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TRAIN UP FOR HI-TECH 90s
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Training for fitters has never been more important as the next generation of trucks emerges. We look at what courses are available
TRUCKS basically consist of robust components running in heavy oil or grease and have the minimum amount of electrical wiring. Yes, nowadays a turbocharger has been added here and there, but when anything goes wrong there is usually a bang or a leak or a whine and the fitter can see the resulting mess. This will all change in the Nineties.
Anti-lock braking systems are becoming madatory and top-speed limiters are already required on the newer coaches. Air suspension, electronic control of diesel injection and computer-aided gearchanging are becoming standard on some vehicles. This increasing use of electronics and the higher level of technology employed on today's vehicles means that the fitter trained years, perhaps decades, ago will be unable to repair the vehicles we will shortly be seeing on our roads.
It is not the fitter's fault; he has prob
ably kept abreast of the mechanical changes that have happened over a number of years. It is not the vehicle manufacturer's fault; legislation is compelling the introduction of the new systems at a rapid pace. The workshop manager however, is faced with the problem of not having the necessary level of skills in his workforce to cope with the new generation of trucks.
Manufacturers will help
Vehicle manufacturers have always provided training for dealers' fitters and those working for fleet operators. The level of training available for operators' fitters depends on the manufacturer — some mix courses with operators and dealers, some exclude operators from particular courses. Training is always given a very high priority by manufacturers. Indeed, Leyland Daf takes it so seriously that its new training centre is the first of the new buildings to be
opened at Thame. Office staff are still working in portable buildings, but the 1,800rnz centre with its eight classrooms is up and running.
Of the eight classrooms, six have practical rooms equipped with gearboxes or engines or electrical displays depending on the course being run at the time. In the classrooms themselves there is back projection, video and overhead projection facilities.
An average of five courses a week are run at the new centre and over 2,000 people a year will pass through its doors. The majority of those courses are aimed at the dealers' fitters, but those for operators' staff account for about one in five. Those operators who do not take advantage and send their fitters on courses run by vehicle manufacturers will find their fleet's reliability deteriorating as new technology is introduced, and their staff becoming disenchanted and leaving. Costs of the courses are minimal and some are free; accommodation can normally be found at cheap rates in the locality.
Here we list courses on offer to operators' fitters together with a guide to the cost (excluding value-added tax).
• AWD mixes operators' and dealers' fitters on its courses which are held at Dunstable. Courses on offer are: Transmission and clutch 2 days; Brake course 2 days; Multi-drive 3 days. Special courses can be run to meet specific demand.
Fees: £30 per person per day — accommodation extra.
Booking: Technical training 0582 472244.
• Crane Fruehauf offers courses for operators on an "as required" basis covering such items as anti-lock braking and air suspension. These are normally held at Dereham but can be run at operators' premises.
There is no charge for the courses and those interested should contact Crane Fruehauf Aftersales on 0362 695353.
• Eaton provides product training either at its Basingstoke premises or those of operators. All courses are approved by the RTITB for grant purposes. There are 17 technical training courses on offer covering a broad spectrum of Eaton products. They are:
Fuller RT/RTX 11906 1 day; Fuller RT/ RIO 11613 I day; Axles single, twospeed and PDR 1 day; Axles tandem head 1 day; "In house" transmissions and axles 5 days; Fuller RT/RTX 6609 and 11609 2 days; Fuller RT/RTX 11609 and 11613 2 days; Fuller RI! RTX 11609 and axles 2 days; Fuller RT/RTO 11613 and axles 2 days; 4106 transmission and axles 2 days; Fuller RT/RTX 6609 and axles 2 days; Fuller RT/RTX 11609 and tandem head 2 days; 4106 transmission and tandem
head 2 days; Single, two-speed, PRD and tandem head 2 days; 4106 transmission 1 day; 7609 transmission 1 day; Twin splitter 11612 1 day; 6109 transmission 1 day; SAMT product appreciation 1 day; SAMT product appreciation/trouble shooting 2 days. Fees: £20 per person per day (£100 minimum for training held at customer's premises). Overnight accommodation extra.
Booking: Product training school 0256 473221, ext 6294.
