How Automatic Tire Inflation Systems Keep Semi-Trucks Driving Safely – Jalopnik

While semi-trucks and their trailers are clearly huge and heavy, it may not be obvious to everyone just how much more mass these road goliaths possess compared to other vehicles. Under U.S. law, the maximum weight a large vehicle and a loaded trailer can legally weigh is 80,000 pounds. With that much weight, a significant amount of pressure is placed on all 18 wheels, making tire pressure of the utmost importance for truck drivers.

While some semi-truck drivers still stomp their tires to check pressure, more advanced systems are available that not only monitor tire pressure, but also automatically adjust it for the tires under the trailer. For example, the Hendrickson TIREMAAX PRO uses a mechanical controller and contains unique valves in the trailer’s wheel covers, which connect the tires to the trailer’s air supply. This mechanical system not only adds air in low-pressure scenarios and reduces pressure on over-inflated tires, but can also equalize pressure across all tires on the same axle.

Although automatic tire inflation systems have been around for more than 20 years, they only applied to trailer tires. But in recent years, some companies have been working hard to develop tire management technology for tractors. For example, Aperia Technologies’ halo system uses a rotary pump that generates air pressure using the rotation of the wheels. Although this product can add air, it cannot reduce excessive inflation.

While inflation that is too low is usually a bad thing, it can come in handy in certain scenarios where traction is critical. Semi-trucks are most commonly seen along American highways. However, certain industrial applications, such as oil and gas transportation, mining and logging, require these large vehicles to navigate unpaved, rugged terrain. Some available systems, such as the TIREBOSS tire pressure monitoring system, allow the driver to lower tire pressure for a larger tread footprint. The increased contact between the rubber and the ground allows these trucks to reach remote areas without getting stuck and halting progress.

While tire pressure monitoring systems can help identify potential problems, blowouts still occur regularly – otherwise you wouldn’t see those gnarled rolls of semi-tread along the highway. While fuel efficiency is critical in the transportation industry, safety is also a top priority. When semis blow out, it can be dangerous. A broken steering tire can suddenly cause the truck to pull to one side, which has led to fatal highway accidents. Even when stationary, a blowout from a large tire could be fatal to anyone unlucky enough to be nearby. Tire shops often use safety cages specifically for semi-tyres to protect technicians from the effects of a blowout.

Tire pressure can not only be a safety issue, but can also negatively impact the vehicle’s drivability and fuel economy. If the air pressure is too low, wear occurs faster, braking power decreases and performance is less efficient. If tires are overinflated, they can negatively affect a vehicle’s handling. In addition, over-inflated tires place more pressure on the center of the tread, creating a distinct wear pattern and shortening tire life. In addition, the temperature of the outside air can also change the pressure in the tire, which can happen while underway and even after checks have been carried out.