Flatproofing Improves Tire Life, Fuel Consumption and Absorbs Shocks

Arnco has recently completed testing that proves its SuperFlex and RePneu polyurethane flatproofing fill materials provide more to these industries than just the elimination of flat tires. The patented Arnco flatproofing technology also improves tire life and gas consumption, provides a smoother, air-like ride and absorbs more shock than air-filled or solid tires. Following is a rundown on these new tests:

Methodology:After surveying the GSE industry, Arnco selected a 5.00-8 tire for testing. Thirty-six solid, filled and pneumatic tires and rims were used to represent a comprehensive cross-section of tires used in this industry. These included three pneumatic sets of tires at 65 Psi, 80 Psi, and 115 Psi, which gave a cross sectional control value of under, normal and over inflation.

Technicians at Arnco's headquarters in South Gate, CA, filled four sets of tires with SuperFlex at 80 Psi and 65 Psi, RePneu at 80 Psi and an experimental flatproofing product at 80 Psi. Additionally, several other tires were filled with competitive fill materials at 80 Psi. Also tested was an industry standard solid ( U.S.) tire and an offshore solid tire. Tire sizes and rim sizes were held at a constant value.

A standard aircraft baggage cart was used for testing, with a load of 2,500 pounds over the test axles. A track was laid out within a 30,000 square-foot concrete warehouse to test each tire under the same conditions.

Rolling Resistance: Three types of rolling resistance tests were run in the first phase of testing, with results tallied by mean values on three test runs. Flat surface pulls from a dead stop with load and no load reporting; initial and continuous pulls (an inclined plane approach allowing the vehicle to move down the course to a measurable distance) and a time test, checking the amount of time necessary for the inclined plane test to come to a complete stop.

A second phase was included in the Rolling Resistance tests, which added an eight-hour and a 24-hour delay, loaded and unloaded. This allowed the testers to look at increased rolling resistance caused by flat-spotting and/or increased deflections.

Shock Transference/g-Force: Testing was run in the same facility with the same equipment and tire selections, on a measured course with standardized obstacles placed at key junctures. The vehicles were pulled through the course at two choices of speed to emulate loaded and unloaded conditions, assuming that an unloaded vehicle can travel faster than a loaded one. Accelerometers over the axle measured the "g" force vector of shock transference being imposed whenever the vehicle hit the obstacles (1-inch and 1/2-inch pipe secured to the concrete floor). Values from these instruments are given in g's. Baseline data was run on the static conditions and the course conditions without the obstacles in an effort to control all variables for sound statistical measurements. Multiple runs were made with each vehicle, and each tire set both loaded and unloaded, with results very reproducible. A typical run could generate g-force data from one to five g's.

Results and Conclusions: The accompanying graphs show conclusively that Arnco SuperFlex and RePneu flatproofing lower rolling resistance and decrease shock transference. By lowering rolling resistance, GSE fleet managers can also increase their efficiency through improved energy savings and longer tire life. The performance of the Arnco flatproofing products allows a smoother ride, which benefits the driver, equipment and cargo, and could eliminate the need for costly sprung axle vehicles. The most subtle, yet most important benefit, is never again having an under-inflated pneumatic tire, which had the worst value of all in testing.

Additional Information:

ARNCO
5141 Firestone Place
South Gate , CA 90280
PHONE: Michael Isser or Mark Smith (516) 868-6645
FAX: (516) 868-7166
e-mail: [email protected]