New Alignment Machine

[hello5555]

We are expanding to a new shop shortly and in the market for a new alignment machine. Any suggestions? We have always had Hunter machines, but the cost of a new top of the line machine is a little out of hand. Has anyone had any experience with the Atlas or John Bean machines? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

[CMillet86]

I just bought a Hunter Hawkeye Elite, Now I didn't get every option in the book or the scissor lift. But the machine itself was $27k, the top of the line Atlas is $21k and to me is a unknown quantity. So the Hunter was a no brainer.

[xrac]

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[PAPShop]

We have a Hunter Haweye Elite. We have the ability to do performance alignments, and alignments on vehicles that are lowered, lifted or have odd shaped or expensive wheels & tires.

[carolinahigear]

I have a Hunter machine and wanted another machine, but didn't want to spend $30,000 up. I looked around and found that one of the best machines in the WORLD is a CEMB, and I bought it from Pep Boys for $10,500. CEMB has its USA headquarters in Gainesville, GA, and has been very helpful with any service questions, software upgrades, etc.

 

We absolutely love our machine and the value that it brought to our shop. CEMB is a very large Swedish company that manufactures industrial and automotive balancing and alignment equipment. Think huge GE and Siemens turbines.

 

Go to cemb-usa.com. You'll be glad you did!!

 

Hi-Gear

[John Pearson]

we have a john bean v3400 I think with a rotary YA12EL in ground scissor lift and I dont know how we ever did it before. The snap on rep came and set it up and gave us two days of after hours training. he was pretty upset that we did not buy his lift but I thought the rotary was a much superior machine.

[xrac]

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[hello5555]

I looked into the CEMB today. They are promoting a new touchless machine that looked impressive. I'm not sure it's available for sale yet, but I'm going to contact them to get some more info. Thanks for the responses.

[carolinahigear]

How long have you had the CEMB? Anyone else have one?

XRAC, I have had the CEMB machine for 4 years, and it gets a lot of use.

[xrac]

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[Outwestauto]

I just replaced my old hunter alignment machine with a new Hawk Eye Elite. I researched and demoed all the other machines and hunter came out on top for me, I do all the alignments here at my shop so I knew what I liked and didn't. The hunter was the most expensive but I also feel it is the best quality and one of the quickest machines out there currently. I cut my alignment times in almost half compared to my old hunter machine. I also love the new touchless tire clamps, they are so fast and have not had anything they dont fit on yet. We also do a lot of exotic cars so it is a big plus having a system that doesnt clamp to the wheel lips.

[carolinahigear]

Have you ever had to have it repaired and if so how readily available is it?

I have not needed any repairs at this time. One reason I bought the CEMB is that the USA headquarters is in Gainesville, GA in the Atlanta Metro area. The folks there have been really helpful when we've called for any info.

[alfredauto]

I'm in the same boat. I like the Hawkeye elite with the tire clamps and fast setup times, but the $40,000 note is intimidating.

[xrac]

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[oktire]

I just priced out the Hoffman 680 with a Hoffman 14k open front hoist 36k well equipped. looking to add alignments to the shop. not to hijack the post but what do you all see your average RO of an alignment. thanks in advance.

[carolinahigear]

I just priced out the Hoffman 680 with a Hoffman 14k open front hoist 36k well equipped. looking to add alignments to the shop. not to hijack the post but what do you all see your average RO of an alignment. thanks in advance.

I don't know what my average RO is, but a 2001 Ranger (202,000 miles) came in Friday for an alignment. It had 2 bad front tires, and I wrote an RO for $1288 to rebuild the front end w/ 2 new tires. He gave me $600 down and is returning this week for the work. Some later model, low mileage vehicles only need aligning, but most vehicles w/ over 100K need tie rod ends, bearings, etc.

[CMillet86]

I'm in the same boat. I like the Hawkeye elite with the tire clamps and fast setup times, but the $40,000 note is intimidating.

 

Do you already have a 4 post alignment lift or a 4 post lift? Like I mentioned I just bought the machine for $26k and thats the Elite with a 32" monitor, tire clamps, vin code scanner, code link etc. It's so fast, I'm actually doing alingments with a 2 post lift and stands right now and it's still fast.

