Truck and Track Winter 2025/26 www.truckandtrack.com 22 BUSINESS NEWS Here in the UK we seem to be obsessed with talking about the weather but never appear to be adequately prepared when it snows or freezes! Preparing your vehicles for Winter is essential not only for safety reasons but ensuring that delivery schedules are kept and customer expectations achieved. Considering countries where Winter temperatures are guaranteed to plummet with heavy snowfall and icy roads begs the question how do they keep the wheels turning and still maintain tight delivery schedules? Traction assistance can be aided by using conventional snow chains, but they do have a significant downside. Fitting them at the roadside is both a tiresome task and very time consuming. Also, they may only be needed for a short distance and if not then removed can eventually break apart causing extensive damage to the wings and bodywork. There is thankfully a much simpler and better solution by the name of OnSpot a trusted brand and part of the VBG Group of companies. The OnSpot system is simple in concept and can be fitted to most rear- wheel driven, commercial type chassis. Special chassis brackets are fitted to the rear suspension mounting points of the rear axle, to which are then bolted a pair of air cylinders. Cranked arms are attached to the air cylinders, each carrying a rubber rimmed chain wheel which when deployed moves down in an arc from its stowed position up inside the chassis frame. The rubber-rimmed chain wheels are then brought into contact with the bulge on the inner face of the drive axle tyres, and this action spins the chain wheels. Centrifugal force then directs the spinning chains outwards between the road surface and the underside of the tyre. The system can be operated at speeds up to 32mph (50 km/h) and also gives added assistance when reversing or when braking. Operation of the system is controlled by the driver using a conventional rocker type switch in the cab. When the switch is activated, an electrical signal is sent to an electro-pneumatic valve box, positioned within the chassis frame, close to the OnSpot air cylinders. The valve box then directs compressed air down the separate lines to the operating cylinders. Restrictors in the air connections on one cylinder give a bias to its speed of movement, thus preventing it from coming into contact with its neighbour during deployment, and when returning to the stowed position. In the stowed position the arms are held back by air pressure against rubber buffer blocks and strong springclips. On lighter commercial chassis where there is no compressed air supply a small electric compressor and air storage tank are supplied as part of the fitting kit. In the UK , the OnSpot system is a popular fitment to emergency services vehicles such as ambulances, gritters and fire appliances. There is an option of stainless-steel chains for fire appliances operating in oil refineries or similar premises where spark resistant chains would be needed for safety reasons. Want to find out more? Visit www.vbggroupsales.eu/en-gb or contact VBG Group Sales at Warrington 01925 234111. Be Prepared for Winter
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE1MTA=