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Posts Tagged ‘Decelerometers’

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  / Commercial Vehicle Brake Testing 

September 3rd, 2019 Comments off

Although the DVSA states a preference for roller brake testers during safety inspections, it does allow the use of portable decelerometers. What are their advantages and limitations of using portable decelerometers?

Every safety inspection must assess the braking performance of a vehicle or trailer. It’s a key part of any maintenance regime and demonstrates that operators are running their fleets in a compliant manner and protecting other road users. The DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness states that using an approved and calibrated decelerometer is acceptable to measure overall brake efficiency values for vehicles as part of the yearly maintenance scheme.

We do hear that testers are “strongly advised” to use a calibrated roller brake tester (RBT) at each safety inspection to measure individual brake performance and overall braking efficiencies for the vehicle or trailer according to the annual test standards.

Why is this? And when should each type be used?

There are two main types of portable decelerometer: digital and mechanical. Both are straightforward to use, although care has to be taken: “To use a decelerometer, the vehicle must be driven on the road, or in a yard with enough space. This should be a good surface, which is suitable in wet or dry conditions, with little traffic.

As the guidance states the use of an RBT or calibrated decelerometer can be used, it is obvious to most that a roller brake tester is far better way of determining brake efficiency. Very true would be an educated response although a combination of Roller Brake Tests and regular decelerometers test is as good a record of brake tests as possibly can be offered.

So is a portable decelerometer vulnerable to mis-testing?, a DVSA spokesman explains: “Anecdotally, the DVSA is aware of potential risks due to user error, although the DVSA has no data on this. Also, roller brake testing provides a more consistent test, whereas decelerometer use may involve some environmental variations such as test speed, road surface, weather, or gradient of the road.”

Speaking about the restriction on using decelerometers with tractor-trailer combinations, the spokesman adds: “Assessing different parts of a tractor and trailer combination can be difficult with only a decelerometer. For this reason, rigid vehicles such as buses and non-articulated lorries are more acceptable uses of decelerometers.”

The DVSA spokesman says that manufacturers provide guidance on the use of decelerometers. Risk assessments need to be in place where decelerometers are being used for brake testing, and the tests must be carried out under controlled and safe conditions.

Another decelerometer supplier is Bowmonk. Its portable brake testing kit, BrakeCheck, is also approved by the DVSA. Bowmonk says RBTs are not more accurate, but are preferred for annual tests because they “provide a means of recording each individual brake performance, whereas a decelerometer records the overall braking performance”. He adds: ”DVSA allows all operators to use a BrakeCheck for all of their interim brake tests that form part of their scheduled safety inspections.”

Bowmonk’s equipment was approved because it was able to demonstrate that the readings of overall braking efficiency and percentage of braking imbalance recorded by the device were within a specified level of tolerance, compared to that of an RBT. “BrakeCheck records the rate of acceleration from vehicle rest to the point where the brakes are applied. At this point it detects the forces being shifted forward, and then records the rate of deceleration to the point where the vehicle comes to a complete stop. From this, BrakeCheck then calculates the stopping distance, test speed and ultimately the braking efficiency.”

Any competent vehicle technician can use a BrakeCheck decelerometer without training, although training can be offered.

Adds Dave Wood, DVSA enforcement policy manager: “Under controlled and limited situations, decelerometer testing still has a place. As electronic braking performance monitoring systems gain popularity, we would like to encourage operators to use such systems as part of their vehicle defect monitoring and maintenance regime.”

FIXED BRAKE TESTERS

DVSA says it strongly advises calibrated RBTs “because this is the method of brake testing used by the MOT and is supported by legislation“.

Steve Coles, head of MOT operations at the Retail Motor Industry Federation, confirms that an RBT measures a greater number of elements of brake performance than a decelerometer. He states: “Performance efficiency, binding, fluctuation, increase and reduction of brake effort can all be measured, whereas a decelerometer can only check efficiency and a very rudimentary check of imbalance, which is subjective rather than measured.”

One reason DVSA prefers RBTs is road safety: “Having vehicles conduct emergency stops on public roads using a decelerometer carries a certain risk to other road users that is alleviated if the vehicle is tested in a workshop using an RBT.”

