- Digital transformation and tech advancements are increasingly changing the automotive industry. Consumers are becoming more demanding as the standards for getting better experience are more likely to be settled. That’s exactly the reason why automotive companies are striving to revamp their technological and digital offerings.
Nowadays we stepped into an industrial epoch in which connected vehicles are the new norm. As a result, the market is seeing a growing demand for electric vehicles, increased penetration of advanced vehicle safety systems, and a boom in mobility sharing technologies. Moreover, autonomous vehicles have appeared on the market only about a decade away. All of this is leading to an increased need for automotive electronics and advanced automotive software.
SolbegSoft experts provide a full-cycle automotive software development:
- Technical requirements and business analysis
- PoC UX/UI design and prototyping
- Cloud application development
- Mobile application development
- Embedded application development
- Comprehensive QA and Testing
- Support and maintenance
Find out more in SolbegSoft Automotive brochure.


Commercial rope access work has changed dramatically over the past 20 years as it’s evolved from a bunch of daredevil abseilers on oil rigs to today’s multi-purpose, multi-billion dollar maintenance industry, based on highly-trained and accredited rope access technicians.
Not surprisingly, the equipment has changed with it.
In my 10 years + working on the ropes in Sydney, I’ve had a chance to see the advances close up, to test the manufacturers’ claims and, ultimately, to decide what equipment works best in terms of function and safety for my team.
The following are my all-star nominations, whether you’re looking at high rise window cleaning, building maintenance, concrete cancer repairs, high safety systems – or anything in between.
And if you’re wondering why there are so many Petzl (//www.petzl.com/INT/en) products on the list, it’s not because of any connection I might have with the French company, despite being well connected by the company!
Like Prorax, they just happen to be very good at what they do.
As a wise man once said, it all starts with the rope. After many years of trial and (thankfully very little) error, I’ve settled on Edelrid’s 11mm Safety Super Static II (see //www.edelrid.de/en/work-safety/static-ropes/safety-super-ii-11-mm.html). The 150-year-old German manufacturer describes this rope as the workhorse in the Edelrid stable, and its combination of durability, lightness and smooth flow has certainly made it my go-to rope. No, it’s not cheap – I spend more than $1000 on 200 metres (the maximum length) for my 2 x 100-metre twin-rope set-ups – but it’s a price I’m more than willing to pay for confidence and utility.
It makes sense that when you’re looking for the best descenders and ascenders (see below), you go to a company founded by a world-renowned caver. French company Petzl’s Rig descender (see //www.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/Descenders/RIG#.WWWOw4VOKP8) is light, compact and beautifully-engineered so that the rope feed, braking, descent speed and clip-on functions are easy to use or automatic. I should also say that it’s a split hair between the Rig and the Petzl I’D descender (see //www.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/Descenders/I-D-S#.WWWRTIVOKP8).
Comfortable, simple to use and with an integrated safety catch, the Petzl Ascension (see //www.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/Rope-clamps/ASCENSION#.WWWcf4VOKP8) makes the business of going up that much easier.
MOBILE FALL ARREST
Not so long ago, all rope access fall arrest safety gear came as two separate pieces (Petzl Shunt, old ASAP and all other brands) where you had to separate carabiner with the shock absorber and fall arrest so you end up with a free falling piece in your hand (ASAP) to attach to the rope. What that meant when you were up on a job was one more thing that could go wrong (to drop the fall arrest to the ground) if you weren’t careful, putting people and property below in danger. Then the New Petzl ASAP-LOCK (see //www.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/Mobile-fall-arresters/ASAP-LOCK ) came onto the market in 2015, and now the shock absorber is always attached to your harness. And as you’d hope, it’s totally hands-free, with any sudden fall triggering the ASAP’s automatic lock. Well done Petzl.
ANCHOR POINT TESTER
Made in the UK, the Hydrajaws Model 2000 Medium Duty Tester (see //www.hydrajaws.co.uk/products/model-2000) is easy to use, compact, comes with adjustable footings and, in the best British tradition, is built to last forever. Sold here as the MK11 export model, it also has the advantage of coming in a great carry case. And who doesn’t like great carry cases?
This is a tricky one, because we all have different body types and, as a result, harnesses are often a very personal choice. For mine, though, you can’t go past the Petzl AVAO Bod Croll Fast (see //www.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/Harnesses/AVAO-BOD-CROLL-FAST-international-version#.WWWsE4VOKP8), which integrates the company’s superb Croll rope clamp, adjusts easily and even has a fall indicator that tells you when the harness needs to be replaced.
Before seats came into vogue, there was always the danger that hanging on the ropes for more than 20 minutes could cut your circulation off – with serious consequences. For a time, the industry had to rely on its own inventiveness: one guy I worked with made a seat out of a skateboard. Now, with the lightweight Petzl Podium (see //www.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/Harnesses/PODIUM#.WWWiCYVOKP8), you can dangle all day in comfort, and even keep it on you as you move around thanks to its harness attachment design.
It might not immediately qualify as a life-and-death decision, but a good rope bag means one less distraction to take your focus off the job at hand. The 145-litre Black Diamond Zion Haulbag (see //blackdiamondequipment.com/en/big-wall-climbing/zion-haul-bag-BD8102800000ALL1.html) is comfortable to wear, has plenty of space and is solid enough to stand upright on its own, a real plus when your packing/unpacking it. As the company says, it’s one big pig!
So there you have it, my eight, indispensable pieces of equipment for professional rope access services.


Fractional Horsepower Motor Manufacturers
Fractional horsepower motors are small motors built on a frame, and they have a power rating of less than one horsepower. Manufacturers simply refer to fractional horsepower motors as FHP motors. This categorization is usually relative to the size of the frame and the total amount of fractional horsepower in the motor. 42, 48, and 56 size frames are still considered to be FHP motors even if the motor has more than one horsepower.
The size of FHP motors is based on standards that have been established by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). In fact, sometimes FHP motors are called NEMA motors. In applications where low-power is needed for controlled motion, FHP motors are a popular device. From surgical devices to car windows to household appliances, the compact nature of fractional horsepower motors make them a great resource in many different industries. Even in equipment like fans and blowers, manufacturers often install an FHP motor.
Some Leading Manufacturers
Vista, CA | 800-572-7560
At BEI Kimco Magnetics, we utilize more than 40 years of experience to merge leading-edge capabilities and cost effective manufacturing. That means you get the best of the best at an exceptional price. Along with many other quality products, we offer a variety of fractional horsepower motors, constructed to provide reliable and efficient performance. Specializing in brushless DC motors, we can find the perfect solution for your applications!
Madison Lake, MN | 612-746-7624
Here at Electric Motor Solutions, we are committed to engineering and manufacturing quality fractional horsepower motors and equipment. Whether you need miniature motors, variable speed motors, or permanent magnet motors, we have exactly what you need. Our electric motors are designed to save you time and money while providing innovative features and high performance. Check out our website or give us a call for more information!
Plymouth, MN | 763-553-1090
Power Electric specializes in fractional horsepower motors for OEM applications in medical, food service equipment, pump applications, vending equipment and more. Work with a partner that offers proven consistency, quality, and expertise in fractional horsepower motor design and engineering. Our motor solutions are jointly developed to meet your application’s specific requirements, reducing your overall cost and improving the quality of your motor applications.
Sioux Center, IA | 712-722-4135
As an ISO 9001 accredited manufacturer, Groschopp is your source for high-quality fractional horsepower motors. We offer AC motors, DC motors, brushless motors, universal motors, and all kinds of gearmotors. We have continued to produce innovative electric motor solutions for more than 85 years, so contact us with your electric motor challenges. We know we can create the perfect solution for you!
Dover, NH | 603-742-3330
ElectroCraft, Inc. provides superior electric motors and fractional horsepower motor solutions. We understand that your products depend on reliable, high performance components, and that is why we offer you high-quality, engineered solutions for even your most demanding applications. Let us show you how we can serve you with exceptional, cost-effective fractional horsepower motor products! Contact us today to get started!
East Aurora, NY | 800-336-2112
Moog Inc. has been manufacturing, designing, and supply electric motor solutions for more than 50 years, so you can count on our experience and expertise to get the job done right every time. Serving some of the world’s most demanding industries for decades, we have continued to develop better and more innovative motor solutions for our customers. We offer custom DC brush and brushless motors, servomotors, linear motors, and many other power and motion components. Count on the experts at Moog for your fractional horsepower motor needs!


- Please advise us of any modifications made to your vehicle such as oversized tires and wheels, lift kits, bed covers, lowered vehicles, etc.
- Please give us a working telephone number where we may reach you throughout the duration of your vehicle relocation.
- Check for any leaks, engine coolant level, transmission oil, etc.
- Battery must be securely mounted.
- Fuel level should be a minumum of 1/8 of a tank.
- The vehicle should be clean. A dirty vehicle decreases the ability to perform a quality inspection.
- All alarm systems must be disconnected, disabled or turned off.
- Remove detachable radio face plates, cell phones, garage door openers, E-Z Pass, etc.
- Remove all antennas (or fully retract), non-permanent luggage racks, bike racks, or ski racks.
- Remove all personal belongings.
- Household items and hazardous materials are forbidden by law to be transported.
- You or your representative must be present to sign off on the inspection at time of pick-up and delivery and confirm the vehicles condition.


