Heavy vehicles brake tester in the workshop: the guide

Which vehicles, for what purpose?

A heavy vehicle workshop brake tester should not be chosen based solely on its load capacity. It is the vehicles received and the way in which the workshop handles them that determine the appropriate configuration.

Vehicle types: rigid lorries, tractor units, semi-trailers, trailers, buses and coaches, heavy goods vehicles. Track widths, wheelbases and axle loads vary considerably.
Intended use: pre-inspection checks, diagnostic checks during maintenance, post-repair checks, fleet monitoring. Traceability requirements differ.
Frequency: a few vehicles a week or several a day do not warrant the same level of integration or automation.
Workshop layout: a dedicated workstation, or a test bench integrated into a bay already used for other operations.

This page is intended for garages considering purchasing a test bench. If you are looking to have a vehicle inspected, please contact a technical inspection centre.

Assess the available space

The test bench does not merely occupy its own footprint: it requires an approach area, an exit area and a working space around the vehicle. With a heavy vehicle, these dimensions quickly become critical.

The available span length, including approach and clearance, for the longest vehicle accepted.
The clear height, including clearance beneath overhead lines and any overhead cranes.
The permissible floor load and the type of floor slab, which determine the installation method.
The entry alignment: a long vehicle must be able to drive straight onto the rollers.
The position of the control panel and the operator’s visibility of the vehicle.

Banc de freinage atelier poids lourds tablette

Above-ground or recessed test bench: what actually changes

Two installation methods coexist. The choice depends not on measurement performance but on the installation work, day-to-day operation and the building’s constraints.

A recessed test bench is integrated into a structure at ground level: the vehicle drives directly onto the rollers. An above-ground test bench is installed on the concrete slab, and the vehicle accesses it via ramps. This should not be confused with a ‘pitless’ test bench, which refers to the absence of an inspection pit, nor with a mobile test bench, which is designed to be moved.

	Recessed	Above-ground
Works	Foundation to be constructed: earthworks, formwork, slab repair. More extensive and time-consuming works.	Installation on an existing slab if its load-bearing capacity permits. Minimal works.
Vehicle access	Level access at ground level, without ramps.	Access ramps: additional length to be allowed for upstream and downstream.
Ground footprint	Footprint limited to that of the bench; unobstructed traffic flow around it.	Footprint of the bench and its ramps, which remain in place permanently.
Use of the span	The span remains usable for other operations when the bench is not in use.	The bench area is less versatile.
Reversibility	Permanent installation, difficult to move.	Installation easier to dismantle or redeploy.
Cost factors	More extensive civil engineering works, comparable equipment.	Reduced civil engineering works; ramps and ground preparation required.

In summary: a new workshop or one undergoing major refurbishment, with a bay dedicated to inspection, often opts for the recessed system; a workshop already in operation, constrained by its floor slab or a lease, finds the surface-mounted system a quicker solution to implement. The exact technical requirements depend on the model chosen and will be confirmed to you during the design phase.

CAP9110 HGV Brake tester

Up to 20 tonnes per axle, compact design, 27-inch touchscreen and remote control.

CAP9200 PEH play detectors

Checking wheel alignment without lifting, up to 20 t per axle, including the chassis.

CAP9210 PEH play detectors

New installation or replacement without altering the civil engineering works, CDC 7A.

01

Definition of requirements

Vehicles tested, intended uses and frequency of use of the equipment.

02

Workshop report

Span, headroom, floor slab and access: the constraints that determine the configuration.

03

Works and connections

Groundwork or site preparation, power supply, compressed air and mains supply.

04

Installation and getting started

Installation, configuration, checks and training for operators on their vehicles.

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What you need to provide us with

The types of vehicles to be tested and their axle loads.
The workshop layout, showing the bay in question and its usable length.
The type of floor slab and, if known, its load-bearing capacity.
Whether there is a pit or a raised platform.
The available power supplies and the location of the connections.
Your scheduling and operational constraints during the works.

Assess my installation

Is a pit required?

No: the presence of an inspection pit is independent of the test bench’s installation method. A recessed test bench is installed within a concrete base, which is not an inspection pit. Both can coexist within the same bay if the layout permits.

Can a heavy goods vehicle test bench test light vehicles?

Load ranges and channels differ significantly between a test bench designed for heavy vehicles and one designed for light vehicles. Versatility depends on the model: it must be verified on a case-by-case basis, never as a general rule.

What maintenance is required?

Brake testers are subject to periodic inspections and routine maintenance. The available options are set out on the page contract subscription and repairs.