The new Hunter Road Force Elite balancer has arrived in New Zealand, having gained a reputation as the fastest diagnostic wheel balancer on the market.
The new Road Force Elite balancer performs both a traditional balance and road force measurement in less time than it takes to complete a conventional balance. It detects non-balance, radial-force related problems associated with tyre uniformity, tyre and rim runout, wheel-to-balancer mounting errors and whether there is improper bead seat of tyre to the rim.
And it has already got tyre shops buzzing about its capabilities, according to Stocks Equipment, which represents Hunter in New Zealand.
“The speed of the Road Force Elite balancer will not only allow tyre shops and service centres to quickly diagnose vibration problems, but also prevent them from occurring in the first place and that has got a lot of people in the tyre trade very excited especially when it comes to balancing wheels on late model utes an SUVs,” says William Singleton, general manager of Stocks Equipment.
“More speed and greater accuracy means they will be able to perform more balancing diagnostics during a normal working day, increasing turnover and profits. On top of that, they will be able to offer a point of difference to their customers because the new Hunter Road Force Elite can pinpoint potential vibration problems so their vehicles will drive better for longer.”
The new model employs Hunter’s patented vision system to determine wheel dimensions and wheel runout measurements to save time, eliminate data entry errors with no manual input required, ensure accuracy and enhance ease-of-use.
The vision system also completes a 3D scan of the wheel. This scan enhances Hunter’s patented SmartWeight technology. The system also features automatic spoke detection, which guides technicians to place wheel weights behind the spokes.
The Road Force Elite is Hunter’s fifth generation design to utilise a loaded roller since the platform was introduced in 1997. The Road Force Elite load roller applies up to 570kg of force against the tyre to measure the assembly as it would perform under the weight of the vehicle. Its Force Matching software guides the technician to index and match the lowest spot on the rim with the stiffest spot on the tyre to capture the best possible ride and prevent comebacks.
The load roller also automatically measures lateral force with a system called StraightTrak, which diagnoses and solves tyre pull, thus providing the vehicle with “new car ride”, according to Hunter.
Hunter goes on to say that tyre conicity (roundness) can only be measured accurately when the tyre is under load, so road force measurement is a must.
The Road Force Elite also reports to HunterNet, Hunter's proprietary web-based data service. HunterNet features helpful work management tools, the ability to access data in real time to track machine usage, weight usage, performance and create reports.
The touchscreen is intuitive and makes the Road Force Elite simple to use. It even has an auto calibration system that requires no input from the operator. Furthermore, on-demand videos can be called up on screen to make training of new operators that much easier.
More info www.georgestock.co.nz or toll-free on 0800 863 784 or email equipment@georgestock.co.nz.
