operator’s licence and both the company and its director were disqualified from holding or obtaining another operator’s licence for two years.
Even if nothing this catastrophic happens, our vehicle examiners  will still take your vehicle off the road and can issue you with a fixed penalty if they find dangerous problems with your brakes. This could lead to an investigation and referral to the Traffic Commissioner.
Following best practice
You should carry out routine safety inspections of your vehicles on a regular basis. Annex 4 of the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness provides tips for you to work out how often a vehicle needs to be inspected.
A braking test needs to form a part of each safety inspection. If possible, you should always brake test a vehicle or trailer laden. You should also use a calibrated roller brake tester (RBT) to measure:
?    individual brake performance
?    overall braking efficiency
You should undertake brake testing with the vehicle or trailer laden in order to get meaningful results. If this test shows the brakes aren’t working properly, then the vehicle or trailer isn’t roadworthy.
You could also use an approved and calibrated decelerometer to measure overall brake efficiency if you’re testing vehicles without trailers.
And you should always try and obtain a printout of the brake test from either the RBT or decelerometer and make sure it’s attached to the safety inspection record. If you can’t get a printout, the inspector should record the results on the safety inspection report instead.
If you can’t carry out a brake test during a safety inspection, the vehicle’s braking performance must be assessed using a road test.
This needs to be carried out under controlled and safe conditions. The safety inspection record should also say that the brake performance was assessed by a road test.
You can use an Electronic Braking Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS) to assess trailer braking performance using data collected while the vehicle is in use.
aide automotive market decelerometer brake testers for commercial vehicles, the Bowmonk BrakeCheck is a known quality product for the UK’s truck, bus & coach market as well as around the world.
The latest addition to the BrakeCheck range is the BrakeCheck GEO, with a built in GPS receiver this decelerometer will provide a GPS location to each brake test.
Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or email info@aideautomotive.com
Truck Brake Tester

BrakeCheck Decelerometer Price Offers

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bowmonk BrakeCheck + GPS

April 30th, 2018 Comments off

Portable Brake Tester Now Incorporates GPS Data

The Bowmonk BrakeCheck is probably the best known portable MOT & Commercial Vehicle Brake Tester around.

With over 20,000 brake testers sold, the Bownonk BrakeCheck is a valuable tool for many transport / haulage workshops and MOT stations in he UK & around the world.

With this and to increase the products quality we can now release a new addition to the BrakeCheck family of products – BrakeCheck Geo

BrakeCheck Geo includes a built-in GPS receiver. When combined with the optional wireless printer, BrakeCheck Geo includes the latitude and longitude of the brake test finish point on the receipt, thereby providing a record of the brake test location.
The GPS facility can be turned on or off by the user as required and an indicator LED shows the GPS status. If the GPS facility is enabled, the unit will not conduct a brake test until a GPS fix has been obtained.
Decelerometer testing of commercial vehicles can now be proven further with this device, GPS location and time & date will 100% prove a test has taken place.
BrakeCheck Geo stores 99 Service Brake Tests & 99 Hand Brake tests within its memory capacity.
With a price of £499.00 + vat the Bowmonk BrakeCheck Geo is still a cost effective brake test for commercial vehicle inspection sheet tests.
Contact aide automotive for sales support, purchasing or just to have a chat!!

 

 

BrakeCheck Bowmonk

Bowmonk GPS added to Brake Tester

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Portable Brake Tester Designed Specifically For Forklift Trucks

March 9th, 2018 Comments off

Forklift Trucks Brake Testing With BrakeCheck FLT

The BrakeCheck 4 Forklift Trucks (FLT) is our portable brake tester designed specifically for forklift trucks.
The Bowmonk BrakeCheck FLT is a fully self-contained, user-friendly, portable brake tester, which has been developed with a leading forklift truck manufacturer to take account of the slow speed and tilt of forklift truck vehicles. The instrument records the braking efficiency and percentage of braking imbalance in a matter of minutes.
The Bowmonk BrakeCheck FLT determines braking efficiency of both the Service Brake (Foot Brake) and Hand Brake by measuring the rate of deceleration from normal operating speed until the vehicle comes to rest.
The BrakeCheck FLT is the perfect tool to assist with LOLER/PUWER safety inspections.
Designed to be self-compensating, this Fork Lift Truck Brake Meter will indicate on the LED screen when it is positioned level enough to perform a brake test, with a generous tolerance to ensure that this is easy to achieve.
BrakeCheck 4 Forklift Trucks indicates whether the vehicle pulls to the left or right during braking.
Test results can be viewed on the display panel or downloaded to a PC for saving or printing. A printed report can also be produced at the time of testing using the portable infra-red printer.
BrakeCheck 4 Forklift Trucks operates off a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and will power-down after a period of inactivity to conserve energy.
Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 for questions, prices and training.
BrakeCheck - ForkLift Trucks

