The Automotive Blog

Truck & Trailer Auto Reverse & Braking System Prevents Crash Damage.

A lorry driver making deliveries to Marks & Spencer was left red-faced after tearing down part of a wall.

He became stuck reversing into the back of the Brighton store yesterday morning and struck the wall. When he moved forward again, it collapsed.

Bob Higham, who lives in Regent Hill, where the accident happened, claimed lorries caused numerous accidents in the area’s narrow streets and called for them to be banned from the city centre.

He said: “They don’t always knock walls down but there’s scrapes.

“I think big lorries like this should be banned. They should only allow smaller, fixed wheelbase vehicles in.”

Trailer Reversing System “BackStop” automatically applies the brakes when an object such as a concrete pillar or a person becomes an obstruction, or is in close proximity to the rear of the vehicle.

Trailer Reversing System “BackStop” activates when the vehicle is in reverse. Continuously monitoring at a distance up to 3m behind the vehicle, BackStop will automatically apply the brakes if any of the sensors detect an obstacle, leaving sufficient time for a person to move or the vehicle realigned.

Truck & Trailer BackStop can be retro fitted to any rigid truck or trailer by our onsite service engineers.

To review how Trailer Reversing System BackStop Systems could help your vehicles, contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or click on Reversing Radar System to read more and enquire.

Refuse Collection Vehicle Reversing System

Poor Truck Maintenance A False Economy

Figures released by VOSA may show a rise in HGV annual test pass rates, but far too many of the lorries and commercial vans in operation in Britain today are below the general roadworthiness expected by VOSA.

That’s the view of Paul Hassall, operations director of Stoke-on-Trent-based commercial vehicle contract hire and fleet management specialist, Prohire Plc.

Hassall comments: “According to VOSA’s latest figures 77.6 per cent of HGVs pass their annual test. The figure is up on previous years, which is encouraging, but it highlights that a sizable minority of vehicles still fail.

He says: “Not undertaking regular vehicle maintenance is a false economy. Quite simply, lorries and vans that are not properly looked-after will break down and fail their MOT. And the cost of repairing a fault is invariably more than that of carrying out an ongoing maintenance regime.

“VOSA is also putting more weight behind its ‘O’ license compliance schemes and any vehicle fleet operators whose vehicles routinely fail their MoT are likely to find their business under close scrutiny.”

aide automotive offer a range on commercial vehicle workshop products, call 0115 8456471 to enquire.

Brake Tester Using Brake Efficiency to Report On Truck Brakes

12 Volt Trailer Light Testers For Ifor

Ifor Williams Trailer Manufacturer Purchase 2 More TrailerChecks

Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd, the leading trailer manufacturer in the UK has recently purchased another two Trailer Electrical Testers from aide automotive ltd.

Ifor Williams manufacture trailer such as Tipper Trailers, Livestock Trailers, Horsebox Trailers, Plant Trailers, Box Van Trailers, General Purpose Trailers, Car Transporter Trailers, plus many more.

Trailer Wiring Tester 12 Volt TrailerCheck Plus is the professionals choice, portable and well constructed the 12 Volt TrailerCheck Plus quickly tests any trailer without the need of a vehicle or battery. No more carrying car batteries around and DIY wire connections, built in a ergonomic housing the 12 Volt TrailerCheck weighs just 8Kg.

12 Volt Trailer Light Testers can be recharged by a mains supply or van power socket (optional extra lead), included within the Trailer Wiring Tester is a spare remote controller in case the in use one is lost or damaged.

If you are a trailer repairer and require professional workshop tools, contact aide automotive ltd on 0115 8456471.

The Old Mechanical Brake Tester Tapley Now Retired As DVSA Say A Print Out Required

For almost 100 years Tapley brake testers have been the market leading portable brake testing equipment.

Results of Tapley Brake meter tests have been accepted as evidence of braking efficiency in Courts of Law throughout the world.

But now it seems the Tapley Brake Tester may well be retired in the UK, recent guidance from the DVSA now says a brake test must be printed for inspection records.