Printers are highly-efficient machines with a wealth of moving parts. Unfortunately, all those moving parts can sometimes cause problems. Every printer is different, but they can all suffer from paper jams.
We can help. We’ll break down many of the common causes of errors, and then show you how to remove paper jams. With this guide, you’ll be able to fix most problems without calling for service.
Help! My Printer Keeps Jamming
As complex as your printer might be, there are a few common causes behind most paper jams:
· Misaligned Paper: Paper that has been incorrectly stacked into trays can shift and jam loading mechanisms. Be sure to use only the suggested amount and make sure it is straight.
· Dust Particles: Dust particles inside the printer can reduce friction on the rollers and cause the paper to jam. Recycled papers might be a great cost-saving measure, but they can contain more dust particles.
· Incorrect Paper Weight or Tray: Printer trays are designed to automatically feed paper according to specific and pre-determined paper weights and sizes. Using the wrong paper can cause misfeeds.
· Sticky or Dirty Paper: Before you load the trays, make sure your paper is clean. Paper that is sticky can jam the feeder or roller. Sometimes a glue from the paper manufacturing company can also remain on the paper causing problems.
· Used Paper: When a paper is reused, it can have a paper clip, staple, sticker, or stamp that can cause a paper jam. Make sure to use only clean and fresh paper.
If you have a printer that suffers from paper jams, try to identify what is causing the problem. The reason may be simple to fix.
How to Remove a Paper Jam
Let’s look at how to remove a paper jam. Following these simple steps will fix most problems with paper stuck in a printer.
1. Open the Cover
Start by turning off the printer. Leaving it on can be dangerous to you and cause permanent damage to the printer. Next, carefully remove any loose papers outside the printer. Finally, remove the main cover of the printer.
2. Remove the Paper
Hold the paper firmly and pull it from the printer slowly. Do not let the paper tear, as this can leave fibers or small pieces of paper stuck in the printer. Pulling too fast can also cause an injury and damage to the printer. If you need to, use tweezers to remove the paper from tight areas. Alternately pull from either side of the paper to prevent tearing. You should also try to pull with the printer, in the direction the paper is fed, rather than against the printer.
3. Check the Output
If the printer stopped due to a paper jam, you may need to remove a paper from the output tray. Inspect the slot at the end of the output tray for pieces of paper. If you find some, slowly remove it as you did in step 2. Please note, some printers have a knob or mechanism for removing paper from the output slot.
4. Test the Printer
Turn the printer back on to see if the paper jam has been removed. If it hasn’t, turn the printer off and continue with this step. Next, remove the printer head (for inkjet printers) or toner (for laser printers). Look for paper jammed beneath or around these mechanisms. Finally, test the rollers deeper in the printer for paper jams. You may need to remove the side or front covers from the printer.
How to Fix a False Paper Jam
Occasionally, you’ll come across a printer that insists there is a paper jam, but you can’t seem to find the problem. A false paper jam can be caused by a blocked sensor in the printer. A procedure known as a bottom plate cleaning might solve the problem.
Start by cleaning the inside of the printer. There should be instructions in your printer maintenance kit for this action. You’ll want to remove any stains or dust from the printer. You may also need to replace the rollers in the printer.
If the problem persists, take a clean, plain piece of paper, and fold it in half along the width. Unfold the paper and load it in the rear tray. The open side of the paper should face you. Feed this paper through the printer. This will clean the sensors inside the printer. Finally, check the paper when it is finished. If there is ink on the paper, try this procedure again.
Working with a Printer Repair Service
If your printer keeps jamming, even after going through the steps in this guide, you may need to get in touch with a service technician at ASE. The good news is that our team of service technicians have served as the go-to for printer service and repair for years. Make sure to record the steps you took to fix the printer, so the our experts can quickly identify the problem and keep downtime to a minimum.
Contact the team at ASE for all your office supply and printer service needs. Let our experts deliver solutions to your business!


Our live pricing engine lets you instantly see what your parts will cost. Compare different design prices and find a price that fits your budget by changing your design, material type and quantity.
No minimum orders
Automation throughout our ordering, manufacturing and fulfillment processes allows us to offer cutting services with no minimum orders. Need a single prototype before starting production? No worries!
Same Day Cutting
We cut your design in house right here in Canada, offering same day cutting as needed. We can even ship by air and get parts to your door by the following morning if you are located in North America.


Jaguar XK-E. Now with Ignition Warning Buzzer.
A sleek, classic masterpiece, praised by the Museum of Modern Art. Large rear window door opens for plenty of luggage.
Principal Dimensions: Wheelbase 96ins. Track, front 50 ins., rear 50 ins. Overall length 176-5/16 ins. Overall width 65 1/4 ins. Overall height 48ins. Ground clearance (lade) 5 1/2 ins. Dry weight 2,570 lbs. Fuel 16 3/4 galls. Oil 9 qts. Water 19 1/4 qts.
Optional Equipment: Power assisted steering. Radio. Chrome wire wheels. Tinted glass. Whitewall tires. Heated rear window for demisting and defrosting. Air conditioning.
Transmission: Four-speed, all synchromesh. Ratio 3.54 to 1. Limited slip differential. Suspension: Four-wheel independent, torsion bars front and paired coil springs rear. Brakes: 4-wheel discs with quick-change pads. Steering: Rack and pinion. Adjustable wood-rimmed steering wheel. Steering lock. Wheels: 15 ins. 72-wire spokes with Dunlop Aqua-Jet radial ply 185×15 tires. Electrical Equipment: 12-volt battery. Alternator. Back-up lights. Ignition warning buzzer.
Body: 2-door, all-steel. Twin bucket reclining seats with adjustable headrests, upholstered in leather over foam rubber. 7-dial instrument panel, including tachometer. Heater and demister standart equipment. Rear windows hinged for ventilation. Twin padded sun visors. Lockable glove compartment. Twin package shelves.
Thanks, Chromjuwelen for the heads up.


Rally car racing demands impeccable performance. Whether it’s high-speed straights or challenging curves, the vehicle’s suspension plays a crucial role. This complex system of shocks and springs enables the car to handle high-speed situations while maintaining road-holding grip. But can you improve your rally car’s suspension performance and durability with specific upgrades? Let’s delve into this topic and give you the answers you need.
Before we discuss the possible upgrades, let’s understand the role of the suspension in your car’s overall performance. The suspension system is a collection of components designed to ensure a smooth ride regardless of the road conditions. Primarily, it includes the springs, shock absorbers, and linkages that connect a car to its tires.
Your car’s suspension system has three main roles. First, it maintains correct vehicle height and alignment. Second, it absorbs shock from road bumps to ensure passenger comfort. Finally, it ensures the tires remain in contact with the road surface for better grip. Consequently, a well-functioning suspension system will enhance your car’s speed, handling, and overall performance.
The idea of improving the performance of a rally car’s suspension through specific upgrades is not mere speculation. It’s a proven concept adopted by many car enthusiasts and professional rally drivers. Here are some ways to enhance suspension durability and performance.
One of the surest ways to improve your vehicle’s suspension is by upgrading to high-performance shocks. These are designed to offer better handling and durability under high-speed and rough terrain conditions. They also reduce the roll, or tilting effect, when taking corners at speed. High-performance shocks generally have larger diameters and better heat dissipation, which can improve your car’s handling even in the most challenging rally conditions.
Just like shocks, the springs play a vital role in the performance of your vehicle’s suspension. Upgrading to performance-focused springs can significantly improve your car’s grip and handling. Performance springs are usually lower and stiffer, reducing the car’s center of gravity and minimizing body roll during fast cornering. Plus, they offer better tire contact with the road surface, improving grip and overall vehicle stability.
Besides shocks and springs, other components of the suspension system can be upgraded for better performance and durability. These include sway bars, bushings, and control arms. Upgrading these components can provide increased rigidity, reduce body roll, and improve handling. It’s essential to choose high-quality, durable materials for these components to ensure they can withstand the harsh conditions of rally racing.
While not technically part of the suspension system, tires play a significant role in a vehicle’s handling and grip. As the only part of the car in direct contact with the road, the tire’s performance can greatly affect the suspension’s effectiveness.
High-performance tires designed for rally racing often come with aggressive tread patterns for better grip, particularly on loose surfaces like gravel or mud. Furthermore, the tire pressure can be adjusted according to the racing conditions to achieve optimal grip. Remember, a good suspension system coupled with high-quality tires can significantly improve your car’s speed and handling.
Knowing when to upgrade your suspension can be as crucial as the upgrade itself. Regular inspection of your vehicle’s suspension system will provide clues on when to consider an upgrade. Signs such as excessive body roll, uneven tire wear, or poor handling could be indicators that your suspension needs attention.
Moreover, if you’re preparing your car for a rally racing event, upgrading your suspension should be a top priority. After all, your vehicle will be subjected to high-speed conditions and rough terrains that demand excellent handling and grip, conditions that a well-optimized suspension system can provide.
From the front shocks to the rear springs, every detail matters when it comes to rally car racing. And while upgrading your vehicle’s suspension might require a significant investment, the improved handling, grip, and speed can make the difference between winning and losing.
Just as you can fine-tune your rally car’s engine for more power, you can also make adjustments to your car’s suspension for better handling. Here are some essential suspension tuning techniques worth considering:
The ride height of your rally car, which refers to the distance between the base of your vehicle and the ground, can significantly affect its handling. By lowering the ride height, you can lower the car’s center of gravity and reduce body roll, which in turn improves the car’s steadiness, particularly when cornering at high speeds.
Strut-tower bars, also known as tower braces, are used to improve the car’s rigidity and limit body roll. These components connect the top of your vehicle’s strut towers, preventing them from moving independently. By doing so, they help maintain the alignment of the front wheels, enhancing steering accuracy and power delivery.
Sway bars, on the other hand, are anti-roll bars that further minimize body roll in corners. They work by distributing the force exerted on one wheel across all wheels, making your rally car more stable and responsive during high-speed cornering.
In terms of enhancing suspension performance, coilovers and air suspensions are two popular options among rally car enthusiasts. Coilovers, which are basically coil springs over shock absorbers, offer adjustable ride height and damping. This means you can modify your car’s suspension based on the rally conditions, allowing for optimal handling and grip.
Air suspension, meanwhile, uses air instead of springs to support the vehicle’s weight. This type of suspension is adjustable, allowing you to control ride height and stiffness for better car stability and performance.
Given the challenging conditions of rally car racing, investing in suspension upgrades can be highly beneficial. Whether it’s replacing your shocks and springs, strengthening suspension components, or adjusting your ride height, these modifications can significantly improve your vehicle’s handling, grip, and overall performance.
However, it’s important to remember that suspension tuning should not be done in isolation. Instead, it should be part of a comprehensive approach that includes upgrading your tires, maintaining your engine, and even improving your driving skills. After all, a well-tuned suspension can only do so much.
The real key to success in rally car racing lies in the synergy of all these elements. And with the right combination, you can ensure that your rally car not only survives the high-speed straights and challenging curves of a rally race but also excels in them.
So, can you increase the durability of a rally car’s suspension with specific upgrades? The answer is a resounding yes. But more than durability, these upgrades can improve your car’s speed, handling, and overall performance, giving you a competitive edge on the rally track. Upgrade wisely, drive skillfully, and you might just find yourself at the top of the podium.


