Tire pressure management is critical to a fleet’s efficient operation. Tires are the second highest vehicle operating expense. Improper tire pressure causes 80% of premature tire failures. Proper tire pressure is critical to tire life and yet it is known that 66% of fleets have tires operating at more than 5 PSI from the proper setting and 22% have at least one tire more than 20 PSI from the proper setting. ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council’s Future Tire Durability and Reliability Task Force issued their position paper in December of 2018 highlighting the need to improve today’s trailer tire inflation systems to include the ability to dynamically change tire pressure based on trailer axle load.
SAF-HOLLAND, through its global Smart Steel Initiative, is responding to this need by partnering with AKTV8 LLC, combining patented electro-pneumatic controls with SAF’s Tire Pilot Plus™ wheel ends to deliver SMAR-te Tire Pilot™. This world-class intelligent tire management system is engineered to work with SAF integrated suspensions and functions to:
• Inflate, deflate, and equalize all tires to ensure tires wear evenly
• Optimize tire pressure based on axle load to maximize tire sidewall and tread life
• Fast, accurate control tire pressure, no regulators to wear out or recalibrate
• Smart-Alerts provide real system status; no more nuisance alerts
• On-board scale with overload alert option reduces citation potential, improves CSA scoring
• Improve cushioning of both the vehicle and cargo, especially when lightly loaded
• Reduce tire and vehicle maintenance, ease service and troubleshooting
• is Enhance fuel economy and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions
SMAR-te Tire Pilot™ delivers a new level of tire management performance, enhancing vehicle safety and providing fleets with confidence and security that they are maximizing tire life, vehicle efficiency and uptime.
The patented SMAR-te Tire Pilot™ incorporates AKTV8’s iAir™ robust electro-pneumatic control module with integrated solenoid valves and sensors to dynamically measure and adjust tire pressure based on trailer axle load. The Smart-Alert diagnostic LED light warns of minor tire leaks, severe leaks, and overload conditions. Bluetooth and CAN connectivity allow enhanced configurability and serviceability, with optional telemetry integration.
Unlike traditional mechanical tire inflation systems, SMAR-te Tire Pilot™ requires no maintenance or calibration. The ability to more accurately control the proper tire air pressure per the Tire Manufacturer’s load and inflation standards reduces tire stress, resulting in optimized tire tread and casing life and reduced rolling resistance.
SMAR-te Tire Pilot™ could revolutionize tire inflation by providing automatic adjustment of tire pressure based on trailer axle loads at a price point that makes sense for North American fleet operations. Because SMAR-te Tire Pilot™ leads to increased tread and tire casing life, safe and reliable tire performance, enhanced fuel economy and GHG reduction as well as reduced tire and vehicle maintenance, it’s the smart way to maximize tire life.
About SAF-HOLLAND Group
SAF-HOLLAND Group is the largest independent listed supplier to the commercial vehicle market in
Europe delivering mainly to the trailer markets. With sales of approximately EUR 1,301 million in 2018,
the Company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of chassis-related systems and
components primarily for trailers, trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles. The product range comprises
axle and suspension systems, fifth wheels, kingpins, and landing gear marketed under the brands SAF,
Holland, Neway, KLL, V.Orlandi, and York. SAF-HOLLAND sells its products to Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEM) on six continents. The Group’s Aftermarket business supplies spare parts to the
service networks of Original Equipment Suppliers (OES), as well as to end customers and service centers
through its extensive global distribution network. SAF-HOLLAND is one of the few suppliers in the truck
and trailer industry that is internationally positioned in almost all markets worldwide. With the innovation
campaign “SMART STEEL – ENGINEER BUILD CONNECT” SAF-HOLLAND combines mechanics with
sensors and electronics to drive the digital networking of commercial vehicles and logistics chains. More than 4,000 committed employees worldwide are already today working on the future of the transportation industry.
About AKTV8
AKTV8 LLC located in Wixom, Michigan, specializes in controls and embedded systems for electronically adjustable suspensions to improve ride comfort, handling and safety for multiple markets including RV, Automotive, and Commercial Truck. SMAR-te Tire Pilot is one several applications enabled by Aktv8’s patented iAir® technology. More information can be found at www.AKTV8.com.