Royal Mail Sued After Driver Suffers Brain Injury – Accident Could Have Been Prevented with CV Stop A serious workplace accident has led to legal action against Royal Mail after a driver sustained a life-altering brain injury. The incident, which safety experts say was entirely avoidable, highlights the urgent need for enhanced vehicle safety systems. CV Stop’s advanced forward and reversing radar technology could have prevented this tragic event. Designed to detect obstacles and alert drivers in real-time, CV Stop is a critical tool for reducing workplace accidents involving commercial vehicles.
Don’t wait for an accident to happen — protect your fleet and drivers now.
Learn more about CV Stop and how it can enhance vehicle safety by contacting aide automotive.
Please feel free to reach out to aide automotive at 0115 8456471 or send an email to info@aideautomotive.com for all of your automotive needs. We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of high-quality automotive products to cater to various requirements. Whether you are in the market for HGV Brake Testers, Trailer EBS Testers, or HGV Truck Trailer EBS/ABS Sensor Testers, we have you covered. Our Truck/Trailer Diagnostic Tools are designed to provide accurate and reliable diagnostics for efficient troubleshooting. Additionally, our Midtronics Battery Testers ensure that your batteries are in optimal condition for peak performance. To safeguard against fuel theft, our Anti Siphon Devices offer an effective solution. We also provide ISOCheck for monitoring ISO sockets, Trailer Locks for enhanced security, and Auto Braking Reversing Systems for improved safety. For HGV Diesel Tank Alarms and HGV Siphons, we have the right products to meet your needs. Finally, our Truck Susie Coil Covers protect your coils from damage, ensuring a longer lifespan. Contact us today to explore our wide range of automotive products and experience the quality and reliability that aide automotive is known for. Here – https://buff.ly/3kg1xoF But if in doubt or you have questions send a message and will be straight back to you !
Mounted 24 Volt Trailer Light & ABS EBS Tester – Trailer Master Van mounted 24 volt power box with auto light test feature for testing the trailers electrical system.
Designed to enable one operator to test the complete trailer lighting system and test the ABS warning lamp function on the trailer using the ISO 7638 socket.
Self-contained 24 volt power box in a robust stainless steel case which mounts to headboard of your vehicle, comes with three switchable sockets (24S, 24N & ISO7638) and built in voltmeter.
Benefits:
Quick to setup
Easy to use
Housed in a durable carry case
Portable 24V power box
Tests trailer’s lighting system
Tests trailer’s EBS/ABS warning light function.
Tests trailer’s CAN activity
Single operator auto test
All necessary leads supplied
Designed & manufactured in the UK
For all your automotive needs, don’t hesitate to contact aide automotive by dialling 0115 8456471 or by sending an email to info@aideautomotive.com. Our company provides a comprehensive array of products specifically designed for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and trailers. Among our offerings, we have state-of-the-art HGV Brake Testers that ensure the braking systems of heavy-duty vehicles are functioning optimally, and Trailer EBS Testers that help maintain the efficiency of electronic braking systems in trailers.
Additionally, we supply HGV Truck Trailer EBS / ABS Sensor Testers, which are essential for monitoring and diagnosing the performance of your vehicle’s electronic and anti-lock braking systems. For broader diagnostic needs, our Truck and Trailer Diagnostic Tools offer advanced solutions for identifying and troubleshooting a variety of vehicular issues.
We also offer Midtronics Battery Testers, known for their accuracy in assessing battery health, ensuring your vehicle’s power system is always reliable. To enhance security, our Anti Siphon Devices and HGV Diesel Tank Alarms are critical in preventing fuel theft and unauthorized siphoning.
Other security solutions include ISOCheck and Trailer Locks, which provide additional protection for trailers during transit or storage. For safer reversing, our Auto Braking Reversing System automatically applies brakes to prevent accidents and collisions. To further prevent fuel theft, our HGV Siphon products are effective deterrents.