• Telematics systems can provide comprehensive data on heavy equipment performance, helping to optimize maintenance strategies.
• GPS tracking devices allow for real-time monitoring of machines, enabling optimized routes and improved operational efficiency.
• Predictive maintenance technologies detect potential problems quickly, allowing for preventive maintenance and reducing costly repairs.
• Remote diagnostics technology allows technicians to assess and troubleshoot issues without requiring on-site visits.
• Mobile maintenance management software helps to track, organize and manage maintenance tasks in one accessible platform.
Heavy equipment is the backbone of many industries – from construction and manufacturing to logistics and agriculture. Proper maintenance of these machines is essential to keep operations running smoothly and to avoid costly repairs or downtime.
Advancements in technology offer new ways to improve heavy equipment maintenance and management. In this blog, you will learn valuable tips to help you integrate technology into your heavy equipment maintenance routine, ensuring maximum efficiency, safety, and longevity for your valuable machinery. Read on to learn more.
Telematics systems are designed to monitor and control various aspects of heavy equipment, such as fuel consumption, engine performance, and maintenance status. They can also provide valuable insight into operator behavior, helping to identify any habits that may be causing unnecessary wear and tear on your machinery.
By implementing telematics systems, you can gain a comprehensive view of your equipment’s health and use this data to optimize your maintenance strategy, ensuring your machines perform efficiently and last longer.
GPS Tracking Devices
Heavy equipment GPS tracking devices allow you to monitor and track your machines in real time. This helps you get a better understanding of where each machine is located, its usage data, and its maintenance status. With GPS tracking devices, fleet managers can optimize routes for their machines, reduce fuel costs, and improve operational efficiency overall.
Predictive Maintenance Technologies
Predictive maintenance is a critical component of an effective heavy equipment maintenance strategy. By using technology to monitor various indicators of equipment health, such as vibration levels, oil quality, and temperature, you can predict potential failure before it occurs.
This allows you to schedule maintenance before a breakdown and avoid costly downtime. Predictive maintenance technologies also help to identify early signs of wear and tear, allowing you to address issues before they escalate into expensive repairs, extending the life of your machinery.
Remote diagnostics technology allows you to assess and troubleshoot issues with your heavy equipment without needing to be on-site physically. Modern machinery often comes with embedded diagnostic tools that relay information back to service technicians or maintenance teams.
By diagnosing potential problems remotely, technicians can identify and address faults more quickly, reducing downtime and repair costs. Moreover, it ensures that your equipment remains in peak operating condition, ensuring your workforce’s safety and the machinery’s overall productivity.
Mobile Maintenance Management Software
Mobile maintenance management software enables easy tracking, organizing, and managing maintenance tasks, all from a single, accessible platform. Leveraging this technology allows maintenance and operations teams to collaborate more effectively, ensuring a seamless flow of communication and coordination when servicing equipment.
These applications often incorporate features such as inventory management, work order generation, maintenance reminders, and reporting tools, ensuring every aspect of your heavy equipment maintenance is presented in a coherent, easily accessible manner. This improves productivity and reduces downtime, ultimately boosting your company’s bottom line.
Smart technologies are designed to automate and streamline specific processes related to heavy equipment maintenance. Smart technologies also enable predictive analytics, allowing you to identify potential problems before they occur and schedule preventive maintenance in time. Here are the smart technologies you should implement in your business:
Smart sensors are used to measure different types of data, such as temperature, pressure, and vibration. This data can then be used to monitor equipment performance and detect any anomalies.
Advanced machine learning algorithms provide real-time insights into the condition of your equipment, helping you make smarter decisions about maintenance.
Automated maintenance scheduling
This feature allows you to plan, schedule, and track routine maintenance tasks. It also provides automated notifications for upcoming tasks or any issues with your machinery.
Remote control systems
Automated remote-controlled systems enable you to manage and control equipment without being physically present. This allows for faster response times and improved efficiency when dealing with heavy equipment maintenance issues.
Technology is changing the way industries approach heavy equipment maintenance. By leveraging telematics systems, GPS tracking devices, predictive maintenance technologies, remote diagnostics tools, mobile management software, and smart technologies, you can ensure your machinery remains in peak condition for longer periods of time while reducing downtime and repair costs. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to maximize your heavy equipment maintenance strategy with ease.


Creating safe environments for maritime activities to take place
Want to become an approved training centre?
We can offer independent risk assessments, site profiling, guidance and supporting to help set up recognised training centres and providers.
Time for a new vessel? We work with clients to assess their needs when deciding on the suitability of a specific craft to their operations.
This can include sea trials and testing of new or existing craft, either straight off the production line or post-repair. We offer independent assurance of vessel safety and operational ability before it enters service.
We also offer support throughout the build and/or repair of craft to ensure quality is achieved throughout. This is supplemented by a bidder vetting process before the work commences of behalf of the client.
From marine-vessels to heavy plant; we offer machinery trials and acceptance, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and machinery fluid analysis testing.
Independent accident investigation services
Accidents do happen. Neptune Marine Solutions offer a comprehensive accident investigation programme, which includes policy and procedure analysis, and incident investigation.
Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch below.
Neptune Marine Solutions - Honesty, Passion, Commitment, Accountability


In the case of an electrical power outage, Brazoria County MUD #2 has onsite generators at Water Plant #1, Water Plant #2 and Water Plant #3. Brazoria County MUD #2 also has a portable generator that can be used at lift station #1 and lift station #2, if the need arises.
Having a back-up generator ensures limited service interruptions in case of an electrical power outage. The generators will start automatically and keep the pumps/motors running until normal power is restored.
Brazoria County MUD #2 takes a proactive approach to make sure the generators are always operational at a moment’s notice. This proactive approach includes the following preventive and predictive maintenance measures:
- Monthly facility generator load test (power outage simulation)
- Bi-Monthly fuel testing (testing fuel for bacteria, water, sediment and contamination)
- Quarterly maintenance (checking oil & coolant levels, testing the batteries)
- Semi-Annual maintenance (replacing oil, oil & fuel filters)
- Semi-Annual generator oil analysis (analyzing oil health, contamination and machine wear)
- Annual generator load bank testing (ensures that your generator will run when needed so that you can count on it producing power during any kind of emergency that may arise)
- Annual transfer switch maintenance (inspect all wiring, insulation, and connectors)
To ensure the generators have good/clean diesel at all times, Brazoria County MUD #2 has installed automatic fuel polishing systems on the generators at Water Plant #1, Water Plant #2 and Water Plant #3.
It is the goal of the District to always be prepared in case of any extreme weather events which might present themselves. If you have any questions regarding the District’s Emergency Preparedness, please don’t hesitate to contact us.


This guide will explain how to change the engine oil and filter of a 15 or 20 HP (Horse Power) 4 Stroke Mercury Outboard Motor. An oil change is usually done after the boating season ends for winterizing or once the engine has run for a certain amount of time as indicated the engine manual.
Note: Oil changing for winterizing can be done by yourself if you feel comfortable with handling mechanical parts of a machine. However, if you are not comfortable with tools or handling of parts, I suggest you get the oil change done through a marina or a marine technician.
To get the oil and filter change done, you will need the following tools:
- A Torque Wrench which can reach a torque of 210 lb. in.
- Socket Wrench and socket set
- Oil Drain Pan or something to collect used motor oil in
- Cloths or tissue paper to wipe excess motor oil
- Oil Filter Plier for changing the oil filter
- Funnel to fill oil
- There is no need for an oil pump. In fact, the oil pump may damage your engine.
What Type of Oil to Use?
If you will be using the boat mostly in warm temperature, 40 degrees Fahrenheit /4 degree Celsius or above, use 25W-40 Engine Oil. 10W-30 is suitable for running the engine in colder temperature, below 40 degrees Fahrenheit /4 degree Celsius. Refer to your engine manual for more information. I usually buy the 25W-40 oil change kit available at most Mercury dealers which includes the oil, filter and gasket. You can also buy alternatives like Quick Silver oil and filter. However, the Mercury kit is more cost effective and includes the necessary items required for the oil change.
Oil and Filter Changing Procedure
Once you have all the required tools and the oil and filter kit, follow the steps below to perform the oil change. The engine oil capacity for a 15 or 20 HP 4 Stroke Mercury Outboard Motor is about 1.0 Liter or (1.1 U.S. quart).
Draining the Used Engine Oil
Step 1: Tilt your motor all the way up and lock it. Locate the drain plug bolt as pointed by the arrow. When the motor is in full tilt up position, the drain hole will face downward.
Step 2: Have a oil drain pan handy and remove the drain plug using a socket wrench and drain the used engine oil. Be sure to dispose of the used engine oil as per your local city regulations. Wear gloves.
Step 3: Once no more oil is draining out, reinstall the drain plug temporarily and lower the motor all the way down. Wait for a few minutes and tilt and lock the motor all the way up again. Remove the drain plug and you will notice that the oil which was trapped in the engine is draining out. Do this 1 or 2 times more to have all the used oil drained out. Wipe out the excess oil around the drain hole using a cloth or paper towel.
Step 4: It is likely that your existing drain plug seal is damaged or worn out. If so, use a new drain plug seal (a new seal comes with the oil change kit from Mercury). Lubricate the seal using new oil and reinstall the drain plug and the seal. Using a torque wrench, tighten as per the torque indicated in your owner’s manual, usually 210 lb. in. It is important that correct torque is used to tighten the bolts otherwise you could over/under tighten and cause damage.
Replacing the Oil Filter
Step 1: Bring the motor down to its fully vertical / upright position or also known as the operating position.
Step 2: Remove the cover of your motor to locate the engine filter. Put some cloth or paper towels underneath the filter to catch any dripping oil. Then using an oil filter plier to remove the oil filter by turning it counter clockwise or to the left. In some models, you may have to remove the Starter Solenoid to gain access to the filter.
Step 3: After removing the filter, clean the mounting base.
Step 4: Apply a film of clean oil to the oil filter gasket.
Step 5: Hand tighten the filter gasket back into the mounting base until the gasket contacts the base. Then tighten using an oil filter plier 3/4 to 1 turn. Reinstall any parts which may have been removed to gain access to the filter.
Step 1: Make sure you still have the motor in the fully upright / vertical position also known as the operating position.
Step 2: Remove the oil cap.
Step 3: Using a funnel, fill the engine with about 1.0 liter (1.1 U.S. quart) of engine oil.
Step 4: Check the dipstick to ensure that the oil level range is at the midpoint between the operating range.
As long as the level is between the low and the high point, you are fine. Do not overfill the engine. 1.0 liter should be sufficient and bring the dipstick level to the midpoint.
Step 5: Start the engine and idle for about 5 minutes. Check for any oil leakage.
Step 6: Stop the engine and check the dip stick again. If there was leakage, add oil if needed.


