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HERE IS A QUICK SUMMARY OF HOW TO SET UP YOUR SCA 1 HEADLAMP AIMER: 1. Setting the floor slope

• Lower the optical head to about 1 foot off the floor.
• Level optical head by rotating eccentric wheel at rear of base until level vial registers "level."
• Place the laser in position on top of the optical head and turn laser on.
• At center of front wheels of vehicle, measure the distance from the floor to where the laser strikes the measuring device.
• At center of rear wheel of vehicle, measure the point where the laser strikes the measuring device.
• If the measurements are not the same, the floor has a slope and adjustments are needed.
• Rotate the floor slope handle left or right on the eccentric wheel until laser strikes the measuring device at the same heights as it did at the front wheel.
• Move to the center of the front wheel and measure the point where the laser strikes the measuring device.
• If both front and wheel measurements are the same, record the position of the eccentric wheel. If measurements at the front and rear wheels are NOT the same, note the front wheel measurement.
• Move to the center of the rear wheel and rotate the eccentric wheel so laser strikes the measuring device at the same height as front wheel measurement, then measure the height of the laser at the front wheel again.
• Repeat this process until both front and rear wheel measurements are the same.
• When both measurements are the same, make note of the floor slope number for this bay.
• Turn off the laser and store in a safe place.

2. Headlamp Alignment

• Turn the sighting unit until you can see the front edge of the optical head through sight lens.
• If the line on the lens does not line up with front edge of optical head, loosen thumbscrews and align lens.
• Tighten thumbscrews.
• Position SCA 1 approximately 12" in front of headlamp to be aligned.
• Set the floor slope to proper setting for current bay.
• Align SCA 1 to vehicle using the sight window and 2 common points on vehicle.
• Turn on the headlamps and move the optical head up, down, left, and right, until the light is centered on the optical head lens.
• Adjust headlamp until the pattern on the ISO screen is in the proper position. *Proper position is centering the most inner area of color over the appropriate white dot of low beam or high beam.

***REPEAT THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS FOR THE NEXT HEADLAMP We now have IN STOCK the Symtech SCA 1 ISOColor Headlight Aimer. The SCA 1 Headlight Aimer is an easy-to-use, precise method of headlamp alignment featuring new ISOColor technology for accuracy. Features of the SCA ISOColor Headlight Alignment System Include: ISOColor Technology Laser Floor Slope Measurement Field Calibration Adjustable Height Accurate and Repeatable Alignment Compact and Portable Non Electric Rotational Mast Durable and Lightweight Call Clark 603-234-2612

We recently posted a synopsis of a variety of CEMB tire changers and to whom they are best suited for... So we thought it fitting to follow up with a varied list of wheel balancers and their "ideal" owners. We hope this information helps you make the right decision when purchasing a wheel balancer. Take a look...

C-29 Wheel Balancer: Gas stations, small and medium size garages requiring basic computer

K-8 Digital Wheel Balancer Wheel balancing for automobiles and light trucks Entry level customer looking for value with features and benefits. Well beyond leading competitively priced machines. Features to include items such as 165 lb weight capacity, ability to split and hide weights, and a quick release nut for mounting and dismounting. (C-29 is hand spin and K-8 is motorized)

K-9 Wheel Balancer: Same physical size as the K-8 balancer, but has automatic data entry for distance and diameter as well as stick on weight location program for exact placement.

C-71 Wheel Balancer: Medium to large size garages, car dealers, tire shops or any shop that wants to be able to balance all aluminum wheels with precision, speed, accuracy, and ease of use. Customer should realize the amount of features this medium-priced balancer has to offer, including automatic parameter data entry, automatic start when dropping the hood, the ability to place stick-on weights right the first time without respinning. Optional modes include automatic width reading sonar and pneumatic chucking.

C-73 Wheel Balancer: This customer wants all the high end features available plus the ability to merchandise his wheel service business with this video display balancer with a user friendly menu. This balancer comes in various models which can include automatic width reading, pneumatic chucking and radial run out.

