Maintain proper tire pressure for added benefits

Maintain proper tire pressure for added benefits

Tire pressure monitoring and automatic inflation systems work in combination to improve fuel economy, enhance safety and lower overall fleet costs.

Whether specified on new vehicles from tractor and trailer OEMs or added to existing equipment, automatic tire inflation and tire pressure monitoring systems have measurable benefits for fleets. Included is improved fuel economy from maintaining proper inflation pressures and enhanced safety by eliminating potential problems. Lower costs from these systems are derived from a reduction in labor associated with checking tires, avoiding costly breakdowns, lower fuel expenses and improved tread life.
hendrickson's tiremaax pro
Numerous suppliers make tire pressure monitoring and automatic inflation systems specifically for trucks, tractors and trailers.

Hendrickson
An option for its Intraax and Vantraax trailer suspension systems, Tiremaax Pro from Hendrickson continuously monitors and adjusts tire pressure by inflating or deflating tires based on changing environmental conditions, as well as balancing tire pressures at every wheel position. Tiremaax Pro features a mechanical design that draws from the trailer air supply to keep tires properly inflated. If the ambient temperature increases, the system will relieve air to prevent overinflation. The system employs a rotary air connection that is integrated into the hubcap and a pneumatic controller to direct air to tires that fall below a preset pressure level. A signal light illuminates when attention is required to alert the operator of tire or system leaks.
mtis from meritor
Meritor Tire Inflation System by PSI
MTIS from Meritor uses compressed air from the trailer air supply, which is routed to a control box and then into each axle. Acting as a conduit, the axles carry air through a rotary union assembly at the spindle end, which then distributes the air to each tire as needed. The rotary union is the only moving part in the system. A pressure protection valve in the system ensures air is available for other needs, and check valves in the tire hoses prevent loss of air pressure from other tires. In addition, a deflector shield protects wheel ends from potential contaminants and hubcap vents protect wheel ends from pressure buildup. All MTIS critical components are encased in a waterproof box. When the system detects a leak, it triggers the optional in-cab PLC Display to indicate a warning.

Available with MTIS is ThermAlert. The high-temperature protection solution uses a thermal screw that melts if the wheel end reaches abnormally high temperatures, allowing air to escape through the hubcap tee vent and triggering the system’s warning light. In addition, when the driver exits the cab, an audible signal can be heard at the suspected wheel end. The alert also can be communicated to the cab through the PLC Display or to an operations center via a telematics system.
dana spicer offers a tire pressure control system and central tire inflation system.
Dana Spicer
The Dana Spicer Tire Pressure Control System (TPCS) allows drivers to adjust tire pressures to match conditions, even when rolling. Two modes, Loaded and Unloaded, and three terrain settings provide six pressures for use on a wide variety of terrain, including Highway for high speed travel on paved surfaces, Off-Highway for operation on unpaved surfaces, and Emergency, which provides extremely low tire pressures to help free a stuck vehicle, or take on grades. TPCS uses air from the compressor and includes a series of electro pneumatic controls to feed air to the wheel ends and regulate tire pressures.

The Spicer Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) increases traction on unimproved roads and on severe grades, allowing higher vehicle speeds over a greater variety of terrain and continuous vehicle operation in the presence of minor tire leaks. The system eliminates tire leak-down because seals and control hoses are isolated from tires and are not pressurized during normal operation or when parked. Push button operation allows selection of tire pressure for terrain and load conditions, and an automatic over-speed protection feature inflates tires to the required pressure for vehicle speed. A maintenance feature checks and maintains pressure at selectable time intervals. Field programmable, integrated diagnostics with CTIS alert drivers of potential tire problems and system status.bendix commercial vehicle systems' smartire tire pressure monitoring system

Bendix SmarTire
The SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems monitors the pressure and temperature of each tire on a commercial vehicle to provide real-time tire status information to the driver or maintenance technician. The technology is designed to warn the driver of tire-related problems, such as low pressures and high temperatures, by reading pressure and temperature information from inside the tire and communicating it wirelessly to an on-board receiver. A vehicle dash display provides information including tire pressure, tire temperature and temperature-compensated tire pressure deviation. Alerts include low tire pressure and excessive tire temperature.
stemco's airbat rf
Stemco
The AirBat RF tire pressure monitoring system from Stemco uses RF technology and tire pressure sensors to monitor tire pressure every two seconds and instantly and wirelessly send readings to an in-cab unit, alerting the driver when a tire is low on air. AirBat sensors can monitor tire pressure on all tires on a tractor and/or trailer. Alert levels with the system are adjustable. AirBat sensors automatically transmit digital readings as vehicles enter or exit a yard, maintenance facility or fuel island, or via interfaces with mobile tracking providers. The information can also be captured manually using the company’s HandBat device, a manual reader used to capture sensor and fuel usage information.

