Approximately half of all road calls are for tire-related issues. We know properly inflated tires can reduce the likelihood of flats, blowouts, and breakdowns.
Industry experts estimate as many as 85% of blowouts could be prevented if tires were properly inflated. The average out-of-pocket cost of a tire-related road call could easily reach $900,
and that’s only the cost of one new dual trailer tire and the associated service call. The total expense could be much greater when factoring in items such as: distance from service provider, late
freight penalties, reduced shipper confidence and a reduction in available driver hours-of-service.
THE TIREMAAX® PRO ADVANTAGE
TIREMAAX PRO’s unique ability to address both under- and over-inflated trailer tires makes it the logical choice for trailer tire maintenance. Under-inflation can result in deflection, generating excess heat and weakening the internal
tire structure. This, in turn, often leads to increased tire wear and reduced tire life. TIREMAAX PRO reduces the risk of under-inflated tires by monitoring tire pressure and automatically directing air to the tire(s) found to be below
the pre-set level. Conversely, over-inflated tires are harder, making them more susceptible to tread surface cutting, punctures and impact breaks. TIREMAAX PRO prevents over-inflation by relieving air from the tires back
through the patented controller. Designed to recognize normal pressure increases due to operation, PRO will not relieve pressure unless it is 10 psi over the pre-set target pressure level.
Hendrickson’s TIREMAAX PRO helps maximize trailer up-time and operating efficiency by keeping tires properly inflated, in order to reduce tire-related road calls.
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the peak performance of a commercial vehicle. Under inflated tires cause an increase in surface contact, friction and heat and therefore increase fuel consumption.
Industry studies state vehicles running with tires underinflated by 10 psi can see a 1.5% decrease in fuel economy. That’s equivalent to $415 per tractor per year in excess fuel costs.
Imagine how quickly that can add up.
THE TIREMAAX® PRO ADVANTAGE
Hendrickson’s TIREMAAX PRO automatic tire pressure control system delivers a reliable, durable approach for maintaining proper trailer tire inflation levels. The system monitors pressure in all tires and automatically directs air to one or more
tires when they dip below the pre-set level. PRO draws from the trailer air supply to keep tires properly inflated and rolling smoothly. An indicator light alerts the driver if attention is required.
TIREMAAX PRO offers owner operators and fleet managers the peace of mind that their trailer tires are being continuously monitored and maintained to a desired pressure, helping to enhance fuel economy.
There are several key steps in developing a successful manual tire pressure maintenance program. First and foremost, who is responsible for performing the tire pressure checks and what should the target tire pressures be?
Next, how often are these checks required and what does the procedure entail? All of this information must then be effectively communicated to personnel and calibrated gauges must be provided.
Finally, it is critical for management to make sure the program is followed consistently.
The upfront time and effort required to establish a tire pressure maintenance program often goes unnoticed. The easiest element to track is simply the time the operator spends performing the actual pressure checks.
It is estimated to take 693 minutes per year to perform weekly trailer tire pressure checks. This is assuming 13.33 min./check x 52 checks/year per trailer. Keep in mind this is just one trailer.
If a fleet has multiple trailers, the minutes can add up quickly.
THE TIREMAAX® PRO ADVANTAGE
Hendrickson’s TIREMAAX PRO advanced tire pressure control system reduces the need for frequent manual tire pressure checks. PRO automatically inflates under-inflated tires by using the trailer air supply and prevents over-inflation by relieving air from the tires back through the controller.
The system also equalizes the pressure at every tire. In doing so, PRO offers fleets and owner operators a time saving alternative to manual tire pressure checks.
With PRO constantly monitoring trailer tire pressure and automatically adjusting as necessary, the need for weekly manual tire pressure checks is dramatically reduced. Hendrickson simply recommends a manual
tire pressure check be performed every 3 months on trailers equipped with TIREMAAX PRO.
Thus, reducing the number of checks performed annually from 52 to 4 in the above example, would result in a savings of 640 min/year per trailer. Now, rather than watching maintenance expenses add up, savings can add up.
Within the trucking industry, it is common knowledge that under-inflated tires often lead to increased tire wear and decreased tire life. A 2003 FMCSA study found that 41% of tires surveyed were at least 5 psi under-inflated, identifying a significant problem in the commercial vehicle industry.
On the other hand, the same study revealed that 31% of tires were over-inflated by 5 psi or more, making them more susceptible to road damage.
Finally, 72% of dual tires were found to have mismatched pressures of 5 psi or greater, exposing yet another serious tire wear issue.
Testing has shown that a 5 psi difference between dual tires in commercial vehicle applications can create a 5/16-inch difference in tire circumference. In general, a typical commercial trailer tire makes about 500 revolutions per mile.
In 100,000 miles, that is 50 million 5/16-inch drags, which equates to 246 miles.
So it is as though the smaller tire spins against the pavement at highway speeds for 246 miles, resulting in both rapid and irregular tire wear. At the same time, the larger tire likely suffers
from internal damage from the braking force of the smaller tire which can also result in premature failure.
THE TIREMAAX® PRO ADVANTAGE
Hendrickson’s TIREMAAX PRO not only provides a reliable solution for both under- and over-inflated tires, but also equalizes pressure across all wheel positions. Within a matter of weeks,
mismatched pressures can cause permanent irregular wear patterns. Ultimately, failure to properly equalize dual tire pressures can lead to unequal tire wear and early tire removal.
By keeping pressures balanced, scrubbing between dual tires can be greatly reduced and tire life improved. TIREMAAX PRO constantly pressurizes and equalizes trailer tires.
When pressure from the trailer air system is present, the TIREMAAX PRO wheel valves remain open and fluidly connect the delivery pressure to all the tires. When pressure from the trailer air system is removed, the valve seats close and isolate the tires from the system, preventing pressure loss.
TIREMAAX PRO’s revolutionary design equalizes pressure across all tires.
Approximately half of all road calls are for tire-related issues. We know properly inflated tires can reduce the likelihood of flats, blowouts, and breakdowns.
Industry experts estimate as many as 85% of blowouts could be prevented if tires were properly inflated. The average out-of-pocket cost of a tire-related road call could easily reach $900,
and that’s only the cost of one new dual trailer tire and the associated service call. The total expense could be much greater when factoring in items such as: distance from service provider, late
freight penalties, reduced shipper confidence and a reduction in available driver hours-of-service.
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the peak performance of a commercial vehicle. Under inflated tires cause an increase in surface contact, friction and heat and therefore increase fuel consumption.
Industry studies state vehicles running with tires underinflated by 10 psi can see a 1.5% decrease in fuel economy. That’s equivalent to $415 per tractor per year in excess fuel costs.
Imagine how quickly that can add up.
There are several key steps in developing a successful manual tire pressure maintenance program. First and foremost, who is responsible for performing the tire pressure checks and what should the target tire pressures be?
Next, how often are these checks required and what does the procedure entail? All of this information must then be effectively communicated to personnel and calibrated gauges must be provided.
Finally, it is critical for management to make sure the program is followed consistently.
