Monmouth Council’s transport team needed to replace its old commercial vehicle brake tester. Like many older, smaller models, the unit couldn’t cope with the demands of modern commercial vehicle braking systems.
They also had many Class 4 & 7 vehicles that they wished to include in their schedule of brake safety checks.
After studying the various models available on the market, they immediately noticed that the Tecalemit DE/9700 matched their requirements. Its robust 15kW motors, epicyclic gearbox with soft-start, and heavy-duty drive-train would cope with their heaviest vehicles. In addition, it would also cater to their Class 4 & 7 vehicles.
The team contacted David Banks at Alliance Automotive’s Workshop-Pro equipment division, a major Tecalemit distributor. David works collaboratively with Tecalemit’s Steve Barnfield, National Accounts Manager. Steve has over twenty years of expertise supplying CV equipment, fully understanding the DE/9700 features and installation requirements.
“Copes with the demands of modern commercial vehicle braking systems and caters to Class 4 & 7 vehicles”
For Monmouth Council’s transport team, replacing their commercial vehicle brake tester would be a significant project. Sometimes, modifying the existing floor recess with a conversion kit can accommodate a new DE/9700 unit. However, the existing unit was a small, low-capacity model which utilised a floor recess with relatively small dimensions. A significant floor excavation and preparation of new recesses would be required.
Steve has project-managed numerous commercial vehicle brake tester installations, and this particular site location presented little challenge to him. However, it would require the civil work contractor to understand the cable ducting and recess preparation requirements fully.
With all garage equipment groundworks, the phrase ‘measure twice, pour concrete once’ is particularly relevant when it applies to the size of excavation required by a commercial vehicle brake tester. Our DE/9700 requires two 785mm deep recesses to be produced to accurate dimensions. Steve always meets with the civil contractor on-site to ensure the cable ducting and recess accuracy requirements are fully understood.
“Modifying the existing floor recess with a conversion kit can accommodate a new DE/9700 unit”
The excavation could commence with the project preparation underway and the floor marked out accordingly. This was followed by pouring the recess base with accurate, well-braced shuttering forming the recess sides. When the concrete has cured, the brake tester frames and roller beds can be installed, with the cable routing and connection to a 3-phase power supply.
The DE/9700 allows Monmouth Council to test HGVs and Class 4 & 7 light commercial vehicles. An integral vehicle database allows the workshop and fleet administration teams to record the brake safety checks undertaken.
Should the transport team move its workshop, the DE/9700 is easier to remove and refit than most other units. The unit’s frame is not cast into the concrete, so the complete brake tester and recess frame are easily relocatable, saving the cost of a replacement recess frame.
Tecalemit would like to thank the team at Monmouth Council for their support and wish them well with their Tecalemit commercial vehicle brake tester.
To find out more about using a Tecalemit DE/9700 Commercial Vehicle Brake Tester for either periodic brake safety tests or MOT testing in a DVSA-approved Authorised Testing Facility, contact Tecalemit on 01752 219111
