Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Like Bread without Butter
A truck without Central Tyre Inflation is like bread without butter. Sure, you can eat it, but why???? Truth is, Central Tyre Inflation is an investment in future profitability.
Michelin says; “Tyres for commercial vehicles must be inflated to a pressure relevant to the load, speed and condition of use.” “Using the correct pressure is essential to the safe running of the tyre.” Note the “must”.
As the load changes, so must the tyre pressure. As the speed changes, so must the tyre pressure. As the conditions change, so must the tyre pressure….. This is “essential for the safe running of the tyre”.
But 99% of trucks run with only one tyre pressure, all of the time, wasting tyre life, extending braking distances, damaging roads, the truck, and the driver. The wrong tyre pressure increases tread wear and decreases the handling ability. Central Tyre Inflation puts you in control.
A small puncture usually ends up as a blow out, often wiping out two tyres, mudguards, and sometimes tail lights. Flying rubber could kill. Central Tyre Inflation automatically refills punctured tyres, and lets the driver know.
Everyone knows of the perils of under inflation. But over inflated tyres increase the risk of impact breaks, and increases tyre wear even more than under-inflation (Advantage).
Trucks that travel empty one direction, like tankers, tippers, and stock trucks, actually suffer much more tyre wear when empty than when laden, simply because their tyres are vastly over inflated.
Many Australian trucks travel extensively on gravel and dirt roads. Lowered tyre pressures here will significantly improve all operating parameters. Much better handling and ride, much better tyre life, much less tyre damage, longer suspension, brake, and drive train life, are all the amazing and real benefits. Any truck that operates regularly on gravel roads, and/or empty absolutely needs Central Tyre Inflation.
Here are some facts: Maximum legal loads for tandem drive tyres, in most states, is 16.5 tonnes. Correct tyre pressures for one typical Australian tyre choice at this load is 87 psi on highways. But, at a lower load of 10 tonnes, the correct pressure is only 50 psi. Many trucks use 100 psi. Fully laden, these tyres are 15% over inflated, wasting at least 10% of expected tyre life (Michelin)
On gravel roads, even lower pressures should be used. Pressures as low as 30 psi (at slower speeds) are used regularly, with great results. Traction increases up to 200%, tyre life increases by at least 30%, drive train loads are lowered, ride quality improvements of 10 fold have been measured, and the environment is better off too. Roads last longer, tyres and vehicles last longer. And drivers are in better health, with less stress and fatigue.
Central Tyre Inflation is the only practical tool that can adjust tyre pressures correctly. Using only one high pressure is as old fashioned as rag tyres. With costs steadily rising, and rates stagnant, operating smarter is the only choice. Ring AIR CTI for more information, on 03 51276 128 now.
Michelin says; “Tyres for commercial vehicles must be inflated to a pressure relevant to the load, speed and condition of use.” “Using the correct pressure is essential to the safe running of the tyre.” Note the “must”.
As the load changes, so must the tyre pressure. As the speed changes, so must the tyre pressure. As the conditions change, so must the tyre pressure….. This is “essential for the safe running of the tyre”.
But 99% of trucks run with only one tyre pressure, all of the time, wasting tyre life, extending braking distances, damaging roads, the truck, and the driver. The wrong tyre pressure increases tread wear and decreases the handling ability. Central Tyre Inflation puts you in control.
A small puncture usually ends up as a blow out, often wiping out two tyres, mudguards, and sometimes tail lights. Flying rubber could kill. Central Tyre Inflation automatically refills punctured tyres, and lets the driver know.
Everyone knows of the perils of under inflation. But over inflated tyres increase the risk of impact breaks, and increases tyre wear even more than under-inflation (Advantage).
Trucks that travel empty one direction, like tankers, tippers, and stock trucks, actually suffer much more tyre wear when empty than when laden, simply because their tyres are vastly over inflated.
Many Australian trucks travel extensively on gravel and dirt roads. Lowered tyre pressures here will significantly improve all operating parameters. Much better handling and ride, much better tyre life, much less tyre damage, longer suspension, brake, and drive train life, are all the amazing and real benefits. Any truck that operates regularly on gravel roads, and/or empty absolutely needs Central Tyre Inflation.
Here are some facts: Maximum legal loads for tandem drive tyres, in most states, is 16.5 tonnes. Correct tyre pressures for one typical Australian tyre choice at this load is 87 psi on highways. But, at a lower load of 10 tonnes, the correct pressure is only 50 psi. Many trucks use 100 psi. Fully laden, these tyres are 15% over inflated, wasting at least 10% of expected tyre life (Michelin)
On gravel roads, even lower pressures should be used. Pressures as low as 30 psi (at slower speeds) are used regularly, with great results. Traction increases up to 200%, tyre life increases by at least 30%, drive train loads are lowered, ride quality improvements of 10 fold have been measured, and the environment is better off too. Roads last longer, tyres and vehicles last longer. And drivers are in better health, with less stress and fatigue.