C-88SE Wheel Balancer: This balancer will to to the high-end market with the features that are standard: touch screen monitor, pneumatic chucking, width, radial runout and lateral sonar. Other features in the software tells you if the tire and wheel need to be optimized. It even tells you where to place the tire on the car.

NEWER SERIES BALANCERS

ER80: This balancer will probably do the best at the tire shop level. It appears that the access to the wheel along with the light and laser weight positioning will make this very quick and easy to use with stick on weights. Steel wheels will be just as easy with the electronic brake and sonar width reading.

ER100: When balancing wheels and diagnosing tire and wheel issues, there is no better product on the market. The customer who buys this machine will be looking to solve ride complaints as well as balancing tire and wheel assemblies as correctly as possible. The customer needs to feel confident that the vehicle owner will get the best ride possible with the tire and wheel assemblies balanced on the ER100.

Here are some options by CEMB and which of their offerings may best suit your needs. We will post a similar listing with descriptions for Wheel balancers very soon...Stay tuned.   l

SM-825 Moto Motorcycle Tire Changer: Does wider motorcycle wheels out to 15” diameter, some low wheels and also does cars and light trucks SM-825 Moto Press Arm Tire Changer: Has Press Arm to help assist with changing low profile wheels on  motorcycles, cars and light trucks. SM-825 Tire Changer: Gas Stations, Small Garages, and Auto Salvage Yards that require basic tire changer needs. Not planning to change any low profile tires at the present time, but is aware of the large chucking capacity and the option to add a low profile mounting helper at a later date.

SM-825 Press Arm Tire Changer:  Small & Medium size garages, car dealers, tire shops, etc needing to have a bigger capacity machine with outside chucking to  26” with optional mounting adapters for low profile wheels SM-915 Maxi Tire Changer: 22” outside chucking 26” with optional adapters, no mounting helpers SM-915 Jumbo Tire Changer: 24” outside chucking 26” adjustable and 30” With optional extensions No mounting helper SM-915 Jumbo Press/Arm Tire Changer: Same but with low profile mounting helper and bead pressing tool SM-930 Help/Arm Tire Changer:

Tilt tower machine designed with rigidity in mind for changing stiff sidewall tires. Ideal for high volume tire or specialty wheel shops who know the value of the tilt tower design machines. SM-935 Press/Help Arm Tire Changer: Same as SM-930, but has mounting helpers on both sides for operation of low profile and stiff sidewall tires. This is the ultimate tilt tower type machine. SM950R Press/Help Arm Tire Changer: Same operation as SM-935, but tower does not tilt back and use extra room. It raises up and tilts instead. Also has larger table 28” outside with optional adaptors and 4 Chucking Cylinders.

Clark Heintz Tools & Equipment LLC is in our 38th year of business, and we're happy to announce that we've developed a business relationship with CEMB-USA. We are going to be stocking CEMB product at our store in Bow, NH, and are in the process of becoming a certified repair center for CEMB wheel products. Many of you may have used CEMB products without knowing, as they build wheel products for many different labels worldwide. CEMB is an Italian manufacturer and a world leader in high-quality balancing equipment. In business since 1946, CEMB specializes in sophisticated balancing equipment and manufactures microprocessor-controlled equipment for balancing items as large as industrial turbines and rotors weighing thousands of pounds. We have a HUGE selection of tire changers, wheel balancers and wheel aligners, and since we can't possibly detail all of them in this post, I will mention some highlights. Among our Wheel Alignment CEMB selections are the Alignment Machine DWA 1000XL for cars and light trucks, which reduces wear as well as fuel consumption, improves safety, and increases driver comfort. It comes fully assembled and includes a bluetooth and laptop. For Wheel Balancers, our selection includes the C29 MOBILE WHEEL BALANCER, great for gas stations, small and medium size garages requiring basic computer wheel balancing for cars and light trucks. The C29 mobile wheel balancer comes fully assembled. comes fully assembled, and includes an standard quick nut mounting and foot brake for exact placement of wheel weights. Our tire changer selection includes the CEMB SM825 SWING ARM CAR/SUV TIRE CHANGER PRESS ARM, best suited for gas stations, small garages and auto salvage yards. With CEMB's SM825 you get CEMB high quality for a low price. SM825 Moto comes fully assembled, and includes the inflator jets on each clamp and inserts to protect aluminum wheels. Check out our newly added CEMB WHEEL PRODUCTS on our website. We've performed extensive online research to offer you the absolute lowest prices out there for a high quality wheel service machine. Please call Clark with any questions 603-234-2612. CEMB has been building wheel balancers since 1952. With this experience, they have been able to refine their equipment to be the easiest to operate, fastest, most accurate, and reliable balancers available.