Approved MOT stations must have a fixed brake tester, either roller brake (pictured above) or plate brake tester. Boston’s Tabor says: “Roller brake testers are the most commonly used, since they require less space. The only exception to a fixed brake tester may be a remote part of the country, for example some Scottish islands, but this is rare, if not now a discontinued practice.”

To meet DVSA criteria, all equipment used in the test lane – fixed or otherwise – has to be approved by, for example, the Garage Equipment Association (list of approved equipment: ). Explains Tabor: “The reason for this is to make sure that regardless of where the vehicle is tested and on what make of equipment, the result will be the same. To maintain accuracy, fixed brake testers must be calibrated every six months and certificates to prove accuracy are issued to the test station. Decelerometers must meet mandatory standards and also need calibrating every two years. The longer period between calibrations is because they are only there for temporary use.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

For a meaningful brake test, DVSA recommends that the vehicle should be at least 65% loaded, where possible.

BOX: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

In 2017, the boss of Grittenham Haulage and its mechanic were jailed after one of their tipper trucks crashed, killing four people, due to faulty brakes. The judge at Bristol Crown Court said Matthew Gordon and Peter Wood had a “cavalier“ attitude to vehicle maintenance at their firm before the incident in 2015.

Gordon told the court that he had been unaware brake checks had to be carried out every four months and admitted that he didn’t have a transport manager in place. Gordon was jailed for more than seven years; Wood for more than five.

After the sentencing, DCI Richard Ocone said: “Detailed and complex investigations showed many of the faults on the vehicle were longstanding – highlighted by the fact that the brakes on the lorry at the time of the crash were totally inadequate, having an overall efficiency of just 28%.”

Bowmonk BrakeCheck Purchase Online

Or call 0115 8456471 to discuss your HGV brake maintenance requirement

 

Bowmonk BrakeCheck Decelerometer

BrakeCheck is DVSA (VOSA) accepted & MOT approved.

Do You Know What Brake Testing You Should Be Doing?

June 19th, 2019 Comments off
Since April 2014 the DVSA have been recommending commercial vehicles undertake 4 brake tests per year!

This is a recommendation based on the DVSA’s guidance paper.

So as this is a recommendation, what is the law? Is the law is one RBT as a MOT per year?

Well it is if the DVSA is a guidance paper, or is it?

If the guidance set out by the DVSA isn’t followed and the operator is inspected by the DVSA or addressed by a traffic commissioner. The guidance set out by the DVSA is used as the standard an operator should meet, does this now make it law?
Well the operator has to make this call; do you follow the guidance or not? Keeping a fleet roadworthy and safe must be a high priority for any management team, after all the with laws around corporate manslaughter all risks need to be seriously considered.
Many operators have moved with the guidance but still 5 years has passed with some commercial vehicle operators still unaware of the law and guidance.

So, regarding commercial vehicle brake testing, the guidance states:

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.”

An operator can take the decision to carry out brake tests using roller brake tests or a decelerometer.

As the consequences of non-compliance with the required standards can be very severe and include prohibition, fines or prosecution, operators are advised to ensure that they are familiar with all the changes within the DVSA guidance.

Following The Bath Tipper Incident Inquiry, HGV Brake Testing is Essential!!

The inquiry showed the Bath tipper truck to have been poorly maintained which resulted when tested to have a very poor brake efficiency.
aide automotive recommend the use of roller brake testers and decelerometers within a 12-month maintenance and testing policy.

Also, the use of an Infra-Red Temperature Gun, Infra-Red Temperature guns are an excellent way of individual brake testing of wheel disks or drums to determine brake activation. With the ease of just pointing the Infra-Red Light at the wheel hub from the outer edge of a trailer or truck and without removing wheels, an infra-Red Temp Gun can indicate if a wheel is not braking efficiently as compared to the other wheels on the vehicle.

aide automotive market a range of Brake Testing, Servicing & Diagnostic Tools for commercial vehicle workshops.