Central Tyre Inflation is the only practical tool that can adjust tyre pressures correctly. Using only one high pressure is as old fashioned as rag tyres. With costs steadily rising, and rates stagnant, operating smarter is the only choice. Ring AIR CTI for more information, on 03 51276 128 now.
Health & Safety Concerns All Transport
A vast percentage of truck drivers suffer from back troubles and stomach troubles. The financial costs affect everyone. The pain and suffering is much more personal. Most troubles are caused by poor ride characteristics and high levels of vibration.
Short wheelbase vehicles are the worst offenders. Tip trucks, and bob tail prime movers are often unbelievably rough, especially when empty. Kick, kick, kick all day long. Empty four wheel drive trucks are just as bad. The constant kicking from the super hard rear tyres hammers the back and neck for long periods, guaranteed to damage something over the years.
Most empty vehicles amplify every bump, corrugation, or stone creating a constant barrage of vibration, which is proven to damage the many vital internal organs.
Incorrect use of the first component of every suspension is to be blamed; the tyres. Tyre pressure is meant to be adjusted to suit the load, but who does. Typical tyre pressures when used on an empty truck can be 400% over inflated. We all know that a basket ball without air pressure won’t bounce, don’t we? Imagine a tyre 3 or 4 times the correct pressure. Every bump, every stone, every corrugation will be, and is, amplified at least 10 times, and can be up to 90 times worse than it should be. Every bump causes the back tyres to bounce, kicking the driver in the back, hundreds of times every kilometre. All because the tyre pressure is way excessive. Not only that, but the tyres, the suspension, and the truck are wearing out much faster too. Central Tyre Inflation makes tyre pressure adjustment easy, creating a much better riding truck, one that handles much better, and stops better too. A bouncing tyre has no traction. In fact, not only is the driver healthier, safer, and in better control, but the truck will be making more money.
What does an accident cost? Would shorter braking distances help? Would a better handling truck help? Of course. An over inflated tyre will have far less rubber gripping the ground. In fact, on many empty trucks, less than one third of the correct tyre contact patch is at work! That is when it is on the ground in between bouncing, that we all know about when we panic stop. The correct tyre pressures, especially on the drive tyres, will significantly shorten braking distances, and eliminate almost all jack knifes!!!!! Can we afford to run one high pressure any more?
Now that Central Tyre Inflation is affordable, there is no excuse for damaging drivers any more. In reality, Central Tyre Inflation is an investment, just like good tyres, and good trucks. Every tyre manufacture says the same thing; for instance, Michelin says “Tyres must be inflated to a pressure relevant to the load, speed, and condition of use.” From their latest tyre life chart, a 20% over inflated tyre causes a 21% loss in tyre life! How much does 200% cost you?
Tyre pressures must be optimized for each load, speed, and condition. No one can afford to throw money away like we have for the last 100 years. Costs are too high, lives too important, and profits too slim. Central Tyre Inflation should be on every truck. Ring AIR CTI for more information on 03 5127 6128..
Over inflated tyres, like those on almost every unloaded truck, can not conform to terra firma, can not stop or handle like it should, and will hammer the driver, the truck, and the roadway, to death.
Short wheelbase vehicles are the worst offenders. Tip trucks, and bob tail prime movers are often unbelievably rough, especially when empty. Kick, kick, kick all day long. Empty four wheel drive trucks are just as bad. The constant kicking from the super hard rear tyres hammers the back and neck for long periods, guaranteed to damage something over the years.
Most empty vehicles amplify every bump, corrugation, or stone creating a constant barrage of vibration, which is proven to damage the many vital internal organs.
Incorrect use of the first component of every suspension is to be blamed; the tyres. Tyre pressure is meant to be adjusted to suit the load, but who does. Typical tyre pressures when used on an empty truck can be 400% over inflated. We all know that a basket ball without air pressure won’t bounce, don’t we? Imagine a tyre 3 or 4 times the correct pressure. Every bump, every stone, every corrugation will be, and is, amplified at least 10 times, and can be up to 90 times worse than it should be. Every bump causes the back tyres to bounce, kicking the driver in the back, hundreds of times every kilometre. All because the tyre pressure is way excessive. Not only that, but the tyres, the suspension, and the truck are wearing out much faster too. Central Tyre Inflation makes tyre pressure adjustment easy, creating a much better riding truck, one that handles much better, and stops better too. A bouncing tyre has no traction. In fact, not only is the driver healthier, safer, and in better control, but the truck will be making more money.
