Page 24 - CTB n3 - 2013/3,

WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Lancaster based haulier Kidd’s Transport have operated a wheel alignment programme since 1996
24 Commercial Tyre Business
Steertrak Argues the Case for Professional Wheel Alignment
With commercial vehicle operators placing ever greater emphasis on reducing their fuel and tyre bills, it is not surprising to learn that the market for professional wheel alignment services is growing. However, according to Andy Cornish, the Managing Director of wheel alignment specialists, Steertrak, the percentage of commercial vehicles on the road that have undergone wheel alignment is probably still only in the region of 15-20%. On the face of it, this seems like a shockingly low figure as well as being a huge untapped market for those specialising in alignment services, so we travelled to Steertrak’s offices in Tewkesbury to find out why the uptake of wheel alignment is so low and what Steertrak is doing to increase the awareness among fleet managers of the savings that can be made by introducing wheel alignment as part of a preventive maintenance programme.
The first point that Cornish makes is to highlight the naturally sceptical nature of fleet managers, who are perpetually being told by sales and servicing companies that they will save them money. This is not helped by the fact that many fleets lack the methodology and analytical skills to be able to measure fuel savings accurately
back twenty years, which suggest fuel savings of between 3% and 11% can be achieved. The company also has a number of customers who are skilled in measuring fuel savings as well as compiling accurate tyre wear data and Steertrak has always been willing to share this data with potential customers.
One example of this is the Lancaster based company Kidds Transport, who first implemented a Steertrak wheel alignment programme back in 1996 for its fleet of 26 tractor units, 80 semi- trailers and 4 rigid lorries.
“Since embarking on this programme, tyre wear has been reduced across all axles”, confirms Kidds Transport’s Fleet Engineer, “with increases of around 18% in the life of steer axle tyres, 10% on drive tyre life and a further 13% improvement in trailer super singles. Apart from the tyre wear savings, if trailer axles are out of alignment, fuel consumption will suffer. It’s like driving with the brakes on. Improvements in consumption on artics have varied from between 3.8 to 18.6% and with rigids we saw savings from 3 to 11%.”
Andy Cornish identifies four key benefits that can be accrued from introducing a wheel alignment programme, namely fuel savings, reduced tyre wear, improved safety, handling and comfort for the driver and, last but not least, the extra assurance that can be obtained by the various steering-related checks that are carried out by Steertrak as part of their measuring process. Cornish, however, points out that in order to achieve successful and profitable wheel alignment it is vital to have three things – the
results from wheel alignment, it is often the failure to assure these three things that is the reason”, says Cornish. “Laser wheel alignment typically costs between
many things of which the engineer needs to be aware in order to assure accurate alignment. In carrying out an alignment Steertrak’s 18 field engineers will
over time due to the large number of variables that can affect fuel consumption.
However, according to Cornish, Steertrak have test track data going
right equipment, the right person doing the measuring and an in- depth knowledge of the vehicle being aligned.
“If a fleet fails to get positive
£60-£120 and should be self- financing.”
On the subject of equipment Cornish points out that many alignment systems on the market are scaled-up versions of car alignment equipment, which were never meant for use on trucks. Steertrak uses Josam laser alignment equipment and mounts self-centring gauges from the chassis to make sure readings are taken from the centre line of the vehicle and not, as is the case with many other systems, from the rear axle, which is often found to be misaligned to start with.
The invidual, who is doing the measuring is also important, stresses Cornish. “Wheel alignment is a specialism”, he says. “It takes three months in-depth training followed by a year of monitoring before one of our engineers is considered to be fully trained. Knowing how to interpret alignment results is vital and this comes with experience”.
Similarly, in-depth knowledge of the various nuances of different vehicles is also vital. There are
check for a variety of potential issues prior to adjusting the steering/axle geometr y. Possible issues could be incorrect tyre pressures, track rod condition, worn ball joints, worn wheel bearings, worn steering gear, damaged suspensions, worn or seized kingpins and other potential chassis issues. The engineer also checks and makes appropriate adjustments to steering box timing, steering wheel alignment, track rod ends, drag links etc. before making his final report.
In justifying the investment in a professional wheel alignment service, Andy Cornish points out that those fleets who have used Steertrak regularly, have stayed with them on a long terms basis, whilst many of those who decided they would try and save money by stopping the service have come back when they have seen running and servicing costs spiral. “Those who stay with us have done the cost analysis and can see that it’s self financing,” he adds.