Magtor Servomotion Pvt. Ltd is an Italian joint venture company between Magnetic Srl (www.magnetic.it) and Rotomag group in india (www.rotomag.com, www.rotomotive.com). Our group companies manufacture various types of Electric motors and Gearboxes including 3 Ph. Asynchronous motors, Permanent Magnet DC motors, Brushless DC motors, Helical, Worm, Bevel helical gearboxes and have a full fledged design and manufacturing plants in India.
Visit Magtor (Stall No. G43-44) at the Automation Expo 2016 held at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Center, Goregaon (E), Mumbai between 22nd & 25th August 2016.


(Colorado Springs, Colorado)
3/22/2014 9:19 AM
Its not an electric bike, its an almost perfect supplement to manual power when you want to go where its not always the most kind. It increases your range and enjoyment. The product is well make and honest. I would offer a small piece of advice. There are few front forks made of steel and they are not designed to accept the level of initial torque that can be applied at a standing start. Start from manually peddling to reduce the load. I broke one fork before calculating the load. Enjoy and benefit from a quality product that increases riding pleasure.
2/17/2014 12:35 PM
Very nice complete kit for people who don't want to spec and build it on their own. Took about half an hour to route the wiring to safe places on the bicycle during the installation.
biking made easy
2/16/2014 3:51 PM
thanks clean republic
got the kit a couple of weeks ago, unfortunately my forks didn't accept the wheel hub so I had to go to my local bike shop where they had a second hand set that would, the kit went on as simple as your video said. I'm 57 years young and bike to work. going to work is level ground or up hill (3 miles)coming home is an easy ride. I work as a chef so I'm on my feet all day, I found my legs were tiring by the end of the day. I used the hill topper for my trip to work when needed at the hills. I find my legs do not get tired at work any more. I have an old Norco screamer full suspension mountain bike which I'll send pics of. had to go to Manitou shocks which still needed a bit of grinding to fit right. love the product, will be a fan forever
Faster than a speeding bullet ...
12/2/2013 9:39 PM
… well, almost. Very fast, anyway. What a joy it is now for my wife to ride up the hills and inclines near our house. We both are amazed at the acceleration of the Hill Topper, and the smile on my wife's face says it all (you can't see her smile, but trust me, she is very, very happy). Thank you Clean Republic, for building a great product at a competitive price. By the way, Beau has been great to deal with -- please commend him for us.
11/12/2013 11:52 AM
I use the Hill Topper with the small lithium batter on remote dirt roads for accessing the back country. I usually have a small pack on the handle bars, a larger pack on the rear rack and another pack on my back. Probably about 100 lbs of gear plus my 225 weight. I usually go about 4 plus miles (round trip) in moderately hilly terrain on dirt roads or paths. I peddle on the way in (about 2 miles) then just let the motor do all the work on the way home, no peddling at all. This uses about 85% of the battery capacity. I just purchased a second one for my granddaughter.
The real hill topper
11/9/2013 6:17 PM
There are many hills&rainy days in San Jose, Costa Rica. I put the pro-pack with 10mile-lithium-batt on my Trek mountain bike. It's a real hill topper! It took 15 minutes without the kit on the uphill. Now, it takes only 8 minutes and I am not tired. Also, no problem in the heavy rain. Attach&detach of the batt on the bike is very easy for recharging. Parking the bike without the batt is good to prevent a stealing. I compared some e-bike kits and this kit is the best value for money in conclusion. Thank you.
LITHUIM SPRINTER 10 K HILL TOPPER
8/15/2013 11:35 AM
I WEIGHT 240# I BEEN USING THE BIKE FOR A WEEK TO GO WORK I COMMUTE 7 MILES EACH WAY (FLAT BUT WINDY), I ALWAYS PEDAL AND IS AMAZING, BUT,,, LAST 2 TIMES I DID NOT PEDAL TO CHECK SPEED AND HOW LONG IT WILL GO, BOTH TIMES I BARELY DO 5 MILES AND THE BATTERY IS DEATH (IT WAS FULLY CHARGED)THERE WAS SOME WIND AND I WEIGHT 240#, I WILL POST AGAIN TO REPORT TOTAL DISTANCE PEDALLING BUT SPEED AROUND 22 AND WITHOUT PEDALLING AROUND 17
Lithium 10 mile Hill Topper
8/9/2013 9:57 AM
Amazing kit, commute of 7 miles no sweating and saving gas, install was easy but no 3 minutes more like half an hour, Thanks' Clean Republic
Great for the 5 Boro Bike Tour
5/10/2013 9:17 AM
I used the sprinter pack on the 5 Boro Bike tour and it was wonderful. I was able to get up the really hard hills especially the one to get on the Queensboro bridge with no problems, I actually was surpassing the season riders around me. This thing is a wonder and am so glad someone came up with a simple and easy setup. Thanks guys!!
AMAZING !! AWESOME !!
5/1/2013 11:19 AM
Yesterday I took my old clunker bike out for a ride with my new HillTopper with lithium - 10 mile battery attached. I took a 20 mile round-trip ride uphill and downhill (our town is hilly). This is much more than I have ridden in the past. The bike operated far beyond my highest expectations, and there was still some power left in my battery when I finished.
I am obviously not a bike "techie" and don't fit a normal bike-riding profile. But with the HillTopper I plan to get a lot more biking in. Just for the record, I am 6'6" tall, 215 pounds and 81 years old.
Love my hill topper bike kit. Could about 6 days to receive it through mail.
11/30/2012 10:01 PM
Just received my hill topper bike kit. It was very easy to assemble and adjust the bike brake to accommodate the rim width. For all the ebikes and kits I saw, this kit was simple to install and affordable. I give it a 10 out of 10. I normally do not review products, but I am excited about this product. I have recently started biking with my 6 year old. I have a kids bike attachment that allows my son to trail behind and now pulling his weight, when he does not want to pedal, has made my biking experience more enjoy. Now my son can now relax when he does not want to pedal and I can use the hill topper to help me get up those hills. Thanks...
Hill Topper Electric Bike Kit
11/24/2012 5:23 PM
Excellent product and battery life is good and easy to set up.
I recommend this product.
Another 1100 Miles and My Wife Too.
9/14/2012 10:45 AM
I have put another 1100 miles on my Hilltopper equiped bike so far this year. When I say 1100 miles, that means that the Hilltopper is on the bike, but actual miles with the button pushed is certainly less than 10% of that. I can just go and not worry about hills and/or wind. My wife was not able to ride for two years because of severe back problems. She got a hilltopper this spring and has been able to put in several hundred miles of riding with me. She is in love with her Hilltopper and in love with biking again. We have gone on two biking vacations this year riding Rail Trails that she would have found impossible without her Hilltopper. We use the SLA batteries and find this to be an affordable option for our use. I really like the option of just putting the Hilltopper on another bike. With very excellent help of Clean Republic's customer service, I changed my Hilltopper from a 26" wheel to a 700c wheel this spring. I even laced on the new rim with their help. It worked out great. Two local bike shops refused to do the job, as they know nothing of electric rims! I think they are going to miss out on the next big thing in cycling. Electric bikes are starting bring many more people into cycling. We could be happier. If it matters, I am almost 65.
Front wheel motor best choice!
7/14/2012 1:55 PM
I am extremely happy with my Hill Topper bike kit with the 20+ mile range lithium battery. I purchased this system because I work 6-8 hour shifts at a Trader Joe's specialty foods market and by the time I'm ready to pedal my 9 miles home I'm bushed! Having electric assist means I can avoid overstressing myself during my commute. I'm also a very strong cyclist and part time bike shop employee who enjoys fast road bike riding and touring in my spare time, but need to have enough energy after work for mowing a nearly 2 acre lawn and enjoying my family. The system was easily installed in my Breezer Uptown with 7spd internal gears, a great durable bike perfect for bike commuting. I chose to purchase from Clean Republic because I wanted to insure great customer support and it turned out I did need some. Clean Republic had to replace my initial lithium battery because their supplier at the time sent them a bad lot of batteries. They now have a new supplier and the replacement battery is better made and is gives me a range of over 22 miles. I also lopped off the original "momentary" switch with one I liked better from Radio Shack. That cost me less than $4 at Radio Shack. You will need to soder on the new swich. My 9 mile (each way) commute time, including many stop signs and traffic lights, has gone from 70 minutes down to 40 minutes. I've also read that the average electrc bike gets the equivalent of over 1700 miles per gallon and my car is staying parked all the time now. I've used studded bicycle tires over 7 years to travel to/from work during Minnesota winters and already know the Hill Topper system with "front wheel drive" should be awesome. Realize that the system is essentially "all wheel drive" when I add my own power to the pedals! Anthony at CR is to be commended for his excellent customer service. If someone asks me, "Isn't bicycling with a motor cheating?" I respond, "Driving a 4000 pound car to haul my 170lbs 9 miles at even 40 mpg is cheating and wasteful.
6/26/2012 11:36 AM
I am 53, not in bad shape, but found I made excuses for not riding my bike to work. It is a 7 mile round trip with a 3/4 mile hill at the end of about 500 ft elevation gain. On 90+ degree days and after a 12 hr shift I found I just wanted to drive, not ride. I did a little calculating, and figured the Hill Topper, though expensive, may pay for itself in a few years. The batteries (20 mile lithium) were on back-order so it took about a month to arrive. Install was easy. I have an old Panasonic touring bike that has 27 inch wheels. I had to file the drop out slightly for the wheel to fit, but it was only a few strokes with a 12 inch mill-bastard file. I had to adjust the brakes for the wheel size difference also. I bought the quick release for the wheel witch I really like. I have used the bike for about a month now. I use it virtually the whole commute except the downhill. I am riding in my 2nd from highest gear on the flats and not pushing hard on the pedals. I climb the long hill in my 3rd from lowest gear. I figure I am going about twice as fast with about half the effort on the climb. I have not challenged the range yet, as I have only used it on my commute, and recharge it every night. I plan on trying not charging it for a while to check the range soon. Overall, I love it. My hand gets a little tired because you must hold the button for power constantly, so you can't move that hands position w/o the motor stopping. You also can't use that hand to switch gears. I take the motor off and lock it in my locker at work, which adds a bit of hassle, 'tho minor. I would definitely recommend the Hill Topper.
Performs as advertised
6/11/2012 6:52 PM
I recently installed the SLA Hilltopper kit on my Giant Roam2 bike and it pretty much does exactly what I expected. Installation is self explanatory, especially with the videos on the website. Performance wise I have no complaints. I can now ride comfortably up just about any hill in the area and only on the steepest hills do I even have to pedal hard, whereas previously I would have to get off and walk up. Of course everyone always wants more power and more speed but for a $400 kit that's this easy to install it's fine. Before the Hilltopper I could only get to some areas if I could put my bike up on the rack on a bus but now there's nowhere in the city I wouldn't ride. I already want to upgrade to the Lithium battery though, not so much for the extra range which is nice but the savings in weight.
rear disk brake
6/3/2012 10:23 PM
i would like to know if you can use the disk brake on you bike for this?
Thanks for a great product!
5/30/2012 9:48 AM
I received my kit on Friday 4May and installed with no problems (had to buy 4 washers). Ease of install was a breeze, as advertised. I converted a very old Giant 10 speed mountain bike that I bought about 20 years ago. I spent the weekend putting the HT through it's paces on the hilly streets of my neighborhood, and the toughest part of my ride home from work. It handled all challenges with no problems. Going up big hills is now like riding on flat ground. I am a 53yr old guy, 200lbs., and have been shying away from my bike as the hills had become too much for me to take. Now, I'm back in the game thanks to HT. My first ride into and home from work yesterday was a joy, and now I look forward to riding home instead of dreading it! I also have more confidence coming out of intersections, where a boost of speed can definitely help when you're dealing with traffic.
I also can now spend more time riding with the kids (14 & 12). They want a HT too, but I told them they can have one when they are my age!
Update: 3 weeks into owning the HT, I am enjoying it more than ever. No problems or issues have been encountered. I much prefer riding my bike to driving in my car for most trips.
5/27/2012 6:50 PM
This product is true as the sun for what it does and really works great. However for the money u will spend on it u could almost buy a nice used car. I just can't justify spending over $2000.00 for a front wheel and a battery it's just too much
I love this Hill Topper Electric bike kit
(st. francisville, LA)
5/16/2012 6:34 PM
I put this motor on an adult tricycle because I have weak gait muscles. It was very easy to set up; I just had to tweak my brakes a bit. I'm now able to get from my house to the local store which is about 1.1 miles away. With out this kit I could never be able to ride a bike more than a few feet. Thanks for a great invention. :)
Darn Hill Solution
1/10/2012 2:21 PM
i have put over 700 miles on my bike with this wheel.
Visiting here to see if I can drive some traffic this way via the 'Affiliate' program. I have a number of web sites that need some ads that WILL generate income for both of us.
I feel great, after what my doctor(s) put me through,(I tell them, "I flunked my autopsy!") I am fit and able to ascend Mesa's Ellsworth hill (FISHING), Usury Mountain trails (EXERCISE) and Most of eastern Maricopa County on mountain bike.
Since going 'electric', I've purchased a Bicycle hitch, (for our pickup). It has allowed us to take our bikes to western Colorado, Grand Mesa, 'Buffalo Bill Days' in Golden, Colorado, New Mexico and downtown Phoenix. I can park in places where I do not need 'parking meter change' anymore!
Your products are simply; "A 'Life style' changer!"
11/30/2011 3:40 AM
Review from mid 50s man overweight but playing social tennis who was finding excuses to use the car for shortish local trips rather than his bike
I have had the Hill Topper for a year now it was very easy to install and is still working fine had to replace the SLA batteries after I dropped them on the concrete garage floor. As I live in the UK picked up some standard SLA batteries designed for a disability scooter from e bay cheaply which I wired in easily and are working fine.
The charger stooped working after six months but that was replaced quickly and without quibble under the warranty.
Have done over a thousand miles, all in short round trips under 10 miles but with a couple of biggish hills (over a 100 ft elevation). In short it has replaced my car for any local trip I can climb the local hills easily and on a calm sunny day that is all I use it for but on a windy day it is used all the time gives huge flexibility and makes me want to use the bike.
I know I should not gloat but it is good to overtake younger fitter riders with clearly more expensive bikes on a hill with panniers clearly full of shopping.
What is bizarre is the comments I get from people, I have been accused of being lazy and cheating etc. by people all of whom have bikes but use cars for shortish trips.
Would thoroughly recommend.
10/7/2011 5:03 PM
I've got over 650 miles on my Hilltopper now. Almost all of these miles would have been in my car without the Hilltopper. I can just go and not worry about the hills on my route or what the wind will be like when I come home. I have an 11 mile round trip every morning. Many days I don't use the Hilltopper more than a couple tenths of a mile. Other days with a stiff wind, I may have it on for a mile or two. Hasn't given me any trouble yet. Charges in less than two hours (SLA).
physically challenge biker
9/29/2011 6:42 AM
I purchased the hill topper kit in April. I am a post polio survivor with a weakened left leg. This product is amazing, It has made biking fun again. I no longer have to plan my route to avoid hills or wind. It is great for hills, and also really helps with keeping monentum as I ride, but still get the exercise I need.
Great product Clean Rebublic.
9/25/2011 10:31 AM
I want to reach out to all the big guys thinking about getting the Hill Topper Electric Bike Kit. I weight in at 287 LB and the motor is powerful enough to pull me up all the hills on my commute. I used to have to get dropped off and picked up at the park and ride 5 days a week, but now I ride my bike saving gas and time and get all the exercise I need to lose the weight. I have been riding 3 weeks and lost 5 pounds and would never have done this with Clean Republic amazing Hill Topper Kit giving me the boost I needed.


