Really good ideas are quite often very simple ideas; the new Trademaster ‘Pit Coverup’ is simply that.

Garage and workshop pits are very useful and offer excellent access to the underside of vehicles without the use of costly lifting equipment, especially Commercial Vehicles and Coaches etc. but they can provide a very dangerous environment for mechanics, who oblivious to the danger, could fall into them, mainly when there are no vehicles being worked on!

The unique and patented Trademaster retrofit ‘Pit Coverup’, is able to be stretched over the open pit whilst it’s not in use and the high visibility, strong polyester cover, enables the mechanic to walk across it without fear of falling into the pit, even accidentally. The cover also has the added benefit of keeping the pit clean and free from rubbish when it’s not in use. As soon as the pit is needed again the cover is simply rolled to one end to reveal the pit, as simple as that!

The cover comes in two widths, 1.2m and 1.8m and five standard lengths, 10m, 12m, 15m, 18m and 22m and can be installed in around 30 minutes by the Trade Group team.

For more information on ‘Pit Coverup’ or for your FOC copy of the NEW Trade Garage Equipment Buyers Guide, which features information about ‘Pit Coverup’, contact The Trade Group Technical Sales and Service line 0845 6444054 or enquiries@thetradegroup.uk.com.

The new Trademaster scissor lifts permit the most effective use of garage workshop floor area by allowing the minimum permissible overall bay width to be used. They have been specially selected to provide a wide range of choices for Class IV, VII and V light MOT installations as well as general service work. Engineered to a high standard, they include integrated electro-hydraulic play detection equipment and separate turn plates. Some versions include a secondary lifting system for those requiring a wheel free capability and all models are recessed into the floor, key features include:

• The absence of any cross-beams allows the technician completely free access along the length of the lift.
• All pivot points have self-lubricating bearings to minimise wear and the platforms have a patented synchronisation and levelling system.
• The automatic engagement of mechanical locking provides maximum safety with low voltage controls and audible warning on lowering
• Keeping the area clean is easy because the lifting area is completely free of obstacles when the platforms are fully lowered.

Full information is included in the New Trade Garage Equipment Buyers Guide, claim your free copy contact Trade Group Technical Sales and Service 0845 6444054 or enquiries@thetradegroup.uk.com.

The Trade Group has launched the Trademaster T5000 series of Brake Testers; they maintain this provides a step change in technology which combined with the proven reliability will deliver significant operational benefits to any MOT station.

John Martin, Trade Group spokesman on Brake Testers explained, “Above all other requirements, the brake tester is a costly but vital part of any MOT facility. When making your choice, it’s important to ensure that the equipment is CE approved, has a traceable pedigree and that the long term service support is demonstrably evident. Additional consideration should always be given to ensure that it can be upgraded easily and that it has a range of useful options that will allow it to provide additional profit opportunities, or, at the very least, allows you to extend the quality of service you are able to offer to your customers”.

Martin continued, “With this in mind we have introduced the Trademaster T5000 series of PC controlled brake testers. Housed in a space saving, elegant and functional control cabinet, the powerful central control system allows the complete range of MOT tests to be integrated into a fast and easy to use system. Even the entry level Class 4 system features class leading graphics displayed on the 22” LCD screen, fast MOT testing and wireless remote control. From this base, the T5000 series systems builds to allow additional functions to be added including ATL functionality, either using the brake tester or a separate suspension tester to provide the weighing facility, a wireless colour printer, which can be housed safely in the office, wireless communication to the gas analyser and smokemeter and a side slip tester for a rapid check of wheel alignment. As a real technological bonus, a fully integrated Hand Held Device (HHD) is available that not only provides the full MOT test to be logged electronically, but imports both brake tester and emission results automatically, before sending the full test results to the VTS device at the touch of a button – all from the driver’s seat of the vehicle!” For more information contact 0845 6444054 or enquiries@thetradegroup.uk.com.

Since their entry into the air conditioning service market, Trade Group have rapidly become leading experts in the field and their Trademaster T9100 air conditioning machine has become a popular choice for many garages and Air Conditioning specialists across the UK. Always keen to support the aftermarket, Trade Group are informing anyone involved with air-conditioning servicing about the new F-Gas regulations that require all personnel handling and recovering fluorinated refrigerant gases, to have the new refrigerant handling qualification by July 4th 2010.

These qualifications have now been adopted by City & Guilds of London Institute (C&G) and the Institute of Motor Industry Awards Limited (IMIAL.) After 4th of July 2010 only personnel possessing one of these qualifications will be considered as legally qualified to take delivery, handle, and recover fluorinated refrigerant gases. The consequences of continuing to recover, transfer or handle refrigerant without the relevant qualifications are punishable by law.

Trade Group members in conjunction with market leaders Autoclimate, can now offer this certification at a very competitive price, with courses either conveniently at customer’s premises or at their central location. Anybody involved with the handling and recovery of fluorinated refrigerant gases is encouraged to quickly contact Trade Group to book their places before the July 4th deadline! Contact 0845 644 4054, enquiries@thetradegroup.uk.com or your local Trade Group member.

The Trade Group has launched new Trademaster T4600 series of headlamp testers not only exceeds the standards for this type of equipment but offers new patented technology that predicts future trends. The ergonomic design is durable, reliable, stable and extremely easy to use and combined with a superb build quality and optional printing, will provide garages with unparalleled performance when assessing or setting both car and CV headlamps.

