Freeway Fleet Systems will use the Association of Local Bus Company Managers (ALBUM) Conference in Edinburgh this week to launch a new app to simplify the wheel torque and re-torque process.
The Freeway Re-torque app for mobile phones is intended to eliminate paperwork and make it easier to manage and report re-torque events.
“Wheel nut re-torquing is a real headache for operators as it is often required after the vehicle has left the workshop and maybe at a completely different location,” says Patrick Tandy, Managing Director of Freeway.
“We’ve already digitised every conceivable aspect of the workshop – job cards, driver safety inspections, stores and purchasing to name a few – but re-torquing has been the most challenging. In fact, we see this development as the final frontier in the automation of fleet maintenance management.”
Freeway believe the app smooths what can be a cumbersome process, given re-torquing is typically needed after 30 minutes and again either a day later or after specified distance is travelled.
The app is used in the workshop to record the initial wheel disturbance and the technician is then guided through the process with the recording of torque settings and the torque wrench used, backed up with photographs to record the work. The software will then automatically schedule the re-torquing at the required interval.
As any authorised person can access the app and job card, vehicles that arrive at another depot can be dealt with by technicians there.
Representatives from Freeway will be on hand to discuss the app at the ALBUM Conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa, Edinburgh on 25-26 April.
