Looking for a way to save fuel, and as a result, reduce carbon dioxide emission, often sees transport companies considering big-ticket items, such as aerodynamics or lightweight materials. Tyre management, meanwhile, is an unglamorous part of the job and one that needs rigorous regular checking to be effective.
Hella’s TC-400 Tyre Pressure Control System was designed to simplify fleet management and ensure consistent tyre pressure monitoring on the road. “The TC-400 is a universal tyre pressure control system suitable for retrofitting to almost all medium size vehicles with a 12V electrical system,” says Jonathan. “The system continuously monitors the air pressure and internal temperature of each tyre, instantly warning the driver of pressure loss and other tyre defects.”
As soon as the pressure in one of the monitored tyres drops below a user-selected tolerance level, the control unit triggers both an acoustic and visual alarm on the display module inside the cockpit and the transmission frequency is increased from 54 to 0.9 seconds.
“The cockpit display module is easy to use and can be set to European or US measurement variables,” Jonathan adds. “The complete kit includes high-tech wheel sensors with integrated radio transmitters, and a central control unit. In addition, each wheel sensor is marked with the factory preset tyre position for instant monitoring at the push of a button without the hassle of programming.”
The subject of tyres and tyre maintenance is the cause of a lot of concern and consternation for transport companies across Australia. The many variables involved in tyre usage mean a proactive management regime is needed to ensure fuel use is optimised. There is a lot of work involved in simply keeping the correct tyre on the correct wheel, at the correct pressure and correctly aligned. According to Hella, the TC-400 kit will not only improve safety on the road, but also reduce the industry’s environmental impact.
