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   Mar. 11, 2010
 
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Online Assistance from Bee Line
2/19/2010 -- Do you want the latest software on your alignment computer? Do you need to figure out how to export your alignment data to hard disc? Do you need to have someone show you how to select Bee Line's custom specs in our System Setup? Well, let us do it without leaving our desk and while also minimizing your down time. If your computer is connected to the internet, Bee Line can now do these things virtually while you watch. We literally take over your machine and help you resolve your issues FAST. Please contact your Sales Rep to learn how. Online assistance is just another way Bee Line helps you stay up and running in the alignment business.


New Completely Wireless Gyro Equipped Alignment Heads!
2/19/2010 -- The new Gyro technology is mounted internally in each alignment head and calculates the position of the wheel and how it relates to toe, camber, caster, max turn angle and KPI/SAI angles. This advancement eliminates the turn pot/hall effect sensors used in our current turn plate technology and achieves accuracy 10 times greater than previous models.

VIEW GYRO HEAD LITERATURE


The QTAC - Quick Truck Alignment Check
2/19/2010 --

When times are tough, how does Bee Line find ways to drive alignment business into your shop? This was the question we asked ourselves. What helps bring business in? The idea of going out and getting alignment business drove us to the development of a very simple, very portable and very accurate piece of equipment we call the QTAC.

The QTAC takes an accurate digital toe reading on any parked truck in less than 5 minutes. This application has several possibilities but we thought it would be extremely handy for alignment shops with fleet accounts, fleets themselves and tire dealers. In all three scenarios, the QTAC can “red flag” trucks with out-of-tolerance toe readings. These red flagged trucks are ideal candidates for an immediate full alignment. Tire dealers can use the QTAC every time they install a set of tires and the red flagged trucks feed the alignment bay. Fleets can prioritize alignment needs by sending red flagged trucks for a full alignment first. Service shops can go on-site to fleets and dealers and scout for red flagged trucks that can feed their alignment business. Steve Powers of Brahler's Truckers Supply has had the opportunity to use the QTAC and we thought we’d post his thoughts sent to us via email:

“We are averaging about 5 minutes a truck to get an alignment reading. In one fleet we checked 6 trucks and found 4 out of alignment. He is now sending those trucks to us to have aligned. That is a win-win situation! I think it is necessary for the dealer to be able to bill for his time in checking fleets as part of their maintenance program. As fleets usually only notice alignment wear and react to it after it has already cost them a set of steer tires, this would give value to the fleet that would far out weigh the costs. Of course, the other benefit to the dealer is that it would generate alignment business for the rack. I am thinking that you could charge a fleet $8.00 a truck to check it and give them the printed report that distinguishes the trucks that are out of alignment. So, you should be able to completely check a fleet of fifty trucks in about 4 hours. You could package this to a fleet as an "alignment maintenance program" that eliminates the guess work! Every four months would no doubt save the fleet fuel and increase steer mileage while separating the dealer from his competition professionally while providing alignments for his rack.”

The Bee Line QTAC is obviously one of the more exciting and affordable products we offer that pays for itself very quickly. What would one more alignment a week do for your business? What about five? If your shop needs to drive more business to the rack, the QTAC is the answer.

More on the QTAC

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Maximum Alignment Versatility.
2/19/2010 -- The challenge for Bee Line Engineers was simple in nature. The expectations were the hard part. Their task was to make a 4 headed computer alignment system that could align any vehicle, in any shop configuration, and have it be as good or better than the LC7000 Heavy Duty alignment system. “It was a big undertaking” says Senior Electronics Engineer Bob Miller. “We used everything that is good about our LC7000 - the accuracy, the LCD screens on the heads, the self seeking lasers, and the durability - and added more target boards and lasers to the equation. Once we had a pleasing design and the electronics working like a steel trap, the software guys perfected the math and nailed the code.” Don Gordon, Manager of Software Development explained “we had a head start on this system based on the code we wrote for the LC7000, but aligning a car vs. a Class 8 tractor gave us an opportunity to start from scratch in some areas and design an interface with a simple workflow that helps the technicians get results faster. We’re very proud of what we accomplished. Shops can align a small car and turn around and align a tractor back to back.”

One of the more exciting elements Bee Line introduced is the ability for the alignments to be performed in any shop condition whether it be on the floor on a lift or on a runway system. Another great feature for Bee Line shops who own a Rear Axle Aligner is that the LC7080 will seamlessly integrate their equipment when gauging out the rear axles on tractors and trailers. “The LC7080 can be used as a 2-headed truck and trailer alignment machine with our Rear Axle Aligner or a 4-headed car alignment machine.” adds Gordon.

