Drive Systems Boost Workshop Revenue

Auxiliary Belt Drive Systems (ABDS) in truck engines are good examples of where independent workshops can steal a march over dealer networks.

“It is a little known fact that when it comes to ABDS technology, the Gates OE footprint covers product ranges for the world’s top seven truck manufacturers,” says Gates Regional Manager Darren Spooner.

By promoting the strength of their maintenance programmes and the technical support available from Gates, workshops can demonstrate the benefits of OE quality products at independent aftermarket prices. He says:
“Some operators regard service contracts as a convenient way to exercise strong budgetary control over fleet repair costs, but Gates figures show that throughout Europe, the trend is to look at the aftermarket as a better way to manage maintenance costs.”

Greater vehicle reliability, increasing expertise among workshop staff and greater technical support from suppliers are among the reasons for what is a growing trend.

Some of Gates recent OE successes demonstrate increasing confidence in the brand by vehicle manufacturers. For example, when DAF Trucks switched an important model range over to a Gates ABDS design, the superior performance and longer operational lifetimes of the drive system parts was specified as a reason for the change.

The applications involved include DAF XF 105 the XF 95 and the CF 85. DriveAlign Tensioners and Micro-V Belts are available individually or in kit form as replacement parts and all parts are covered by the Gates two-year warranty.

Gates announced plans to increase its support and commitment to the heavy-duty aftermarket, early last year. Since then, the supplier has responded by introducing 30 heavy-duty ABDS kits that go beyond the supply capabilities of the dealer networks. Technical support and training programmes are being made available to support its heavy duty drive systems programme. It’s a combination that will give workshops the opportunity to deliver a more viable service and maintenance alternative to anything that the dealership networks can provide.

In addition to Gates Micro-V Belt Kits and individual components for heavy duty ABDS applications, replacement parts from product groups outside the drive system range are also available from Gates.

For example, the introduction of Silicone Turbocharger Hoses extends the Gates Extra Service programme of hoses for heavy-duty applications. It also helps to demonstrate that turbocharger hoses can no longer be considered as ‘OE dealer replacement only’ parts. Gates catalogues them according to OE reference numbers, which makes replacement hoses for various types and lengths of heavy-duty hoses for a wide range of models, easy to identify.

OE quality thermostats are the latest Gates products to be included in the heavy-duty product portfolio. A long list of high profile vehicle applications immediately available includes models from DAF, Iveco, Mercedes Benz, MAN, Renault and Volvo. Specific examples include cross-references for Mercedes Benz Actros (1840) and Atego (1833) and Iveco’s Eurocargo, EuroTrakker, EuroStar and EuroTech ranges.

So, whether your workshop needs a heavy-duty belt kit or component for an ABDS, a hose, or a thermostat, Gates has got it covered.