Brake Testing Fork Lift Trucks

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Agricultural tractor Brake Test would meet the road worthines

March 2nd, 2018 Comments off

Tractors To Require An O Licence

Agricultural tractors “likely” to require an O-licence

aide automotive have recently seen media reports of agricultural vehicles possibly being made to meet better road safety regulations as per commercial vehicles on UK roads.
Commercial Motor published:
Agricultural tractors that carry out commercial haulage will be subject to roadworthiness testing requirements from next year – and are likely to fall under the O-licensing regime.
From 20 May 2018, operators of agricultural tractors capable of travelling more than 40km/h (approximately 25mph), used to carry commercial goods, will be required to undergo a roadworthiness test four years after their registration and every two years thereafter.
In its response to a consultation carried out last year, the DfT also noted that operators of such tractors would likely require an O-licence.
However, the RHA said the changes did not go far enough to address the concerns about competition, and said allowing tractors to carry freight will encourage more to be used for haulage.
“Ideally we would like to see these vehicles banned from moving freight on public roads entirely as their design is not equivalent to well-designed lorries for that task,” said policy director Duncan Buchanan.
“We do not believe that the frequency, four years for the first test then every two years, is justified. It looks very odd for heavy vehicles like these to be tested so infrequently when a 50cc moped is required to be tested every year after three years.”
The FTA’s head of policy and compliance information, James Firth, added: “If it looks like a truck or it’s doing the work of a truck, test it like a truck. Members in areas where agriculture is a primary economy have long raised concerns that agricultural tractor units, and specially developed fast tractors, were competing in the haulage market without being burdened by the same safety standards.”
On the subject of O-licensing, Buchanan added: “If it is the case then operators would need to obtain O-licences from when the vehicle was new. They should also have to comply with the same level of rigour as lorries.”
Vernon Hill, director at Kings Lynn-based Vernon Hill Agricultural Services, supported bringing tractors into the O-licensing regime.
He said: “An agricultural contractor friend of mine who runs lorries and tractors thinks the cost of each is very similar, so if farmers think they are saving money by not using a haulier they may be kidding themselves.
“If they are doing commercial haulage, why shouldn’t they be in scope of O-licensing?”
The weight and speed limits for farm tractors and trailers on UK roads increased in 2015. Tractors are not currently subject to mandatory testing.
If tractors are to fall under the O licence criteria, agricultural workshops and repair engineers will have to look at regular brake testing, one way to test tractor brakes is the BrakeCheck decelerometer.
Easy to use and with hard copy print options, brake testing a agricultural tractor with a BrakeCheck would meet the road worthiness requirement of an O licence.
Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 for BrakeCheck pricing and any further information that me be required.
Brake Tester For Farming Tractors

Test Agri Tractor Brakes With BrakeCheck

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Commercial 24 Volt Trailer Tester Van Installation

December 8th, 2017 Comments off

MT Globex Contract aide To Install TrailerCheck To Fleet Van

MT Globex is a West Midlands company that is strategically located at the heart of the UK’s motorway network, further supported by several partner depots across the UK.
MT Globex’s modern, highly maintained fleet of vehicles ensure that all their distribution operations are vastly efficient for customers with a minimal environmental footprint. Due to cutting edge, industry leading satellite tracking technology combined with fully trained transport planners with a wealth of transport knowledge, MT Globex ensure the fleet is fully utilised and thereby reducing empty mileage.
With a fleet of trailers to maintain MT Globex reviewed the TrailerCheck 4 Vanselectrical and diagnostics trailer tester as a tool to improve on trailer inspections and repairs.
Deciding to purchase the trailer tester, the next questions was: How and where shall we install the TrailerCheck in our van?
Consulting aide automotive, MT Globex decided the contract the install of the TrailerCheck to aide, utilising our experience and knowledge of best practice.
Fitting the TrailerCheck and associated accessories, MT Globex asked: Can you install the compressor as well? YES we can !
The install was completed at our workshop (on site installs also available) in one day.
If your trailer maintenance van needs a professional trailer tester with a professional install, contact aide automotive for a quote.
14 Volt Trailer Brake Tester

Commercial 24 Volt Trailer Tester Van Installation

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Truck ISO ABS / EBS Susie – What Is It?

