Truck Operators Urged to Monitor Tire Pressure
Two managers from Pressure Systems International of San Antonio, or PSI, said the use of automated tire-pressure management systems in heavy-duty truck fleets is spreading and that it remains a cost-effective method of preserving a set of new tires. PSI’s Steve Robinson said 18 new tires cost about $8,400 per truck.
Robinson and colleague Al Cohn spoke during the National Tank Truck Carriers annual conference April 27. Robinson said 70% of the 200 largest for-hire and private fleets use the monitoring systems.
Cohn said pressure leakage hits tires in four main areas: through casings, tread punctures, sidewall damage and valve stems.
He said this also can happen to footballs and that he wrote NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in support of the New England Patriots during the “Deflate-gate” issue earlier this year.
Not only do footballs leak just like tires, but Cohn said pressure gauges usually are only accurate to plus or minus 3 pounds per square inch.
In addition, Cohn said the NFL rulebook does not specify temperature along with pressure. If a football is inflated indoors at 70 degrees but then used outside at 40 degrees, pressure will drop significantly, he said — assuming that gauge can measure it accurately.
