Brake service
Snap-on Tools Co. has introduced its BrakeKare system for hydraulic brake system maintenance and diagnostics.
The unit features a combination of pressure and vacuum flushing while also allowing simultaneous fluid refilling in all four wheels. The automatic unit flushes and cleans the entire hydraulic braking system, the company said, allowing for contamination-free service. Color-coded test strips are included with the unit to enable quick fluid diagnosis.
The device is enclosed in a wheeled cabinet and contains a 64-ounce container for new fluids, a four-gallon waste fluid container, adapter storage drawers, a work surface and various hoses for filling, vacuuming, bleeding and disposing of brake fluids.
Snap-on said the unit also can be used for hydraulic clutch service.
Contact: Snap-on Tools Co. Phone: (877) 762-7662. Internet: www.snap-on.com.
Nitrogen systems
Ingersoll-Rand Co. has introduced its Nitrogen Tire Filling System to deliver nitrogen into tires.
The system has no moving parts and can be connected to an existing compressed air supply to generate nitrogen in minutes, the company said, by using membrane technology to deliver the inert gas.
Ingersoll-Rand offers three units designed to supply nitrogen to vehicle service shops, high-volume tire retailers and truck/fleet operations. Units can be supplied in a fully packaged configuration, which includes a tank-mounted integrated system to minimize floor space required, the company said.
Contact: Ingersoll-Rand. Phone: (908) 238-7000. Internet: www.irgaragesolutions.com.
* * *
Tire Service Equipment Manufacturing. Co. Inc. has introduced three nitrogen-generating systems for any size tire operation.
The units-6CFM, 12CFM and 18CFM-feature high-quality membranes and come with a 30-gallon nitrogen storage tank. Larger 60 gallon, 120 gallon and 240 gallon tanks also are available.
The systems are trouble free, TSE said, and are easy to install using a dealership's current compressor and air lines.
Contact: Tire Service Equipment Mfg. Co. Inc. Phone: (800) 223-4540. Internet: www.tsissg.com.
Alignment pin
DesignLogic Inc. has launched its Tru-Balance truck wheel alignment pin set to correct the problem of misaligned Uni-Mount semi-truck style wheels.
Uni-Mount (hub-piloted) wheels can sag on the studs, the company said. The Tru-Balance tool is designed to help the wheel and nut assembly align itself on the stud.
DesignLogic said the tool provides accurate centering needed to reduce vibration caused by misaligned Uni-Mount wheels and to reduce unnecessary tire wear. The reusable set of tools can be used on all 22.5 and 24.5 Uni-Mount truck wheels. One set comes with three tools, instructions and a storage case. The set costs $160.
Contact: DesignLogic. Phone: (970) 223-3075.
Wheel balancers
Hennessy Industries Inc. has introduced two new wheel balancers under its Coats brand, the XR 1850 and the XR 1750.
The XR 1850 expands on the features of the XR 1800, Hennessy said, and also includes enhanced diagnostics to identify lateral runout, additional storage and a printer to provide customers with a copy of the data from balancing their tires and wheels.
The machines are designed to solve problems associated with vibration before a customer has to return to the shop, the company claimed.
The XR 1750 is billed as a cost-efficient, easy to use balancer without the diagnostic package. The unit's video screen has real-time 3-D graphics, visual cues and help screens for the technician.
The XR series balancers also have three accessory packages available.
Contact: Hennessy Industries Inc. Phone: (800) 688-6359. Internet: www.ammcoats.com.
* * *
Hunter Engineering Co. has introduced the second generation of its Digital Signal Processor wheel balancer, the DSP9600.
The company said the system offers speed and accuracy, especially with balance and weight placement techniques required for high-tech original equipment and aftermarket custom wheels.
The DSP9600 also includes double Dataset arms that speed entry of the chosen weight location and weight placement control to position the wheel to chosen weight locations.
Contact: Hunter Engineering Co. Phone: (800) 448-6848 or (314) 731-3020. Internet: www. hunter.com.
Scan tool
Mac Tools has launched a new Mac Mentor Scan Tool designed for diagnostic work on most domestic, Asian and European cars.
The device includes the firm's Transflective technology, which reflects bright sunlight back through the display screen to enhance its readability. The tool, which also includes an anti-glare film, is designed as a high-performance and user-friendly PC processor. It also has an intelligent charging circuit that allows a dead battery to charge safely in a few hours and without overcharging.
Contact: Mac Tools. Phone: (800) 622-8665. Internet: www.mactools.com.
Eyewear
SAS Safety Corp. has introduced two new safety eyewear products, the Sidewinders and Diamondbacks models.