The newest addition to our Extreme Tools product line is the 32” x22" x40.5" Extreme Tool Cart EX3204 . This toolcart come in blue, black, and red (all are currently in stock at NHPROEQUIP.com located at 1298 Rt 3A in Bow, NH) Some nice features of this toolcart include a lip edge on lid, which prevents tools from falling off. Also, there is no need to lift the cover to look in the top section of the rollcart because the first drawer slides right out. It was built with storage area for long bars and long extensions. This toolcart comes with 4 full length drawers, and 4 swivel casters rated at 550 lb per wheel.

Extreme Tools Tool Cart Material & Features: Shell-- 1.2 mm steel, powder-coating

Drawer fronts --1.0 mm steel, powder-coating

Drawer inners --1.0 mm steel, powder-coating

Slide carrier-- 1.0 mm steel, powder-coating

Cab bottom wall-- 2.0 mm steel, powder-coating

Drawer pulls--F-shaped, full-width, aluminum, polished finished

Slides ( 4pairs)--3-segment, quick-release, ball-bearing, load rate of 100 lbs

Side Pry Bar / Tool Racks (2) --18.125" W x 1.875"D 460mm W x 48mm D

Top Compartment (top drawer closed) W x D x H --26.75" x 20.125" x 7.0" 679.5mm x 511mm x 178mm

Side handle (1pc)--Dia 33x44, ellipse, painted, plastic end caps

Struts-- Gas struts 2 pcs

Locks-- Tubular locks & keys

Casters (4)-- 5" x 2" locking swivel

Side trims --N/A

Drawer liners-- EVA liners

Product Dimension--W x D x H 32.25" x 22.25" x 34" without casters 819mm x 559mm x 864mm 32.25" x 22.25" x 40.5" with casters 819mm x 559mm x 1029mm

Package Dimension (Wx D x H) (est.) 34.2" x 24.5" x 24 " 869mm x 622mm x 927mm

Load Plan--135 pcs per 40’GP Container

Case Volume (package) 20110 Cubic inches 4 Drawers Roller Bearing Glides Rated 100 lbs.Per Drawer UPC Number in Color Black 892562002796 UPC Number in Color Blue 892562002802 UPC Number in Color Red 892562002819

DRAWER SIZES ACCORDING TO DRAWER DESIGN: W x D x H 26.75" x 20.125" x 3.75" 679.5mm x 511mm x 95mm 26.75" x 20.125" x 1.75" 679.5mm x 511mm x 44mm 26.75" x 20.125" x 2.75" 679.5mm x 511mm x 70mm 26.75" x 20.125" x 3.75" 679.5mm x 511mm x 95mm

