Global manufacturer of trailer suspension and axle systems, truck suspensions, fifth wheels, landing gear and coupling products, SAF-Holland, has launched SMAR-te Tire Pilot – the intelligent evolution of tyre pressure management.
Tyre pressure management, according to SAF-Holland, is critical to a fleet’s efficient operation. Tyres are reported to be the second highest vehicle operating expense.
“Improper tyre pressure causes 80 per cent of premature tyre failures,” SAF-Holland said in a statement.
“Proper tyre pressure is critical to tyre life and yet it is known that 66 per cent of fleets have tyres operating at more than 5 PSI from the proper setting and 22 per cent have at least one tyre more than 20 PSI from the proper setting.
“ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council’s Future Tire Durability and Reliability Task Force issued their position paper in December of 2018 highlighting the need to improve today’s trailer tyre inflation systems to include the ability to dynamically change tyre pressure based on trailer axle load.”
SAF-Holland, through its global Smart Steel Initiative, is responding to this need by partnering with AKTV8 LLC, combining patented electro-pneumatic controls with SAF’s Tire Pilot Plus wheel ends to deliver SMAR-te Tire Pilot. This tyre management system is engineered to work with SAF integrated suspensions and functions to:
• Inflate, deflate, and equalise all tyres to ensure tyres wear evenly;
• Optimise tire pressure based on axle load to maximise tire sidewall and tread life;
• Fast, accurate control tyre pressure, no regulators to wear out or recalibrate;
• Smart-Alerts provide real system status; no more nuisance alerts;
• On-board scale with overload alert option reduces citation potential, improves CSA scoring;
• Improve cushioning of both the vehicle and cargo, especially when lightly loaded;
• Reduce tyre and vehicle maintenance, ease service and troubleshooting;
• Enhance fuel economy and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
SMAR-te Tire Pilot is reported to deliver a new level of tyre management performance, enhancing vehicle safety and providing fleets with confidence and security that they are maximising tyre life, vehicle efficiency and uptime.
The patented SMAR-te Tire Pilot incorporates AKTV8’s iAir robust electro-pneumatic control module with integrated solenoid valves and sensors to dynamically measure and adjust tyre pressure based on trailer axle load. The Smart-Alert diagnostic LED light warns of minor tyre leaks, severe leaks, and overload conditions. Bluetooth and CAN connectivity allow enhanced configurability and serviceability, with optional telemetry integration.
Unlike traditional mechanical tyre inflation systems, SMAR-te Tire Pilot requires no maintenance or calibration. The ability to more accurately control the proper tyre air pressure per the tyre manufacturer’s load and inflation standards reduces tire stress, resulting in optimised tyre tread and casing life and reduced rolling resistance.
“SMAR-te Tire Pilot could revolutionise tyre inflation by providing automatic adjustment of tyre pressure based on trailer axle loads at a price point that makes sense for North American fleet operations,” said SAF-Holland. “Because SMAR-te Tire Pilot leads to increased tread and tire casing life, safe and reliable tyre performance, enhanced fuel economy and GHG reduction as well as reduced tire and vehicle maintenance, it’s the smart way to maximise tyre life.”