Several new LC7080 alignment systems are already on the market and we’re pleased that technicians are already giving the LC7080 high marks. Take a look at what they’re saying:

“We're extremely pleased with the overall speed. We save 15 minutes per alignment compared to our old system. I can calibrate it myself whenever I want in 5 minutes. You can tell it was designed for efficiency, but the biggest advantage is the confidence that the angles are all set right the first time. We did 89 alignments in the last two weeks. Needless to say, it was simple to learn.”
Brian Payne - Wilson Tire, Nevada, MO

“We do 6 to 7 automotive alignments per day and the steering wheel centering has been on the money every time. The auto laser seek function is an awesome feature that saves time and makes sure the alignments are extremely accurate.”
Dan Gang - McLaughlin Motors, Moline IL

With its ability to integrate proven Bee Line technology, its configurations that fit in any shop space, and its ability to interface with existing Bee Line products, the LC7080 is the perfect machine for shops that want to align anything that comes through the door.

More on the LC7080


Join the Bee Line Emailing List
12/1/2009 -- Would you like to receive future newsletters directly by email? How about Bee Line product news or technical tips or sales events? We’d like to email that type of information to you too. The problem is, we don’t have everyone’s email address. We promise it won’t take long and we won’t send you loads of useless junk mail. Just handy information that can save you time and money. At most, we will send one email per month. Please let us help you.

Click here to submit your email address

Convenient affordable financing offered through MBC Financial Corp
12/1/2009 -- MBC Financial Corp has been working with Bee Line Co. customers for the past 17 yrs, offering them a variety of financing options. We have very competitive rates with reasonable underwriting standards. We would be happy to put together a proposal for your review.

Contact us at:

MBC Financial Corp
1465 41st St, Ste 8
Moline, IL 61265

Tim McClean

309-764-0870
309-764-0565 - Fax
800-843-4451 - Toll Free

Email: tmcclean@senb.com


Fabricated Axle Correction tooling is finally here!
6/29/2009 -- A new breed of axles has a new breed of Bee Line Axle Correction tools that help expand your complete alignment capabilities. The new Bee Line 402 Fabricated Axle Tool Group is designed to correct camber without compromising the integrity of newer fabricated hollow axles.

The key to our innovative tool group is the super heavy duty flexible straps that are specifically designed to work with Bee Line’s proven axle correction concept. These straps hug the axle and distribute the force applied to the axle away from any single point and spread it evenly over a wider surface area along the rounded top side of the axle. The same concept is used on the flat bottom side of the axle by placing 5” x 5” steel blocks in between the top of the ram(s) and the bottom of the axle. These blocks distribute force applied by the ram away from any single point and allow for an even push.


Why Camber Correction?
6/29/2009 -- For decades, Bee Line has been a proponent of Camber Correction on heavy duty trucks. In fact, we have reserved the name of a "Complete" alignment shop for shops with the size and capabilities to utilize our patented camber correction tooling. Why are they "Complete"? The answer is simple: these Bee Line Shops can measure and correct all alignment angles. Behind toe and rear tracking, camber is the third leading cause of tire wear. Now more than ever, extending tire life is extremely important to your customer's bottom line and camber correction maximizes tire life.

With these facts in mind, Bee Line created a booklet titled "Total Vehicle Wheel Alignment and the Benefits of Camber Correction". "The concept of this booklet was simple" said Lee McLaughlin, Bee Line VP of Sales and Marketing. "We wanted to present the facts on why correcting camber is important.” Mclaughlin explained the information includes independent studies on the effects of camber variance on Heavy Duty trucks as well as the Truck Maintenance Councils recognition of preferred camber settings to maximize tire life. "Too often we hear people say camber correction isn't necessary or isn't important. This booklet should shed some light on this costly misconception."

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF "Total Vehicle Wheel Alignment and the Benefits of Camber Correction"


Our new Remote Display is Your Key to Maximum Efficiency
6/29/2009 -- The new Remote Display is simply a must-have tool for the LC 7000 Computer Alignment System.

Users of the LC 7000 have grown accustom to the advantages of color LCD screens built into the Alignment Heads. The Remote Display puts those same advantages in a lightweight wireless package a technician can use anywhere. These advantages include:

The ability to control live WindSpeed 7000 Software functions from remote locations.

Taking measurements and making live corrections to toe, camber, caster and rear tracking.

The ability to gauge and document Tread Depth.

To learn more about this exciting new item, click here.

EPM 720 Remote Display <


The 7600 Floor Jack: An Alignment Shop Must.
1/9/2007 -- "This is one of the best tools we've made in years." says Plant Manager Rick Lund. "I wish I had one in my garage at home." adds Sales Manager Mike McCoy. Indeed it is a popular item among Bee line employees, but why? The answer lies in the exceptional performance it has shown in all phases of product testing. It has proven itself to be a marvelously engineered piece of machinery. Plus, it is like no other floor jack on the market today. To learn more about the 7600, click here

Bee line is extremely proud to introduce the 7600 Floor Jack. Contact your local Sales rep or Bee Line directly to learn more about this exciting new product.




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