BOTTOM SHELF SIZE: W x D x H 32" x 21.75" x 3" 813mm x 552mm x 76mm

Mastercool has supplied professional air conditioning, service tools and equipment for over 25 years. A family owned and operated company, it is one of the fastest growing companies in this market. Mastercool’s name is synonymous with “World Class Quality” and uniquely innovative product design. With a primary focus on new technology, Mastercool has been awarded many patents worldwide. Mastercool is headquartered in the United States. Our featured Mastercool product, the Air conditioning Recover/Recycle/Recharge Service Center is ETL Laboratories approved, in compliance with SAE J2788. This machine incorporates the latest technology and state of the art features to aid you in servicing R134a air conditioning and refrigeration systems. This A/C Charging Station, Mastercool Recover Recycle and Recharge also incorporates a highly accurate electronic scale for determining charging weights, etc. Other functions can also be performed with the electronic scale as you will discover during the operating procedures. Either standard or metric units of measure can be selected. Your new machine has been designed specifically to use R134a, to operate within the objectives of the Montreal Protocol. This unit is supplied fully assembled and tested. Mastercool 69788 Recovery Machine produces quality performance year after year.

Below are some of its features: • Design Certified for Compliance with SAE J2788 New A/C systems are smaller. Machines must charge within .5 oz and recover 95% of the refrigerant. • Automatic/Programmable or Manual The 69788 can be programmed to complete a continuous recovery/recycle, vacuum, vacuum leak test and recharge. The machine can also be set to run each operation individually. • Includes Refrigerant Capacity Database (over 1000 vehicles) Includes refrigerant capacities for US and Import makes and models from 1995 to 2010. The 69788 is capable of software upgrades as well. • Auto Vacuum Leak Test Pauses cycle and monitors vacuum level to inform the technician of possible leaks. • Auto Oil Discharge Oil is automatically discharged during the recovery process into a graduated container clearly displaying the amount of oil that was removed during the recovery process. • Auto Air Purge Automatically purges air from the tank upon initial start-up or when the tank pressure is too high. • Auto Filter Alarm The machine’s LCD and alarm will warn that a filter change is required. • Compact Footprint The machine’s compact design makes it easy to maneuver and requires minimal shop space.

MASTERCOOL 69788 RECOVERY UNIT SPECIFICATIONS:

• 115 V / 60 Hz

• 6 CFM Vacuum Pump

• Internally mounted 30 lb. DOT tank

• Dimensions: 41” H x 24” W x 22” D

This Mastercool refrigerant recovery machine weighs 187 lbs.

Tiger Tool was founded by the owner of a fleet of highway trucks, who took care of his own truck maintenance. As it states on Tiger Tool's website, Founder Mike Skoworodko was attempting to remove a seized universal joint, but was contending with a driveline that could not be budged without causing surrounding damage. He wanted to develop a better way, and thus the world's most effective Universal Joint Puller was born! He then began to develop several other specialty tools directed at the Heavy-Duty Equipment Industry, and after attending several North American, and European tradeshows, sales began to skyrocket. Tiger Tool has a solid reputation with regard to design, and development of unique, specialized tools used for servicing the needs of the Light and Heavy-Duty Equipment Industry.

We at Clark Heintz Tools & Equipment LLC fully endorse these quality, rugged products. We've chosen a special line of Tiger Tools to carry that cover all the bases when trying to get the job done! Our Driveline Tiger Tools include Snap Ring Plier Kits, which come with the original 70300 Snap Ring Plier as well as the newer-to-the-line 70301 75 Degree Snap Ring Plier, to allow for easy removal of body panel clips and hotchkiss style snap rings in hard-to-reach areas. Also within the realm of driveline tools is the 14001 Torsion Bar, used with GM's K-35 series trucks with heavy duty chassis, which require a heavy-duty tool to deal with the larger torsion bar; Bearing Cup Installers, used for accurate installation of bolt-retained bearing cups; Yoke Pullers, which expedite and streamline the removal of automotive yokes on drive shafts, transmissions and rear-end differentials without damage to the yokes; Universal Joint Puller designed to fit drivelines 1500 series and under, on intermediate trucks, school buses, farm, and light industrial vehicles; and the 10803 Yoke Puller Kit, designed to remove yokes on transmissions, driveshafts, and rear-end differentials without damage to yokes or other components. Fits 16 different sizes of yokes.

