Archive

Posts Tagged ‘BrakeCheck’

Interpreting Truck / HGV Roller Brake Tests

June 28th, 2021 Comments off

Can this help !! ??
Interpreting HGV Roller Brake Tests !!!!!
Transport Engineer Feature on reading Roller Brake Tester Results

A vehicle’s roller brake test leads to an overall verdict – pass or fail – but that’s not the full story. John Challen examines the importance of looking at the results in detail.

Read more at the Transport Engineer here – https://lnkd.in/dziCUyV

If you would like to learn more about decelerometer brake testing and learning the results we can email you our user guides and explanation of results diagram, DM for a email.

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

#trailers#logistics#transportation#trucking#freight#fleetmanagement#fleetmaintenance#freight#transportation#logistics#supplychain#Volvo

HGV Roller Brake Tester
Results from a Truck RBT Or Decelerometer – Understand them !!

Bowmonk BrakeCheck Re Calibration & Product Kit Service Upgrade

October 2nd, 2020 Comments off

Thinking of the customers here & the service we provide!

Our BrakeCheck re calibration & Product Kit Service has had an upgrade….
With COVID-19 plaguing the world we have added a sanitiser procedure to all Brake Tester service & recalibration returns (also NEW Products Sales) .

Always thinking how to improve our service to our customers at aide auto…

If you own a Bowmonk BrakeCheck & it requires a recalibration check, email officeadmin@aideautomotive.com to get the full details.

With all tools in your workshop, you need to know they are working correctly and in test situations supplying the correct information. With this, we advise that your BrakeCheck is recalibrated.

We will aim to complete the recalibration of your BrakeCheck within 48-72 hours of receipt of the unit.

Option 1 – BrakeCheck Recalibration (ONLY)

Option 2 – BrakeCheck Recalibration with Service & Test

If you would like to book your BrakeCheck in, please email officeadmin@aideautomotive.com

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office on 0115 845 6471.

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

Bowmonk Recalibration
Recalibration Service Of a Bowmonk BrakeCheck With COVID Protection

Commercial Vehicle Brake Testing 2020

March 18th, 2020 Comments off

HGV Brake Testing Top Of TC’s Agenda For 2020


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

Truck Brake Tester

Portable Brake Testing Using a Bowmonk BrakeCheck

HGV Brake Testing Using A Decelerometer

December 5th, 2019 Comments off

HGV Brake Testing – As Per The DVSA

As you have purchased or are a user of a decelerometer, detailed below is the status of required testing of HGV’s as taken from the DVSA’s “Guide to maintaining roadworthiness” November 2018.

As within the industry we at aide automotive hear varied opinions of what is required when brake testing commercial vehicles, we have detailed the requirement as per the DVSA’s guidance.

No 1 – The current law could still be the fact that ONE annual MOT roller brake test (RBT) is the requirement.

No 2 – As the Health & Safety standards of the UK are of a high standard, duty of care laws could leave an operator open to the fact that high risk practices requires more testing.

No 3 – The DVSA’s “Guide To Maintaining Roadworthiness” should be used as the bench mark for all maintenance standards and be the minimum best practice.

So what does the Guide (For Brake Testing) say?

Safety inspection facilities
Facilities should include: • undercover accommodation for the largest vehicle in the fleet. This is required to ensure that safety checks can be conducted satisfactorily in all weathers (depending on fleet size the building may need room for more than one vehicle at a time) • tools and equipment appropriate to the size and nature of the fleet – access to brake test equipment (eg a roller brake tester, decelerometer)

As per the annual test, every safety inspection must assess the braking performance of the vehicle or trailer. It is STONGLY ADVISED that a calibrated roller brake tester (RBT) is used at each safety inspection to measure individual brake performance and overall braking efficiencies for the vehicle or trailer to the annual test standards. However, it is also acceptable to use an approved and calibrated decelerometer to measure overall brake efficiency values for vehicles without trailers.

Brake testing should be undertaken with the vehicle or trailer in a laden condition in order to achieve the most meaningful results; however, due to basic design limitations or restriction caused by the type of cargo normally carried, this is sometimes not possible

A printout of the brake efficiency test from either the RBT or decelerometer should be attached to the safety inspection record. If the brake test equipment cannot produce a printout, efficiency results must be recorded by the inspector on the safety inspection report. To help operators arrange a brake performance assessment with safety inspections, it is acceptable for a satisfactory brake performance assessment to be carried out within the same week of the planned safety inspection. Brake efficiency testing can be carried out by either an approved RBT or decelerometer test.