Lastly, our Truck Susie Coil Covers are designed to protect vital electrical and pneumatic connections between tractor units and trailers. By choosing aide automotive, you are opting for quality and reliability in each of these innovative products. Reach out to us today to explore how we can support your automotive endeavours with our comprehensive solutions.
Our product range – Trailer / Caravan Light / Brake Tester – HGV Brake Testers – 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 – HGV Siphon – Misfuelling Diesel Head – Truck Susie Coil Covers – #MOT #Calibration – 12 Volt Trailer / Caravan Light / Brake Tester– Plus More
Please feel free to reach out to aide automotive at 0115 8456471 or send an email to info@aideautomotive.com for all of your automotive needs. We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of high-quality automotive products to cater to various requirements. Whether you are in the market for HGV Brake Testers, Trailer EBS Testers, or HGV Truck Trailer EBS/ABS Sensor Testers, we have you covered. Our Truck/Trailer Diagnostic Tools are designed to provide accurate and reliable diagnostics for efficient troubleshooting. Additionally, our Midtronics Battery Testers ensure that your batteries are in optimal condition for peak performance. To safeguard against fuel theft, our Anti Siphon Devices offer an effective solution. We also provide ISOCheck for monitoring ISO sockets, Trailer Locks for enhanced security, and Auto Braking Reversing Systems for improved safety. For HGV Diesel Tank Alarms and HGV Siphons, we have the right products to meet your needs. Finally, our Truck Susie Coil Covers protect your coils from damage, ensuring a longer lifespan. Contact us today to explore our wide range of automotive products and experience the quality and reliability that aide automotive is known for. Here – https://buff.ly/3kg1xoF But if in doubt or you have questions send a message and will be straight back to you !
SOLD x 2 !! To HPS Plant Hire Ltd A plant hire company based in #Grimsby, HPS Plant Hire have invested in two Trailer Light Testers TestaTow TestaTow serves as a compact Trailer Wiring Tester specifically crafted for use with small Semi Trailers such as Ifor Williams models, horse boxes, Agricultural trailers, and Caravans. This convenient tool is powered by 12 Volts and is ideal for checking the functionality of the lights on your tow bar, trailer, and caravan. By utilizing TestaTow, you can verify that all lights are operational before embarking on your journey. It is a handy and trustworthy instrument for individuals who frequently utilize trailers or caravans. Learn more – https://buff.ly/3iGznmh
The Lee Lock pallet truck lock is specifically designed to secure the pallet truck in place at all times, preventing any potential accidents such as collisions with other pallets or damage to the curtain side. By securely locking the pallet truck into place, it also eliminates the risk of back injuries that may occur from manual lifting of the pallet truck. Now Pall-EX South West are the latest major operator to review the Lee Lock! For over 25 years Pall-Ex have supported businesses in the south west with complete, quality pallet distribution services as part of the Pall-Ex network. Pall-Ex pride themselves on delivering a personal, pro-active service for their customers. Learn more @ aide automotive https://buff.ly/3IZ4rIo
Please feel free to reach out to aide automotive for all of your automotive needs. We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of high-quality automotive products to cater to various requirements. Whether you are in the market for HGV Brake Testers, Trailer EBS Testers, or HGV Truck Trailer EBS/ABS Sensor Testers, we have you covered. Our Truck/Trailer Diagnostic Tools are designed to provide accurate and reliable diagnostics
CV Stop will automatically apply the brakes if any of the sensors detect an obstacle, leaving sufficient time for a person to move or the vehicle being realigned. Obstacle Visual and Audible Indication to the driver Brakes apply for 3 seconds when an imminent collision is detected. Has override button for reversing into narrow streets and parking, to allow for vehicle overhang. Override default times out after 30 seconds for safety reasons (Programmable to customer spec) Brake application is pulsed, so no sharp jolts when stopping at speed. Commercial Vehicle Auto Braking Proximity Reversing Safety System https://buff.ly/3ito4xt via @aideautomotive
Commercial Vehicle Brake Testing The following criteria are required for all HGV & Trailer brake testing. All brake testing should be carried out away from the sites working area; this should be done in an area that has roughly level ground. The MOT performance figures are for the Peak Reading: Tractor Unit Service Brake Bare Minimum 50 % Tractor Unit Secondary Brake Bare Minimum 25 % Tractor Unit Parking Brake Bare Minimum 16 % Although the test requirement looks for a peak reading, you could use the relationship between the peak and average to determine brake performance, if you achieved a peak reading of say 51 – 58 this is not indicating good brakes, peak figures of 70 + can be achieved to indicate good brakes, even though high peaks are recorded if a low average is recorded (20 – 30 example only) this would indicate poor brakes or you will more than likely fail a roller brake test!
