HTSL Diesel Mechanical (Hobbs Transport Services) recently opened its second facility in Te Awamutu – a full-service mechanical workshop with the ability to conduct COF, thanks to the installation of a Maha brake-roller tester.

In February, HTSL expanded from its original facility in Otorohanga just north to Te Awamutu, opening its second full mechanical workshop and vehicle inspection and testing facility.

Since 2003, the company has become a well-known service provider in Otorohanga, offering COFs since 2016. The opening of the second facility on Riverhurst Drive in Te Awamutu creates greater choice and flexibility for customers.

COFs and pre-COF inspections are done by HTSL vehicle inspector Eddie TeBoekhorst, who has been with the company since 2017 and has been conducting heavy-vehicle inspections for more than 20 years both in New Zealand and South Africa. Joining TeBoekhorst at the Te Awamutu branch is workshop manager Dan Kane and his team of technicians. Otorohanga still remains the larger site and is lead by the very capable Kenan Spriggs.

“I must acknowledge our relationship with NZTA and Melvin Powel there, who’s helped us along and guided us with information in setting up the COFs,” says HTSL director Kevin Hobbs.

The vehicle testing and inspection facilities at both branches mirror each other. However, the new branch benefits from a few refinements. Chief among these is the ability for sign-offs to be done at the end of the lane, so the customer does not have to go back into the office once they’ve paid.

At the top of the lane is the MAHA MBT 7250 20-tonne rising bed roller-brake tester. As with all Maha products, it is supplied from its own factory in Germany.

“This NZTA-approved roller brake tester is designed for high-volume brake testing of trucks and lite cranes with axle loads of up to 20 tonnes. This machine is ideal for brake diagnostics in situations where high reliability is required. Its large sensor roller, with a diameter of 100mm, guarantees measurable coverage across all tyre dimensions. It is also possible to connect additional equipment such as headlight testers or emissions testers, making the equipment truly modular and future proofing a testing business,” says Maha New Zealand business development manager Stephen Reid.

The MBT 7250 offers control options via a remote or iPad to make the job easier. “This unit really is a top-of-the-line roller-brake tester,” he adds.

“It’s early days for the new branch, but we’re slowly booking up,” says Hobbs. “All our vehicle inspections are done on a booking basis, and both branches can see each other’s booking schedules, so customers can choose the free slot that suits them best and book as they wish.”