Road simulator
For use over a pit or on flat floor, Play Detectors from Josam let mechanics inspect chassis, suspension, brake and steering components under “real life” conditions from the safety of the shop. Hydraulic force applied to plates anchored to floor moves tires longitudinally and laterally at the same time, re-creating operational forces.
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Machining tool
Valve seat cutters from Neway make it possible to machine a three-angle valve seat by hand in minutes. Cutters available for seats up to 6 in. in diameter.. newaymfg.com
370
Wheel remover
Kiene Diesel's Wheel Grabber makes removing seized wheels from hubs quicker and safer; impact wrench is only other tool needed. kienediesel.com
326
Paint sprayer
AutoPilot Proportioner from Mattson Spray Equipment delivers paint and actuator in fixed ratios, reducing operator error. Dual, double-action pistons provide accurate delivery without surges. mattsonspray.com
372
Door alignment tool
E-Z store from Steck (#21845), which needs only a breaker bar for leverage, fits in a toolbox for convenient storage. Smaller version also available. www.steckmfg.com
316
Hub remover
Mechanic Aide with spoke-style hub attachment makes heavy-duty hub removal safer, easier.
369
Oil drum
Ultra-HardTop p1 Plus is a one-drum, 64-gal. capacity containment unit with roll-top cover. Made of polyethylene to prevent rust and corrosion. Five-wheeled dolly is optional. spillcontainment.com
320
Electrical tape
Waterpoof liquid electrical tape from Star brite can be applied to wire or terminal junctions to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion. Protective coating also holds parts together to minimize vibration-related loose connections.
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Tool backpack
Upgrades to ToolPak include heavy ergonomic shoulder straps, padded top handles, extra foam in back and bigger zippers, making this backpack for tools even more convenient. toolpak.com
325
Fleet management software
Includes 11 modules, including vehicle profile, work orders, parts, fluids/fuel and customer. Windows-based FleetMax appropriate for any size fleet or equipment mix. fleetmaxsoftware.com
329
Parts washer
Spray washer features wrap-around door, 36-in. work area and 60-min. timer. Model TWD-2736E from Geo Olcott has 27-in.-dia. Basket/turntable.
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Diagnostic tool
Hand-held, battery operated diagnostic tool measures engine-oil soot levels in 30 sec. Wilks Enterpise's Soot Chek weighs less than 2 lb. wilksir.com
365
Air compressors
Pumps for supplying compressed air to the shop are available in eight models, including portable and stationary versions. Solid cast iron units from Gardner Denver also come with engine preference. gardnerdenver.com
371
Cleaning solvent
Ross & White's ClearPrep destroys soap, oil, grease and fuel contaminants found in wastewater collection trenches and holding tanks. The non-allergenic, non-toxic solution also eliminates odor-causing bacteria. The concentrated liquid mixes with tap water to a 1% solution. rossandwhite.com
317
Tire repair
System includes original safety seal, plus liquid patch. Entire puncture is filled without damage to inner lining; no mechanical buffing necessary. safetyseal.com
366
Grease
Extreme pressure, heavy-duty lithium grease from D-A Lubricants is available in grades #00, #0, #1 and #2. RedPlex is designed for general lubrication purposes, as well as more mobility in centralized lube systems. dalube.com
368
Waste oil heater
Unit from Shenandoah Mfg. delivers 144,200 Btu/hr. of heat while efficiently burning waste oil, transmission fluid or regular heating oil. Even shops with low volumes of waste oil can recycle on site and save on heating costs with Model 145 waste oil heater. usedoilheaters.com
323
Brake fluid tester
Refractometer from Kernco Instruments checks boiling point and water content of brake fluid quickly and easily. No power needed — just a drop or two of fluid from master cylinder or individual cylinders. kerncoinstr.com
319
Tire changers
These fully automatic units fit tires up to 52 in. in diameter. TBE series from ESCO has re-designed bead breaker disc, making it easier to get between rim and tire beads. Easy-to-operate control board. esco.net
321
Safety helmet
Welding helmet has auto-darkening feature for UV/IR protection. Focus SZ-2.0A from Nassau International is solar powered and has two built-in batteries.
373
Vehicle lift
Rotary Lift brings integrated electronics to vehicle lifts with introduction of inbay technology, which has been designed into the “i” series, a new line of surface and inground lifts. For 2- and 4-post surface lifts the control panel console mounts on the vertical post; for inground SmartLifts, it mounts on the shop wall or separate pedestal. The LCD display screen provides access to performance, maintenance and safety-related data. rotarylift.com
318
Fleet management software
New version of Computerized Fleet Analysis' fleet management software, CFA Win, has 30 new report layouts for maintenance and parts inventory, including PM schedule formats, equipment replacement estimates and parts usages trends. cfasoftware.com
367
Wrench
Geared lug nut wrench from Tia Products, model X-12, delivers more than 3,000 ft.-lb. of torque without the need for air or electricity. Gears multiply the torque by a 12:1 ratio for easier wheel removal. Comes with 3-yr. replacement on parts and labor. Metal carrying case included.
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