Airbus has delivered the first-ever A321neo. The latest generation aircraft from the manufacturer was handed over to Virgin America at a ceremony in Hamburg, Germany.
“We have been with Virgin America from the beginning and we are excited to launch this new chapter in that relationship,” said Gael Meheust, President, and CEO of CFM International. “We think they will be very pleased with all this engine has to offer.”
The A320neo family aircraft significantly reduces noise levels, generating only half the noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft. Equipped with fuel-saving Sharklet wingtip devices nitrous oxide emissions are 50 percent below regulatory requirements as outlined by the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP).
In addition, the aircraft with LEAP-1A engines is proven to deliver at least a 15 percent fuel savings compared to Virgin America’s current generation aircraft, which is equivalent to cutting 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions with each plane every year.


The investment casting process offers many benefits including cost savings, design freedom, close tolerances, better finishes, savings in machining time, reproducibility, and assembly savings.
- Low initial tooling costs: Initial tooling costs averaged over the parts produced are often less than other manufacturing tooling costs.
- Elimination of material waste: Investment castings are essentially cast to size, thus decreasing the amount of machining required.
- Design flexibility and capability: Infinite choice of alloys and design flexibility for internal and external configurations is seen as a plus.
- Design enhancements: There are no draft requirements in the investment casting process.
- Consistency: The process gives a reliable and consistent product order to order.
- Close Tolerances: Consistently producing close tolerances over other processes, is seen as an advantage.
- Surface Finish Improvement: A surface finish of about 125 RMS is common for an investment casting.
If you need a single piece component to reduce assembly and reassembly time, if you want to eliminate the cost of fabrication and reduce the use of welding, or if you wish to use a casting to reduce machining time, an investment casting would be a wise decision affecting your bottom line profits.
Post Precision Castings, Inc. Provides A Competitive Edge To Customers
The careful and constant planning of facility growth and acquisition of state of the art equipment has positioned Post Precision Castings, Inc. to best serve our customer’s many needs. Our modern, well maintained 125,000 square foot plant facility includes a high degree of automation, computerization, and support systems that result in a greater than 95 percent on-time delivery rate. We regularly produce high volume orders (1,000+ pieces weekly) through single piece orders.
Successfully meeting the customer’s investment casting needs means controlling the production process from building the tool, manufacturing the castings, and machining the castings in one facility. For more than 30 years we have been building, altering, and maintaining a significant percentage of tools in our tooling department. This advantage eliminates the lack of control problems and higher costs stemming from only subcontracting tooling. We can machine castings for customers that want on-time delivery of castings ready for immediate assembly without concern for casting defects identified during customer’s expensive machining operations.
Our total commitment to quality and constant improvement are evidenced through close order process comparison to prescribed requirements through equipment such as spectrographic analysis, photomicrographic analysis, fluorescent zyglo, x-ray service, or analytical processes such as statistical process control and inspection.
Our know-how and talent is readily made available to present and potential customers. Our experienced personnel are available for customer consultation in the areas of tooling and metallurgy. These people are available to anticipate and minimize production problems and assure that your needs are properly met through investment castings.
We are recognized throughout the industry for the personalized attention we give our customers. We fully understand that the dependability of our service is just as important as our manufacturing procedures. It is equally important that our customers have found us to be just as readily available to serve them after an order has been received as we were in the placement of an order.
Post Precision Castings, Inc. provides high-quality investment castings in 100 alloy steel compositions including stainless, alloy steels, superalloys, copper nickel alloys, gray iron, bronze, and numerous corrosion resistant alloy steels. These investment castings may be used in a wide variety of applications. Our technical staff is very capable of assisting you with your alloy choice and design requirements. Since our operation began, we have grown to be a leading foundry in the manufacture of investment cast valve and pump parts.
Tooling and Machining Capabilities
We at Post Precision Castings, Inc. incorporate state of the art technologies and draw on the expertise of our experienced craftsmen to provide a value added product to our customers.
Post Precision is not only able to manufacture the injection molds needed in pattern making but also has the capability of providing castings finish machined to the customer’s blueprints in the entire range of alloys available. The use of Computer-Aided-Manufacturing (CAM) capabilities to read data files and generate complex molds efficiently assists in providing accurate, low cost injection molds. Assisting further in mold making is the latest in technology an Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM).
For a customer’s added convenience, Post Precision Castings, Inc. provides electronic drawing file transfer using many of the commercial file formats such as: IGES and DXF. Whether drawings are forwarded to us using our FTP site or E-mail, precious time is saved by using these current technologies.
Post Precision Castings, Inc. is a full-service foundry. From mold-making to providing a machined casting, we have the capabilities to provide for our customer’s needs.