What does an accident cost? Would shorter braking distances help? Would a better handling truck help? Of course. An over inflated tyre will have far less rubber gripping the ground. In fact, on many empty trucks, less than one third of the correct tyre contact patch is at work! That is when it is on the ground in between bouncing, that we all know about when we panic stop. The correct tyre pressures, especially on the drive tyres, will significantly shorten braking distances, and eliminate almost all jack knifes!!!!! Can we afford to run one high pressure any more?
Now that Central Tyre Inflation is affordable, there is no excuse for damaging drivers any more. In reality, Central Tyre Inflation is an investment, just like good tyres, and good trucks. Every tyre manufacture says the same thing; for instance, Michelin says “Tyres must be inflated to a pressure relevant to the load, speed, and condition of use.” From their latest tyre life chart, a 20% over inflated tyre causes a 21% loss in tyre life! How much does 200% cost you?
Tyre pressures must be optimized for each load, speed, and condition. No one can afford to throw money away like we have for the last 100 years. Costs are too high, lives too important, and profits too slim. Central Tyre Inflation should be on every truck. Ring AIR CTI for more information on 03 5127 6128..
Over inflated tyres, like those on almost every unloaded truck, can not conform to terra firma, can not stop or handle like it should, and will hammer the driver, the truck, and the roadway, to death.
False Economy
Tyres are boring, but money and safety is not. More money is wasted and lost on tyres than any other component. Same with safety. Incorrect tyre pressures wastes both money and safety. Thirteen percent under inflation wastes 10% of tyre life. Twenty percent over inflated also wastes 10% of tyre life too. Stopping distances increase with incorrect tyre pressures. Handling, ride, and control depends upon the correct tyre pressures. Incorrect tyre pressures cause most jack knifes and blow outs.
‘She’ll be right, mate” is the common thought as we thump our tyres. Talk about false economy! Even weekly pressure checks using a quality gauge, won’t protect you once you drive out the gate.
So how important is the correct tyre pressure? It’s everything. That bit of rubber wrapped around your wheels is useless without air pressure. The wrong pressure costs you money. Excessive tyre wear, poor traction, unnecessary suspension wear and tear, chassis and axle cracks, blown tyres, tyre damage, drive train wear and tear, poor ride and handling, accidents, and driver health and safety are just some of the costs.
So, what can you do about it?
Tyre pressure monitors, that constantly check the pressure and then radio this information to a dash mounted display unit is the absolute minimum that every vehicle should have. This is the law on all new cars in the USA. So it should be here. Who would be silly enough to drive without an oil pressure gauge or temperature gauges? Shouldn’t you know what is in that bit of rubber?
Tyre Pressure Maintenance systems are even better. These automatically add air pressure to any and all tyres, keeping them at the set pressures automatically, and then signalling the driver, if too much air is lost. Testimonials from around the world indicate savings of 30 to 50% of over all tyre costs. Who can afford to throw away 7 tyres on a twenty two wheeler? And yet most people do just that. False Economy.
Central Tyre Inflation (CTI) is the best. In fact, AIR CTI is the only means of adjusting your tyre pressures to the correct pressure all of the time. Other wise, you are wasting both money and safety.
And yes, almost all truck tyres are incorrectly inflated at least part of the time, if not all of the time. Talk about ‘false economy’.
And what is the correct tyre pressure? This is a good question. On the side of the tyre, it may say something like ‘maximum load 2650 kg at 8.0 bar 115psi. This doesn’t mean that 115 psi is the correct pressure for you. In fact, it is probably way too much for 99% of us. How many of us can carry 21 tonnes on our tandem drives? On a recent trip to Albany, we weighed an empty chip truck. The load on the drive tyres was only 8 tonne. His tyres were 250% over inflated! What’s that do to his tyre footprint? He’ll be driving around on 40% of the correct bit of rubber. The tyre will bounce off every bump making a pebble look like a gibber. If he puts on the brakes, it’ll lock up and slide, and tyre wear??? And he regularly travels off highways on rough dirt roads. What a hammering both the truck and the roads are getting. He’s making bull dust and wrecking his truck at the same time! Talk about false economy.
If money and safety are important to you, then do something about it. Modern technology will make your whole truck work better for less. Ring AIR CTI on 61 (0)3 5127 6128 for more information.
