Lifting
Blitz Rotary, who claim to be European leaders in truck lifting technology, are exhibiting at April's CV Show, at the NEC. The company employs the most modern methods of manufacture including fully automatic production facilities featuring welding robots; this results in a very high number of consistently accurate and high quality components being produced in-house.
February's Tyres & Accessories is now available to read online in our modern e-paper format. The February edition focusses on TPMS and Wheel Alignment as well as all the features we publish each month. Subscribers can browse the latest issue by clicking "more" below.
New research by analysts at Plimsoll suggests the UK tyre market is polarised between “those getting it right and those struggling to recover.” David Pattison, senior analyst and author of the 2011 Plimsoll Analysis explained: “Now that the storm is lifting we have been able to assess the damage left behind. 38 companies are in parlous state and starting the New Year clinging on for dear life. We have rated them as Danger accordingly. Falling demand was the final nail in the coffin for many. The mistake they made though was to not make those painful cuts early enough to protect their business”.
The bumper November edition of Tyres & Accesories contains more than 120 pages of the latest tyre business news and information including features on Motorsport and full coverage of the recent Brityrex exhibition, TAFF Awards and Lifting equipment. Subscribers can enjoy flicking through this edition online by clicking 'more.'
Esco Corp has added high tonnage/high lift jacks to its range of heavy duty hydraulic lifting equipment. Five new models are available, with lifting capacity ranging between 100 and 250 tons. All models are air/hydraulic powered and are balanced for easy moving on 13-inch pneumatic tyres/wheels. Lift extension saddles are stored in the jack’s base for easy adjustments to various lifting heights of 5, 9 and 12-inches. Stacking aluminium safety locking rings are an option as is air powered wheel drive for ease of moving. All models are built with heavy duty lifting holes. Each jack has a maximum width of 23-inches and will fit into tight clearance in mines, construction sites or railroad yards. Lifting stroke on the five models range from 14.5 to 22.75-inches.
Snap-on Incorporated has won three innovation awards at this year’s Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN) Innovation Awards. The US publication selected Snap-on for this distinction in the hand tools category for its 10-piece, 1/4-inch drive metric low profile ratchet/socket set, the tool storage category for its KEW-Series LED light assembly system for tool storage units and the equipment category for the Quadriga automatic tyre changer.
Leyton Service Centre, a successful garage for over 10 years recently decided to utilise the space in its garage more efficiently by installing a Class VII Tecalemit MoT bay and a Visualiner 3D Lite UK-Lift version 3D car Wheel Aligner from Euro Garage Solutions (EGS).
MOT testing stations in the UK now have the choice to opt for automatic test lanes (ATLs) to greatly enhance the testing procedure and reduce the labour burden, as only one person is required to complete the MOT test. Owner Bill Butt’s aim is to generate more business by working more efficiently. In addition by opting for a Class VII with its long platform and 5 and a half-metre lift the garage can now cater for the LCV market.
He also wanted the latest equipment to accurately measure wheel alignment and knew the John Bean 3D Alignment was the answer. With motorists becoming more aware that wheel alignment is an important check on a car he was looking for the solution to provide accurate results. Bill Butt wanted Leyton to move with the times and ensure they invest in the business future with quality equipment.
Garage equipment specialists the Trade Group has launched a new range of Trademaster scissor lifts. These have been specially selected to provide a wide range of choices for Class IV, VII and V light MOT installations as well as general service work. They permit the most effective use of garage workshop floor area by allowing the minimum permissible overall bay width to be used.
Centrum International Ltd. is a new name for Tyres & Accessories, but as a newcomer in the sector we thought it was right to let the market know who’s out there now. According to the company, Centrum is “a young and dynamic auto garage equipment manufacturer.” The firm, which was founded in 2004, is based in Hong Kong with production facilities in China. Centrum’s production factory facilities are located in Yingkou city in China’s Liaoning province.
Amidst sweltering temperatures and high humidity Valentino Rossi triumphed at Sepang, Malaysia, proving too strong for his rivals as he recovered from eleventh position during the opening lap to take his second win of the season. Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo’s third position was enough to finish the Drivers Championship early. “This is the maximum I can get and is a dream come true,” gushed the understandably delighted first-time champion. “It’s difficult to have words at this moment but today is the happiest day of my life! I started very well today but it was difficult to be very concentrated and when Dovi and Vale passed me and when the tyres started sliding more I thought today we have to finish and just get the best we could, but I am so happy and want to thank many many people. I have had a good bike, a good team and people who wanted the best for me.”
The UK garage and workshop equipment market is a highly competitive one, and Gaither Tools is developing a name for itself through the range it offers. Recently the company launched another product in the UK – the O Liner. This Gaither patented tool has been specifically designed to make it even easier to line up wheel studs with rim holes, thereby minimising installation time. When combined with Gaither’s existing Wheel Dolly, this new product makes positioning a wheel back onto a hub an even safer and straightforward procedure. Gaither reports that O Liner effectively reduces the risk of injury when dealing with heavy tyres and rims.
An article printed by India’s DNA indicates that the country’s alleged tyre shortage is actually non-existent. In introducing the topic, DNA comments that while vehicle manufacturers such as Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland have blamed domestic market tyre shortages for their increased reliance upon tyres imported from China, the tyre makers themselves see the situation differently – DNA states that officials from Apollo Tyres, JK Tyres and Ceat all say there is no tyre shortage in India whatsoever. Instead, the issue centres on the vehicle manufacturers’ unwillingness to pay more for domestically produced tyres than they would for those imported from China.
Cooper chairman, president and CEO Roy Armes has been named to the board of directors at the Manitowoc Co., a producer of construction lifting equipment. “Roy is a highly regarded CEO whose vast knowledge and global manufacturing experience makes him an excellent fit for our board,” said Glen Tellock, Manitowoc’s chairman and CEO. “We anticipate that he will make immediate contributions and be an extremely valuable contributor as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities.” Armes, 57, joined Cooper in 2007, coming over from Whirlpool Corp. (Tire Review)
The Nottinghamshire Authorities Vehicle Consortium has confirmed a four-year fleet tyre management contract with Vacu-lug tyres. From 1 April 2010 Vacu-lug Tyres is responsible for inspecting and replacing tyres on over 1,000 vehicles ranging from car-derived vans to refuse collection vehicles.
David Parton, head of direct services at Gedling Borough Council and chair of the Nottinghamshire Vehicle Procurement Group said: “Vacu-lug Tyres offered a great financial package backed up by proven reliability to undertake this contract. This agreement also takes the pressure off the transport managers as Vacu-lug will be responsible for managing every type of tyre within the fleet range and they have to produce performance management reports on a regular basis. We are all looking forward to working with them over the next four years”.
Snap-on Diagnostics has expanded its vehicle lift range with the introduction of two new alignment lifts. The new Snap-on alignment lifts are available in two versions – one with an inbuilt secondary lifting platform (pictured) and the other with flat platforms. Both lifts are electro-hydraulic and built to a very high specification. They have been designed to provide a dedicated level working platform for performing wheel geometry testing and adjustments. Each lift offers hydraulic synchronisation of the platform, front recesses for inserting of turnplates and built in rear slip plates.
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