 

[mspecperformance]

In regards to what is out on the market now, I would not buy any of them other than hunter hawk eye elite. I had struggled with camera based systems in the past and they are pure junk. Don't waste your money, just get hunter.

[Bockauto]

Agreed Hunter is the way to go.

[alfredauto]

I'm running a Hunter D111 on the Hunter scissor lift now. I changed the heads and cables a few years back, and besides the fact the spec card goes up to 2003 it works very well! If I get a new alignment computer I'm getting a new lift, this unit is almost 30 years old.

 

Average RO for alignments is high, like CHG posted just about every "alignment" appointment ends up with tires and/or suspension parts. Nobody brings in cars for alignments that go straight and smooth, at least in my area.

[autoguy]

What's everyone running these days?

[Ollie G]

We use our Atlas 3-4 times a day for 4 years . It works fine. We only do German cars. Paid 14,900 its paid for it self it’s first year. 
Atlas Edge 601 Pro 8 Camera Alignment Machine With FastClamps

[dfrisby]

I just got an Atlas Edge 601 Pro and so far I'm very happy with it. Last week a Hunter salesman stopped in cause somebody mentioned to him I was getting an alignment machine. I told him he was to late as I just got one. He hadn't seen an Atlas and asked if he could take a look. I had just pulled a car on the lift to do an alignment so he stuck around for a few minutes. He seemed impressed by how fast I had the measurements on the screen, as well as not having to do the runout procedure. I wasn't sold on the not needing to do the runout at first, but the first two cars I ran through, I pulled measurements with and without the runout procedure and found that all the measurements were within a couple hunredths of a degree either way.  I haven't worked in a shop with an alignment machine since the mid-90's, and we rarely used it as it was already 25+ years old. If I remember right, we had to modify the wheel clamps to use on something without wooden spokes. The new Atlas I had up and running in just a couple hours and feel quite proficient with it already. Two of the fast clamps were defective and I called Greg Smith Equipment where I bought the machine from and they overnighted me two new ones. Customer service is exceptional.

[Ollie G]

On 11/19/2015 at 5:01 PM, Outwestauto said:

I just replaced my old hunter alignment machine with a new Hawk Eye Elite. I researched and demoed all the other machines and hunter came out on top for me, I do all the alignments here at my shop so I knew what I liked and didn't. The hunter was the most expensive but I also feel it is the best quality and one of the quickest machines out there currently. I cut my alignment times in almost half compared to my old hunter machine. I also love the new touchless tire clamps, they are so fast and have not had anything they dont fit on yet. We also do a lot of exotic cars so it is a big plus having a system that doesnt clamp to the wheel lips.

The Hawk Eye Elite is probably the best alignment machine out there but for the few amount of alignments we do i will take the Atlas. The Atlas rolls on a cart easily every night. Plus we have limited space and our aliment rack is outside covered with a metal roof. We don't have the space for a Hawk Eye. 

[Bill Cyr]

@carolinahigear , which model do you have? they have several..

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

[JimO]

I currently have a Hunter and need to replace it however ADAS has kept me from moving forward.  I have read several posts from this site and other sites/publications concerning ADAS and the requirement to perform required calibrations after routine tasks such as alignments.  To this point I have not been able to confirm that any manufacturer is offering equipment that is capable of performing all resets/calibrations needed for ADAS equipped vehicles after the completion of an alignment.  The last thing I want to do is purchase a new piece of equipment, receive a phone call from a customer inquiring if we can perform an alignment and not be able to confidently answer “Yes, we can take care of that”. 

[AutoFantic]

On 11/23/2015 at 9:10 AM, CMillet86 said:

 

Do you already have a 4 post alignment lift or a 4 post lift? Like I mentioned I just bought the machine for $26k and thats the Elite with a 32" monitor, tire clamps, vin code scanner, code link etc. It's so fast, I'm actually doing alingments with a 2 post lift and stands right now and it's still fast.

 

An old post, but do you have a pic using a 2 post and stands? I'm tight on space and looking to add an alignment machine. If I can leverage using my 2 post lift with stands, that may be an option.

[DNKRepair]

Hello AutoFanatic, we have a good used CEMB DWA1000 alignment machine that is up for sale ... we have used it in our shop and it has worked well ... what we liked about this unit is that it is totally portable ... actually built a bracket system on the wall where all 4 sensors can be easily stored up and out of the way when not in use ... This unit may be a good option for you and i am sure we can save you some cost over new which would be a good way to get you started.  Feel free to message for more details or pictures. Will be glad to help.

