Central Tire Inflation System for timber transport in Germany

Abstract

ABSTRACTA Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) allows the truck tire inflation pressure to be matched with current hauling conditions defined by a truck’s load and speed, the terrain and road conditions. Whilst in other countries many log trucks have been fitted with CTIS, this technology has so far not been implemented in this application field in Germany. To test if this technology can also be economically utilized there, a truck was fitted with a prototype version of a CTIS. Using various tire pressure settings the impact on the vehicle traction, the fuel consumption, the vibration stress for the driver and the damage caused to the forest roads was analyzed under the typical timber transport conditions in the pilot area of northern Germany’s lowlands. By the means of test results, collected practical experience, and the results of a hauling cycle analysis, different scenarios were observed to reach a clear conclusion if the investment into this technology makes economic sense. The results show that the fitting of CTIS to a log truck can lead to a cost reduction for the hauling company, but only if the equipped vehicle does not have an extra drive axle. Regardless of the economic advantages this technology will only be able to enforce itself in Germany if the reservations of the potential users can be overcome and an unrestricted approval for road use can be received.