Introduction
With the growing global conflicts and increasing unrests, the requirement of armored cars used by agencies operating in these war zones is on the rise. We have summarized key points that the purchasing departments must consider while making the buying decision of armored vehicles. In this article we would cover the key points to consider while doing pre delivery inspection of the armored vehicles and special maintenance tips to ensure prolonged life of these vehicles.
Though professional inspectors have laid down procedure of inspecting specialist vehicles however these checklists are more biased towards technical maintenance and aspects of user comfort or discomfort is generally not considered. From the user perspective following are the key questions:
- Is the armored vehicle adequately protected?
- Is the armored vehicle convenient to use?
- What is the reliability of the armored vehicle?
- What precautions needs to be taken when the tires of armored vehicle gets hit?
- How is the routine maintenance of the armored vehicle carried out?
Now we will try to answer the above questions from the perspective of the person who is carrying out the inspection of these specialist vehicles immediately after inspection.
Is the armored adequately protected?
Safety of the occupants must always be the first consideration while inspecting the armored vehicle. It must be ensured that the material used in vehicle armoring is tested and certified by accredited agency. The vehicle must be critically checked for gaps in armor plates especially in the vehicle openings like doors. If the windows are not fixed, then the lifting mechanism of the glasses must be of good quality and adequate after sale support must be provided in case of malfunction of this device. The mechanical components like radiator, battery, ECU and engine must be protected from all sides. The run flat inserts must be of tested and certified brand.
Is the armored vehicle convenient to use?
Comfort of use falls in the second sequence of precedence. The ergonomics of the vehicle must be carefully checked. The drivers seat must be comfortable and the view of front and rear of the vehicle must be clear of any obstructions. Since the rear view from the cabin mirror is generally obstructed due to armor plate, a camera with monitor to continuously monitor the rear of the vehicle must be placed near the drivers seat, this option must never be optional. If there are firing ports , the springs of the ports must be of very good quality. Poor graded springs leaves the ports open all the time, leaving gap in the armor. The passenger seats must also be checked for comfort. The air ventilation including air conditioning must be functioning properly. If the armored vehicle is bound to areas of extreme low climate and snowfall then front windshield heating arrangement must be done for proper visibility during bad weather. The upgraded automotive components like brake , suspension and tires must be of reputed brand and must be checked for their proper functioning.
Is the armored vehicle reliable?
From the user perspective this is a very important question as any malfunction at the time of crisis can render the lives of occupants in danger. The past performance of the manufacturer can help finding the answer to a great extent. Seeking contacts of the past users and taking feedbacks from them will give a fair idea about the reliability of the armored vehicles supplied by the specific manufacturer. Notwithstanding by carefully considering points mentioned in our past article adequate mitigation can be adopted by the buyer.
What are the precautions required to be taken if the tire gets hit by a bullet?
It is mandatory for all the armored vehicles to have run flat inserts which provide movement to the deflated vehicle at top speed for a distance of 50 kilometers however the quality and fitment of the run flat insert has a very important role to play. Good manufacturers have their run flat inserts tested by international agencies please check the test reports. Secondly the fitment of the run flat inserts must be very carefully done, loose fastening or ill fitting inserts would not be able to move out of the ambush zones, hence this point needs very careful deliberation. Insist on getting the tires deflated and checking the fastening and fitment of the run flat inserts at the time of inspection after completion of the manufacturing. This point is generally left due to the inserts being concealed inside the tires.
How is the routine maintenance of the armored vehicle carried out?
The mechanical maintenance of the armored vehicle is same as any normal vehicle however the upgraded components like clutch, brake, suspension and tires must be carefully checked for performance. Pl make sure that these upgraded components are ordered well in advance as these components can only be supplied by the manufacturer. While in the state of idle, the armored vehicles must always be parked in a shed as direct sunlight would melt the seal between the glass layers facilitating ingress of water vapor between the layers thus delaminating and obstructing the visibility of the glasses.
Conclusion
The pre delivery inspection of the armored vehicles is a very critical activity that must be planned in advance. It is always advisable to select manufacturers with good track records of supplying these vehicles. If you wish any recommendations for good manufacturer please leave your enquiry on our contact page our team will provide the details of best manufacturer whom we certify.