If you are going to make money, first you have to turn up, and you have do it day after day. Many of the wise old heads in the business have a saying that’s a variation on this theme.

They will tend to emphasise reliability and having gear they don’t have to push to perform. High performance or throughput can be eye-catching but a breakdown can be far more costly in terms of client perception, goes the old salts’ wisdom.

Bigger transport operators have the luxury of analysts in fleet management who can see this in their numbers, working out the cost per kilometre margins on the products and equipment that deliver greater availability. 

Luckily for smaller operators, each new generation of trucks has more and more self-monitoring equipment that does some of this for them, alerting drivers, or even service centres, to out of spec performance, helping operators keep vehicles in their sweet spots.

It’s not all about electronics. For example, some operators swear by centrifugal wheel balancing systems, while others say tyre-pressure monitoring and inflation systems avert blowouts that would take them off the road. 

But if you are going to add in a supplementary system that keeps the wheels turning, there’s few things more effective than good lubrication between load bearing metal to metal contact points.

It’s not a new solution. Cars built in the 1930s through to the 1950s came with grease distribution systems fed from a row of grease nipples under the bonnet but, as sealed bearings appeared, they faded from view. Heavy transport though, still needs a mechanical application of grease.

Taking care of business

Heavy transport manufacturer MTE (Modern Transport Engineers), doesn’t like to leave this to chance. They like to build in a system that preserves reliability in the form of an automatic greasing system from Alemlube.

MTE, which started in Hamilton, operates today in both New Zealand and Australia employing 450 staff. It produces a wide range of heavy vehicle bodies and trailers from general freight through tippers to specialist bitumen tankers. They specialise, however, in building and repairing widening trailers and transporters for oversize and heavy loads.

MTE’s customers definitely don’t want to suffer stoppages or even a hint of problem when delivering oversize or specially permitted loads so MTE has long specified an automatic grease lubrication system from Alemlube on a wide range of its builds. 

MTE built its first 30-ton transporter in 1975 followed by its first 3-axle tilt deck transporter and rows of eight transporter in 1980. These have since grown into the comprehensive series of widening transporters available today. MTE’s biggest build, a 45m-long transporter, came out of the Hamilton factory in 2011. It had a total of 304 wheels in its combination, with the possibility of adding another 16. All axles in the platform trailer steer to a maximum of 45 degrees.

That is not something you want to be crawling under with a grease gun. 

Alemlube Regional Manager Peter Murrie says the key difference between the modern system and the quaint copper pipe networks on old cars is the automation.

The trigger for the system to operate is fully customisable, says Peter. Essentially it works off a timer which goes live when the vehicle is turned on. It can operate almost continuously, every half hour, or down to every four hours for example, depending on the needs of the machine it is fitted to.

He says Alemlube’s ALS system is an easy-to-install automatic lubrication system designed for rugged reliability and high performance. Its high-pressure output can service grease points within a radius of 30m. 

The system distributes grease through precision progressive dividers. They are the key to ensuring accurate and reliable lubricant distribution to all connected grease points. They also have a built-in indication of any grease points that refuse to take grease. 

The system is ideal for transport applications, but it also has markets in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, waste management, and even food and beverage machinery.

High pressure

The system is based around the Alemlube ALS 24V DC pump station which comes with the onboard timer and a 4kg grease reservoir. The kit comes complete with everything needed to service 20 grease points automatically. This includes 70m of grease-filled hose, reusable hose ends, compression fittings and adaptors, nuts and bolts, cable ties, and protective hose wrapping.

Peter says the kit has been designed so that truck and trailer manufacturers can design their own custom installations but Alemlube offers support from its inhouse technical team to ensure the builder and their customers get the best out of the system.

“It’s in everyone’s interest to make sure this works as advertised,” he says.

The MTE Group regularly calls on the Alemlube team to advise and help on installations.  

“We believe that teamwork is essential for every project and a key ingredient for success,” says MTE general manager Lloyd Wood. “Allowing teams to combine their strengths and refine their skills helps meet and exceed client expectations.”

Lloyd says MTE takes pride in hands-on problem-solving and they extend support beyond standard industry warranty requirements. “We expect the same level of commitment from our suppliers to ensure we deliver the best available solutions in the market.”

Lloyd says Alemlube partnered and collaborated with MTE to provide auto greasing systems customised to specific trailer builds and designs. 

“Each trailer has a unique layout which has its own greasing requirements. Alemlube accommodates our designs and changes its offering to best suit the specifications and requests from our customers.”

Peter Murrie says Alemlube provides support in the design and layout of the auto greasing system for MTE, especially on the more complex builds, as well as manufacturing and supplying all auto greasing equipment installed into MTE trailers. 

“Support and training for the installation of the systems are also provided to our workshop teams by the specialist staff members that make up the Alemlube team.”

System specialists

Lloyd says MTE uses a network of global suppliers for components but they also collaborate with regionally-based manufacturers that meet their exacting standards for specialist equipment.

“Alemlube are specialists in their field and they deliver the high level of dedication to innovation and technology we require for service delivery to our customers,” he says. “The level of technical support and cost savings that Alemlube have offered MTE over the years has been significant in delivering global manufacturing excellence.

“The Alemlube team are always available and on call to our customers on the road if and when these greasing systems require extra care and attention.”

It’s been a long and fruitful association. MTE have been in partnership and utilising Alemlube parts and services for 19 years, since 2006.

Lloyd goes so far as to say Alemlube is now an integral part of their product offering. 

“MTE’s vision is to offer a spectrum of engineering, technology and manufacturing solutions for its customers with a value-added approach to problem solving. Alemlube has adopted this vision along with MTE and is part of our group of industry leaders who have committed to advancing our business.”

Alemlube is not just about automatic greasing systems. In fact, that’s just a small part of the company’s range. 

It markets a vast array of lubrication handling equipment from pouring jugs and waste oil catch basins right through tanks, hoses, valves, and meters to plumbed in water, air, oil, grease, and fuel transfer and delivery systems. It also has a vast array of workshop equipment such as tyre machines, hoists, and wheel aligners.

For more information, call Alemlube on 09 447 1007.