Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/818577
38 | Overdrive | May 2017 O ver recent years, wiper blades have seen one basic change and the addition of some special features. The introduction of beam blades in the last decade or so has increased the effec- tiveness of wipers, says Paul DeGrouchy, vice president of sales for Scrubblade. Conventional or tradition- al blades have an exposed frame where the rubber part of the blade attaches. These blades sit higher off the windshield, so they are more susceptible to wind lift and tend to accumulate snow and ice. Conventional blades remain standard on a third of all new vehicles, accord- ing to blade manufacturer Trico. Beam blades are sleeker, with a lower profile and no exposed frame. That makes them more aerodynamic and less likely to accumulate snow. They're also curved, allowing them to keep better contact with windshields of later-model trucks. Beyond the use of beam blades, other features can increase blades' effective- ness. DeGrouchy's product has two blades – one to agitate bugs, bird droppings and other matter stuck to the windshield, and another to wipe off the loosened material. While operating in snow and ice is obviously tough on wipers, what's less appar- ent is the effect of extreme heat, particularly in the Better blades Make the most of wiper features and maintenance BY MATT COLE Ideal preventive maintenance for wipers can be as frequent as twice a year. Everblades' heated wiper hooks into an open auxiliary dashboard switch to activate the heating element.