Brake Tester Position The brake tester should be positioned in the foot well of the vehicle, preferably up against a bulkhead with the direction of travel arrow pointing in the intended direction and with the tester straight.
Vehicle Test Procedure With the vehicle stationary, position and arm the brake tester, accelerate the vehicle at a constant rate in a straight line up to a safe site speed then apply the brakes in an emergency stop manner, hold the vehicle on the brake until the vehicle has come to a complete rest.
Arming The Brake Tester For A Tractor Unit Test BrakeCheck TT (4 Truck & Trailer) has a 99 test memory on the Service, Hand & Trailer feature. Turn the BrakeCheck on by pressing and holding MENU until Sbr is displayed on the screen. Press ENTER, the display will now show C1 (Wet Ground), this can be used to indicate test ground condition, Press MENU to alter to C2 (Dry Ground) or C3 (Snow/Ice Ground) & C4 (Tarmac Ground). Press ENTER and the level indicator L-| |- will now show, if this is not the case re-position the BrakeCheck until achieved. Press ENTER the display should now read 0.00 ± 5. As described above accelerate and brake. At the end of the test the display will show L#, this is the test number, press ENTER to store the test, (remember to write down your vehicle ID and test number) if the display still shows L-| |- you did not press ENTER!! The peak reading will report after you pressed ENTER.
With the Peak reading displayed press ENTER, this will show the average reading. Pressing ENTER again shows further information. For a Hand Brake Test press MENU twice, this is while the service brake results are displayed, the display should now show Hbr, now go to the second paragraph under Arming The Brake Tester to carry out a Hand Brake Test.
Commercial Trailer Brake Testing VOSA offered guidance on testing commercial trailers and advised, “The way to use a decelerometer is to first test the drawing vehicle on its own. Then connect the trailer and the deceleration rate should be similar i.e. the trailer is doing its fair share of work. This is not an exact science but would be enough to give you confidence the trailer brakes were working.” Further individual brake performance testing can be done by using an Infra Red Thermometer to measure brake disc or drum temperatures, this can be done after brake testing or when vehicles are returning from a journey. An optional accessory to the BrakeCheck TT kit is an Infra Red thermometer; please consider this as a very useful way to review individual brake performance! We suggest you test a tractor unit on the day you are required to test trailers, to test trailers first test a tractor unit, this only needs to be carried out once, you can then add multiple trailers to the tractor unit through the day, no need to test a tractor unit every time you test a trailer. Trailer tests will be associated with the last tractor unit Service Test! We recommend clearing the memory of the BrakeCheck TT prior to testing trailers, Turn on the BrakeCheck by Pressing and holding MENU for 3-4 seconds, the display will show Sbr, press MENU until Clr is shown in the display, this will happen after Temperature. Press ENTER, wait for 3 straight digits to move across the display and reset to Sbr. This has now cleared all memory. Test a tractor unit or shunter, you may warm the brakes up prior to testing if the vehicle has been sat for a period. Test a tractor unit or shunter as per previous guidance Arming The Brake Tester For A Tractor Unit Test. Once an acceptable test has been recorded leave the test in the memory, remember the trailer brake test will be associated wit the latest Sbr brake test in the memory! If one test was completed this will be test 1.