• ERF has its training centre at Midcliewich; its courses have RTITB grant values depending on the particular one attended. The courses on offer, which have a mixture of operator and dealer staff, are: E6 general maintenance 4 days; E8 general maintenance (rigids and tractive units) 5 days; El0 plus general maintenance (also covers E12, E14 and C Series) 5 days; Air brakes -5 days; Transmission, steering and axle 5 days; Eaton twin-splitter gearbox 1 day; General engine course Cummins L10 5 days; General engine course Cummins 14L 5 days; Engine servicing course Cummins L10 and 14L 1 day; General
engine course Cummins 6BTA 2 days; General engine course Cummins 6CTAA 3 days; General engine course, Perkins TX 3 days; Engine servicing, Perkins TX 1 day; Engine fault diagnostic, Cummins L10 or 14L 3 days; Electrical fault diagnosis 5 days; Advanced electrical fault diagnosis 4 days; ES fault diagnosis 4 days; ES advanced electrical fault diagnosis 3 days; Petroleum vehicle electrical fault diagnosis 5 days; Anti-skid braking system repair 1 day; Eberspatcher installation and repair 1 day.
Fees: £40 per person per day including VAT. Over night accommodation extra, Bookings; Product training department 060684 4711 ext 312.
• Foden is reviewing its training programme following the introduction of its 17-tanner. Courses are tailered to operators' requirements (as are the trucks themselves) and, while they are normally held at Sandbach, they can be held at an operator's premises.
Those wishing to have training courses organised should make initial contact through their local Foden dealer. Fees will vary depending on the specific course set up. • Iveco Ford's training centre is at Winsford in Cheshire. Operator's staff can be offered places on any course depending on the number of dealer staff attending. The courses on offer (for the first half of the year only) are: Daily service and repair 5 days; Zeta and medium-range service and repair 5 days; Cargo light/medium-range 5 days; 6x4 Cargo service and repair 5 days; Cummins L10 and Iveco 240/320 engines 5 days; Iveco 300-360-420-480 engines 5 days; Heavy tractor chassis 5 days; Heavy tractor airbrakes (includes ABS/ASR) 5 days; Eight-wheeler service and repair 5 days; Iveco-Cargo electrical system 5 days; Wabco ABS/ASR system update and electricians 1 day; 8340-8360 engines 2 days.
Fees: £25 per person per day — accommodation extra.
Booking: Winsford Service Training Centre 0606 593400.
• Leyland Daf normally holds its training courses at Thame. However, a brief introduction will be given on site when the first vehicle is introduced to a fleet. For large fleets using one type of vehicle special courses can be arranged, Operators' fitters courses account for about 1 in 5 of all those offered, they are: SB220 bus introduction 2 days; Bus fleet course 5 days; Series 95 5 days; Fleet vehicle repair (2800 and Series 95) 5 days; Fleet vehicle repair (1700 and 2500) 5 days; 300 Series engined trucks 5 days.
Fees: £40 per delegate per day — accommodation extra.
Booking: Service training administration 084421 8697.
• MAN has its training centre at Swindon and its courses are open to operator and dealer staff alike. No more than six people are allowed on each course. The courses on offer are: G90 gearbox 1 day; G90 comprehensive service 4 days; Diagnostic procedures 2 days; Advanced pneumatic brake and suspension systems 3 days; ZF 16S 160 gearbox 2 days; Eaton ISO 11612 gearbox 1 day; ZF S6.36/GV36 gearbox 2 days; Eaton RTO 11613 gearbox 1 day; D28 engines 2 days; M90 and F90 front and rear axles 2 days; F90 service operations 1 day; M90 comprehensive service 4 days; F90 comprehensive service 5 days; Electrical Part 1 (LCV) 4 days; Electrical Part 2 (G90) 2 days; Electrical Part 3 3 days; Basic pneumatic brake and suspension systems 2 days; G90 front and rear axles 1 day; D08 engines 2 days; G90 service operations 1 day.
Fees: £35 £40 per person per day — accommodation extra.
