Saving time and money in the operator's workshop
Time and money spent in a workshop is a key business consideration for any operator. When you’re looking to maximise the time your coach or bus is on the road, making sure you have the latest tools and equipment to enhance efficiency and safety is crucial. We consider four suppliers which have leading products to showcase.
Thread Saver
Among the latest new products in workshop equipment is Thread Saver, which is available from Premier Pits. Manufactured by Silbertool Solutions, the range of products is designed to reform axle threads and wheel studs instead of cutting, allowing for efficient repair without losing any material during the process. The idea is that, by retaining the material, the thread maintains its strength and can withstand a consistent load capacity after restoration.
Thread Saver’s manufacturer claims it saves time and money. It adds that the initial cost of purchase is recouped by removing the need to send axles away for repair and studs being replaced. The claimed timesaving comes from not having to strip down the hub, with stud repairs possible in as little as 31 seconds.
Durability of construction is among the key features of Thread Saver, says Premier Pits. Made from premium-grade stainless steel, it is vacuum-hardened and tempered to 58HRC in hydrogen atmosphere — a process designed to guarantee low wear and high ductility.
Premier Pits Marketing Manager Matt Dilley says: “Secure, properly repaired threads help prevent accidents and equipment failure. Threads repaired using Thread Saver have been proven to be able to withstand the same static and dynamic loads as a new, undamaged thread.
“The Thread Saver is the ultimate solution for anyone looking to quickly and efficiently repair and maintain threaded components. With their durable construction, precision engineering, and user-friendly design, these tools are a must-have for any professional.”
Wheel alignment
Wheel alignment is an often overlooked and misunderstood service. Different to wheel balancing, wheel alignment is about adjusting the suspension — measuring the different angles of the wheel and how it connects to the vehicle, and getting the optimal angles for smooth and efficient driving. The best wheel alignment equipment will measure: camber (the vertical angle of the wheels as seen from the front); toe (the side-to-side angle of the wheels as seen from the top); caster (the angle of the steering axis as seen from the side); thrust (the angle between the rear axle, the front axle, and the centre of the vehicle); and scrub (the alignment between the steering axis and the tyre at road-level).
Totalkare’s Heavy Duty Wheel Alignment System, for example, uses six wireless optic sensors attached to the wheels to provide live data on up to three axles — measuring the toe and camber on the front axle, and the thrust and scrub on the rear angles.
Also worth considering is the supplier’s Quick Check Instant Wheel Alignment system, which is a drive-through wheel alignment tool that can be used by a solo driver without a technician.
Totalkare Marketing Executive Pavan Jheeta says: “By fully automating the process in a drive-through procedure and removing the need for an extra worker, the Quick Check is one of the easiest and fastest ways to get an instant scan — with the highest throughput and the least amount of labour.”
Platform lifts
Vehicle lifts play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and performance of coaches and buses. However, to be truly effective, they must overcome the safety challenges, accessibility, and space constraints workshops face daily. This is in addition to the harsh conditions lifts can encounter in washbays during cleaning.
Stertil-Koni’s Skylift is designed to make vehicle maintenance much safer and more efficient — with a compact design. “Its scissor mechanism and smooth vertical lifting saves floorspace and optimises workshop layout,” says Stertil-Koni Marketing Manager Russell Stuart. “A lack of crossbeams, overhang, and base frames provides technicians with easy accessibility under and around elevated vehicles, improving both efficiency and safety.”
Available in platform lengths up to 14.5m — and up to 30m in a tandem configuration — the Skylift is suitable for working on single-decker, double-decker, and articulated bendy-buses. Even with the longest platform, only two lifting legs are required, each with its own measuring device, ensuring level synchronisation to within 15mm. Coming in three lifting capacity options: 20, 25 and 35 tonnes, it offers a lifting height of 1.75m.
“Operated via our revolutionary ebright Smart Control System, which includes a full colour touch-screen panel interface, the user-friendly interface facilitates precise and safe vehicle lifting,” says Russell.
