United States. Hunter introduced its new Hawkeye XL alignment system, which the company says is designed to provide maximum speed, durability and ease of use for a wide range of commercial vehicles.
The new aligner will be on display for the first time at Hunter's booth at SEMA in Las Vegas, Oct. 31-Nov. 3.
According to Hunter, the versatile aligner provides very accurate measurements in four minutes or less.
"With our old system, I was doing 15 trucks in a 10-hour day," said Prime Inc. technician Vernon Embree, who tested the Hawkeye XL with its large fleet of newer trucks. "Now I've run over 26 trucks in one day. I would definitely recommend the XL to anyone."
At the heart of the Hawkeye XL is a visionary new camera technology, Hunter said, with extra-long range and extra-large lenses, expanded from the industry-leading Hawkeye Elite alignment system.
The aligner features lightweight three-dimensional XL lenses that are highly durable, low-maintenance, and non-electronic. Accurate, high-definition cameras provide extra-long-range view, capture measurements on a single rolling compensation, and display live alignment readings for up to three axes at once.
The extended range delivers expanded results, allowing the XL to easily line up 53-foot trailers. With a moving camera beam and portable cabinet, technicians can perform alignments on the floor or in an elevator, in any bay.
The XL offers optional fully integrated alignment with Hunter's L494HD alignment rack or FIA-compliant turntable kits to streamline processes. Standard self-centering adapters fit wheels from 15 to 28 inches. For even more speed and wheel protection, optional Quick Grips are available in heavy-duty and passenger versions.
In addition, Hawkeye XL connects to the HunterNet 2 customer portal, allowing shop owners to monitor alignment performance remotely and in real-time.
According to Hunter, the XL's efficiency, versatility and low maintenance combine to produce more uptime and a lower cost of ownership. Misaligned wheels can have a considerable impact on the cost of commercial vehicle fuel and tire wear.
"Technicians love the simplicity and ease of use of the Hawkeye XL," said Alan Hagerty, product manager at Hunter.
"It's perfect for heavy-duty shops looking to accelerate and expand their alignment capabilities," he said.