In the construction industry, there is an array of equipment and machinery out there to help build projects from the ground up. Excavator buckets are a stellar example of this machinery, being used solely to dig up items or clean a particular area. While this device may seem straightforward, it’s a bit more complicated than that! There are multiple different types of excavator buckets out there, all with different uses depending on the context. In the following sections, we’re going to be taking a look at excavator buckets and how they can make a major difference to your construction projects. Let’s have a gander!
What Are Excavator Buckets?
Excavator buckets are an attachment that is added to a crane in order to dig up material or clean a specific area. They are mostly used during the earlier stages of the construction process before a building gets built. There are a variety of different types of excavator buckets based on the environment and the surface it’ll be used including rock and dirt. We’re going to be digging deep into these several types right down below.
Types Of Excavator Buckets
Digging excavator buckets are construction attachments that have a claw-like appearance and as in the title, dig through complex and tough grounding. These surfaces can span from rocks to soil. While it has a simple job, digging extensions can be used for a range of different situations. Depending on the size of the attachment, this determines what type of surface this machinery will be used on. This attachment is highly beneficial to reduce the amount of time spent digging during a construction project.
Next on the list, we have clean-up excavator buckets which are attachments that as in the name clean up messy areas. After working on a construction project for a long day, there are large portions of debris just lying about. In order to make the clean-up process easy and quick, clean-up extensions are attached. These extensions work to clean up and tidy regions that were worked on before. A major benefit that comes with having these attachments in your construction project is that it reduces maintenance costs. That way you can leave the construction done and dusted, knowing it’s ready for use, allowing you to move over to your next project.
For a more intensive and thorough digging job, skeleton attachments are perfect! They allow you to finely comb through the ground, allowing you to separate finer and thicker materials away from each other. This attachment requires more attention and care due to its more complicated process. As there are gaps in the attachments, this can allow wider portions of the material to go through it. If there is a particular material that needs to be dug up out of the surface, this is when skeleton attachments are most useful. As a result, this saves time not having to remove materials manually, quickening the progress of your construction project.


All Doors supplied and installed by Radiance Doors are fitted with the Ultion Cylinder, accepted as the most secure keyed cylinder on the market.
We can also retro-fit these cylinders to your existing Composite or PVC Doors (where compatable), giving instant enhanced security.
A good lock is not enough.
Your door may look great, feel solid, and have a great multi-point lock, but what is the point if it can be disabled in a few seconds via an inadequate cylinder lock?
Here are four reasons why Ultion is different:
1/ Hidden attack lock
When Ultion detects an attack, it activates Lockdown Mode. A hidden firing pin in Ultion’s core secures the central cam and stops the intruder being able to open the door.
2/ Unbeaten in every test, literally
As well as being approved by the Police and achieving the highest Kitemark star rating Ultion is tested by locksmiths with the Master Locksmith Association and is accredited with their highest standard. Sold Secure Diamond.
3/ 294,970 key combinations
Most security locks have only 5 or 6 pins. Ultion uses 11. This means that Ultion creates nearly 3 times the amount of key combinations required for the highest standard.
4/ 20-point drill protection
Both ends of every Ultion lock feature 20 hardened steel pins and plates each one positioned precisely to protect your lock from a drill attack.


When you notice that your hydraulic system is not working as expected the most important is to find a professional technician that will provide repair services. Therefore, you need to be aware of a reliable Hydraulic repair shop where you can be assured of valve repairs, cylinder repairs, pump and motor repairs for your system to work well. The best Hydraulic repair technician will examine and diagnose your system perfectly so that it can serve your needs well. For you to end up with the best technician for hydraulic repair services use the guidelines below.
You have to consider the reliability. The hydraulic repairs technician that you will find suitable for you to select is supposed to be reliable and trustworthy. The Hydraulic repair shop New Jersey have better track records on the hydraulic repair services that they provide and choosing them will not be in vain. For this reason, you are encouraged that you do your little homework well so that you can land the best fit for you. Looking at the ratings and ranking these hydraulic repairs technicians have on the search engines you can end up selecting the best hydraulic repairs technician.
Another factor is the reputation the hydraulic repairs technician will be having. It is crucial to be keen on the kind of reputation that the hydraulic repairs technician will have since there are those that are well-reputed and others have a questionable reputation. For this reason, you have to focus on what other clients are saying online and that will make it possible for you to choose the hydraulic repairs technician that is reliable and ready to impress you with quality hydraulic repair services. The positivity of comments will be an indication that the hydraulic repairs technician here has a remarkable reputation and will not frustrate you with the kind of hydraulic repair services that they provide.
You should consider choosing a hydraulic repairs technician that is licensed. All the hydraulic repairs technicians that are in operation are required to have all the necessary credentials. Therefore, you have to look at the availability of the license that will indicate they are registered and accredited by the government. You should make sure that you are avoiding the hydraulic repairs technician who is not licensed as they can mess you up and fail to provide hydraulic repair services within the set standards. Because the laws will vary from one state to another you can settle for the hydraulic repairs technician operating in your area.
Let your close friends help you in choosing the right hydraulic repairs technician. Those who have interacted with and incorporated these hydraulic repairs technicians will be aware of the best one and giving referrals will not be an issue for them because they will know the hydraulic repairs technician that you can choose. They have an encounter with these hydraulic repairs technicians and therefore referring the best one to you will not be an issue for them to ensure that you will be well served by the hydraulic repairs technician you select.


The P-MAX is a self-priming centrifugal pump, capable of creating a vacuum sufficient to lift liquids up to 20 feet above of the fluid source. Once primed, the pump’s built in flapper valve will maintain a full column of liquid in the suction line. The P-MAX comes equipped with 2” suction and discharge ports. The pumps are constructed of a rugged polyester resin capable of handling most of your fluid handling needs. The pumps are supplied with a carbon/ceramic/Buna N mechanical seals, (2) 2” NPT adapters, (2) 2” hose adapters, band clamps, and a suction strainer.
Powered by an EPA and CARB certified 6.5 HP engine, the P-MAX is capable of providing flows up to 180 GPM and a maximum discharge head of 113’. At 51 pounds and housed in a convenient, easy access role cage, the P-MAX is portable and easily transferred for application use.
The P-MAX is an excellent choice for use in the agricultural, commercial, industrial, and marine markets for applications such as: tank-filling, de-watering, flood control, and much more.
If you’re looking for an affordable solution to many of your fluid handling requirements, the P-MAX is the pump for you.


WRIGHT, ORVILLE. (1871-1948). American inventor and aviation pioneer who, with his brother Wilbur, completed the first sustained and piloted flight of a heavier-than-air machine. CS. (“Orville Wright”). 1p. Oblong 12mo. N.p., N.d.
Stunning, Archivally-Framed and Matted Signature of Orville Wright
Signed by Orville Wright
The Wright Brothers’ ongoing interest in all things mechanical was put to its first practical application in their Dayton, Ohio shop when they began producing bicycles on a small scale in 1896. That same year, Wilbur became fascinated with aviation after reading about German aviator Otto Lilienthal’s accidental death. Serious aeronautical work and experimentation began in 1899 when Wilbur wrote the Smithsonian Institution to request copies of everything available on the topic, having exhausted his own sources. In 1901, the first Wright glider was tested at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and, after several years of intense experimentation, the brothers returned to test a motor-powered airplane. On December 17, 1903, they made four successful flights, the first sustained flight of a heavier-than-air machine under a pilot’s control. The historic first flight was captured on film by John T. Daniels using the Wright brothers’ camera, and the iconic image became one of aviation and history’s most famous. The Wright brothers’ accomplishment is eloquently summarized on a plaque displayed with the 1903 airplane at the Smithsonian: “By original scientific research, the Wright brothers discovered the principles of human flight. As inventors, builders and flyers, they further developed the aeroplane, taught man to fly, and opened the era of aviation.”
Archivally matted and framed with a spectacular colorized image of the flight at Kitty Hawk. The signature is lightly toned in the blank, right section, but is still in very fine condition.


Industry and Manufacturing
Plastisol Products, Inc.
Plastisol Products, Inc. has over 40 years of experience serving the powder coating and wet painting markets. Plastisol is capable of painting and coating a variety of substrates, including metals, plastic, glass and wood. Plastisol also offers top-quality powder coating services, an environmentally friendly option to painting.
President Donald Malcolm Jr. oversees operations at the company’s 51,000 square-foot facility at 1002 W. Republic Dr. in Addison. A family-owned business since its inception, Plastisol has remained committed to meeting customers’ individual needs while upholding the highest standards of the powder coating industry.
Porter Pipe & Supply Co.
Operating out of a 330,000 square-foot facility at 401 S. Rohlwing Rd. in Addison, Porter Pipe and Supply Co. has grown considerably over the years to become one of the leading area wholesale distributors to the plumbing and mechanical trades. The company was founded by Ralph Porter in 1976 and remains a family-owned enterprise under the ownership of Jim, Bud and Nick Porter.
A faith-based company, Porter regularly focuses on giving back to the community; volunteering with the Special Olympics and fundraising for Misericordia number among Porter’s annual charitable activities. Many of Porter’s employees live in Addison, and the company has prided itself on maintaining a fun, family-focused culture through four decades in business.
SWD Inc. is a metal finisher and fastener sorter company founded by Dick Delawder in 1980. For over 25 years, SWD has specialized in black oxide, a conversion coating that provides corrosion protection and gives a rich, black appearance to parts manufactured by area customers. SWD has grown steadily over the years, from relatively humble beginnings in a 20,000 square-foot space, to the company’s current 170,000-square-foot facility at 910 S. Stiles Dr.
A family-run operation, SWD employs a diverse group of roughly 200 people. Recently, the company held a job fair with the intention to hire as many as 25 new team members in 2018.