Our featured axle shaft tool is the 11001 axle shaft puller. Among our slack adjuster tools, we carry the 10502 Slack Adjuster Rod Pin Press, the 10501 Brake Clevis Pin, used for virtually all makes and models of truck and trailer slack adjuster brake clevis pins; and several Slack Adjuster Pullers, including the 10406, 10407, 10409, and 10410. Wheel stud tools include a 22mm adapter (10630), Wheel Stud Adapter 1 1/8" Right Hand (10610), Wheel Stud Adapter 1 1/8" Left Hand (10615), Wheel Stud Adapter 3/4" Right Hand (10620), Wheel Stud Adapter 3/4" Left Hand (10625). Our Tie Rod Tools consist of various Tie Rod End Removers, including 10301 7/8" Tie Rod End Remover, 10302 3/4" Tie Rod End Remover, 10304 20mm Tie Rod End Remover, and last but not least, the 10310 Tie Rod End Remover Kit, which offers a safe and effective means to "shock" tie rod ends loose without risk of damage to threaded areas, grease nipples, and rubber seals. Fits tie rod end sizes 7/8" (heavy duty trucks), 3/4"(mid-size trucks), and 20mm (European trucks).

Tiger's high strength adjustable pulling arms fit various widths of pitman arms for easy installation and removal of the tool. Our selection of Pitman Arm Tools includes 10386 Pitman Arm Spreader, which provides quick and safe removal of Pitman Arms on 2-ton and larger trucks. 10385 HD Pitman Arm Puller is designed to remove pitman arms on virtually all heavy-duty trucks; 10388 Intermediate Pitman Puller is made for school buses, intermediate trucks, delivery trucks, and any other vehicles with a nut release Pitman arm. The 20387 Pitman Arm Service Kit is truly a "must have" for any mechanic or shop servicing steering boxes. The Tiger Tool Combination Kits consist of 20503 Automotive Universal Joint Kit Package, 20503 Auto Universal Joint Service Kit designed for the disassembly and/or reassembly of u-joints on steering knuckles, power take-offs, cars, light and medium duty trucks, buses, and farm machinery, etc. 20101 Universal Joint Puller Kit comes complete with 3 U-Joint Pullers: one each for heavy duty trucks, mid-size trucks, and cars and pickup trucks; 20150 Heavy-Duty U-Joint Service Kit for dismantling and assembling heavy-duty truck u-joints; 20301 Heavy-Duty Mechanic's Kit includes 5 heavy-duty parts including the 10102 U-Joint Puller; the 20201 Heavy-Duty Mechanic's Kit, 20401 Heavy Duty Mechanic's Kit includes 5 heavy-duty parts, including the 10102 U-Joint Puller; and the 20602 Slack Adjuster Service Kit comes with everything you need to service manual/automatic self-adjusting type slacks. So, as you can see, we cover a lot of ground in the Tiger Tool department. Please call Clark with any questions --or to place an order-- at 603-234-2612.

We sometimes reorganize the shop so people can better locate the tools they need. You can see from the photo we've got the plasma cutters on the shelf, and compressors and Motorvac units up above. With a very visible extreme toolbox. What do you think?

By Jacques Gordon Published in the April 2011 edition of Professional Distributor Magazine

After being laid off at 23, Bob Covert decided it was the right time in his life to gamble on going into business for himself. Three years later, after working a territory in the Boston area with a major tool company, Bob took another gamble and moved to the small town of Bow, N.H. to become an independent distributor. Starting from scratch in a new rural territory without the backing of a major name might seem like the hardest way to succeed in this business, but Bob has some very good resources. His uncle, Clark Heintz, had been a mobile dealer in the area for 34 years when he stepped away from a franchise to open his own independent tool business. He offered his nephew a partnership, and it proved to be a good match. In less than one year Clark had opened a new storefront location and turned the truck over to Bob.