With the Bowmonk BrakeCheck Portable Decelerometer Printer kit, a workshop can meet the 3 additional required brake tests with minimum fuss. For Trailer Servicing & Diagnostics, aide offer a complete Trailer Electrical (ABS Light & EBS CAN Line Test), Light and Air Brake Tester with Diagnostics interface for Trailer ECU Code Reading / Clearing and management data viewing. EBS/ABS Sensor Master testing can be conducted with the Sensor Master, while Battery Diagnostics Tests with a Midtronics MDX Battery Tester.
aide automotive offer a range of products to help with DVSA Guide To Roadworthiness. Contact us via our website www.aideautomotive.com
HGV DVSA Truck Brake Tester

 

Brake Tester, Diagnostics, Battery Testers

aide auto Market Truck & Trailer Workshop Test Tools

Commercial Vehicle Brake Testing Up To Standard?

May 18th, 2018 Comments off

Brake performance testing should be a key part of your maintenance

The Governments Moving On Blog recently posted the below press.
Brake performance testing should be a key part of your maintenance regime that needs to happen at every safety inspection.
And, if you find any braking performance problems while the vehicle or trailer is in use, you’ll need to get a measured brake efficiency test before you use the vehicle again.
For most of you, this is standard practice and shows that you’re committed to running your fleet compliantly and protecting other road users.
Tragic consequences
But unfortunately some licence holders don’t meet the minimum standards and the consequences can be devastating.
In 2015, DVSA examiners investigated a road traffic incident involving a 32-tonne tipper vehicle. Four people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed when the vehicle’s brakes failed on a steep hill.
Our investigation found the operator’s brake testing was far below the required standards. The company’s approach to brake testing was nowhere near thorough enough, and on 5 out of 13 safety inspection records, the brake test section had been left blank.
In the other records, the comments were too limited for anyone to understand what they meant.
Successful court convictions
Two individuals from the company were each convicted of four counts of manslaughter at Bristol Crown Court.
The company director was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison and the mechanic was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison.
The Traffic Commissioner revoked the company’s operator’s licence and both the company and its director were disqualified from holding or obtaining another operator’s licence for two years.
Even if nothing this catastrophic happens, our vehicle examiners  will still take your vehicle off the road and can issue you with a fixed penalty if they find dangerous problems with your brakes. This could lead to an investigation and referral to the Traffic Commissioner.
Following best practice
You should carry out routine safety inspections of your vehicles on a regular basis. Annex 4 of the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness provides tips for you to work out how often a vehicle needs to be inspected.
A braking test needs to form a part of each safety inspection. If possible, you should always brake test a vehicle or trailer laden. You should also use a calibrated roller brake tester (RBT) to measure:
?    individual brake performance
?    overall braking efficiency
You should undertake brake testing with the vehicle or trailer laden in order to get meaningful results. If this test shows the brakes aren’t working properly, then the vehicle or trailer isn’t roadworthy.
You could also use an approved and calibrated decelerometer to measure overall brake efficiency if you’re testing vehicles without trailers.
And you should always try and obtain a printout of the brake test from either the RBT or decelerometer and make sure it’s attached to the safety inspection record. If you can’t get a printout, the inspector should record the results on the safety inspection report instead.
If you can’t carry out a brake test during a safety inspection, the vehicle’s braking performance must be assessed using a road test.
This needs to be carried out under controlled and safe conditions. The safety inspection record should also say that the brake performance was assessed by a road test.
You can use an Electronic Braking Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS) to assess trailer braking performance using data collected while the vehicle is in use.
aide automotive market decelerometer brake testers for commercial vehicles, the Bowmonk BrakeCheck is a known quality product for the UK’s truck, bus & coach market as well as around the world.
The latest addition to the BrakeCheck range is the BrakeCheck GEO, with a built in GPS receiver this decelerometer will provide a GPS location to each brake test.
Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 or email info@aideautomotive.com
Truck Brake Tester

