Wheel Alignment With Camera Technology

While the mechanics of a Diesel engine have not changed that much over the years, the technology to ensure longevity, safety and durability of big trucks and buses has moved forward in leaps and bounds. David Lowery of David Lowery Diesel Repairs out of Emerald, decided he needed the best for his clients, so he turned to Levanta and JOSAM for the right solution.

Emerald might be a small town, but we love how David saw a big opportunity! Realising that wheel alignment was not a service offered anywhere in Emerald, David jumped at being the first and only Diesel Repair Workshop in the region to offer commercial, heavy vehicle wheel alignment services, utilising camera technology. 

His new JOSAM Cam-Aligner is designed specifically for commercial vehicles such as trucks, trailers and buses – all of which pass through his town on a regular basis. David can now service more clients quicker, resulting in greater productivity, which is flowing through to his bottom line. Nice one Dave!!

This compact wheel alignment system enables truck and bus workshops, as well as tyre service centres, to offer wheel alignment options quickly and accurately. 

Measurements such as; 

• Toe, Steering Box Position, Camber, Out of Square, Parallelism and Axle Offset 
• Caster, KPI, Toe Out On Turns and Max Turn 

are calculated using patented camera technology with the chassis center line of the vehicle as reference. 

Enabled by the unique rolling method, toe and camber measurements may be taken while the vehicle is in driving position. No lifting of the axles with run-out compensation is required, alternatively the system can also be operated with standard run-out procedure. 

Wireless technology is used for transmitting data between measuring units and the computer. 

The computer software guides the user through the measuring process and prints out measurement reports of values, before and after alignment.

If you want to add this revenue raising product to your client offerings, all you need to do is call Levanta today on 1300 577 541. 

We can coordinate an onsite free demonstration right in your workshop so you can experience the JOSAM Cam-Aligner first hand before you look at adding it to your service repertoire. One of our experienced consultants can guide you through every aspect to help you make your decision.  

Brake Safety ... It's Time To Stop and Thinki

Brake safety seems to be in the news a lot lately.  With several reports released inside the last 12 months outlining brakes as one of the key focus areas to prevent fatalities, brakes and brake maintenance is quickly becoming a feature on the agenda of industry leaders and regulators.

Ongoing brake maintenance should be a key priority for logistics managers, owners and service managers alike. With the safety of their assets, and the lives of their staff and the general public at stake, regular brake maintenance can help lower the instances of some of the leading causes of accidents.

Why Test Brakes?

Safety - To ensure vehicles are safe to use.

Legislation - It is becoming more of a regulatory focus to frequently test brakes.

Liability – Reduce the risk of legal action with accurate testing information.

Economy - Minimise vehicle downtime, reduce lining and component wear, and decrease tyre wear.

OH&S Fatigue Management - Provide a positive effect on driver fatigue management.

So what can you do? 

Be proactive -- preventative maintenance is critical. Having the right testing equipment means you can reduce tyre wear, improve vehicle safety, experience fewer brake related incidents, and retain auditable records to reduce your risk of liability.

Roller Brake Testers are widely considered as the most comprehensive testing system in the industry. Using this method produces the most consistent results across all axles and achieves greater safety. 

There are also a number of options to enhance the system including speedo checking, play detectors, emission testers, headlight aimers and noise meters. These accessories give this unit the added advantage of being able, in some cases, to form the basis of a complete vehicle test lane.  

If you want to ensure the safety of your fleet, call Levanta on 1300 577 541 and we can bring a set of Mobile Roller Brake Testers to your workshop! See for yourself the power and safety that these testing units can give your business and your fleet today. 

Value Balancing Act

Value is a word that gets bandied around a lot these days, now more so than ever within the present global economic environment. Businesses are searching for the best “value” in every purchase and quite rightly so. Value is a simple equation that includes two major components, the cost of the item and what you are getting for that cost. 

When it comes to important purchases such as vehicle hoists, there is a long term value as well as an immediate cost.  Saving a few hundred, and in some cases even thousands, on a hoist in the short term can have repercussions over the long term. 

While expensive will not always mean high-quality, extremely low priced hoists will almost always include cut corners, including no certification, thinner steel, limited or no engineering, and more, all of which leads to compromised safety, continual expenses for upkeep and increased downtime for your workshop. 

When considering your next 2 post hoist or 4 post hoist purchase, take a long term view of your asset as an investment, and calculate the ongoing running costs over the life of your hoist. These costs could include repairs, maintenance, replacement and even legal fees in the event of accidents as a direct result of poor quality. The numbers add up and suddenly what you thought was a cheap or “value” hoist is now a drain on your cash flow.

Your best bet is to make sure you get value for money on your next vehicle hoist purchase. Look for Australian Standards certifications, check the quality of the steel, confirm warranties and servicing agreements, and above all get true value for your hard earned money.  

If you're considering your next hoist purchase, why not give Levanta a call first. We have a huge range of Ranger and BendPak 2 Post Hoists, 4 Post Hoists, as well as LiftMax Mobile Column Lifts to suit any workshop requirement. 

Call 1300 577 541 and let one of our experienced team members help you choose the right hoist for the job!