Do I Need To Prepare My Concrete Surface?
A clean smooth surface is critical for the installation of new resilient material. With our Sase grinding system and Blastrac shot blasting equipment we can offer a dustless surface preparation system that will save time, money and material on removal and installation. Our grinding system method is used on surfaces to remove adhesives or coatings, and to reduce or smooth the surface profile. The grinding disc is applied under pressure and moved across the surface until the desired effect is achieved. Our Blastrac system is an efficient way to prepare the concrete surface. Once complete, the area will be left clean, smooth, dust and contaminant free and ready for the new surface to be applied over. We have the equipment to handle any size job and over a decade of experience to remove coatings, mastics and prepare surfaces for brand new finishes. .


Outer Tie End
The outer tie rod end causes the steering wheel to turn back and forth each time the driver turns the steering wheel. You will find that they adapt to your vehicle’s maneuvers, enduring extreme pressure and still being able to deliver responsive steering.
There is no doubt that the outer tie end is the main component of the steering system. As a result of constant movement and stress, they will eventually become worn out. You can replace a worn tie rod end yourself if an inspection indicates that it’s worn.
You may also like to learn about; How to Replace a Radiator of Your Car?
When To Replace Outer Tire Rode?
In steering wheels, tie rod ends provide the connection between the steering knuckle and steering rack, and are largely responsible for turning the wheels. With the turning of the steering wheel, the steering system reacts via rack and pinion, ultimately causing the outer tie rod ends to push or pull to turn the wheel. If a tie rod fails, the vehicle could lose control and the wheel could break completely free, two extremely dangerous situations that can be avoided by preventive maintenance. Some common symptoms of worn outer tie rods include:
- Lose control of steering wheel
- The uneven wear of tires
- Vehicle pulling
- Hear sounds like rattling noise or chuckling noise
Generally, you will notice that the problems occurring with the steering wheel and suspension system share the same signs and noises. So, it would be a better decision to visually inspect the part of the problem. Visual inspection of the tie rod will demonstrate whether the boot cover has been damaged. If the boot cover has been damaged, it will reduce performance or cause the part to fail.
Test Outer Tie Rod For Excess Wear
If you experience any one of the symptoms that have been listed above, then you have to go through a test that will determine if the issue occurs with the outer tie component or with another vehicle part.
- At first, raise the vehicle just enough to prevent the wheel from touching the ground.
- Secondly, make sure to put your hands in positions nine and three and move the wheel left and right. If it is in good shape, then the wheel would be turned easily. But, if there is excess wear, then the wheel will shake as though the lug nuts are loose. This is the most common problem that arises and shows the sign to replace the tie rod.
How To Replace an Outer Tie Rod End
The tire rod ends are the most critical components of the vehicle’s steering system. It connects the wheels to the steering rack, with one on each side. There are composed of two main parts:
- Inner End
- Outer End
Eventually, they can wear and tear, decreasing their functionality and compromising their performance.
Furthermore, you will get to know how to replace your vehicle’s outer tire rod end. If you have the right tools and equipment with you and some basic knowledge, then the job can be fairly done without facing any difficulty even if you are a beginner. If you have a professional mechanic near your neighborhood then you can get service from there but it would be costly. However, why would you even bother if you can do the replacement on your own?
Steps Of The Replacement Of Outer Tie Rod End
1. Park Your Car On Plane Surface
Always make sure to park your car on a flat surface for your safety. It’s a blessing to have a car ramp in the garage because it will make working so much easier.
It’s a blessing to have a car ramp in the garage because it will make working so much easier. Otherwise, you will need to use a floor jack so you can raise the front end.
2. Remove the Wheel
After this, your car is in a stable position, now you can easily start taking out your wheels. Firstly, tale out all the lug nuts and then the wheel. Otherwise, you will need to use a floor jack so you can raise the front end. You can easily repair it by turning the steering wheel to the left so that the tie rod can be pushed outside.
3. Remove the Tie Rod End
Use a wrench to loosen the pinch nut. This is responsible for holding the outer tie rod end in place and keeping it from moving out of place. Once it loosens, it would be easier for you to have it twisted.
4. Take Out Cotter Pin
The next step is that you have to remove the next part which is ‘cotter pin’. It is located between the steering knuckle and the rod. To remove the cotter pin, straighten the pin with needle-nose pliers. You should complete pulling off the castle nut using a socket and a wrench after you have removed the cotter pin. Doing so will allow you to remove the outer tie rod end.
5. Remove the Outer Tie Rod End
There is one special tool that can make the whole replacement process easier, but most of you won’t have it at your home. Another option is to screw the castle nut on the bottom of the nut. You can push the rod out with a hammer or mallet. Loosen the castle nut and pull the rod out.
6. Replace the Outer Tie Rod End
Once it has been successfully removed, the next step you have to do is to replace it. At the start, inspect whether the new one is similar to the old one. The length of the outer tie rod should be the same so that alignment would be straight.
Attach the tie rod to the end. Continue turning until it is fully secured. Attach the tie rod to the knuckle. Simply hand-tighten the castle nut to replace the previous one. Make sure that the cotter pin hole is aligned and that it is secured. You can secure the tie rod in place by tightening the nut toward the tie rod end.
7. Put the Tires Back On Position
Everything must be in place. Make sure that the connections are secure. Once you have checked the tires, return them, and you are done!
How an outer tie rod end can be replaced has been discussed above, and it’s evident that if you have the right tools and have knowledge on how to do the job it’s not difficult. Remember, however, to observe caution, as if you do this incorrectly, the performance of your steering system could be compromised.


