Michelin has announced that the company’s MEMS (Michelin Earthmover Management System) product is now available all around the world.
The French manufacturer says that MEMS is the only electronic system for monitoring earthmover tyre temperature and pressure to be marketed worldwide. The global rollout follows an extensive series of field trials that began in 1996 and the system’s launch in North and South America in 2006.
Fleet Specialties Co. has launched three new Tire Sentry tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) for trucks that use super-single tyres. The TMA-SS series of TPMS are designed to warn drivers of developing pressure related problems before the problem shows up in a tyre blowout; and also help drivers get optimum fuel economy.
Viking International has confirmed its support of the annual Tyre Safety Campaign. Launched by TyreSafe last October, the month long consumer campaign will highlight the benefits of correctly inflated tyres to motorists and also raise awareness on how and when to check tyre pressure.
To support the campaign, Viking International is urging its customers involved in tyre services to offer consumers free tyre pressure checks throughout the month of October. Customers who would like to get involved can access a number of promotional materials available to download from the TyreSafe website, including free posters, leaflets and a press advert template to help support the campaign.
Pirelli is close to releasing its latest tyre technology – an ‘intelligent’ tyre fitted with a microchip within its carcass. Courtesy of the tyre’s hi-tech addition, vital information about the tyre and road conditions can be communicated to a vehicle’s on-board computer, thereby improving the car’s electronic control and warning the driver of any potential problems.
OTR is now supplying tyre pressure monitoring systems as part of its earthmover tyre management service. “The correct pressure in earthmover tyres not only improves the safety and stability of the vehicle, but gives operators a much improved return on investment.” That, says OTR’s Regional sales Manager Paul Skerritt, is a pretty obvious statement, but he goes on to say “you would be amazed at what we find on site sometimes.”
Graeme Manning, OTR’s Commercial Director, says: “Inflation pressure is one of the most important factors affecting tyre life. Fuel efficiency is greatly affected too – a tyre under-inflated by 10 per cent reduces fuel efficiency by 1.5 per cent.”
Having reached the end of its first year of the installation of tyre pressure monitoring systems, Maverick USA has decided to expand the initiative. The company, which incorporates Maverick Transportation LLC, Maverick Logistics LLC and Maverick Truck & Trailer Sales, has gathered positive results on the 1,000 integrated systems from WABCO already installed.
The company has claimed that the IVTM systems have led to data that allows the innovation of fuel efficiency methods, as well as the prevention of expensive tyre damage, lowering maintenance costs and decreasing equipment downtime. All of this has led to the plans to expand the installation of the systems to more of the company’s logistic fleet.
Wixom, Michigan-based tool manufacturer K-Tool International (KTI) has announced a number of new products, updates and promotions with the launch of their new 2008 AirAware Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPSM) Sensor and Service Pack Application Catalogue.
The catalogue, published by marketer Schrader-Bridgeport International, Inc, includes part listings and a tool and accessory section within its 44 100-per-cent-recycled pages. Among KTI’s new products are: software for TPM tools, enabling their usage on all vehicles in 2008, and for the programming interface module to support Microsoft Vista; the TPMS T-10 torque tool for the easy installation of replacement Schrader snap-in TPMS sensors; 23 new sensors covering 163 new applications; and a new TPMS quick reference kit.
Having been working on development for some time, Zeus Tyre Filling Solutions has launched a new additional range of high performance tyre filling compounds branded TRIOfill, based on a unique “3-Part (PUR) Based – Chemicals Technology.”
Supplementing its well known “PolyFill – range, TRIOfill represents a new and more advanced tyre filling specification, that is designed to deliver a cleaner, greener product and a reduced carbon footprint. However, it is also said to considerably improve tyre fill’s physical properties, when compared with the more traditional (pure liquid) compounds.
According to Zeus TRIOfill offers unique advantages in terms of physical strength and its unique component characteristics are said to offer a much wider range of benefits to both FLT users and OEMs, particularly in terms of the plant hire companies.
Here, says Zeus, the new tyre filling formulation, not only delivers greater flexibility of tyre use and applications, but it also raises overall FLT tyre performance. One example of this is the increase in operational safety levels, particularly when operating at their maximum lift heights, because of the extra stability the tyre fill provides. In addition Zeus representatives told T&A that other key benefits of reduced costs include: increased operational mobility, and putting a stop to all pneumatic blow outs, punctures and tyre pressure losses.
Furthermore, TRIOfill comes with a new re-engineered “Fully Integrated – Pumping & Mixing Unit” that is not only the first pumping system to be electrically driven, but is designed to be much faster, cleaner, greener and more economic, than competing PU pumping systems.
