New DOT-Based Air Brake Leak Technology

New air brake leak finder technology is helping fleet operators increase uptime. The tool uses DOT standards to indicate in one minute – with a simple green-red, pass-fail - whether the tractor or trailer has a leak that would cause the vehicle to be red tagged, pinpointing all leaks in under 10 minutes.

Small air brake leaks quickly turn into big problems

New ELD rules mean fleet operators are under greater pressure to maximize vehicle uptime and driver hours of service. “Air brake leaks have been a real problem. In Wisconsin, the vehicles we service take a beating from weather and rough road wear. Small air brake leaks quickly turn into big problems that can cause a vehicle to be red tagged or brought in on the hook. That really cuts into uptime and the bottom line” said Scott Maves, Packer City International Trucks. 

Putting a price on a day of downtime

Field tests indicate that new air brake leak finder technology can save hours -or even days- when searching for leaks in air brake and air powered systems, cutting costly vehicle downtime. Paying an hourly technician to search for air brake leaks with soapy water is a small expense, the real cost of using this outdated procedure is in lost uptime for the vehicle. Conal Deedy, director of connected vehicle services at Mack Trucks, says a downed truck can cost $900 to $3,000 a day.

New technology finds air brake leaks that are impossible to find any other way

The brake leak finder isn’t just saving technician time, it’s getting trucks back on the road faster which boosts the bottom line. Up to 30% of fleet tractors and trailers are operating with leaks that would be red-tagged by the DOT. Air Brake NanoLeak Finder was used recently on a truck that had been out of service and the dealer had spent over 20 hours of labor trying to find a persistent air brake leak. That leak caused several days of lost revenue for the fleet and couldn’t be found with soapy water or sonic ears. The Nanoleak Finder was able to pinpoint the air brake leak in under 10 minutes and definitively determine that it was 100% repaired, getting the truck back on the road. “This breakthrough technology will become the 'best practice' procedure for air brake diagnostics and repair" said Scott Maves of International.

When lives are at stake, minutes count

No one feels the pressure to eliminate air brake leaks like emergency vehicle maintenance engineers. First responders can’t let a vehicle idle to rebuild pressure after air brakes have leaked down, costing valuable minutes of response time. Fire departments across the country are using this technology with excellent success. Transport busses that utilize air actuated doors and access height systems are also using Air Brake NanoLeak Finder to quickly test and precisely locate high pressure air brake Leaks with 100% reliability.

Pass or fail in under a minute, pinpoint the leak in under 10 minutes

With a quick setup, the tool runs a one minute, foolproof diagnostic that indicates whether the truck or trailer has a leak that exceeds DOT standards. If there is a leak, it pressurizes the system with a signature air, pinpointing the location of all leaks in under 10 minutes, cutting hours of technician time getting the vehicle back in service faster. Air Brake NanoLeak Finder is the only technology that can ensure a tractor or trailer meets US DOT standards and that it doesn’t risk being taken out of service.

Redline Detection is the maker of the world’s best-selling diagnostic leak detection equipment, designed, engineered and manufactured in the USA. Redline tools and equipment are hard at work every day in 135 countries around the world. From the world’s leading OEMs to individual technicians, Redline Detection has built a global fan base for its professional grade custom diagnostic solutions, as well as for its ability to increase the bottom line. To learn more about Redline Detection and its award-winning products, please visit www.redlinedetection.com