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Better ways of keeping them running

13th September 1974
Page 132
Page 133
Page 132, 13th September 1974 — Better ways of keeping them running
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EQUIPMENT to help operators keep their fleets in top-notch order will be displayed on Earls Court's first floor in the Transport Service Equipment section.

Lucas will show, on stands 184-7, an intriguing unit called a Vehicle Condition Monitoring System.

The system indicates . a variety of vehicle faults, or points requiring attention, by illuminating a display and by giving the driver an additional audible warning for serious faults, if required.

Display is in the form of words printed on transparent plastic panels, edge illuminated. Some of the conditions that can be indicated are: brake fault, oil pressure, bulb failure, headlamp cleaning (fluid level), brake fluid, oil level, coolant level and screenwash.

Tecalemit (Stand 215) will show a vehicle maintenance unit designed for plant servicing in rugged or inaccessible terrain. This is the most comprehensive of Tecalemit's mobile servicing units, and incorporates up to six drums of various oils and greases, with compressors. Other standard equipment includes six pumps, eight hose reels, oil sprayer and tool kit. Generator set, battery charger and sparkplug cleaner are extras.

Startling Results

Preventive maintenance is the theme of Girling's stands (225-227). This company has carried out surveys and tests on commercial vehicles, coming up with some startling results.

A sample of vehicles, over a 10-month period last year, took in 29,200 prime movers and rigids. Of these, 31 per cent failed brake tests, 8,039 brake faults were found and in most cases more than one brake fault was found on vehicles.

Pneumatic power tools aimed at the commercial vehicle operator are to be shown on stand 134 by Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company Ltd. Demonstrations will be given, and the equipment on show includes a CP791 3.18 cm (1.25 in) air wrench particularly suitable for heavy-duty commercial work.

On stand 362 the same company will show for the first time the CP800 series of body-shop tools. This comprises eight tools designed for mechanizing and simplifying the operations of body repairs. Compressed air will be available on the stand for demonstrations.

Power Washer

Exhibited for the first time at the Show by Modern Devices Ltd will be a redesigned range of power washers with improvements for safety and performance. These are sold under the name Vestin.

A redesigned heating coil cuts out overheating problems, while a temperature control also provides a means of preventing overheating.

Stand 131 will be the "home" of TI Transport Equipment Group — Crypton-Triangle, Bradbury, Churchill — where the theme is safety with efficiency.

An improved Crypton brake tester analyser includes gritted rollers for better tyre grip, and supplementary safety rollers to prevent both tyre damage and accidental operation.

V. L. Churchill has both a heavy-duty commercial on-the-vehicle wheel balancer, and a demonstration rig of its optical/ mechanical wheel alignment equipment, suitable for use on both front and rear wheels. Bradbury shows one of its latest two-post lifts suitable for cars and vans.

Dixon-Bate has on stand 132 a new vehicle lifting frame and a pallet securing system.

The lifting frame has been specially produced for all BLMC front-wheel drive models, except the Maxi. It means that the front of the vehicle can be lifted without the use of chains or a spreader attachment.

Brown Brothers (stand 139) will show a range of maintenance, repair and service equipment, including welding plant, steam cleaners, tyre service equipment, wheel balancers, lubrication equipment, electric hand tools, portable heaters, engine test equipment and workshop tools.

Dial-Holmes will exhibit its new fifthwheel wrecker capable of lift-and-tow on most commercial vehicle breakdowns and minor accidents. Low capital cost and high versatility are claimed for this unit.

Colindale-Becker Ltd (stand 338) exhibits items from its range of lifts and hoists. The range covers lifts from 3.5 tonnes to 51 tonnes — this heaviest lift can deal with tractors complete with semi-trailers, and is of three-post freewheel type, with two posts movable.

Drum Grinder

Trist, Draper Ltd (stand 263) will show one of the brake-trueing lathes used at its depots to turn and grind brake drums with hub in position. This is becoming popular as a means of achieving immediately efficient brakes by ensuring good contact between lining and drum.

Hofmann Balancing Techniques Ltd (stand 142) will be displaying a new car and commercial on-the-vehicle wheel balancer, with force-measuring pick-up and two-speed motor. There is also a new off-the-vehicle balancer with the interesting feature of self-indexing the wheel after a balancing run, so that all the operator has to do is attach weight at top dead centre.

Another exhibitor of vehicle lifts is Peel Automotive Equipment on stand 147. Displays include a FOG 3.5-tonne hydro-electric four-post lift, a Muller BEM steering geometry checking outfit for heavy commercials, and a range of DAV battery chargers.

Stands 184 and 185 are the home of CAV, with exhibits including fuel injection and electrical equipment.

Another Lucas member, Leslie Hartridge Ltd, shows a new tachograph tester giving plus or minus 0.5-per cent set-up accuracy at 50 kph within 15 seconds of starting the test. The machine uses a four-roller frame and retractable odometer roller to gain measurements for the setting-up operation. No site preparation is needed to install this equipment.