Inflation trend analysis, inflation exceptions, tires out of tolerance, travel distances, fuel usage, fuel economy and other data from AirBat is accessible through the company’s web-hosted WebBat information manager. The sensor data, which identifies fleet conditions, problem vehicles, miles traveled and tire pressures, can be integrated into information management and driver alert systems.advantage pressurepro

Advantage PressurePro
Advantage PressurePro Monitors are capable of reading pressures from 10 to 199 PSI and have two low pressure alert levels, the first at 12.5% and the second at 25% drop in pressure. They also have a variable high-pressure alert that can be adjusted from 10% to 45%. PressurePro allows remote reporting functionality by integrating with telematics systems and a data logging solution is offered to record and download up to 45 days of time-stamped tire pressure information. Among the company’s offerings are a 34 Wheel Monitor for up to 10 tractor wheel positions and 24 wheel positions on a trailer, whether the vehicle is parked or moving. Also available are Drop-and-Hook System Intelligent Monitors for up to 64 wheel positions on a tractor and as many as three trailers.
tirevigil tpms from tirestamp
TireStamp
TireVigil TPMS from TireStamp includes Tire Sensor Transceivers that wirelessly receive data and transmit it to a Tire Data Monitor (TDM) with a GPS receiver. Alerts are generated for under inflation, over inflation, rapid air loss, overheating and differences in dual tire pressure. All tire pressures are reported in cold inflation pressure to eliminate false alarms due to drops in temperature and guesswork when adjusting “hot” tire pressures. Tire data is transmitted from vehicles to TireStamp servers, where it can be stored and analyzed by a particular tire, all tires on a vehicle, a group of vehicles, or an entire fleet. The data is accessible at any time via the Internet.

The TireStamp system also allows fleets to customize alert thresholds and designate people within the fleet, as well as outside service providers, who can receive alerts and reports. Several automated reports are generated by TireVigil TPMS, including Active Alerts for tires that require attention, a Fleet Pressure Survey for an overview of the pressure status of all the tires in a fleet, and an Alert History Report that provides the tirestat by mobile awarenessnumber of miles tires have run in violation of the fleet’s pressure and temperature thresholds.

In addition, monthly monitoring charges for the system vary by vehicle type, axle configuration and features selected.

Mobile Awareness
TireStat by Mobile Awareness provides alarms for low pressure, high pressure, high temperature and Tire Pressure Watch, which sounds if there are pressure changes of three PSI or greater during a 10-minute period. TireStat sensors are mounted directly on the valve stem but allow tires to be inflated or deflated without removal.

Additionally, Mobile Awareness includes a medium grade thread-locking compound to ensure an airtight seal and prevent tire leaks. Tire pressure and temperature for each tire are viewed with the system’s TireStat monitor.

Valor Manufacturingthe tire sentry system
With Valor Manufacturing’s “KEY” TPMS technology, fleets can use wireless sensors and other components to monitor tire pressures on both tractors and trailers. In addition, trailer tire sensors automatically register themselves with the tractor display.

According to the company, options include a GPRS Module for remote use or a Gate Receiver Module for fleet facilities. In addition, the system includes ID Chips, antennas, wireless transceivers and in-cab displays.

Tire Sentry
The Tire Sentry system uses RF microchip technology to continuously monitor tire pressure from inside the cab. This wireless remote sensing system enables low tire pressure to be automatically detected by using electronic wheel sensors (valve caps) to warn the driver when any tire has lost 10% of its normal operating pressure. The sensor batteries can be replaced separately. Tire Sentry tire sensors only use battery power for the transmission of a “Low Tire” warning signal. 

Electronic tire pressure monitoring can be a particularly useful tool to support, or enhance most any preventive maintenance program, while  providing several benefits associated with good tire maintenance.TireBoss Tire Pressure Control system

TireBoss
The cab-operated TireBoss Tire Pressure Control system allows the driver to adjust tire pressures while the vehicle is in motion. The system incorporates Variable Tire Pressure (VTP) technology, also known as Central Tire Inflation (CTI), to permit maximum tire pressure for a vehicle carrying a full payload at highway speeds and at reduced pressures when the vehicle is partially loaded, unloaded, or traveling at reduced speed. TireBoss can be programmed to meet vehicle configuration and specific haul cycle requirements, and features continuous tire pressure monitoring capabilities.
 

For expert advice on what pressure a fleet should be running in its tires, click here.

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