Hunter Engineering has expanded the capabilities of its HawkEye XL Commercial Alignment System, introducing four enhancements designed to make commercial vehicle wheel alignment faster and easier for technicians.
The HawkEye XL uses long-range camera technology to obtain alignment measurements in four minutes or less and can handle heavy-duty, medium-duty, light-duty and passenger vehicles, including trucks, trailers and buses.
Among the most significant additions are new magnetic wheel adapters. Rather than conventional mounting arrangements, the adapters attach directly to the vehicle’s lugnuts within seconds. Hunter says this not only speeds installation but also provides greater wheel protection because there are no metal spades positioned between the rim and tyre. The adapters can be specified with new HawkEye XL systems or added to existing units.
A new drive-thru sensor configuration should also appeal to high-volume commercial workshops and OEM production facilities. It eliminates the need to reposition equipment for each alignment while retaining the system’s long-range vision and field of view. Tower spacing of up to 16 feet accommodates larger commercial vehicles.
Hunter has also introduced WinAlign 18.3 software, incorporating target placement guidance for technicians and aligner placement guidance to help ensure cameras can see all wheel targets. The software supports both thrustline and frame-reference alignments.
Rounding out the improvements is a latest-generation alignment cart. It allows technicians to store adapters and operate the system from the rear of the vehicle, potentially reducing unnecessary movement around the workshop.
Importantly, the cart is completely untethered and features battery backup capable of supporting a full day’s work without technicians having to drag a cable around the workshop.
Taken together, the HawkEye XL upgrades focus strongly on workshop productivity. Faster setup, flexible positioning and cordless operation make the enhanced system an interesting proposition for commercial workshops looking to streamline alignment work across a broad range of vehicles.