Trailer Brake Testing Press MENU to turn the BrakeCheck on, with Sbr on the display press MENU twice, trb will be displayed. With the BrakeCheck positioned in the pulling vehicle, press ENTER, the display will now show C1 (Wet Ground), this can be used to indicate test ground condition, press MENU to alter to C2 (Dry Ground) or C3 (Snow/Ice Ground) & C4 (Tarmac Ground). Press ENTER and the level indicator L-| |- will now show, if this is not the case re-position the BrakeCheck until achieved. Press ENTER the display should now read 0.00 ± 5. Accelerate and brake the combination, when testing trailers we recommend a gradual acceleration and then a controlled emergency stop. Once the test has been completed the display will show L#, this is the test number, press ENTER to store the test, (remember to write down your vehicle ID and test number) if the display still shows L-| |- you did not press ENTER!! The peak reading will report after you pressed ENTER, as per the VOSA guidance stated above this should be similar of the service brake test of the pulling vehicle to confirm a trailer pass.
Printing Stored Tests BrakeCheck has a 99 – TEST MEMORY on the Service , Hand and the Trailer Brake Test The BrakeCheck can output test results to a printer. BrakeCheck prints to a printer via Infra Red. To Print:- Point the front of the BrakeCheck at the Printer about 10-30 cm’s apart. To Print a Service Brake: If the BrakeCheck has powered-down due to inactivity:
Press “MENU” until the display shows Sbr
Press “MENU” three times until the BrakeCheck display shows Sbr and the bottom half of the BrakeCheck shows two lights, one on Service Brake Test and the other on Last Test Result
Press “MENU” once, the display will show L n, press MENU the display will show L A (pressing ENTER now will print off all tests in the memory), Press MENU and the display will show L 1, pressing MENU will increase the test number by ONE, holding down MENU will increase the test number at a rapid rate.
With the desired test number on the display press ENTER, the Peak Reading will be displayed, with the printer switched on and the BrakeCheck pointed at the printer press PRINT. Each print out will take roughly 10 seconds to print. This is not necessary if the unit has not powered down, the Peak Deceleration (Front/Rear) LED will be lit and the display will show a value, eg – .086
Make sure the printer is turned on by pressing the grey M button on the front of the printer; a green light should now be on (without flashing) If a green light is flashing the printer needs recharging or has no paper!! Point the front of the brake tester at the front of the printer.
Press “PRINT” once, the display will show: – Prt
and the printer will print the results for the last test performed. Now do the same for the Hand Brake and Trailer Brake but have the Hand or Trailer brake test light and LAST TEST RESULT illuminated on the BrakeCheck. To turn the printer off, again press the long rectangle button on the front of the printer
Crane maintenance DVSA mobile cranes HGVs DVSA’s push a few years ago to bring mobile cranes into the annual test requirements also faced by HGVs have been supported and aided by the CEO of the country’s largest crane rental firm by units, Ainscough Crane Hire, writes Will Dalrymple
Chief executive officer of Ainscough Crane Hire, Peter Gibbs, also heads up the Crane Interest Group at trade group the Construction Plant-Hire Association, and it was through that organisation that he worked first to develop an annual testing standard document at the time, and then last year adapting the Guide to Vehicle Roadworthiness and HGV inspection manual for the use of group members (see www.is.gd/bayuho).
Mobile cranes divide into two types: those built on top of a bespoke chassis and those on a standard HGV base, also known as ‘truck-mounted’ cranes. Usually the former are, as engineering plant, exempt from the normal Construction & Use and Authorised Weight rules of the road; in particular, they tend to have much higher axle weights (up to 16.5t) and potentially many rows of axles. The usual crane derogation is known as STGO (standard type general order): its categories 2 and 3, among other precautions, limit motorway speeds to 40mph.
But Gibbs doesn’t just want to help the crane industry comply with the new rules. In fact, the documents are part of a bigger mission. He says: “These are stepping stones toward a position where I, and the membership, would like to see that dispensation removed, and see that governance for HGVs applied across mobile cranes.”
“They can sit on site, but they typically travel between once and five times, depending on the job. I think it’s an anomaly that they have not been subjected to [HGV] compliance standards all along.”