25-Years of VW
Featured in the VW Vortex... Compiled by Jamie VonDrusca
NOTE: My site contains only the information pertaining to the engine. Addition information, such as driveline and transmission comments were purged in the interest of sticking to engine technology. Visit the VWVortex for the complete article, if it has not been deleted.
[Back to Main TDI Page] [Links] [E-Mail Me]
Volkswagen's 25th Anniversary of Diesel Technology - In celebration of the 25th anniversary of TDI technology, Volkswagen announces several key technologies.
The following is an extensive news release from VWAG celebrating the 25th anniversary of the TDI diesel engine. A good portion of the information presented applies to the European market only, but some of the new products and technologies highlighted will find their way into North American Volkswagen and Audi products.
Twenty-five years ago, Volkswagen achieved a breakthrough in passenger-car diesel engines. It is celebrating this anniversary with three technical highlights:
1) the world's first 10-cylinder TDI diesel engine, with a displacement of five liters and a power output of 230 kW (313 bhp) - currently the most powerful passenger-car diesel in the world
2) a new generation of transmissions capable of handling the enormous increase in power and torque from the new diesel engines, with provision for all-wheel drive
3) the many-faceted VW exhaust emission control strategy, which will comply with forthcoming pollution limits by means of internal engine design measures and after-treatment of the exhaust gas.
In the spring of 1976, when series production of VW's first diesel passenger-car engine began - the legendary 1.5-liter, 50-bhp naturally aspirated unit for use in the Golf - this was the start of the diesel's triumphal progress, initially in VW Group products but later throughout the automobile world. Whereas many people were reluctant to accept this trend towards a type of engine that in the past had always been a rather rough runner, and doubted its suitability, the compression-ignition engine has long since ceased to be an unusual phenomenon on the passenger-car market and has become a genuine trendsetter with a higher efficiency level than any rival form of power unit. Above all, its response at low engine speeds and the immense reserves of pulling power it can make available instantly are convincing reasons why the modern passenger-car diesel engine has become such a convincing source of driving pleasure.
Today, the passenger-car diesel has already passed the 10-, 20- and 30-percent market share marks in Germany and is likely to break the 40-percent barrier any time now. Before long it could even account for half of the power units in cars sold on the German market. Progress in its development, for example the introduction of direct injection, turbocharging and exhaust gas recirculation, is also proving of benefit to the spark-ignition engine.
Stimulated by the oil crisis in the early 1970s and encouraged by the first statutory exhaust emission limits, with which the diesel in those days was actually able to comply more readily than the spark-ignition engine, a development process began that had the initial task of making good the performance handicap of a relatively small engine and reducing the diesel's higher noise emissions. Although the 1.5-liter diesel provided the kind of performance expected of it right from the start and was capable of accelerating the Golf from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 18 seconds and maintaining a continuous top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph), it was evident that higher power would be needed in the next development stage. This speeded up the transition to forced aspiration by turbocharger in the early 1980s; by 1982 the "Turbodiesel" (TD) had appeared and developed 70 bhp from a displacement of 1.6 liters.
At the beginning of the 1990s, Volkswagen together with its Audi brand took a further most decisive step forward by introducing direct injection. The first four-cylinder diesel engine with this form of fuel injection appeared in 1991, and was known as the TDI, the initials standing for turbocharged direct injection. Once again, the major problem to be overcome initially concerned the engine's noise emissions, but despite this it was clear that direct injection was the only practicable way to access all the performance reserves inherent in the diesel combustion principle. Compared with comparable indirect injection engines, the TDI had a fuel-saving potential of up to 15 percent, and as the noise problem was brought under control the TDI engines were able to achieve their rightful lead over their competitors.
A further development stage led to the adoption of the variable-geometry turbocharger, which further improved the flexibility of the four-cylinder TDI engine and enabled the power output of what was by now a 1.9-liter unit to be boosted from 90 to 110 bhp. This development progress was marked by coloring the "I" red in the TDI logo.
Volkswagen once again scaled new heights in diesel engine development by adopting high-pressure fuel injection. Knowing that combustion quality depends directly on the absolute pressure at which fuel can be injected into the cylinders, VW decided to adopt the pump-injector principle, which from the very start was able to guarantee the necessary high injection pressures. At the same time, a defined volume of fuel was injected as a pilot stroke before the main injection stroke - the ideal method of achieving a smooth combustion process in a high-performance diesel engine. The two red letters "DI" in the logo are a sign that the pump-injector principle is being used.
As a sign of true leading-edge technology, there are also production models with all three letters of the TDI badge in red. With high-performance charge-air intercooling and optimized fuel injection, the most powerful version of the 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine has since the beginning of this year been rated at 150 bhp, the highest power output currently available. The current generation of two-valve, four-cylinder engines is produced in three power outputs, namely 100, 130 and 150 bhp, and is clear evidence of the potential possessed by Volkswagen's TDI engines using the pump injector principle.
Formula One in diesel engine technology: leading-edge features of the new V-10 TDI
Volkswagen is celebrating twenty-five years of diesel engine development for its passenger-car range with a new top-level engine for the luxury car and SUV vehicle categories - a ten-cylinder TDI unit with twin ('biturbo') turbochargers and pump-injector fuel injection for the ultimate in tractive force and pulling power. With an output of 230 kW (313 bhp) and a maximum torque of 750 newton-metres (553 lb/ft of torque), this five-liter passenger-car diesel engine has a hitherto unattained performance level.
It clearly imposes severe loads on the transmission and driveline components, making a version of the various all-wheel-drive systems developed to production maturity within the Volkswagen Group the only practicable means of transferring this power and torque reliably to the road.
It's no coincidence that this new top-level diesel from Volkswagen has ten cylinders and thus an important design element in common with modern Formula One engines. VW's development teams could be said to be emulating their motor sport colleagues by exploring such new paths. Although they were able to make full use of the vast experience already gained from the construction of the existing 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-cylinder TDI engines, the sheer size and power of the new unit made an unconventional design approach and totally new manufacturing methods necessary.
Weight-saving, compact construction
Whereas the most widely used of the current TDI engines, the 1.9-liter four-cylinder unit, has a crankcase and cylinder block made from high-quality grey cast iron, the new top-level engine makes use of the weight-saving concept developed for the 1.2-liter, three-cylinder that powers the Lupo "three-liter" model. It was of course important for weight saving not to be obtained at the expense of noise. The 10-cylinder engine therefore has a particularly rigid aluminum crankcase with an innovative grey cast iron bearing tunnel into which combustion forces are introduced directly by way of the cylinder head studs.
This change to an aluminum cylinder block enables another important new technology to be adopted - plasma coating of the cylinder walls. This process, developed by Volkswagen and used here for the first time on a production diesel engine, creates a surface layer in the cylinders with a thickness of a few tenths of a millimeter and makes the cylinder walls permanently resistant to deformation and wear.
Arranging the cylinders in a V pattern in two rows of five has the advantage that the main auxiliaries such as the water pump and the water-cooled alternator can be located within the V and driven by shaft without lateral forces developing.
In order to accommodate the intake pipes within the V as well, the cylinder heads were converted to the cross-flow principle as also used successfully on the four-cylinder TDI engines with pump injector fuel supply and two valves per cylinder. The two exhaust manifolds are on the outer faces of the two cylinder banks of this V10 engine.
Eliminating vibration and torque reactions
Among the new engine's most important criteria are not only peak power and torque figures and the supreme performance they permit, but also exceptional freedom from vibration. The choice of a 90-degree included angle between the cylinder banks permits the free inertial forces to be fully balanced out. In addition, the crankshaft throws are offset in such a way that second-order free moments of inertia are negligibly small.
In order to suppress the remaining first-order free inertial moments as completely as possible, the engine has, in addition to the usual counterweights on the crankshaft webs, a balance shaft that rotates at the same speed as the crankshaft but in the opposite direction. In addition, vibration under load is smoothed out by the uniform ignition spacing of 72 degrees between the cylinders; this is achieved by offsetting the crankpins by 18 degrees. By these methods, engine oscillation caused by the moving masses can be limited to only a few thousandths of a millimeter, and the V10 TDI engine is capable of standing up to any comparison with a 12-cylinder engine. The torsional vibration damper on the crankshaft is of viscous pattern and occupies a space only 24 millimeters deep.
The method used to drive the camshafts also helps to make this engine exceptionally compact. Instead of a timing chain or toothed belt, a helical-cut spur gear train is provided at the flywheel end of the engine. This is also capable of transmitting the high peak loads that occur in the timing gear because the pump-injector units also have to be actuated. The timing case in which the gearwheels is a high-strength casting bolted directly to the engine's bearing tunnel as a means of attenuating the transmission of noise to the engine block. A plate-type joint in the timing gear compensates for the difference in thermal expansion compared with the aluminum engine block. From the timing gear, intermediate shafts and gears drive the auxiliaries such as the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, water pump and 190 Amp/h alternator.
Since this engine is destined for use not only in the new high-performance saloon model but also as a powerful, economical unit for the SUV model currently under development, which is required to have good off-road capabilities, its lubricating system must be capable of coping with even extreme operating situations. With its duplex oil delivery pump and two scavenging pumps, its operating reliability has been confirmed in numerous tests performed at extreme operating angles. A sensor is provided to warn the driver when the oil level falls too low, and the engine oil change intervals can be prolonged to as much as 50,000 kilometres (31,000 miles).
Combustion gas flow and engine management
The new V10 TDI engine owes its lead in the mixture formation, combustion and power-output areas to leading-edge fuel injection technology, forced aspiration, exhaust gas recirculation and advanced engine management. This includes use of the latest pump injector system for the fuel supply with five-hole injector nozzles delivering the fuel to the combustion chambers at pressures up to 2050 bar.
Twin turbochargers supply the combustion air, one for each cylinder bank (the "biturbo" principle). The variable turbine blades are not actuated pneumatically as in previous versions of the turbocharger, but electrically, which provides more accurate control of blade movement. In addition to the charge-air intercooler there are coolers integrated into the exhaust gas recirculation lines to increase efficiency. The engine can be regarded as two five-cylinder units coupled together mechanically but with separate air intake and exhaust systems; these two units are jointly controlled by interconnected electronic diesel-engine management systems of the latest type, supplied by the Bosch company.
The Volkswagen V10 TDI engine exhaust emissions are below the latest limits and it can, if more stringent demands arise, be equipped with exhaust after-treatment systems such as the CRT particle filter with continuous regeneration which Volkswagen has developed.
[Back to Main TDI Page] [Links] [E-Mail Me]


Yonex Nanoray 900 Iron Gray Badminton Racket
Yonex designed the Nanoray 900 (NR900) to help deliver faster, steeper-angle smash and drop shots. By changing the construction of the head frame, the Nanoray 900 (NR900) can suppress the angle of the shuttlecock immediately after impact rather than sending the shuttlecock in an upward direction.
Furthermore, using cutting-edge NANOSCIENCE material, NANOMETRIC, for the racket enables it to flex during the swing and to hold the shuttlecock at point of impact. This result in a totally new type of frame that uses stress construction techniques to keep the upper and lower parts of the frame very stiff and the middle area flexible for faster downward trajectory of the shuttlecock.
As a result, the Nanoray 900 (NR900) helps its user to make a steeper and powerful angle smash to help win the point and the game.
- Level: Advance
- Type: All Around
- Flex: Stiff
- Head: Square/Isometric
- Weight: 3U
- Gripe: G5
- B.Pt: 4 (Head Light / Even Balance)
- Head: H.T. Graphite, High Modulus (H.M.) Graphite, NANOMETRIC, SUPER HMG
- Shaft: High Modulus (H.M.) Graphite, X-Fullerene, Ultra PEF
- Cover: Yonex Full Cover


£165,000 + VAT
This is undoubtedly the finest example of a Boeing Stearman you could find. Perfect in every way N4712V is the latest restoration from legendary warbird restorer Maurice Hammond. Maurice has been responsible for some of the finest warbird restorations in the country namely Hawker Hurricane Mk1 R4118, P51D 414419 ‘Janie’ and P51D 413521 ‘Marinell’.
N4721V was manufactured by the Stearman division of Boeing aircraft in Witchita Kansas under and Army Air Force contract in September 1943. Serial Number 42-16931 was designated a PT-13D and fitted with a Lycoming R-680-17, 9 cylinder radial engine of 220 BHP. The aircraft was delivered to Blythe Army Air Base in California and assigned to the 10th Training Detachment where it was used to train pilots until 1949
Maurice acquired N4712V in 2016 and conducted a meticulous 2 year long bare metal restoration. The aircraft was completely stripped, the airframe inspected and repainted and recovered in ceconite and repainted using the Randolph system and paint.
The aircraft is now fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN1 producing 450BHP and has 32 hours since zero time overhaul with Eye Tech Engineering. The engine, propeller, governor and magnetos are all effectively zero time meaning a worry free and cost effective ownership proposition for the new owner.
|YEAR OF MANUFACTURE||1943|
|TOTAL TIME ON AIRFRAME||2617 HRS|
AIRFRAME & POWERPLANT
- Pratt & Whitney R985-AN1 SN:4252 9 Cylinder Radial with 32 Hours since zero time overhaul
- Hamilton Standard 2D30 SN:MFG19846 two blade metal variable pitch propeller with 9 hours since zero time overhaul
- NAR913-188F Carburettor
- Bosch SB9RV-/C3 AN-9511 Magnetos
- Original specification gauges
- Original switches and placarding
- Becker 8.33MHZ radio
- Garmin GNC 256XL
- Black Vinyl seats
- Military green harnesses
- Ceconite fabric
- Randolph paint
- Redline brake calipers and discs
- Air Conditioning
- Canopy Cover
- Pitot Cover
- Annual Inspection valid until 31/07/2024
- Engine zero time overhaul in October 2018 with 9 new Convington Cylinders
NOTE: SPECIFICATION IS CORRECT TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE. IT IS THE BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE ACTUAL SPECIFICATION PRIOR TO PURCHASE. NO WARRANTIES ARE SOLD OR IMPLIED.