Decelerometers have moved on significantly from the old mechanical brake testers such as Tapley Decelerometer. Being electronic BrakeCheck has a much higher accuracy and additional information such as average deceleration, a left/right pull measurement, speed at braking and stopping distance. All tests are time and date stamped.

Contact aide automotive to discuss the recent DVSA brake testing guidance and BrakeCheck. – Call 0115 8456471

MOT Tapley Brake Meter

EBS/ABS Sensor Master Order Receives Praise

Tested the EBS ABS Sensor Tester and it is an impressive piece of kit!

The EBS ABS Sensor Tester is the ideal tool for any user, from an apprentice to a time served fitter, or a busy workshop. Quickly identifying and clearing the fault can save time and money, rather than calling in a dealer or diagnostic expert.

“The order arrived as promised. We have tried out the EBS Sensor Tester and it is an impressive piece of kit. Many thanks for your prompt service.” stated Neil Robinson Tyson Haulage

To read more and download a PDF product brochure click on Trailer Sensor Tester.

Call aide automotive on 0115 8456471.

Sensor Tester for ABS or EBS

DVSA Recommend 4 Brake Tests Per Year!!

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.”

BrakeCheck is a portable brake tester that works from the principle of measuring deceleration or Brake Efficiency, BrakeCheck has been proved to be a good indication of brake performance and cost effective for any workshop. Over 15,000 BrakeCheck’s have been purchased since it’s introduction in January 2003, and is now a standard tool for any vehicle workshop.

In addition to BrakeCheck Standard which is marketed towards Car, Van Truck and Bus / Coaches, BrakeCheck For Truck &Trailers is ideal for trailer operating companies.

aide automotive also recommend the use of an Infra Red Thermometer to check individual wheels via temperature. This in conjunction with a decelerometer print out would be the perfect 3 times a year brake test for any commercial vehicle.

To discuss how BrakeCheck or the Brake Testing Equipment works or to review pricing please call us on 0115 8456471.

Brake Tester Using Brake Efficiency to Report On Truck Brakes

Bulk Freight Purchase Trailer Diagnostics.

Since it’s formation in 1987, Bulkfreight (Midlands) Ltd has maintained it’s ethos of putting the customers requirements first.

Operating a fleet of over 100 articulated vehicles, which are changed every three years. This ensures we operate a “Green Fleet” that meets the current exhaust emission regulations. Our trailer fleet comprises of, Walking Floors, Ejectors & Bulk Tippers.

To meet the maintenance required for the fleet, workshop manager invested in the TrailerCheck 4 Vans, trailer light, Air Brake and ISO tester.

Designed as a mounted trailer tester in a Van or workshop the TrailerCheck 4 Vans is a One Man Trailer Service tool with the option of ECU Trailer Diagnostics.

The Trailer Air Brake And Light Tester is an intelligent unit and has the capability to power multiple trailers without the inconvenience of continually recharging external batteries.

A single trailer service engineer can be under a trailer activating brakes and reading pressures.

Switching brakes on and off allows the user to look for wear in s cams and faulty slack adjusters. The digital pressure gauge measures pressure at the brake chamber, ideal for setting load sensing valves.

EBS Trailers can be tested for CAN line integrity, a quick and simple test to confirm the CAN lines.

Neil Mitchell said “Modern times require a modern approach, the quick and correct maintenance of trailers is as critical as trucks, having the latest up to date test tools is what I believe will make our maintenance routines efficient and to a high standard. Looking at the old Scrutineer and the TrailerCheck 4 Vans, I chose the later due to its modern design and latest electronics. Furthermore I have the option to add full trailer code diagnostics when I see fit.”

 

Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 to talk about Diagnostics.

Trailer Diagnostics for East Midlands Bulk Freight Company

More & More Commercial Vehicle Operators Purchase BrakeCheck To Complete Their Inspection Sheets.

Roger Jackson of Ensign Bus said “We have now purchased Bowmonk BrakeCheck for all our depots and find it a valuable addition to our workshops. To have the ability to carryout positive testing and to record actual results on an inspection sheet is very beneficial.”

