Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/762675
MTD December 2016 Heavy-duty alignment can make informed decisions on whether it is time to perform an alignment. Maintaining proper alignment increases tire life, reduces wind resistance, increases fuel economy, and gives peace of mind to the opera- tor that they are only paying for an alignment when it is actually needed. When an alignment is not needed, providing a passing printout adds credibility that the shop is honest and only charges for needed services. It's really a win-win situation for everybody involved. Alignment service can range from $75 to $125 or more per axle depending on market and type of truck. Rav America: FastCheck is a two- to three- minute test of the truck's alignment condition on the steering axle. A full color graphic printout is created which becomes the documentation needed to sell the alignment service. e EZ Printout can be presented to the customer in the waiting area, or it can be emailed to the customer or to your front desk. It has been our experience that 60% to 70% of the trucks tested need alignment aention and that about half of those can be sold the alignment service. If the dealer FastChecks eight trucks per day, five of them will need alignment service, and at least two of them will purchase the alignment. Our system allows for an ultrafast measurement of the steer axle using only two sensor heads. Since the toe on the steering axle is by far the most critical align- ment angle on the truck, this service can be used to help retain customers. e dealer could offer his clients a reduced price for checking and fine-tuning the steer axle toe, thereby helping ensure the full life of the tire. MTD: What does your equipment mean to the profitability of a dealer's alignment service offering? Bee Line: e Bee Line LC7500 Laser Guided Computer Wheel Alignment System was developed to significantly lower the cost of performing alignments and increase productivity, therefore improving profit potential. e LC7500 is unique because it gives the technician the ability to continually maintain the precision of all Bee Line alignment equipment. e entire system can be calibrated in a few minutes right in the shop. ere is no downtime and no additional bills from service reps to maintain the accuracy of the alignment system. Windows-based WindSpeed 7500 soware has integrated help videos and service manuals that are uncomplicated and straightforward, making training simple. If more complex assistance is needed, our technology experts virtually access the machine from our headquarters to offer a solution. Hunter: e main objective of the latest generation of machines from Hunter is to increase productivity and profitability while maintaining Hunter's strict standards of accuracy. Added benefits are that the equipment is easier to set up and has more help screens. While these screens are useful in guiding a technician through the process, nothing can replace proper technician training. Fortunately, Hunter has training centers located across the country to ensure that maximum productivity and profit is aainable. Rav America: FastCheck is the game changer. e top range machines will all do an acceptable alignment. e game changer, however, is the ability of our system to FastCheck the vehicle and generate alignment sales. FastCheck accurately tests the alignment condition of the vehicle's steering axle and creates real documentation that the alignment is justified. is documenta- tion is in the form of a highly visual and easily interpreted printout. MTD: W hen is a shop's existing alignment equipment "too old"? Bee Line: Alignment equipment is "too old" when repair parts become obsolete and the system can no longer be maintained. Hunter: It is difficult to determine when alignment equip- ment is "too old," but here are a few things to think about. If the equipment routinely suffers downtime or causes productivity bolenecks, it should be replaced. ese days, if a shop owner wants to maximize profitability from his alignment space, a machine that can't provide clear, concise alignment check printouts without significant hassle or labor should be upgraded to a model that allows for this type of service. Rav America: If your system does not have the FastCheck capabilities then it should be replaced no maer the age. If your existing machine is fairly new you could add a standalone FastCheck test system. Another reason to replace your existing system is speed of operation. e best of the modern systems offer setup and measuring times of about 5 minutes. e best of the modern systems can perform a 3-axle alignment in as lile as 30 minutes. MTD: How can dealers market heavy duty alignment service? Bee Line: Dealers can maximize their alignment business by selling their services through advertising in newspapers, billboards, local radio/TV, and local publications/ Yellow Pages. ey may choose to run sales promotions that can include point-of-purchase displays, specialty logo advertising, trade shows, sweepstakes/contests and premiums, rebates or coupons. Direct mail promotions, news releases, and social media all greatly help to grow the business as well. Hunter: Doing Alignment QuickChecks on trucks is a tried and true method for selling alignments. It takes under four minutes, and is very easy to do. Rav America: ere is only one way to effectively market alignment services... to FastCheck every vehicle that enters your shop and sell the alignment when it is needed. ■ Speedco now offers alignment service in select locations across the U.S. Rav America says larger operations with high traffic will avoid scheduling conflicts by having a standalone FastCheck Test System (pictured) and a FastLiner Alignment System. 50