All parts of a wheel assembly are manufactured with tolerance for imperfections. However by assembling these parts and their imperfections without balancing the complete wheel assembly, carriers are taking chances with mechanical repairs, structural faults, tire expenses, fuel problems and compliance problems, according to Balance Masters (Canada), which offers a continuous active balancing system.

The company says that a recent survey found that the average wheel assembly imbalance for a tire size of 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 was 6 oz. balance off the vehicle and 8 oz. balance on the vehicle. At a speed of 60 mph with the revolution at an average 550 revolutions per minute, centrifugal force would lead that 6 oz out of balance, or “heavy spot”, to multiply itself to 60 lb, which is about 160 g (gravity). As the suspension of the truck only allows for vertical motion, the 60 lb. of centrifugal force will compress upwards, which can be reinterpreted as 1100 shock waves.

“This up and down force of 1100 per minute damages not only the tires but, over a period of time, many of the vehicle components, and is one of the main reasons that wheel fasteners, maxi booster clamps, U-bolts and torque rod bolts work themselves loose, cracking in frame rails and cross members, breaking of air brackets, door hinges, lights, etc.” says Balance Masters. “As this 120 lb. centrifugal force and its rebounding multiplying factor hit the road, it has the same effect as slightly applying the brakes or hitting a pot hole about 550 times per minute, increasing the rolling resistance of the entire truck.”

The company’s continuous Active Balancing system is designed to solve this problem by using centrifugal force to position the liquid (mercury) in counter-weight positions. This technology is claimed to eliminate the lumping effect caused by shot-filled hub mounted and tire fluid products. It also works with gravity to create a down force effect to hold the tire down on the road.

“This gives the tire more footprint and better control in cold, icy and wet conditions,” the company says, claiming its product will increase tire life by 50 percent or more.

Cancom automates fuel tax through ProMiles integration

ProMiles Software Development Corp. has released ‘Cancom TripBuilder’, a product designed to simplify and automate Fuel Tax Reporting by integrating with Cancom’s OmniTRACS mobile communications technology.

“The ProMiles integration offers our customers a cost-effective, in-house solution for Fuel Tax Reporting,” says Kate Rahn, Cancom’s director of business development. “OmniTRACS provides the raw data that is automatically processed through the Cancom TripBuilder to create Trip Sheets and Fuel Tax entries. Electronic fuel purchase data can then be imported directly into the Fuel Tax Reporting Software.”

Users also have a fully automated method of calculating and completing fuel tax reports by province and state.

MFTA adds three new Canadian dealers

MFTA Canada Inc. has signed three new dealers to service Canada.

Neil MacKinnon Mechanical Services Ltd. will provide Mitsubishi Fuso trucks to the area in and around Medicine Hat, Alta. Central Alberta Diesel & Equipment Repairs Ltd., is also located in Alberta and will serve the areas in and around Red Deer County.

The third new dealer, Expressway Volvo, is located in Maidstone,Ont. and will serve customers in the area around Windsor, Ont.