The Automotive Blog

Lee Lock is a patented product to stop pallet trucks from rolling in the back of a truck and causing damage to the goods or the trucks curtain sides.

Lee Lock addresses a fairly widespread health and safety problem in a simple but ingenious way. And as fleet managers are becoming ever more concerned with the potential long-term costs of health and safety risks, the modest one-off price for the Lee Lock is a very attractive solution.

Pallet trucks are often left loose in the truck cargo area or lifted onto tyres, either way there is the potential of the pallet truck crashing into the goods or ripping the curtain side when the truck had to brake hard or goes over a speed hump.

Lee Lock is designed to lock the pallet truck in place at all times, hence reducing any chance of the truck slamming into any goods or slashing the curtain side, and as the pallet truck slots into the Lee Lock there is no chance of any back injury by lifting the truck as would be required if using a tyre.

Lee Lock is the only pallet truck holder to 100% lock the pallet truck down, no risk of damage or employee injury.

To find out more click on aide automotive and contact us for more info via our contact page or go to Pallet Truck Lock.

aide automotive have seen an increase in sales on the ABS Tester for trucks and trailers in the last 2 months.

Commenting on this Matthew Burke said “A lot of operators do not have any truck diagnostic tools, so the ABS Tester is an ideal cost effective tool to clear ABS or EBS faults on trucks and trailers. This product is easy to use and is 100% universal with all sensors.”

To Read more about the ABS Tester click on the link.

aide automotive would like to promote Roadtransports top 10 tips for commercial vehicle operators to avoid being stranded.

1. Use the Highways Agency and Met Office websites for primary reference and get regular feedback from any drivers already out in affected areas.

2. Transport managers should make alternative plans to get trucks moving, and if a truck is stranded keep customers informed of vehicle movements.

3. Make sure drivers are well armed with night-out stuff or at least have the basics: a torch, food and drink, and a mobile phone. A truck’s night-heater should ward off the cold but blankets are also important.

4. Get drivers to do a thorough check of their vehicle, checking all light bulbs, topping up washer fluid and de-icer/scraper and making sure tyres are properly inflated.

5. Truck drivers need to double their usual stopping distance from the vehicle in front; don’t be afraid to travel slower.

6. When you are trying to slow the truck down, employ the engine brake and/or retarder before the service brakes. This will slow the vehicle before applying the brakes. Most trucks will have ABS but that is no guarantee of stopping inside the usual stopping distance for a truck. Articulated truck drivers should avoid braking procedures on corners – a sure way to jack-knife.

7. Take your time. Keep to the main roads; they are more likely to have been gritted. On motorways and dual carriageways use the clearest lane and keep away from slush and ice.

8. Don’t use the cruise control – this is no time for efficient running. Keep the truck in high gear as it will slow the vehicle more quickly once you take your foot off the accelerator.

9. Concentrate. Avoid, if possible, poorly lit roads and shortcuts through country lanes. There is a greater risk of ice where the road changes elevation or is exposed to the elements, where it passes under a bridge, and where the sun is blocked out and the surface doesn’t melt.

10. Tune into the local radio station – its traffic updates will be more regular, comprehensive, and up to date compared with national radio.

aide automotive promote various products that could help with the tips above:

Air Alert is an excellent product to identify low tyre pressures.

Brake Light Check makes it easy for the driver to check his or hers lights.

Using BrakeCheck on a commercial vehicle inspection sheet will keep brakes working to the VOSA standard.

Two partners in 1-4-You Coaches of Burntwood, Staffordshire, have been jailed after the brakes failed on an elderly Bova Futura coach on Staxton Hill near Scarborough, causing it to hit a car, killing the car’s two occupants. Robert Ouhgton (53), who was driving the coach, was sentenced to five years and three months. His partner John Lote (61) was sentenced to three years. The accident happened in September 2008.

Oughton and Lote had both admitted manslaughter due to gross negligence at a previous hearing. Oughton also admitted causing death by dangerous driving.”

With reference to the outcome with 1-4-You coaches Matthew Burke of aide automotive says: “With latest corporate laws in the UK no business can afford to skip on maintenance or paper work.

aide automotive are always promoting good maintenance to bus and coach companies and with the BrakeCheck or EBS/ABS Sensor Tester these companies have affordable good test tools for brake testing and maintenance.

With regard to paper work aide automotive have simplified the system required for company owners and managers to advise employees and drivers what is required when driving on company business, Route Safe tells each driver daily to drive responsible and check the vehicle is road worthy.”

Go to aide automotive for full product details.

Testing truck brakes can be achieved by 3 methods, :

Roller Brake Testing

ABS Sensor Testing – ABS Sensor Tester

Decelerometer Brake Testing – BrakeCheck

aide automotive ltd offer a range of products for truck brake testing.

Diesel Key the revolutionary mis fuelling device for diesel vehicles has received and ultimate accreditation of a Thatcham approval.

What does this mean?

Diesel Key is the ONLY mis fuelling device to have under taken such a test, rigorous and complex the testing has proved that the Diesel Key meets all quality and motor industry standards. Anyone purchasing the Diesel Key will have the peace of mind of quality and safety!

Thatcham was established in 1969 by British Insurers. The Centre is independently operated with a Board of Directors drawn from more than 30 insurer members.

Thatcham is a not-for-profit organisation. There main aim is to carry out research targeted at containing or reducing the cost of motor insurance claims, whilst maintaining safety and quality standards. Thatcham also work closely with vehicle manufacturers to influence the design of new vehicles. With an aim to improve safety and security, research helps produce designs which limit damage, whilst improving the ease of repair following an accident.

Insurers have seen a dramatic increase in claims for mis fuelling in the last few years and now are looking to solve the problem and reduce claims. With this insurers and Thatcham reviewed and tested the Diesel Key to offer a solution to customers who drive diesel cars.

If you have ever wrong fuelled a vehcile you need to think about Diesel Key today.

Go to mis-fuelling.co.uk to purchase Diesel Key now.

Travis Perkins, one of the UK’s leading Builders’ Merchants, with more than 600 outlets across the country, was looking for an effective solution to the growing problem of fuel theft.

As the company runs one of the largest vehicle fleets in the country, preventing fuel theft and keeping costs to a minimum was a top priority and it investigated an anti fuel theft device.

Requiring no drilling or gluing, it is simple to fit in several minutes and it can also cope with fast-filling of fuel tanks at speeds of up to120 ltrs/min without spilling or splash backs.

Travis Perkins Group Transport Manager Graham Bellman said: “Fuel theft is a problem, and it impacts directly upon our bottom line.

“You cannot stop the most determined of fuel thieves, but this anti fuel theft device provides a valuable defense, and a positive deterrent against fuel skimming.

“Coupled with our other security measures, and very careful fuel use monitoring, a good anti-siphon device offers very definite protection against a problem that is getting more, rather than less, pronounced.

”It is a very simple, but extremely worthwhile product that, for a very modest outlay, can save a lot of money.”

aide automotive offer anti fuel theft devices for all commercial vehicles.

aide automotive are always trying to offer the best equipment on the market. Battery Boosters are offered from many suppliers, but will they do the job?

The SOS Battery Booster is a high performance booster that will start engines when cold and dead flat.

In the winter conditions batteries are push to their limits, extra draw from lights and heaters means that batteries could easily drop below the necessary voltage to start the vehicle, resulting breakdowns, late deliveries and expensive call outs.

aide automotive offer 12 & 24 volt battery boosters with a range of amps specifications.

Click on battery boosters for more info.