The conclusion! An O Licence operator should carry out a brake test on every inspection (to meet the DVSA guidance as above, although further detailed text does state “it is therefore normally expected that the vehicle or trailer should complete at least three successful brake efficiency tests spread throughout the year in addition to the annual MOT test), this can be achieved using an RBT or Decelerometer, the test should be printed out and attached to the safety inspection sheet. With regard to decelerometer tests, if the user decided to carry out the test laden, he/she should write on the printout as so: Laden / Un Laden.

If you are unsure about any of the above text or details, please do not hesitate to contact aide automotive.

Purchasing a Bowmonk BrakeCheck could not be any easier, just click on Purchase A BrakeCheck to review prices and buy!

Brake Efficiency Tester

Brake Tester Using Brake Efficiency to Report On Truck Brakes

HGV Brake Testing, Why A Pass Is Not A Pass!

November 19th, 2019 No comments

Operators need to scrutinise and interpret the results of roller brake-testing, and not just rely on seeing the word ‘pass’ on the bottom line of the generated report.

That was a key message from the first of this year’s FTA Transport Manager conferences, which was held at the Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset.

Western area traffic commissioner Kevin Rooney provided the keynote address for the conference, and explained that roller brake testing had been used in the industry for at least 50 years, but was not the be-all and end-all of assessing brake condition.

While the annual test focussed on performance, he pointed out that the Construction & Use Regulations (C&U) which every vehicle had to conform to every day it was on the road were actually stricter. C&U stipulated that every part of the braking system had to be in “good and efficient order”.

“This means it must be to the manufacturer’s standard,” he said. ”A detailed brake test needs to cover every part of the system.

“But unladen testing is meaningless.” He showed the results for a Volvo tractor unit that had been tested unladen. It had passed the test in terms of service brake performance, but the brake on the second axle had locked up having generated only 650 kg of braking force, as there was insufficient weight on the wheels.

“This is not representative,” he said. “During heavy braking, most of the trailer weight will transfer to the tractor, so testing things empty is a waste of time.”

Reputable testers either use loading-beams to transfer force onto the vehicle to simulate a load, or used water-filled intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) or similar to create one.

“Roller testing an unladen vehicle nullifies the inspection,” he warned.

Later in the conference, Phil Lloyd, head of engineering and vehicle standards at FTA (pictured, right), added more detail.

“Operators take false comfort from the word ‘pass’ at the foot of a brake test report,” he said. “It’s a piece of evidence that says everything is alright when really it isn’t.”

Operators were normally required to put every vehicle and trailer through four equally-spaced brake tests, one of which could be the annual test, every 12 months.

“Annual tests and periodic maintenance inspections both have the same objective: making sure the vehicle is in safe, roadworthy condition.”

He warned operators that every line of the printed paper report generated by the brake test should be scrutinised, starting at the top.

“Look for the DTp number at the top of the report. This identifies the vehicle, its specified brake performance, and plated weight. Check it against the number on the vehicle’s plating certificate. If this number is wrong, then the report is worthless.”

It was necessary to understand how the brake tester worked if the results it generated were to be understood. Vehicles were tested one axle at a time, and each wheel was positioned in a pit which contained two driving rollers coated in a high grip material to drive the wheel, and a single sensing roller between and beneath them which sensed the wheel’s rotation.

The wheel was rotated by the driving rollers, with the tyre driving the sensing roller beneath. During the brake test itself, the brake is strongly applied to create resistance between the tyre and the driving rollers, and the sensing roller measures the amount of resistance being offered by the brake in kg force.

Overall brake efficiency is calculated by adding the braking force generated by each wheel and dividing the total by the weight of the vehicle (GVW for rigids, GTW for tractors and TAW for trailers). The resultant figure is then multiplied by 100 to give a percentage efficiency.

However, this calculation can only be meaningful if there is a reasonable force acting on the tested axle to maintain traction between tyres and driving rollers. Each axle should be loaded to between 50 and 65 per cent of its design weight, and the brake tester will measure this.

