Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/769491
32 | Overdrive | January 2017 TIRE CARE years ago, spin-balancing with wheel weights was the only option, he says. Equal Flexx is a soft internal com- pound designed to maximize vibration dampening for the tire's life without damaging the casing, wheel or tire pres- sure monitoring system. Other internal balancing products include Counteract, Dyna Beads and TyreBeads. Weltzbarker says he's already seeing a major improvement in tire life by using Counteract. "Before, we were getting about 50,000 to 55,000 miles," he says. "With balancing, we're up to about 80,000 to 85,000." With the increased usage of low-roll- ing-resistance tires, users have seen a reduction in tire mile- age since most such tires have a shallower tread. Forney says balancing can not only optimize the fuel efficiency of these less-durable tires but also maximize their life, re- sulting in a potential savings of $5,500 per truck per year. He says fleets typically see a 20 to 40 percent increase in tire mileage from balancing, citing a 2012 tire life study conducted by a large fleet that documented 20 million miles and showed a 25 per- cent increase in tire mileage by using Equal Flexx. "The steer position typi- cally generates 18 percent of a truck's tire-related rolling resistance, while drive tires produce an additional 40 percent, and the trailers make up the remaining resistance," Forney says. "Not only are there significantly more tires that can benefit from im- proved wear behind the steer axle, but they also generate the great majority of the fuel-savings opportunity." Based on current tire and fuel costs, balancing the steer axle can provide a potential $1,000 in savings, while bal- ancing the drive and trailer axles can offer $4,500 in savings, Forney says. "The approach to bal- ancing will vary based on the specific application the tires are being used for," says Gary Schroeder, director of commercial vehicle and global OEM sales for Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., assigned to the Roadmaster brand. "Balanc- ing steer tires for a regional waste-haul truck will vary from balancing steer tires for a long-haul truck." • Go online to www.iowa80.com and request your FREE CATALOG of the finest selection in Chrome and Professional Trucking Accessories! • Or Call Toll Free – 866-4-IOWA80 (866-446-9280) • Shop online today! www.iowa80.com • w a F t C P A • 8 (8 • Sh Truck Accessories For The Professional Driver Tr Tr T u ru r ck Accessori ri r e ie i s Fo Fo F r Th Th T e Pr Pr P o ro r fe fe f ssio io i nal Dri ri r ve ve v r GET YOUR FREE CATALOG! OD 2017 IA80com OD 121216.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/16 2:50 PM Page 1 Untitled-12 1 12/13/16 2:12 PM