Sidewinders eyewear has four-way adjustable temples to fit a variety of face sizes. They also feature anti-fog, scratch resistant and high-impact lenses and are available with black frames and seven different lens shades.
Diamondbacks have similar features on their lenses and have a wrap-around design that hugs the face. They are available in clear, shade and smoke lenses with burgundy, blue, gray and black frames.
Contact: SAS Safety Corp. Phone: (800) 262-0200. Internet: www.sassafety.com.
Service crane
Stellar Industries Inc. has released model 9000, a 90,000 foot-pound crane with a capacity to lift 9,000 pounds at 10 feet, the company said.
The crane has a maximum horizontal reach of 16 feet from the centerline of the crane. It also has a 290-degree rotation using an hourglass worm gear.
The crane was developed to service the OTR tire market that maximizes the growing Class 6 vehicle market. Stellar claimed the new model is the largest crane in this market size to fit on a Class 6 chassis. Tire sizes that the crane can lift include the 36.00-51 mounted narrow-base and 50/65-51 wide-base OTR tires.
Contact: Stellar Industries Inc. Phone: (641) 923-3741. Internet: www.stellar-industries.com.
Mounting tool
Farmex has introduced the Bead-Cheata tool to quickly and safely remove and remount a variety of tires while the vehicle still is ``in the field.''
The compact, portable tool works on large tractor and off-road tires that previously required hydraulic or pneumatic breakers that only operate in the shop, the company claimed. The tool eliminates the need to remove the wheel when changing a tire.
One tongue of the tool locks under the rim while the other tongues push the bead into the wheel well. The tongues are forced into position with a hammer used on the built-in strike plate, and a ratchet wrench is used to generate up to 10 tons of pressure on the bead. When mounting a tire, the tool holds the bead deep into the wheel well so the other side of the tire can slip over the rim, the company said.
The tool's suggested price is $150.
Contact: Farmex. Phone: (800) 821-9541. Internet: www.worensgroup.com.
Suspensions
Prodrive USA Inc. has launched its Prodrive Active Shock Technology, designed to improve traction, feedback and control while still providing performance handling.
The company said its new suspension technology uses a semi-active shock absorber in conjunction with Prodrive's proprietary Ride State Aware algorithm to ensure optimal control of body and wheel motions while increasing ride comfort, control and grip.
The algorithm continuously adjusts damping as it detects road and driver inputs and provides necessary resistance to prevent excessive body movement, the company said.
The Active Shock system also is designed to allow wheels to move more freely or with more control, giving them more independence than other passive systems, Prodrive claimed.
The system includes four semi-active, remote reservoir strut units with springs, wiring harness connecting the four struts to the master control unit, upgraded rear shock mounts, the Ride State Aware algorithm and an optional dash-mounted driver interface unit with display and control panel.
Contact: Prodrive USA Inc. Phone: (949) 757-1799. Internet: www.prodrive-usa.com.
Hub covers
Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels has launched a new single piece hub-and-nut cover to fit Alcoa's one-piece hot forged aluminum eight-bolt 19.5x6 DRW wheels for Ford F-450-550s.
The single-unit nut cover design eliminates the appearance problem of missing nut covers, the company said. The one-piece cover is designed to offer faster, simpler installation than separate pieces, Alcoa said, and features a smoother form for easier cleaning.
Contact: Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels. Phone: (800) 242-9898. Internet: www.alcoaspecialtywheels.com or www.alcoawheels.com.
Tire gauge
Campbell Hausfeld has unveiled a new line of digital tire gauges designed to be practical and stylish.
The gauges include a modernized design with bright colors, backlit screens and ergonomic grips. The devices measure pressures from 1 to 99 psi in 0.5 increments.
The line includes: the Key Chain Digital Tire Gauge, suggested retail price $5.99; the Sport Digital Tire Gauge, suggested retail price $10.99; and the Professional Digital Tire Gauge, suggested retail price $15.99. The professional gauge also includes a tire tread depth gauge.
Contact: Campbell Hausfeld. Phone: (888) 247-6937. Internet: www.chpower.com.
Tire changer
Snap-on Tools Co. is offering its Extra Man EEWH311A Tilt-Back Post Tire Changer, designed to eliminate the need for a second operator when mounting and de-mounting racing-style and other stiff-walled tires.
The unit is geared toward high-volume shops that handle racing-style tire and wheel packages.
The tire changer includes a pneumatic bead assist (PBA) device to replace muscle power with pneumatic power to change low-profile tires, run flats and other performance tires. The unit's clamping jaws can handle up to 24-inch rims from the inside or outside with smooth, even and tight clamping for increased efficiency, the company said.
Contact: Snap-on Tools Co. Phone: (877) 762-7662. Internet: www.snapon.com.