Decelerometers have moved on significantly from the old mechanical brake testers such as Tapley Decelerometer. Being electronic there is a much higher accuracy and additional information such as average deceleration, a left/right pull measurement, speed at braking and stopping distance. All tests are time and date stamped.

BrakeCheck has been proven to be an excellent inspection sheet Bowmonk brake tester for all commercial vehicles, over 14000 testers sold since 2002. With many operators using the BrakeCheck to conduct a VOSA accepted brake test on every inspection.

BrakeCheck Truck & Trailer will brake test tractor units, rigid trucks and also incorporates a 99 test memory on the service, hand and trailer brake test, a total of 297 tests. The trailer brake test feature enables repairers and internal maintenance workshops to conduct an inspection sheet brake test of a commercial trailer.

Brake Tester Using Brake Efficiency to Report On Truck Brakes

Improve Trailer Maintenance With the Unbeatable Code Talk

Code Talk is the next generation of trailer diagnostic tools from aide automotive ltd. Code Talk is an ideal cost effective diagnostic tool to quickly read and clear codes on EBS/ ABS braking system.

The hand set will communicate with a trailer’s ECU, reading and clearing ABS/EBS fault codes on Wabco, Knorr Bremse and Haldex systems. With this workshops can eliminate fault finding by reading the ECU codes to determine where the fault lies. Being able to clear historic codes is ideal within a service and inspection, knowing a system is clear and then reviewing to see that faults the ECU has recorded is beneficial.

With NO annual software fee the Code Talk is by far the best Trailer Diagnostic Tool on the UK market. Upgrade able for future proofing the Code Talk will out last and beat any Texa or JalTest system.

Code Talk Diagnostic is an aftermarket engineer diagnostic tool, Code Talk has been designed by UK trailer maintenance engineers for engineers. Simple to use and operate, Code Talk makes trailer diagnostic maintenance an affordable option to any repairer.

Remember Code Talk is all that is needed. No requirement for code manuals, phoning dealers, phoning high rate telephone lines, all the information is within Code Talk – Code Talk is the Diagnostic Manual for Trailers!

Code Talk is supplied with all cables to communicate with trailer ECU’s and with an optional carry case. Code Talk is also a remote controller for the TrailerCheck product range. TrailerCheck is the full electrical testing tool for 24 volt trailers.

Code Talk Remote for TrailerCheck also offers voltage and wire pin and colour information on the display. Trailer repairing Easy!

Matt Burke advised ” This excellent product is ideal for a trailer service engineer, low cost diagnostics and with no annual software fee this device will improve maintenance and work.”

Contact aide automotive by clicking Code Talk Trailer Diagnostics

Trailer Diagnostics With Code Talk a ECU Code Reader

aide automotive knows that workshops requires fast, accurate and effective tools to diagnose faults easily and quickly. A high percentage of brake EBS/ABS faults are around the sensor or the sensor itself.

The EBS/ABS Sensor Master is an easy to use device which will confirm each EBS/ABS sensor is operational and effective. By connecting to the sensor socket on each wheel, individual sensor faults can easily be identified. The Master also tests the exciter ring and the distance between the ring and sensor.

The Master is the ideal tool for any user, from an apprentice to a time served fitter, or a busy workshop. Quickly identifying and clearing the fault can save time and money, rather than calling in a dealer or diagnostic expert.

Using the Sensor Tester to check a sensor, the gap and exciter ring Royal Mail found they were able to easily and cost effectively repair warning lights faults on trucks and trailers without the need for expensive diagnostics tools or dealer trips.

aide automotives sales director said “The ABS Sensor Master has been an excellent product for cost effective ABS repairs of trucks and trailers for many years, I recall customer comments of this ABS test tool saving thousands in dealer fees and quick repairs with the vehicle quickly back on the road.”

To purchase a ABS Sensor Master please call 0115 8456471.

Sensor Tester for ABS or EBS