Si B

iTrader: (59)

Can anyone help with a truck brake testing query I have? We need to do brake testing as part of our 6 weekly checks on a fleet of trucks I run. We have been advised to buy a "Tapley Meter" or portable brake tester. We do not have fixed brake rollers on site.

We need one that does a print out at the end of the test, to use as evidence the test has been done. Do any of you guys doing car MOT tests have such a device?

Any brands you recommend? Ball park prices for the kit?

Like said, needs to be portable (to chuck in passenger footwell during road test) and have the ability to print out a result sheet.

Thanks in advance for any help / advice
Si

andi-p

The last garage I was testing in had a Bowmonk Decelerometer. It had the printout facility which went through the same program on the computer as the brake rollers so there was a print at the end of test. Hope this points you in the right direction.

James @ M Developments.

iTrader: (2)

Why dont you just do a volantary Brake test at you local Vosa station? Its a quite common process.

That way you get tested on the very same machine it will be going to for annual test, and is far more acurate than the old tapley testing. On a HGV you could literally have one brake doing nothing at all and still fly though a Tapley test.

they are also crazy money, but ive never seen one that prints.

Romey

Give Turnkey instruments a bell at Cheshire. We use their Simret brake tester at work, it has a tear off print out. Our dumptrucks can`t work on certain sites without this. The unit is placed on the floor of the cab and a small switch wraps around the brake pedal. You reach the desired speed then stamp on the pedal - simple

They require calibrating each year. Hope this helps, Dan

01606 330020

Si B

iTrader: (59)

Thank you for the replies. A couple names to start looking into which really helps

James - We do quarterly VOSA test station brake tests as it is, as well as the obligatory one at MOT time. In the eyes of the VOSA Examiner who was in here the other day, a brake test with evidence (hence the requirement for a built in printer) is required for every 6 weekly inspection. I do get your point that the simple machine will not show if an individual brake system goes down. It will merely prove the truck was tested, and that it was able to stop

Apparently the fitter's word that he's road tested it is not enough now, and they look for and expect written evidence of these tests. It's all about dotting the i's and crossing the t's / ass covering.

We have less than 10 trucks. Our local VOSA ATF charge £20 per axle (currently being renegotiated), and some of our trucks have 6 axles. We will be paying £3120 per year for the trucks to be tested at the current rate.

Hopefully we can get one of these machines at a sensible price, and prove we are testing a vital part of the truck more frequently that the current quarterly system.

Romey

http://www.turnkey-instruments.com/road.php?id=34

blueovalman

The British army uses the turnkey brakesafe, not sure if thst is the exact model number, seemingly idiot proof

Romey

They are mate, we've had surprise vosa inspections and never had a problem with the turnkey instruments.

stevieturbo

How much would a proper brake tester cost ? ie rollers ?

Then you could maybe offer that service to others ?

ajamesc

are ones at work are second hand and 15 grand

St3V3_C

I had the same thought.

In 5 years without testing for others you could own it based on the £15k above, that in itself seems OK.