However, if the axle is not sufficiently laden, then grip will be lost and the wheel locked before maximum efficiency is recorded. The system will record a wheel lock as a pass, but the report will give no indication of the brakes’ actual efficiency.

Mr Lloyd cautions: “If you want a meaningless brake test, put the truck on the rollers unladen and bang the brakes on; if the brakes lock up, then you’ve passed!”

He pointed out other deficiencies with the brake test.

Drum ovality (or rotor run-out in the case of discs) was only tested on the front axle. The test rig picked up variations in braking effort as the wheels rotated slowly with the brakes only marginally applied.

Wheels were each tested individually, but the effort generated on each side of a single axle could show an imbalance of up to 30 per cent and still pass.

“There is a potential issue with steering control under braking at this point,” he said. “It should at least be an advisory.”

He urged operators to take advantage of the data generated by the electronic brake performance monitoring systems fitted on most new trailers.

“It gives an indication of brake performance in real-time and can also indicate braking problems with the towing vehicle,” he said.

More details are contained in the Brake Test Report, published by the FTA last month, and given to each delegate at the conference.

Brian Beacon, director of roller brake testing equipment specialist VL Test Systems (VLT), commented: “VLT always carry out full in-depth training when installing our brake testers, covering the full printout and explanations for each section.

“Our recommendation is that the vehicle/trailer is loaded to 65 per cent minimum for a meaningful test, and if it is not then a warning is shown on the screen and the printout stating ‘insufficient load on axle’.

“We are aware of items that could be improved but to gain DVSA approval for the equipment in automatic mode, we have to follow DVSA rules setting out the full test as it is at present, including the ‘locks rule’.”

He added: “All our brake testers also have different modes whereby the tester can carry out full checks on each wheel or axle including individual brake force, bind, ovality, imbalance etc – and even draw graphs to visually compare these figures.

aide automotive offer the simple tool of a Infra Red Gun for Truck & Trailer Brake Checks.

DVSA Guidance states The Use Of a Temperature Tool Is Good Practice For Commercial Vehicle Maintenance Routines. Extract From Guide to maintaining roadworthiness (11.2018) “The use of brake temperature measurement can improve the effectiveness of a road test and is an established method to assess if individual brakes are operational. Brake disc/drum temperature readings should be compared across an axle after a laden road test or by in-service monitoring, using a brake temperature sensor, which can be a simple handheld device or using a more sophisticated remote monitoring system. Brake temperature readings would need to be well above ambient temperature with relatively consistent readings taken for each brake across an axle. Brakes which are cold (ambient temperature) or showing an inconsistent reading from the brake on the opposite side on the same axle, should be investigated further.” Simple & Hand Held !

Buy A Temperature Gun From aide automotive For Just £15.95 + post & VAT! Buy Online https://bit.ly/33kRGAw

DVSA Brake Tests

HGV Brake Checks With A Temp Gun

Bowmonk BrakeCheck Re Calibration Information

November 15th, 2019 Comments off

Here’s the Latest Information to Keep A Bowmonk BrakeCheck Within Calibration & Good Working Order.

Dear Sir / Madam,

It’s now been 24 months since your BrakeCheck was calibrated, please see below instructions & relating charges for the calibration check.

With all tools in your workshop, you need to know they are working correctly and in test situations supplying the correct information. With this, we advise that your BrakeCheck is re-calibrated.

We will aim to complete the re-calibration of your BrakeCheck within 48-72 hours of receipt of the unit.

Option 1 – BrakeCheck Re-calibration (ONLY)

Price
BrakeCheck Re-calibration – £82.00 per unit
Carriage Options – £6.45 per unit by Signed for Royal Mail Or £9.95 by next day courier. (Not including Ireland)
Also:
New Batteries Are Recommended Every 4-6 Years, if required – £55.00
Need Any Paper For the Printer ? – Box of Paper Rolls – £30.00 If ordered the return carriage would be £14.50

For BrakeCheck recalibration (ONLY), you will need to return the BrakeCheck only. Please note chargers, cases, printers are not required.
It is suggested that you use a royal mail recorded delivery service / special delivery or courier to ensure that the unit(s) reach us safely.