Although the store and the truck are two separate businesses, Clark Heintz Tools & Equipment is one of Bob’s most valuable resources. Bob stocks most of the well-known brands like Ingersoll Rand and OTC, but Clark helps him find other top-quality tools from a wide variety of vendors. And if a customer asks about a tool that Bob has never heard of, Clark’s connections, knowledge and years of experience (and sometimes the tool itself) are only a phone call away. Bob told us about another resource that’s helped him succeed: technology. He described how the camera on his smart phone helped him find a buyer for his customer’s used tire machine. And even though much of his territory is in a rural area, Bob’s wireless Internet connection is always available. “It helps me a lot. If a customer asks about a new tool that we don’t know about yet, I’ll Google it.” Even if he doesn’t find the tool right away, at least he gets a good idea of what to look for. The computer also helps him manage his time. “I have no paperwork at the end of the day, it’s all in the computer and done.”

Franchised versus independence

Having worked as both a franchise distributor and an independent, Bob noted that each has its advantages, but he likes being an independent. One reason is the freedom to choose the tools he stocks on the truck, and with input from Clark and his customers, almost all of those choices have been winners. Another advantage is the freedom to design his route. He stops at 110 shops per week, every one of them a valuable customer. Bob also spoke highly of a drop-ship program offered by M. Eagles Tools, and some of his other suppliers. If a customer wants a tool that’s not on the truck and the total order exceeds a specific dollar amount, he can call Eagles and they’ll ship it that day. “(My customer) gets it tomorrow, and I don’t pay overnight shipping. I do that maybe 15 or 20 times a week.” Bob noted that one of the disadvantages of being independent is the lack of immediate brand recognition. He said a franchise dealer is almost always accepted the minute the truck shows up. But as an independent, it isn’t the product that sells tools, it’s the person. “They’re buying from me because of me, not because of what I sell.” The proof is in the pudding. “There are so many brands on this truck they’ve never heard of before, but they trust me.” “When you first walk into these places it’s kind of formal, just introducing yourself and your products, but after a while they get to know you, trust you. And one day, in the middle of all the locker room talk, without even realizing, you’ve sold $400 worth of stuff…they trust me based on previous experience with me.” Bob says that experience is a two-way street. “I trust them too. That guy just walked off the truck with a tool and I trust him to pay me. And I know he will. It just comes with spending time with these guys.”

Because it’s fun

As you might expect, Bob describes himself as a “people person” who likes being out and about. His normal day on the truck is ten hours, “but it goes by like,” Bob snaps his fingers, “that, because I’m always busy and I really like what I do. Meeting characters like (his customer), Mike (a very colorful character indeed) is entertaining, and if you can make a living dealing with people like that all day, why not?” When asked about his accounts receivable, Bob said he doesn’t measure his business that way. “Some guys pay cash in full, so knowing a guy doesn’t have a balance with me is not an indication of how much business he does with me. I look at activity, not balance. This (other) guy consistently has a bill. When his bill gets low, I know he’s going to buy soon.” Bob also has customers who pay him the same amount every week even if they don’t owe anything, “like a layaway,” Bob said, “because they know they’ll buy something big somewhere down the road.” Several of his customers are in a large industrial shop that’s been steadily laying people off for months, which makes them reluctant to go into debt for tools that, very soon, they might not need. Bob still stops there right on schedule. “Some of the other dealers don’t stop here anymore. (But) when things turn around, I’m the guy who’s here. Just like I want them to be loyal to me, I have to be loyal in return. That means sticking around when things aren’t going so well.” When asked about skips, Bob noted that as an independent, he has no network of dealers to help him collect from someone who moves out of the territory. The only option is to make the effort to stay in touch with the customer. However, Bob says he suffers far fewer skips here than he did in Boston, and considers it a non-issue in Bow, N.H. In the end, it’s hard to tell if there’s a greater difference between being a distributor in the big city versus small town, than there is between being a flag distributor versus an independent. Either way, it seems Bob Covert has found his own answer, and he’s having fun making money. What’s not to like?