MADISON, Ind. — Vehicle Service Group has unveiled the Rotary R5000HD Commercial Truck Alignment System as a low-cost entry for vehicle repair facilities interested in adding heavy-duty wheel alignment to their shops.
"Many heavy-duty shops are looking to increase revenue by adding wheel alignment services or improving their alignment efficiency," said Jeff Vervoort, Rotary wheel service sales and technical trainer. "Heavy-duty alignment is a lucrative business. The average cost for a typical wheel alignment on a car is about $100-$120, but for a tractor trailer, it's $250 and up, so the equipment can pay for itself pretty quickly."
Rotary's R5000HD Commercial Truck Alignment System eliminates the need for rolling compensation that is required by other systems.
Typical alignments are performed by attaching a four-point clamp to the outer edge of the wheel, but if the wheel is damaged, the clamp is being mounted to an untrue surface, according to Rotary. The result can be an inaccurate alignment unless technicians perform the time-consuming process of compensation. Rolling compensation is done by physically rolling the vehicle backward to allow the alignment head spindle to turn approximately 45 degrees and then rolling it forward. This reading is then used to calculate the vehicle spindle position to confirm the accuracy of the alignment, according to Rotary.
Rotary's alignment machine contacts the wheel at the bolt circle, the strongest portion of the wheel, instead of the outer edge, eliminating guesswork and the added labor time, expense and physical effort associated with compensation.
The system also electronically measuring axle offset on every alignment and notifies the technician when there is a problem.
The system is designed for aligning trucks with a GVWR of 19,500 pounds and above. It doesn't require a tower at the front of the bay, has no minimum bay size requirements and the portable aligner console can be positioned anywhere in available bay space, such as the floor, pit or lift, Rotary said.
The R5000HD features infrared transmission among measuring heads with controls to allow technicians to control the alignment process without having to return to the console.
The control unit houses the computer, printer, monitor and accessories, and allows for recharging of the measuring head batteries.
For more information, visit rotarylift.com or call 800-640-5438.