Page 24 - CTB N9 - 2015-01

WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Hunter CV Alignment System on Trial at Intercounty
As part of its launch process for Hunter’s Commercial Vehicle Wheel Alignment System, Pro-Align is trialling the system at the Wellingborough workshop of Mercedes-Benz dealer Intercounty Truck and Van Ltd. Intercounty is the Mercedes-Benz dealer for commercial
more than two-three minutes to attach all the sensors. The vehicle can be easily rolled forwards to work out the camber and toe measurements using the company’s patented truck pusher. The systems also incorporates auto-locking turnplates. According to Hunter, a
Chris Ivory comments; “Equipment like the Hunter CV Alignment System can provide valuable revenue generation for CV workshops. Companies maketeing the service properly are often able to pay back
the initial investment within six months. Customers purchasing the equipment are able to use our training facility in Towcester to help educate front-of-house staff in how to sell alignment services effectively.”
Plaxton Gives Boost to Supertracker CV Alignment Business
The service division of Sheffield based bus operator Plaxton Limited have recently invested in a commercial vehicle alignment system from Supertracker.
As part of the Alexander Dennis Group, Plaxton is a
leading name within
the UK and global
passenger transport
industry with over
20,000 of their buses
and coaches in service
around the world.
Dave Hutton, General
Manager for the
Plaxton Service
Division explains that
the department's main
business is coach and PSV body repairs and in recent times as they have needed alignment facilities they have used outside specialists. However around twelve months ago Plaxton decided it would be more beneficial to purchase their own fully calibrated modern alignment system.
He says, “Having studied the alignment equipment market we decided to purchase from Supertracker for several reasons including that their STRT3 single steer commercial aligner offers everything we need. The equipment is very easy to understand and operate. Also the price was attractive as it represents 'good value for money'.”
Hutton says he was also impressed by the extensive amount of training offered by Supertracker, not just when the aligner was installed, but as an ongoing service, although some of the Plaxton service
engineers were already familiar with Supertracker aligners when working at other companies.
The STRT3 has significantly enhanced the way Plaxton service department works as they are now able to provide a fully professional alignment report for every customer regardless of the extent of damage to their vehicle. Hutton adds, “Its an added service that has certainly paid dividends as we can now complete a repair and alignment job even more swiftly by being able to do everything in-house. In fact at Plaxton we now carry out an alignment check on every vehicle.”
vehicles within Northampton, Peterborough, Milton Keynes, Luton, Lincoln and Boston. The company operates through nine depots servicing 18-36 tonne HGVs. We travelled to Wellingborough to see Pro-Align Commercial Vehicle Specialist Brett Hickey and Product Manager OE Sales and Sales Support Chris Ivory put the machines through its paces.
Intercounty is trialling the DSP760T version of the system, which is designed for multi-axle trucks and incorporates six wheel sensors (a four-sensor version is also available for buses and rigids). The company is using the equipment both for maintenance on fleet customer vehicles as well as on new vehicles coming into the dealership.
One of the key benefits of the system is the reduced set-up time. No jacking is required and it takes no
full alignment check can be carried out in only four minutes.
Results can be printed out in an easy-to-read report. The system suggests adjustments on screen to the technician and then talks him through the adjustments that need to be made. The system allows for both full calibration and quick calibration services, the latter of which can be used as part of a vehicle health check.
According to Hickey, the Hunter CV Alignment system is ideal for busy workshops like Intercounty but is also cost-effective for fleets of 25 vehicles or larger and for high- mileage fleets.
Intercounty is the first workshop to use the machine but Hickey is now looking to get the system trialled in more main dealers handling a variety of configurations and trailers as well as with repairers, trailer builders etc.
24 Commercial Tyre Business