November 29th, 2017 Comments off

Faulty ISO7638 Line Can Cause Fatal Accidents

Some drivers aren’t aware of the role Of the ISO ABS / EBS Susie!

aide automotive have seen recent reports in the media of articualted truck drivers knwloedge of the ISO 7638 Susie.
We offer credit to the below article to Don Bur Ltd.
There is disturbing evidence to suggest that some drivers aren’t aware of the role and critical importance of the ABS ISO7638 line for articulated trailerswhilst in transit or, more worryingly, are deliberately leaving it disconnected.
The use of the ABS ISO7638 line (otherwise known as the EBS/ABS line) became law in May 2002 where the tractor and trailer are both provided with connections.
The EBS/ABS ‘Suzie’ connection provides electrical and data feeds to the trailer’s ECU or ‘brain’. The ECU then controls the anti-lock braking system (ABS), load sensing (LSV), roll stability (RSS) and suspension control which regulates the correct trailer ride height and, in turn, the overall trailer height.
So why then might a driver leave it disconnected? There are, surprisingly, a couple of reasons. Firstly, the roll stability system (RSS) automatically applies the brakes if the trailer is going too fast round a bend. This has an impact on both speed and fuel economy and, if a driver is either in a rush or targeted against fuel consumption, they might be tempted to disable this ‘inconvenient’ feature.
The other apathetically induced reason is that it just “doesn’t seem to do anything”. Indeed, when the driver pulls away, his/her brakes and lights will appear to work. What the driver may not understand is that they are more likely to experience jack-knifing, aquaplaning, brake lock, rollover, bridge strike and, more commonly, the fact that the 44T rig just won’t be able to stop as quickly when trying to avoid that pram that’s just peeked out from a line of parked cars.
So, just in case there is any lingering doubt, failure to connect the ABS ISO7638 line correctly results in the risk of catastrophic, life-threatening accidents. If the driver fails to use the line/ ‘Suzie’ correctly and there is a collision in which someone is killed, then the driver can face a charge of manslaughter.
aide automotive market a ISO7638 cable with fault indicator, so as well as having the cable correctly connected a driver can also be notified of any faults within the system. Again an electrical fault could have the same catastrophic effects as the ISO Susie cable being non connected.
ISOCheck lights bright RED when a fault is identified, if good to go the ISOCheck is continually lit bright GREEN.

ISO7638 Truck Tester

ISOCheck tests a trucks’ ISO sockets in order to help identify ABS or EBS faults.

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

80% Of Commercial Vehicle Brake Faults Cleared By Sensor Master

November 7th, 2017 Comments off

CV ABS & EBS Brake Repairs Made Easy!

The Sensor Master Clears 80% Of Commercial Vehicle Brake Faults

As the air braking world has changed, we have had to adapt the way we deal with diagnostic problems that can arise on our customers vehicle systems. As the air signalling system has been fazed out and replaced by the EBS / ABS system we have endeavored to keep up with the advancements in the technology and created our own range of testing equipment.
Our engineer is constantly updating the test equipment to match the needs that arise from his service visits, so are perfectly tuned to the EBS / ABS components that we supply.
Our test devices can be used in conjunction with the OE manufacturer’s testers to create a complete analysis structure for truck and trailers that is not only easy to use but also affordable to all sizes of fleet maintenance from owner / driver to multi fleet service garages.
Since 80% of all EBS / ABS problems are sensor related (Reported By Knorr Bremse & Wabco), by connecting to the sensor socket on each wheel, rather than the ECU, in effect, taking the quickest and most direct route, by going straight to the heart of the problem.
The Sensor Master DRA08 is a handheld EBS / ABS sensor and exciter ring tester, for use on trucks, trailers, and buses.
Lightweight and portable, the EBS /ABS CV Sensor Tester comes supplied with two 1.6m high quality cables, a sturdy carry case, short introductory printed manual, and a single 9V battery – everything, in fact, needed to use it straight out of the box.
Designed with ease of use in mind, the Commercial Vehicle ABS EBS Sensor Testertakes minutes to set-up, and, once connected, undertakes a complete test cycle of the six most common causes of EBS / ABS faults, at the touch of a button, in just 15 seconds – a fraction of the time it would take to perform the same tests manually.
Contact aide automotive to purchase this cost effective easy to use tester or buy online at our aide Online PayPal Shop.
Commercial Vehicle ABS EBS Tester