Asked to elaborate, the executive, who is a 2022 winner of the Sir Moir Lockhead safety award (see
www.is.gd/julune) continues: “It’s fundamentally about safety. The history of the sector in the last 20-30 years has been a combination of cheap money, the ability to lease a crane at very little cost, made it easy, as well as equipment that is sat outside of standard regulations. This has created a two-tier operating model.
“The downside of that, and this is evidenced, and it still happens in some places, is that some operators will not and do not maintain the crane to the safe, roadworthy standard.
“The probability of something going wrong with a crane is low, but its impact is high, on the highway travelling and on a customer’s site. For that reason as well, we want to know that the industry is putting out a well-maintained, roadworthy and lift-worthy piece of equipment with a properly briefed and trained operator with the right competency to carry out the job, both in getting from A to B and in carrying out the lift. Because when it goes wrong, that doesn’t make a pretty picture.”
The practice of maintaining roadworthiness is also relevant for a mobile crane business because, even if the mobile cranes are able to travel under their own steam (or in Ainscough’s case, HVO – see below), most crane hire firms will still need an O licence anyway to transport their counterweight, tackle and accessories.
Alongside its 400 mobile cranes, Ainscough operates 30 HGVs, all of which are now compliant with Transport for London’s Direct Vision progressive safe system, he says. And, in a claimed first for the UK crane hire industry, it has also become an Earned Recognition operator, the audit for which also saw its mobile crane fleet audited.
STGO classification also exempts cranes from the braking performance requirements of normal HGVs. (Minimum in-service brake performance for a crane running under STGO Cat 2 is 62.5m at 40mph with braking efficiency of 30%, for example.) Also, because of their size and weight, many cannot fit into authorised test facilities for a periodic roller brake test, so instead decelerometers are still commonly used.
Gibbs justifies that reporting procedure by saying: “Decelerometers don’t necessarily give the same results on every axle as a brake tester would, but they give good evidence that the crane can stop within the constraints. These are practical solutions of what we can do, and [provide] reasonably good assurance in this case that the equipment is safe – if you combine that with evidence of routine maintenance – and that the brakes have had visual inspection and testing.”
The requirements do allow a third option, a measured stopping test, but Gibbs reports that Ainscough does not use it.
In other ways, though, Ainscough treats cranes just like HGVs. The majority of them are put on a six-weekly inspection cycle (eight weeks if new). Ainscough has implemented daily walk-around checks for cranes and HGVs, and in fact has developed several tools to aid this process. One is a recording process for checks using a digital device similar to a mobile phone that populates online records with information and photos. A second is sticking QR codes on to the cranes, which the person carrying out checks must scan as he or she works their way through the inspection process. HGVs are geofenced so the company can ensure pre-start checks have been done before drivers head off, and during their journey their behaviour is also monitored. That technology is also coming to the crane fleet as well.
Adds Gibbs: “We can see both in terms of periodic and by mileage maintenance when a crane is due, and make sure we schedule it in. We can and do extend the maintenance schedule if the crane is sited somewhere, and we have an interim inspection process that we adopt in that case.” If the customer agrees, the company will even swap out cranes working on a jobsite, if a periodic inspection is due.
A key part of the company’s current strategy revolves around its 30 nationwide depots and 28 workshops where it carries out its own maintenance (and trains up the fitters in its own Level 2 and Level 3 plant maintenance apprenticeship, delivered in Preston with Myerscough College). “Our engineers work above and below the deck [of the crane] in the same scheduled maintenance programme,” as Gibbs puts it.
REGIONAL APPROACH
Depots became much more important in the business some four years ago, when Ainscough began to regionalise the business to provide a local offering. The MD explains: “It is the most efficient and environmentally friendly solution. Rather than a profit centre in the south sending a crane to Scotland because it won a job, that job is picked up and dealt with by the local team in Scotland. The benefit is local service, fewer miles and less backup.” He reports that the change has reduced mobile crane mileage by a third, overall.
