Product Guide - Components
Flatproofing material
The formulation of Arnco's SuperFlex was designed for maximum deflection to protect both the operator and the machine from vibration and jolting. The material is effective for the tires on skid steers, mining and agriculture equipment, all-terrain vehicles, graders, trenchers, and more. The patented polyurethane liquid is pumped into the tire through its valve stem, replacing all of the air in the tire and curing into a resilient rubber-like core in 24 h. It eliminates flats, blowouts, and other damage that can occur from nails, glass, or other sharp object and works with any tire with a sound casing.
Satellite radio
Delphi Corp. and XM Satellite Radio began earlier this year to offer a satellite-capable receiver and antenna designed and validated specifically for the harsher environment of heavy-duty trucks. According to the companies, the system meets the strict SAE heavy-duty performance specifications that set them apart from aftermarket versions. The system provides 100 channels of programming, coast-to-coast coverage, and digital-quality sound. Channels include NASCAR Radio; USA Today; and XM's truckers' channel, Open Road. The user interface for the satellite receivers is similar to traditional AM/FM radios, and features an alphanumeric LCD that provides information on channel, type of music, song, and artist's name.
Cabin air filters
Wix Filtration Products has expanded its line of cabin air filters (CAF), which are used to capture contaminants like soot and dirt as well as airborne gases and odors that enter a vehicle while it is moving. The multi-layer design of the filters trap microscopic airborne particles, with an activated carbon layer to absorb gases and odors. As air travels through the CAF, the first pre-filter layer traps large, coarse particles. The second microfiber layer consists of finely spun, electrostatically charged fibers that remove particles as small as 0.3 microns. Next is a thin separation layer between the microfibers and the activated carbon layers. A final coverall stock layer protects the carbon layer. Wix—a division of Dana Corp.—offers the filters for light trucks, heavy-duty trucks and buses, and off-highway vehicles.
Tracking tires
The latest generation of Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Co.'s (BFOR) tire-management system is called TreadStat. Significant improvements in the system include the ability to track rims, edit tire information, search for tires by brand or serial numbers, enter up to three-point inspections with automatic averaging of tread depths, and e-mail enhanced reports and graphs using PDF or Microsoft Excel standards. It also features a context-sensitive help system. The program's architecture allows it to be set up in operating environments ranging from a one-computer tire shop to a dealer network to a global organization.
Tactile feedback devices
Linde used Rheonetic tactile feedback device (TFD) technology from Lord Corp.'s Material Division to replace the hydraulic-steering system in its reach trucks with a steer-by-wire system, contributing to a lighter vehicle with a smaller footprint and fewer parts. TFDs enhance the tactile feedback of conventional operator controls for x-by-wire systems, including brake-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and throttle-by-wire. Unlike electric-motor feedback devices, Rheonetic TFDs convey a continuously variable resistive force or torque in a package that is 60% smaller and lighter than comparable motors and uses 80% less power. In Rheonetic systems, magnetorheological fluids (shown) are harnessed in two basic forms. In valve mode with fixed magnetic poles, the systems may be considered for hydraulic controls, servo valves, dampers, and shock absorbers. The direct shear mode with a moving pole would be more suitable for clutches and brakes, chucking/locking devices, dampers, breakaway devices, and structural composites.