Returns address: –
aide automotive Limited
Service Dept
Foxhall Business Centre
Foxhall Road
Nottingham, NG7 6LH

Option 2 – BrakeCheck recalibration with Service and test

Price
BrakeCheck Re calibration – £82.00 per unit
If your Kit is Older Than 4 years, You May Require & Service & Test – £55.00
Service & Test Checks All Items As preventive Maintenance & Cleaned To A Best Possible Standard

If you have lost or found to be faulty, you may require:
New BrakeCheck Or Printer Charger – £24.95
New BrakeCheck Batteries Are Recommended Every 4-6 Years, if required – £55.00
New Printer Batteries Are Recommended Every 4-6 Years, if required – £14.50
Box of Paper Rolls – £30.00
Return Next Day Courier – £14.50

All prices exclude VAT.

For BrakeCheck recalibration, service & test, you will need to return your BrakeCheck, Case, Printer & Accessories such as Chargers.
It is suggested that you use a royal mail special delivery service or signed for courier to ensure that the unit(s) reach us safely

Returns address: –
aide automotive Limited
Service Dept
Foxhall Business Centre
Foxhall Road
Nottingham, NG7 6LH

Please be so kind as to provide a full postal address so that we can return your tester efficiently!

Payment, once the required work is completed, our accounts dept will email a proforma invoice with options of online payments, card / PayPal / BACS.

If you would like to book your BrakeCheck in, please replay to this email.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office on 0115 845 6471.

Many thanks

Office Assistant
aide automotive limited
(Tel) 0115 845 6471
(Fax) 07092 311 470
(e-mail) info@aideautomotive.com
(website) www.aideautomotive.com
(Address) Foxhall Business Centre – Foxhall Road – Nottingham – NG7 6LH

Prices correct as of 31.07.19, Please confirm prices before you return your BrakeCheck.

 

BrakeCheck Bowmonk Calibration

Bowmonk MOT Calibration Check

MOT Decelerometer Approved As Connectable Tester

October 15th, 2019 Comments off

Bowmonk BrakeCheck has been approved as a MTS CONNECTABLE DEVICE

BrakeCheck MOT Decelerometer is one of the first decelerometers to get the MTS Connectivity approval from the DVSA.

A big advantage of connected MOT equipment will be the time it saves MOT garages. Instead of a tester carrying out a test, noting down the result, then entering it manually, it will be recorded instantly.

The time saved per test won’t be massive – we think it should save you a couple of minutes per test – but when you do hundreds of tests a year, the savings will add up.

Using this equipment gives MOT garage more accurate results, direct onto the MTS System making it quicker for MOT testers and customers alike; both critical factors in our business success. Said Ian Wills, the authorised examiner designated manager (AEDM) for the site at Deptford where testing & research has taken place.

Bowmonk’s technical team have been working with the DVSA on connecting the decelerometer BrakeCheck directly to the MOT system in order to reduce errors and save time. In the long term, this will help to reduce or eliminate the number of incorrectly entered results, as well as stopping incorrectly entered vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and mileage.

aide automotive market & sell the Bowmonk BrakeCheck, Purchase Online Now or Via Our eBay Listing  – Search on eBay ” MOT Garage Back UP Bowmonk Brake Tester Decelerometer ”

BrakeCheck Bowmonk Calibration

Bowmonk MOT Calibration Check

Purchase Bowmonk Printer Paper Rolls

September 26th, 2019 Comments off

#Bowmonk BrakeCheck Printer Paper Rolls #Purchase Online
Purchase #BrakeCheck #Printer #Paper Rolls Via #PayPal

@aideautomotive

 

Supplied in Packs of 10 or boxes of 20, these Printer Paper Rolls are Thermal Paper.

10 x Bowmonk Printer Paper Rolls – £15 + Shipping (£5.95) + VAT = £25.14

Box of 20 Bowmonk Printer Paper Rolls – £30 + Shipping (£9.95) + VAT = £47.94

We aim to dispatch your order within 48 working hours, VAT invoices will be emailed upon dispatch.

Wishing to purchase using a credit card? Please call on 0115 8456471, all cards accepted.

All orders are bound by aide automotives terms & condition’s, copies supplied upon request

aide automotive Ltd Supply Bowmonk

Bowmonk BrakeCheck Printer Paper Rolls

Commercial Vehicle Caliper Tester

September 24th, 2019 Comments off

HGV Brake Caliper Tester

The tester is used to check the potentiometers (wear indicators) in brake calipers and for the determination of the wear of the brake disc and brake pads.