It is also upgrading the crane fleet to single-engined models (older units have a second diesel on the superstructure) fitted with Stage V engines, the non-road mobile machinery equivalent to Euro VI. That, plus the switch from diesel to HVO, as well as setting up TPMS on all cranes, optimising the rigging tackle box they all carry and buying a small quantity of offsets, have together enabled the company to be certified carbon neutral in operation.
All of these operational improvements are linked, and together provide a number of benefits, Gibbs concludes: “In terms of the environmental piece, good safety is good service is good cost performance.”
RBT Brake Testing Or Decelerometer For Commercial Vehicles
The following criteria are required for all HGV brake testing.
All brake testing should be carried out away from the sites working area; this should be done in an area that has roughly level ground.
The MOT performance figures are for the Peak Reading:
Service Brake Bare Minimum 50 %
Secondary Brake Bare Minimum 25 %
Parking Brake Bare Minimum 16 %
Although the test requirement looks for a peak reading, you could use the relationship between the peak and average to determine brake performance, if you achieved a peak reading of say 51 – 58 this is not indicating good brakes, peak figures of 70 + can be achieved to indicate good brakes, even though high peaks are recorded if a low average is recorded (20 – 30 example only) this would indicate bad brakes or you will more than likely fail a roller brake test!
Brake Tester Position
The brake tester should be positioned in the foot well of the vehicle, preferably up against a bulkhead with the direction of travel arrow pointing in the intended direction and with the tester straight.
Vehicle Test Procedure
With the vehicle stationary, position and arm the brake tester, accelerate the vehicle at a constant rate in a straight line up to a safe site speed then apply the brakes in an emergency stop manner, hold the vehicle on the brake until the vehicle has come to a complete rest.
Arming The Brake Tester
Turn the BrakeCheck on by pressing and holding MENU until Sbr is displayed on the screen.
Press ENTER, the display may well show GPS flashing (Setup Mode also flashes), if so the BrakeCheck is now in GPS location mode, once the BrakeCheck has found the satellites then the test will move onto the level indicator.
The display will now show the level indicator L-| |-, if this is not the case re-position the BrakeCheck until achieved.
Press ENTER the display should now read 0.00 ± 5. As described above accelerate and brake.
The peak reading will report at the end of the test, if the display still shows L-| |- you did not press ENTER!!
With the Peak reading displayed press ENTER, this will show the average reading. Pressing ENTER again shows further information.
For a Hand Brake Test press MENU twice, this is while the service brake results are displayed, the display should now show Hbr. Now go to the second paragraph under Arming The Brake Tester to carry out a test.
Printing Stored Tests
BrakeCheck GEO has a 99-test memory on the service and hand brake tests; the tests are stored in the memory by the latest test completed being test number 1.
Printing is via Infra-red! No cable required.
Point the front of the BrakeCheck at the front of the printer.
To Print the Service Brake:
If the BrakeCheck has powered-down due to inactivity:
Press MENU until the display shows Sbr.
Press MENU twice until the BrakeCheck display shows Sbr and the bottom half of the shows to lights, one on Service Brake Test and the other on Last Test Result
Press ENTER once, the display will show L n, press MENU the display will show L A (pressing ENTER now will print off all tests in the memory), Press MENU and the display will show L 1, pressing MENU will increase the test number by ONE, holding down MENU will increase the test number at a rapid rate:
With the desired test number on the display press ENTER, the Peak Reading will be displayed, with the printer switched on and the BrakeCheck pointed at the printer press PRINT. Each print out will take roughly 10 seconds to print. This is not necessary if the unit has not powered-down, the Peak Deceleration (Front/Rear) LED will be lit and the display will show a value, eg: 0.86
Turn the printer on by pressing the grey M button on the front of the printer, a green light should now be on! If a green light is flashing the printer needs recharging or paper is low!!
Press PRINT once, the display will show: Prt
and the printer will print the results for the last test performed. Now do the same for the Hand Brake but have the Hand brake test light and Last Test Result illuminated on the BrakeCheck.