Booking: MAN Training Administrator 0793 490231 • Mercedes-Benz training centre is at Milton Keynes. Its policy is that basic servicing training will be given to operators free of charge, but all advanced training is restricted to its dealers' staffs. The courses on offer to operators are: 1617 servicing 3 days; 609-709D-811D servicing 5 days; 2429S-2435S-2448S servicing 3 days; Brake systems heavy 5 days; 2421-2421K-3025K servicing 3 days; 814-814L-1114-1314-1317 servicing 3 days; Automatic gearbox W4B035 setting and fault finding 2 days; Light transport (covering the light range) 5 days.
Mercedes-Benz also allocates six weeks for fleet operators to dictate the course content.
Fees; free of charge — accommodation extra.
Booking: Through local Mercedes-Benz dealer.
• Perkins holds its training courses at both Shrewsbury and Peterborough. Its engines are used in both automotive and marine installations with the courses for truck fitment being: Eagle TX/800 4 days; Eagle Li 4 days; Phaser and 1000 series 3 days; Prima and 500 series 3 days; 4.236/6.354 family 3 days. Fees: 4 day £180, 3 day £150. Accommodation is extra. Booking: Allan Dyer 0743 52262.
• Renault's training centre is at EIrndon, adjacent to the National Exhibition Centre at Birmingham. Its courses are open to both dealer and operator staff. If sufficient demand comes from any particular area or operator the courses can be held at regional locations. This mobility of training is soon to be enhanced by the introduction of a specially fitted out semi-trailer allowing the classroom to travel to the students. Courses currently on offer are: G-Range engines (G 260 and C 290) 1 day; Midliner and G170 engines 1 day; R Range engines (R310, R340 and R365) I day; B9/B18 gearbox (G and R range) 2 days; B6/BDSL gearbox (G170, TF230 and TF231) 1 day; Midliner ZF gearbox 2 days; G and R range brakes 1 day; Midliner brakes 1 day; Specialist brake course (G and R range) 2 days; Electrical 1 day; Product knowledge (50 and 100 series, midliner, G and R range) 1 day each; Twin steer (G and R range) 1 day; Technical refresher (update on product knowledge) 1 day; 100 series gearbox 1 day; 100 series brakes 1 day; 100 series bus chassis 1 day.
Fees: Al! Renault technical courses are free of charge. Accommodation is paid by operator.
Booking: Through service or sales area manager.
• The courses that Scania offers to its operators' fitters are different in nature to those on offer by other manufacturers. They are on different levels of one vehicle — like layers of an onion. Courses looking at specific areas or items are at present restricted to its dealers' fitters but is under review. Those on offer to operators staff at the Milton Keynes training centre are: Familiarisation and routine maintenance 2 days; N-Series bus chassis covering brakes, suspension, automatic transmission, electric throttle and steering 4 days; Customer technical course covering engine (maintenance and repair), gearbox (dismantle and reassemble), brakes (description fault finding and safety checks) and electrical systems (including fault diagnosis procedure).
Fees: £50 per person per day — accommodation extra.
Booking: Through your local Scania distributor.
• Seddon Atkinson's training centre is situated just outside Preston in Lancashire. All courses are open to operators as well as dealer staff and normally contain a mix of both. Courses currently on offer are: 2-11 vehicle 5 days; Strato tractor 5 days; Vehicle braking system 3 days; 3-11/4-11 tractor 5 days; Strato electrics 4 days; Vehicle fault diagnosis 4 days; Eaton 4106 gearbox 2 days; 2-11 municipal 5 days; Twin splitter 2 days; Pegaso Ironer 2 days; Strato rear steer 2 days.
Fees: £25 per person per day — accom modation extra.
Booking: Service training 0772 36241_ • Volvo offers training courses at its Warwick headquarters. These range from general servicing to advanced electrics and electrical systems. A limited number of places are available to operator staff — those interested should apply to their local Volvo distributor.
• In addition to these courses, many are offered by component manufacturers covering specific areas. Bendix, Crau, Lucas, Rubery Owen-Rockwell, to name but a few, all offer training on the repair and maintenance of their own products at a nominal cost. It is in the interest of all manufacturers that their customers get the best out of their products. Any operator who feels that they, or their staff, require training should ask what is on offer from the manufacturer. It's cheap, it keeps the staff happy and the fleet running at maximum efficiency and, in the Nineties, it's essential.