[JimO]

On 5/6/2020 at 2:10 PM, CAR_AutoReports said:

You're going to need multiple pieces of equipment to be able to do alignments and ADAS calibrations.  One really has nothing to do with the other, even though you can perform ADAS calibrations on an alignment machine.

“One really has nothing to do with the other”? I must disagree, the ability to calibrate ADAS after performing an alignment on most new vehicles is a requirement, they go hand in hand. The topic of discussion is “What kind of alignment equipment do you have”. I answered that question in my post explaining that what I currently have is old and needs replacement and I included my reasoning for delaying the upgrade. If I do an alignment and the vehicle requires an ADAS calibration post alignment and I purchased equipment with no ADAS capability then shame on me for poor investigation before purchase. Two years ago Hunter offered new equipment with limited ADAS capability and since then their coverage has improved considerably. I am trying my best to prepare my ship and upgrade to a platform that gives me acceptable coverage to minimize my potential inability to perform an alignment due to poor ADAS coverage. I fully understand that if I want to specialize in ADAS calibration that I would require much more equipment than an alignment machine but again, that was not the topic, I just want to be able to perform an accurate alignment on most vehicles.

[JimO]

10 minutes ago, CAR_AutoReports said:

The ability to calibrate a cruise control module, while performing an alignment surely has nothing to do with one another.  I have been performing ADAS calibrations for 18 months now.  I have a little bit of experience.

 

Yes, having the alignment machine with the ADAS tools to calibrate, is going to be helpful.  But it's not going to allow you to calibrate anything but front facing distance modules and maybe some front facing sensors, at least at this stage in the game.  Maybe as technology evolves, this too will evolve, but as for the calibrations I have been doing.. I don't see how you're going to calibrate anything but something required with an alignment. 

 

So now, the question becomes... do you invest in other equipment, like the Autel system.  Where you get the option to select if the vehicle is on an alignment machine?  Which is a question that has been asked in a lot of front facing cruise control calibrations.  I would imagine that this makes it easier for you calibrate those items.  The Autel system doesn't ask you, is this a Hunter Alignment machine, to my knowledge.  Although they may be working on a potential partnership to bridge that gap.

 

So, my comment stands, with one caveat.  One really has nothing to do with the other if you're looking to perform a range of ADAS calibrations.  Which I would imagine if you're looking to get into ADAS and make the investment... might be a worthwhile to look into the Autel system as is with a Hunter Alignment machine coupled with it.  But you're going to have do some real research on who has the Hunter machine with ADAS, who has ADAS without the hunter machine and who has ADAS with another alignment machine.  To learn about the range of issues they all may be facing.

 

If you're just worried about front facing calibrations, then Hunter with it's ADAS coverage and expanding line up might be your best bet financially.  But if you're looking towards the future, it's a complete waste of your money if you ask me.

 

Doing ADAS calibrations is much more involved than having the tools.  You're going to need a serious tech manage these types of repairs.  Someone who knows how to dot all their i's and cross all their t's and you're going to have to get used to saying "no" to a customer, who might have to spend $2,000 in suspension work before you're comfortable giving them a $300 alignment and sending them on their way.  You're asking the wrong questions and mad at me for giving you the right starting answers.

Again - The topic was “What kind of alignment equipment do you own?” I am interested in remaining in the alignment business but I am not interested in becoming an ADAS specialist since I do not have the required space to accomplish that. I have read that Autel and Hunter have forged an alliance so I would expect Hunter’s ADAS coverage to only improve in the future when this alliance becomes productive. I have always respected Hunter and their new relationship with Autel certainly improves my perception of Autel. I am sure this is something that Snap-On must be paying attention to.

You mention your ADAS experience which is commendable, to stay within the topic and out of curiosity what kind of alignment equipment do you own?

 

[BoulderHybrids]

I don't have room for a 4 post lift or even a scissor lift but am tired of subbing alignments to a shop on the other side of town.

Has anyone used something like this 2 post alignment system?  Do any of these portable systems work well enough to be worthwhile?

https://www.ravamerica.com/wheel-alignment-equipment/rav-td2-0-wifi/

[Joe Marconi]

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