The practice of checking a potentiometer for faults and replacement could save a commercial vehicle operator thousands instead of complete caliper replacements!!

The reported practise of replacing a complete calipers rather than testing and replacing a potentiometer is in the past if you own an aide automotive Potentiometer Tester.

The procedure for checking the potentiometer can be carried out with the caliper installed on the vehicle or with the caliper removed, simply connect the supplied correct cable to the brake potentiometer, power the tester and choose which type you are testing, MAN / Mercedes 3 Wire Gold DAF / Mercedes 2 Wire Scania / Iveco /
Mercedes 3 Wire Silver

The display will show the voltage, pad wear percentage & bar graph.

To set a new potentiometer simply wind the potentiometer until the display show 0 %, done!!

To test a potentiometer, wind the potentiometer until about 2.75 volts, this will show low pads warning and then to 100% for failure warning. SIMPLE!!

So start testing & replacing potentiometers to save money today!!
Buy Online Here HGV Caliper Tester

HGV Caliper Tester

Truck Potentiometer Tester For Brake Calipers

DVSA Suggests More HGV Brake Tests ??

September 11th, 2019 Comments off

aide automotive explains why its portable Bowmonk BrakeCheck solution is a viable alternative to roller brake testers when carrying out a non-MOT brake test.
Regular brake tests are currently being requested by the DVSA on all commercial vehicles of 7.5 tonne and over, as part of an interim safety inspection. At the absolute minimum, the agency is asking for a quarterly voluntary brake test to be carried out in addition to the annual MOT test.

Fortunately, most commercial operators have taken heed of this request and are having their brakes checked more frequently, as it is a means of monitoring braking efficiency more closely. However, in some cases, it would appear that this frequency of testing is still not enough, as the level of deterioration is a cause for concern.

In most cases, the DVSA would prefer this test to be carried out as part of the six-weekly inspection. This would have thebenefit of highlighting a decrease in braking performance considerably sooner than those performed once every three months, and in doing so, afford more effective preventative maintenance opportunities.

Evidently, 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 Bowmonk’s BrakeCheck, for all non-MOT brake tests.

Aside from the mandatory requirements, there is also the upsell opportunity. Workshops providing a brake overhaul service, where components are in need of replacement, can offer a ‘before and after’ brake test report; an opportunity to show their customers the level of efficiency achieved prior to and following any necessary repair work.

A user guide to BrakeCheck

Position the BrakeCheck unit on a level surface, such as the passenger side foot well. Switch the unit on by pressing and holding the ‘Menu’ button until ‘Sbr’ appears in the display.
Confirm Service Brake choice by pressing ‘Enter’.
When the unit is level enough to start the test, a symbol (pictured left) will be shown on the display. Once the symbol is displayed, press ‘Enter’.
The unit is now ready for the test. When the test area is clear, accelerate the vehicle to an appropriate test speed (e.g. 20 mph).
Once the vehicle is travelling at an appropriate test speed, check for traffic approaching from behind. If safe to do so, apply the footbrake as a controlled emergency stop, without skidding.
Once the vehicle has been brought to a complete stop, the unit will generate and display a braking efficiency value.
Once the Service Brake test is complete, change to Hand Brake mode by pressing the ‘Menu’ button (so that the hand brake test LED is illuminated). As before, confirm this choice by pressing ‘Enter’, which will take you to the levelling display. Press ‘Enter’ when the level indicator is shown.
As before, accelerate the vehicle to the test speed, this time applying the hand brake to stop the vehicle. Note: please check with your vehicle manufacturer if this type of procedure is acceptable.
Once the vehicle has come to a complete stop, the display will show the braking efficiency of the hand brake.
To view the service brake test report, press the ‘Menu’ button until the last test result and service brake test LEDs are illuminated. Then press ‘Enter’ to display the result, which can now be printed using the optional wireless printer.
With the BrakeCheck unit positioned approximately 2 to 3cm in front of the infra-red printer, switch on the printer and press the ‘Print’ button on the BrakeCheck to print the test result.
To view or print the hand brake test, carry out the same procedure, but use the ‘Menu’ button to illuminate the hand brake test and last test result LEDs.

Buy Online Bowmonk BrakeCheck Decelerometer

HGV Brake Tester

Buy Online Bowmonk BrakeCheck Decelerometer