Key to the T4600 performance is the Fresnel lens, which collects maximum light and provides a high quality image on the screen, it also permits a wide focusing range of 200mm to 800mm and is lighter and less prone to damage than a traditional glass lens. Aligning the headlamp tester optical head to the vehicle drive line, is a vital requirement for accurate headlamp assessment and setting. By using a new generation ‘linear laser’, the T4600 laser projects a bright red light beam line onto the vehicle, which can be easily inspected for positioning. An internal counterweight allows the optical head to be moved on the column with ease making adjustments simple. The advanced Electronic models have a sensing system surrounding the lens that optimises the position of the optical head in front of the vehicle headlamp. Guidance on movement of the tester head is displayed on an LCD read-out. A unique and patented sensor array on the measurement screen provides information to the LCD display illustrating headlamp beam angle as an actual percentage to two decimal places. The sensors are extremely accurate and very sensitive, although regulations do ‘not yet’ allow this type of technique to be used for assessment during an MOT test, it can be employed very effectively when setting a headlamp, since it helps remove operator ‘guesswork’. The sensors also provide graphical information about beam brightness and glare and main beam and fog lamps can also be checked and set. Finally, the T4610 and T4610C can download data to a computer to allow printing, or be supplied with Bluetooth connectivity to a suitable separate printer.

A major revision from VOSA sparks free survey offer for MOT upgrades!

VOSA have made a major revision to the 'Requirements for Authorisation for Vehicle Test Stations’, this will mean that from November 2009, many existing MOT Class IV stations that would have been ineligible because of test garage size etc, will now be able to upgrade their premises to ‘One Person Testing’ or full ATL standard.

The Trade Group who are the UK’s foremost experts in MOT and ATL installations, have been alerted by this good news for many existing MOT stations and garages and is offering ‘free survey reports’, without obligation, to any existing Class IV MOT stations, to see if they are now able to take advantage of this important revision to the regulations and make this a potentially lucrative upgrade for their business.

Trade Group’s Terry Bullworthy explained, “Our unique nationwide network of locally based, highly trained, technical sales force and engineering team, are contacting potential customers with the positive news and offering Trade Group’s complete package of support, with free planning and installation, a full range of top quality, high specification MOT equipment, at flexible prices to suit customers budgets, good rates of finance, subject to status and all backed up with a strong, ongoing technical service support package. We believe we can help lots of MOT stations to upgrade, who probably thought they wouldn't be eligible!"

The Trade Group pride themselves on being leaders in the MOT and ATL garage equipment field, their experience has been gained by years of service throughout the UK.

Recently they have become aware of an important issue with split bed brake testers as Trade Group spokesman John Martin explained, “Over the last thirty plus years, thousands of Kismet and Crypton split bed brake testers have been installed giving good service but now due to their age and general wear and tear, they are subject to more and more expensive service and repair work and to add to the woes, many older parts are in a critical supply position or are not available at all. We at The Trade Group are pleased to announce that our new Trademaster split bed brake testers, can be installed in the same location but without the need for expensive civil work , importantly minimizing downtime and ensuring lost test revenue is kept to a minimum.

A full range of supplementary equipment including consoles and visual meters etc are readily available at sensible prices. We also offer national technical service coverage through our locally based engineers, so there is peace of mind for customers for all future technical service requirements”.

For further information call The Trade Group Technical Sales and Service line 0845 644 4054 or enquiries@thetradegroup.uk.com

Trademaster T1035 Hydraulic 2 Post Lift

The Trade Group is the main Distributor for Rotary Lifts in the UK and being at the forefront of vehicle lifting technology, is now endorsing its market leading position by introducing the new Trademaster T1035 hydraulic two post car lift, which is taking the market by storm.

The Trademaster T1035 is a reasonably priced, open top, base type lift, with a 3.5 tonne lifting capacity that has been designed and developed specifically for Trade Group. Importantly, it has ‘traceable CE approval’ and is manufactured and built to our exacting standards to ensure that safety, quality and reliability are paramount.

The Trademaster T1035 is the most cost-effective entrant into the world of two column hydraulic lifts. Rugged construction, three-stage support arms and ergonomic control allow for safe, easy and efficient operation in the garage workshop.

New aircon machine launched

The growth of air conditioning on new vehicles in the UK has been dramatic and the trend is forecast to continue. Whether garages are currently working on newer or older vehicles, luxury or mass marques, it will only be a matter of time before the majority of cars being worked on have factory fitted air conditioning.

With this in mind we have introduced the Trademaster T9100 air conditioning machine. Working with SPX Service solutions we have developed a unit designed for both air conditioning specialists and general service garages. It has all the functions and performance required for professional use with Automotive R134a air conditioning systems. The T9100 unit performs recovery, recycling and recharging of refrigerant automatically and guarantees a rapid and full dehydration of the air conditioning system, moreover, the printer is fitted as standard and provides detailed activity reports. With full training and back up including advice and training on refrigerant handling with regard to new July 2010 European F Gas Legislation, we believe garages will literally be able to make money out of thin air.

New Trademaster wheel care products launched

Trade Group are main distributors for Hofmann Megaplan and Beissbarth wheel care products; to complement our range the Trademaster selection now contains products to suit the smallest garage to the largest tyre shop.

Modern wheels often have sophisticated rims and high performance tyres and are placing greater demands on wheel care products than ever before. Suitable equipment must have an efficient, wide ranging performance, minimise the risk of damage yet be able to tackle cosmetic demands such as hidden balance weights. The new Trademaster products were designed and developed in conjunction with Hofmann Megaplan, to meet this challenge and at a budget price. For garages and workshops, wheel care can offer an additional and lucrative stream of income in these difficult financial times and can help them make a small fortune! The latest additions have been selected not only for their quality, reliability and performance but for their outstanding value. We believe our longstanding experience and national and local technical service support provides peace of mind for garages, workshops and tyre shops when selecting wheel care equipment. As with all equipment from The Trade Group we include direct delivery, installation and comprehensive training.