Wheel Alignment Machine Buying Guide

The VWA-YT-L9, published in full

The VICO VWA series lists three alignment systems. Its fully documented model, the VWA-YT-L9, is published with a complete measurement specification. The three systems in the series list are the VWA-YT-L9, recorded as the auto-tracking model; the VWA-YT-L7, recorded with a mobile cabinet; and the VWA-YT-L2, recorded as a dual-screen version.

Accuracy figures

The headline numbers are the measurement tolerances, each recorded beside its measuring range. On the L9: camber ±0.02° over a ±10° range; toe ±0.02° over a ±20° range; caster ±0.05° over a ±20° range; thrust angle ±0.02° over a ±5° range and setback ±0.02° over a ±5° range; maximum turn angle ±0.08° over a ±50° range — with a display resolution of 0.01°. Display accuracy is also recorded in millimetres: 0.01 mm alongside the 0.01° figure.

Cameras and targets

The model's specification records HD industrial cameras and target disks of patented epoxy glass fibre among the L9's hardware.

Auto-tracking and displays

Auto tracking is the function named in the model's own recorded name — VWA-YT-L9 (Auto tracking). The post's maximum height is recorded at 2,760 mm, and the beam's maximum length is also recorded at 2,760 mm. The display package is two screens: a 24″ LCD TV and a 19″ monitor, as recorded in the specification.

The measurement table, in full

For the record, the L9's published table reads: display accuracy 0.01°; kingpin inclination (SAI) ±0.02° over ±20°; caster ±0.05° over ±20°; camber ±0.02° over ±10°; toe ±0.02° over ±20°, with total toe ±0.02° over ±40°; thrust angle ±0.02° over ±5°; setback ±0.02° over ±5°; maximum turn angle ±0.08° over ±50°; and axle distance ±2 mm over 4,200 mm. The hardware recorded alongside it: HD industrial cameras, patented epoxy glass-fibre target disks, a post and beam each 2,760 mm at maximum, a box unit of 540 × 550 × 100 mm, a system weight of 260 kg, and packing in three packages totalling 1.8 cbm.

The computer package

The L9's published table, for reference, lists kingpin inclination among the measured angles. Its computer package is recorded as a Dell computer, supplied with the 24″ LCD TV and the 19″ LCD monitor named in the specification. Whether a vehicle database is supplied with a system, and what its coverage for a given market is, are questions for the enquiry — raise them when you enquire, and the position for the model is confirmed on its quotation.

Packing and weight

The complete L9 system weighs 260 kg and packs into three packages totalling 1.8 cbm; the box unit measures 540 × 550 × 100 mm. The post's maximum height and the beam's maximum length are each recorded at 2,760 mm, as the measurement section above records.

The L9's recorded hardware, collected in one place: HD industrial cameras; patented epoxy glass-fibre target disks; a Dell computer; a 24″ LCD TV and a 19″ LCD monitor; a post of 2,760 mm maximum height; a beam of 2,760 mm maximum length; and a box unit of 540 × 550 × 100 mm. The series' other two systems, the L7 and the L2, are specified on quotation.

The lift listings in the lift range

The lift range lists an alignment scissor lift in on-ground installation among its formats, alongside two-post, four-post, scissor and mid-rise models. The lift listings in the same range are the alignment scissor lift in on-ground installation, the four-post model, the on-ground and in-ground maintenance scissor lifts and two mid-rise models — six listings from the range, each specified on quotation.

The ten lift models, by name and format: two two-post variants (floor-clear and plate), one four-post model, on-ground and in-ground maintenance scissor lifts, two mid-rise scissor lifts, a scissor lift in in-ground installation, a motorcycle lift and the alignment scissor lift in on-ground installation. The alignment scissor lift is the listing in that range recorded under the wheel-alignment name.

The L9's record, collected

• Display accuracy 0.01°, with camber held to ±0.02° over ±10° and toe to ±0.02° over ±20°.
• Targets of patented epoxy glass fibre; HD industrial cameras.
• Auto-tracking — the function named in the model's recorded name; post and beam each 2,760 mm at maximum.
• Dell computer with a 24″ LCD TV and a 19″ LCD monitor.
• Packing: 3 packages, 1.8 cbm, 260 kg.

The aligner among the other services

The aligner is one line in a range that also lists tire changers and balancers, frame benches and lifts, each specified on its own quotation.

The L9's published table lists the angles it measures — camber, toe and total toe, caster, kingpin inclination (SAI), thrust angle, setback and maximum turn angle — and records axle distance at ±2 mm over 4,200 mm. The surrounding lines in the same range — the changer and balancer bay and the frame bench among them — are each specified on their own quotations.

For the wider record: the VWA series lists three systems — the L9, the VWA-YT-L7 recorded as a mobile cabinet version, and the VWA-YT-L2 recorded as a dual-screen version. Alignment systems are supplied from one set, with lead time confirmed on quotation — the range average is around 15 days before dispatch.

The L9 is published with a complete specification — tolerances, target design and packing volume are all recorded on its page. Its system weight is recorded at 260 kg, and its published specification also records a display accuracy of 0.01°. The angles recorded in its table are camber, toe and total toe, caster, kingpin inclination (SAI), thrust angle, setback and maximum turn angle; axle distance is recorded separately, at ±2 mm over 4,200 mm.