BrakeCheck Decelerometer Price Offers

Portable Brake Tester Designed Specifically For Forklift Trucks

March 9th, 2018 Comments off

Forklift Trucks Brake Testing With BrakeCheck FLT

The BrakeCheck 4 Forklift Trucks (FLT) is our portable brake tester designed specifically for forklift trucks.
The Bowmonk BrakeCheck FLT is a fully self-contained, user-friendly, portable brake tester, which has been developed with a leading forklift truck manufacturer to take account of the slow speed and tilt of forklift truck vehicles. The instrument records the braking efficiency and percentage of braking imbalance in a matter of minutes.
The Bowmonk BrakeCheck FLT determines braking efficiency of both the Service Brake (Foot Brake) and Hand Brake by measuring the rate of deceleration from normal operating speed until the vehicle comes to rest.
The BrakeCheck FLT is the perfect tool to assist with LOLER/PUWER safety inspections.
Designed to be self-compensating, this Fork Lift Truck Brake Meter will indicate on the LED screen when it is positioned level enough to perform a brake test, with a generous tolerance to ensure that this is easy to achieve.
BrakeCheck 4 Forklift Trucks indicates whether the vehicle pulls to the left or right during braking.
Test results can be viewed on the display panel or downloaded to a PC for saving or printing. A printed report can also be produced at the time of testing using the portable infra-red printer.
BrakeCheck 4 Forklift Trucks operates off a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and will power-down after a period of inactivity to conserve energy.
Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 for questions, prices and training.
BrakeCheck - ForkLift Trucks

Brake Testing Fork Lift Trucks

Agricultural tractor Brake Test would meet the road worthines

March 2nd, 2018 Comments off

Tractors To Require An O Licence

Agricultural tractors “likely” to require an O-licence

aide automotive have recently seen media reports of agricultural vehicles possibly being made to meet better road safety regulations as per commercial vehicles on UK roads.
Commercial Motor published:
Agricultural tractors that carry out commercial haulage will be subject to roadworthiness testing requirements from next year – and are likely to fall under the O-licensing regime.
From 20 May 2018, operators of agricultural tractors capable of travelling more than 40km/h (approximately 25mph), used to carry commercial goods, will be required to undergo a roadworthiness test four years after their registration and every two years thereafter.
In its response to a consultation carried out last year, the DfT also noted that operators of such tractors would likely require an O-licence.
However, the RHA said the changes did not go far enough to address the concerns about competition, and said allowing tractors to carry freight will encourage more to be used for haulage.
“Ideally we would like to see these vehicles banned from moving freight on public roads entirely as their design is not equivalent to well-designed lorries for that task,” said policy director Duncan Buchanan.
“We do not believe that the frequency, four years for the first test then every two years, is justified. It looks very odd for heavy vehicles like these to be tested so infrequently when a 50cc moped is required to be tested every year after three years.”
The FTA’s head of policy and compliance information, James Firth, added: “If it looks like a truck or it’s doing the work of a truck, test it like a truck. Members in areas where agriculture is a primary economy have long raised concerns that agricultural tractor units, and specially developed fast tractors, were competing in the haulage market without being burdened by the same safety standards.”
On the subject of O-licensing, Buchanan added: “If it is the case then operators would need to obtain O-licences from when the vehicle was new. They should also have to comply with the same level of rigour as lorries.”
Vernon Hill, director at Kings Lynn-based Vernon Hill Agricultural Services, supported bringing tractors into the O-licensing regime.
He said: “An agricultural contractor friend of mine who runs lorries and tractors thinks the cost of each is very similar, so if farmers think they are saving money by not using a haulier they may be kidding themselves.
“If they are doing commercial haulage, why shouldn’t they be in scope of O-licensing?”
The weight and speed limits for farm tractors and trailers on UK roads increased in 2015. Tractors are not currently subject to mandatory testing.
If tractors are to fall under the O licence criteria, agricultural workshops and repair engineers will have to look at regular brake testing, one way to test tractor brakes is the BrakeCheck decelerometer.
Easy to use and with hard copy print options, brake testing a agricultural tractor with a BrakeCheck would meet the road worthiness requirement of an O licence.
Contact aide automotive on 0115 8456471 for BrakeCheck pricing and any further information that me be required.
Brake Tester For Farming Tractors

Test Agri Tractor Brakes With BrakeCheck

Motorhome Brake Testing

August 14th, 2017 Comments off

While Serving A Motorhome, Why Not Offer A Brake Test?

Check brakes and stay safe on the road this summer!!