Truck ABS Faults Easily Found With Sensor Tester

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

aide automotive offer a range of products to help with DVSA Guide Roadworthiness

August 17th, 2017 Comments off

CV Traffic Commissioners Review & Advice

Read Some Highlights OF TC’s Annual Report for 2015-16

Recently reported in the Transport Operator, the seven traffic commissioners (TCs) of Great Britain have released their annual report for 2015-16, highlighting a broad range of transport compliance and enforcement issues identified during the course of the year, and their priorities for future progress.

The commissioners, who preside over the eight regional traffic areas, identified key concerns with regard to operator compliance, driving and maintenance standards, as well as problem areas for the authorities themselves to tackle in order to improve the services they offer.

TC Richard Turfitt, who oversees the largest traffic area, in the east of England, said he made little apology for “sounding like a broken record” when it came to vehicle inspections.

“As DVSA estimates that half of MoT fails could be avoided by checking that light-bulbs work, the condition and pressures of tyres and that mirrors, wipers and washers work, there is further work to do,” he said.

“I am appalled by the number of operators who have not even checked whether their inspection sheets are up to date by reference to DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.

“In the space of two weeks, two unconnected operators appeared before me suggesting their vehicles were being inspected against safety standards from 1972.”

aide automotive market a range of Brake Testing, Servicing & Diagnostic Tools for commercial vehicle workshops.
With the Bowmonk BrakeCheck Portable Decelerometer Printer kit, a workshop can meet the 3 additional required brake tests with minimum fuss
For Trailer Servicing & Diagnostics, aide offer a complete Trailer Electrical (ABS Light & EBS CAN Line Test), Light and Air Brake Tester with Diagnostics interface for Trailer ECU Code Reading / Clearing and management data viewing.
EBS/ABS Sensor Master testing can be conducted with the Sensor Master, while Battery Diagnostics Tests with a Midtronics MDX Battery Tester.
aide automotive offer a range of products to help with DVSA Guide Roadworthiness. Contact us via our website www.aideautomotive.com
Brake Tester, Diagnostics, Battery Testers

aide auto Market Truck & Trailer Workshop Test Tools

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Motorhome Brake Testing

August 14th, 2017 Comments off

While Serving A Motorhome, Why Not Offer A Brake Test?

Check brakes and stay safe on the road this summer!!

BrakeCheck is a portable, DVSA-approved Brake Tester for all MOT class vehicles.
BrakeCheck determines braking efficiency of both the Service Brake (Foot Brake) and Hand Brake by measuring the rate of deceleration from a speed of around 20 mph (Service Brake) 10 mph (Foot Brake) until the vehicle comes to rest.
With no connection to the vehicle and designed to be self-compensating, the brake tester will indicate on the LED screen when it is positioned level enough to perform a brake test, with a generous tolerance to ensure that this is easy to achieve.
The BrakeCheck decelerometer indicates whether the vehicle pulls to the left or right during braking, and reports the overall brake efficiency of the service and hand brake. Brake test results and be compared to MOT guidelines for roadworthy vehicles.
Test results can be viewed on the display panel or downloaded to a PC for saving or printing. A printed report can also be produced at the time of testing using the portable infra-red printer.
Following the service of a Motor home or vehicle, caravan service engineers could add a hard copy brake performance test, offering confidence and professionalism to the service.
Click on Motor home Brake Testing to read more and review a sample print out.
Please do not hesitate to call to discuss further the way a decelerometer conducts a brake test – aide automotive ltd 0115 8456471
Decelerometer Bowmonk

Motor Home Brake Tester For Servicing Or MOT

Categories: Automotive Tools and Accessories Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,