“This unit, together with the innovative benefits of TRIOfill’s specification, now offers many original equipment manufacturers, an ideal, cost effective, safe and green tyre filling solution, in their considerations for driving out cost, improving supply line efficiencies and updating their own operational procedures, especially when linked to Zeus’s unique waste tyre filling materials collection & recycling service,” Zeus’ promotional literature explains.
Goodyear has increased the load carrying capacity of a key size of one of its popular Sure Grip Lug industrial tyres. The load index of the 12.5/80-18 Goodyear Sure grip lug tyre has increased from 139 (10PR) to 146 (14PR) following an upgrade to the carcass and bead construction. This increase gives the new tyre a maximum nominal carrying capacity of 3000Kg which is an increase over the previous tyre of 570Kg per tyre or 1140Kg on the axle. This tyre size is a popular fitment on JCB, Komatsu, Cat, CNH and Volvo industrial machines and in particular on the front axles of Backhoe loaders.
According to company representatives, the change has been brought about following an in-depth analysis of the machines in the market place and in anticipation of future developments of these industrial machines.
Worcestershire-based Morgan Electro Ceramic, has developed technology which can power car tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) using wheel movement instead of batteries. The technology, described as a piezoelectric bimorph, enables TPMS manufacturers to design self-powered remote sensors that accurately measure tyre pressure, with none of the lifetime and disposal issues associated with batteries.
Morgan Electro’s “bimorphs” are based on established that uses the movement of the wheel and pressure of the tyre as it hits the ground, transforming it into electrical energy. The bimorphs generate enough electrical energy to power a wireless signal that transmits valuable data about the pressure in the tyre to an on-car receiver.
Omitec, the independent diagnostic and test equipment manufacturer, has re-launched its OmiTire Plus tyre pressure monitoring valve tester. The kit contains both OmiTire and OmiDetect handsets enabling activation, registration or re-registration of tyre pressure monitoring valves on the vehicle ECU. With TPMS becoming a rapidly growing feature on modern vehicles, it is useful for such valves to be tested before refitting the wheel to the vehicle, just in case the valve has been damaged in the tyre fitting process. This avoids the inconvenience of removing the wheel a further time from the vehicle. In some cases the valve needs to be activated to set the system up if wheels have been rotated around the vehicle.
Hella Inc., best know for its automotive lighting and electronics, has entered the TPMS market. The company introduced the TC-400 TPMS system, which the company said “meets or exceeds the same specifications as all OE-installed systems.” In addition to monitoring tyre inflation pressure, the new Hella unit also monitors tire temperature. Hella said its TPMS “is extremely flexible and can be installed in any vehicle that is not originally equipped with an OE system or has been fitted with upgraded or custom wheels.”
Continental has announced that it will use the CV Show to mark the European launch of a brand new trailer tyre for regional applications – the 385/65 R22.5. Speaking at the relaunch of ContiNetwork, truck brand manager, Mike Nyren, explained that other product launches include: new steer and drive tyres in 295/80R22.5, 12R22.5 and 11R22.5 sizes for construction or off-road applications. Also on display will be additions to the ContiRe retread range including the new 315/80R22.5 drive tyre for regional applications and 295/80 R22.5 construction drive tyre.
Continental will also show its new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, the comprehensive tyre management package available from ContiEuroService Fleet Management and the new ContiNetwork dealer network structure.
Every time you pull into a garage to check your tyre pressure there’s at least a one in three chance that the tyre inflation facilities provided will be damaged, out of order or giving incorrect readings. This is the finding of a study conducted by Kwik-Fit; 39 per cent of tyre gauges at service stations fail to deliver in terms of reliability and accuracy.
“You might well be forgiven for expecting the gauge on your local garage forecourt to be accurate and in working condition, but seemingly this is not the case,” commented Kwik-Fit customer services director David White. Spot checks conducted by the nationwide chain also reveal that as many as 20 per cent of UK motorists are driving vehicles with under-inflated tyres, and are most likely unaware anything is amiss or the dangers that under-inflation poses. “Under-inflated tyres can lead to a blow-out,” White adds. “Motorists that have had this happen to them will know it is an extremely alarming situation to be in and has the potential to cause a serious accident.”
Lionax, the first Chinese company listed on Euronext, announced today that it had signed a contract with Shanghai Tuofeng Auto Parts Company to jointly supply Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) for buses in Shanghai. Shanghai is the biggest city in China with a population of over 18 million. James Yang, Lionax CEO said: “It is a great honour to be able to supply TPMS for Shanghai, which is the leading city in China for commerce and the automotive industry. We are confident that this LIONAX product will be used in other Chinese cities in the near future.”
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