Accella Tire Fill Systems, Makers of TyrFil®, Conducts Extensive Field Testing on "Solid Shock" Prevention for the OTR Equipment Industry

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Accella Tire Fill Systems, the manufacturer and marketer of the industry's leading polyurethane flatproofing solution, TyrFil®, today announced the results of an in-depth field study to test the impact of what's known in the tire industry as "Solid Shock."  The company also unveiled a new industry-facing awareness campaign to help prevent its negative impact and the effects of unwanted Whole Body Vibration (WBV) on operators of Off-the-Road (OTR) equipment. Solid Shock refers to the G-Force vibration emitted to both operators of OTR vehicles – and the equipment itself – from the use of solid aperture tires.  Not only is Solid Shock a major source of premature wear and tear on equipment, it is also a leading cause of operator injury and may cause chronic WBV.

To showcase just how significant the impact of Solid Shock really is, Accella teamed up with Transportation Research Center (TRC), Inc., North America's leading independent automotive proving grounds, to compare the G-Force transmission of polyurethane-filled pneumatic tires versus solid aperture tires.  The study, conducted in May 2016, examined solids, which use high durometer components and deliver a harder, higher impact ride, in contrast to polyurethane-filled pneumatic tires, which have lower durometer components that are able to absorb more impact and deliver a less jarring ride that is safer and more comfortable for operators.  A second independent corroborating study was conducted in July 2016.  The conclusive findings are currently available on a new information and resource portal at www.NoMoreSolidShock.com.

Because polyurethane filled pneumatic tires provide a smoother overall ride, they are the optimal solution for the construction, mining, material handling, equipment rental, ground support equipment, waste management, military and agriculture industries.  The use of tire fill, commonly known in the industry as foam fill, enables operators to distribute load (to better match the properties of the filling medium with the tire and equipment engineer's intended load deflection characteristics), thereby decreasing G-force transmission to both the equipment and operator. This premise was exemplified by the findings revealed in both the field testing and subsequent analysis.

The first field test, conducted in May 2016 by TRC at their test site in East Liberty, OH, featured a Wheel Loader using 26.5X25 New Firestone L5 Slicks with Accella TyrFil® at 55psi and 26.5X25 New Revolution solid aperture tires.  Accelerometers were placed on each axle, measuring acceleration in the x, y, and z axes. One triaxial accelerometer was placed in the cab at the base of the seat.  Acceleration measurements were recorded at 100 Hz.  A total of 10 sensors were placed in the vehicle.  Runs were conducted over three courses at 5mph and 8mph.

The second independent study, conducted in July 2016, measured and recorded total vibration and WBV levels on a Telehandler at a constructed test track facility in Rome, GA.  The study examined differences in vibration levels between the use of solid aperture tires and Armstrong tires filled with Accella TyrFil® on a single piece of equipment on the track designed to approximate conditions that might be found at an industrial or construction site.

The test results from both field studies were significant.  In the May study, conducted by TRC, test results proved that pneumatic tires using Accella TyrFil® outperform solid aperture tires in creating less G-force.  On average, tire-filled pneumatics transferred 36% less equipment stress and 41% less adverse Whole Body Vibration effects to operators.  Specifically, the TRC results demonstrated measurably lower vibration levels in the cabin (floor-mounted accelerometer at the seat mounting) for polyurethane fill tires versus the solid tires on both Durability and Cobblestone tracks.

Dr. Helmut Paschold, PhD., CSP, CIH Assistant Professor, Department of Safety Sciences, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a consultant for the project, offered further analysis and concurred that the measured cabin Gavg and Gmax values clearly support a claim of reduced vehicle cabin vibration with the use of Accella TyrFil® product in pneumatic tires when compared to solid aperture tires.

In the second independent test, utilizing a telehandler, conducted in July 2016, indications corroborated the May 2016 Wheel Loader findings.  The Armstrong tires presented the lowest WBV values, both r.m.s. and VDV, loaded and unloaded, among the tires both on the cabin floor and seat/operator interface.

"The WBV differences are not random, but are significant," explained Dr. Paschold.  "The data obtained on the cabin floor should be of greatest interest as it discounts the effects of the vehicle seat.  Careful selection of an effective, properly adjusted vibration-attenuating seat coupled with the use of Accella polyurethane fill in select tires can greatly reduce WBV exposure levels and associated human health risk."

When OTR operators select solid apertures tires, their drivers may be at risk for a series of adverse WBV health affects causing muscular-skeletal and neurological injury.  In addition to the negative physical and health effects for OTR heavy equipment operators in the construction, mining, military and industrial fields, exposure to constant and severe vibrations can also create premature fatigue and wear and tear to the OTR equipment fleet – impacting suspension systems, including axles and other expensive parts, and causing costly equipment damage.

"When WBV vibration results from excessive G-force transmissions from solid aperture tires, it can cost OTR operators both time and money—and severely impede on-the-job productivity," said Joe Negrey, Vice President of Accella Tire Fill Systems.  "Often times, industrial equipment operators may be totally unaware of the extreme toll that the 'rough ride' from solid aperture tires can take on their expensive vehicles – and, most importantly, on their workers.  Tire-filled pneumatics can vastly reduce this risk, while virtually guaranteeing a flatproofing solution for the heavy equipment industry that offers strong value and financial return."

For more information on how to reduce Solid Shock through the use of polyurethane liquid-filled tires and prevent the potential impact of WBV, please visit www.NoMoreSolidShock.com.

About Accella Tire Fill Systems
Accella shapes ideas that enhance our lives through improved comfort, safety, sustainability, and performance. TyrFil®, Accella Tire Fill System's patented polyurethane tire fill, also known as foam fill, can be pumped into any pneumatic tire to replace air with a resilient, synthetic rubber core that completely eliminates dangerous tire flats in commercial and industrial heavy equipment vehicles. Since, TyrFil reduces the need for tire replacement, it directly helps to defray equipment repair costs and also drastically eases environmental strain by helping to keep whole tire and scrap tire waste – and the unwanted emissions and carbon footprint they create – out of domestic and international landfills. With TyrFil, "it's what's inside that counts."

Contact:
Al Restaino
VP Marketing
330-714-3570
[email protected]
www.accellacorp.com

SOURCE Accella

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