BrakeCheck is a portable, DVSA-approved Brake Tester for all MOT class vehicles.
BrakeCheck determines braking efficiency of both the Service Brake (Foot Brake) and Hand Brake by measuring the rate of deceleration from a speed of around 20 mph (Service Brake) 10 mph (Foot Brake) until the vehicle comes to rest.
With no connection to the vehicle and designed to be self-compensating, the brake tester will indicate on the LED screen when it is positioned level enough to perform a brake test, with a generous tolerance to ensure that this is easy to achieve.
The BrakeCheck decelerometer indicates whether the vehicle pulls to the left or right during braking, and reports the overall brake efficiency of the service and hand brake. Brake test results and be compared to MOT guidelines for roadworthy vehicles.
Test results can be viewed on the display panel or downloaded to a PC for saving or printing. A printed report can also be produced at the time of testing using the portable infra-red printer.
Following the service of a Motor home or vehicle, caravan service engineers could add a hard copy brake performance test, offering confidence and professionalism to the service.
Click on Motor home Brake Testing to read more and review a sample print out.
Please do not hesitate to call to discuss further the way a decelerometer conducts a brake test – aide automotive ltd 0115 8456471
Decelerometer Bowmonk

Motor Home Brake Tester For Servicing Or MOT

Bowmonk BrakeCheck User Manual Guides Available To Download

June 27th, 2017 Comments off

Bowmonk BrakeCheck User Manual  / Guide

BrakeCheck User Guides Available To Download

The Bowmonk BrakeCheck has been an impressive simple to use brake meter for many fleet operators around the world.

Even so the help of a quick user guide is always required and offer confidence the brake tester is being used correctly.
All customer can now download the main quick reference guide from our PDF download centre, To do so, go the the BrakeCheck page and towards the bottom of the page, Click on the “Download Product Data Sheet” Button.
This will then direct the user into the PDF download page where the BrakeCheck user guide can be downloaded, the BrakeCheck Print Out Explanation Guide can also be downloaded.
The Quick Reference User Guide we offer is all you should need, but if a user has any uncertainty then please call the mobile number detailed on the side of your BrakeCheck for vocal training or support.
Contact aide automotive for Bowmonk BrakeCheck Sales & Support – 0115 8456471
Decelerometer For HGV's

BrakeCheck Conducts DVSA HGV Brake Tests

Brake Testing, Servicing & Diagnostic Tools for Commercial Vehicle Workshops

May 24th, 2017 Comments off

Brake & Diagnostic Products from aide automotive

 

Truck & Bus Product Focus Feature Brake Servicing & Diagnostics had a wealth of product information recently.

aide automotive advertised a range of Brake Testing, Servicing & Diagnostic Tools for commercial vehicle workshops.
With the Bowmonk BrakeCheck Portable Decelerometer Printer kit, a workshop can meet the 3 additional required brake tests with minimum fuss
For Trailer Servicing & Diagnostics, aide offer a complete Trailer Electrical (ABS Light & EBS CAN Line Test), Light and Air Brake Tester with Diagnostics interface for Trailer ECU Code Reading / Clearing and management data viewing.
EBS/ABS Sensor Master testing can be conducted with the Sensor Master, while Battery Diagnostics Tests with a Midtronics MDX Battery Tester.
Contact aide automotive for any questions via email – info@aideautomotive.comor phone 0115 8456471
Bowmonk BrakeCheck

Brake Testing, Servicing & Diagnostic Tools for Commercial Vehicle Workshops

HGV Brake Testing Essential

April 13th, 2017 Comments off

Truck, Bus & Coach Brake Testing

Following The Bath Tipper Incident Inquiry HGV Brake Testing Essential

Following the Bath Tipper Incident inquiry one would make a educated judgement to make sure all brakes and testing of brakes on HGV or Commercial vehicles are examined, maintained and tested with the appropriate recorded paper work.
The inquiry showed the Bath tipper truck to have been poorly maintained which resulted when tested to have a very poor brake efficiency.
aide automotive recommend the use of roller brake testers and decelerometers within a 12 month maintenance and testing policy.
Regular testing on RBT’s and then an in-between decelerometer test like BrakeCheck will offer printed brake reports for service or inspection sheets to complete a maintenance policy for any heavy vehicle operator.
You can dear more of he DVSA’s Heavy vehicle brake test: best practice online.
In the near future aide automotive will be offering On Site Roller Brake Testing, we will visit, test and report on truck, Bus, Coach or Trailer brakes using a calibrated RBT with print out facility.
Contact aide automotive to discuss the use of decelerometers or Roller Brake Testers – 0115 8456471
Decelerometer For HGV's

BrakeCheck Conducts DVSA HGV Brake Tests