“As with all Stertil-Koni products, safety is paramount. The Skylift has an independent mechanical locking system and a built-in overload mechanism. Additionally, all Skylift models are available with an optional reverse roll-off protection system to prevent vehicles from inadvertently rolling off the lift. This also extends the actual effective platform length by 480mm.”
Hub puller
Laser Tools has developed an extensive range of specialist tools, workshop tools and hand tools for servicing and repairing a wide range of commercial vehicles, including coach and bus fleets.
The product line from Laser Tools is engineered to facilitate routine tasks such as servicing, AdBlue, lubrication and wheel maintenance. The company says that, among the array of products available, certain items stand out as essential for any workshop.
For instance, the Adjustable Hub Puller is designed to allow the technicians to pull off wheel hubs in a controlled manner and is supplied with multiple wheel stud adaptors and an adjustment range of 110-448mm pitch circle diameter. For loosening and tightening brake calliper screws, there is the HGV Brake Calliper Wrench range. An adjustable wheel bearing lock nut tool has just been introduced into the range and is a heavy-duty, fully adjustable, wheel bearing lock nut tool specifically designed and sized for heavily-vehicle use.
For work requiring more specialised equipment, Laser Tools has tools for transmission, suspension, brake calliper and repairing electrical systems. As vehicle technology evolves, the supplier has a dedicated range of hybrid and electric vehicle tools and equipment. The range of tools and safety products for these vehicle types is extensive, covering all aspects of workshop, vehicle and personal safety, alongside high voltage and test instruments.
“Whether you’re working on coaches or buses, the Laser Tools programme will help to keep your employees and customers safe,” says Laser Tools National Sales Manager Sean Satchwell.
10-strong Mellor Orion batch delivered to East Ayrshire Council
East Ayrshire Council has taken delivery of 10 Mellor Orion accessible minibuses, each built on the Fiat Ducato base vehicle.
They will be operated by Coalfield Community Transport of Cumnock and mark what the manufacturer says is “a significant upgrade” on the previous fleet, which was purchased in 2019.
The Orion is a fully low-floor minibus with no driveline intrusion beyond the front axle. That fully flat floor gives space for up to five wheelchair users, with access via both the side or rear, and the model can accommodate a maximum of 16 seated passengers.
Mellor National Sales Manager Stephen Haywood (pictured, centre) handed over the vehicles to East Ayrshire Council Fleet Manager Paul McCrorie (pictured, left) and Bobby Wallace (pictured, right), who is Transport Manager for Coalfield Community Transport.
Says a Mellor spokesperson: “East Ayrshire Council’s decision to return to Mellor for its fleet replacement underscores the trust and satisfaction in our innovative, reliable and accessible transport solutions.”
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Compass Travel launches app in link-up with UrbanThings
Compass Travel has partnered with UrbanThings to launch a new app and website.
The platform will give passengers of the independent bus operator, which has 101 routes in Sussex and Surrey, access to real-time updates, mobile QR ticketing, and journey planning.
Dynamic maps displaying live bus locations, travel alerts, plus ticket purchase and download options are also featured.
The operator's website will also undergo a redesign to reflect the company’s branding and ensure continuity with the app.
“We are excited about our new relationship with UrbanThings and the features available to our customers both now and in the future,” says Michael Bishop, Director of Compass Travel.
“This partnership allows us to offer solutions that enhance communication, convenience, reliability, and overall satisfaction for our passengers.”
Built on the UrbanHub platform, the solution sets the stage for further developments designed to improve the passenger experience, thanks to the new link-up with the technology company, says Compass Travel.
Guy Sutherland, Head of Sales at UrbanThings, adds: “We are delighted to partner with Compass Travel to bring technology to the forefront of the passenger experience.
"By working together, we aspire to streamline their operations and deliver great satisfaction to passengers in Sussex and Surrey."