Cat's Eye tire inflation monitor

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Brickman, Feb 15, 2008.

  1. im6under

    im6under Heavy Load Member

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    the psi system is easily retrofitted depending on what axle you have now.

    I worked at a manufacturer (XL Trailers) for 3 years and we did some retrofitting.

    most trailer axle ends, the spindle or part where the bearing rides, appear to be solid pieces...

    Some are and you can forget about the retrofitting.

    Others are actually hollow and you can drill thru the end plate and install the system in an afternoon, Meritor quotes 4 man hours and an experienced person can beat the time.

    When the info wasn't available, the guys would drill an 1/8" pilot hole to check if it was hollow. If they didn't hit "air" after an inch of drilling they packed it up as a "no-go".


    link to installation instructions pdf file from meritor: http://www.psi-atis.com/Literature/mm14p.pdf
     
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  3. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Car hauler trailer. You can see the pics of it in my trucking pics. I used to do flatbed, and now car hauler. One day I may go back to platform and then it'll be a step. More versatile and able to haul taller loads that usually pay well.
     
  4. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Currently I'm paying around $2500 a month in equipment payments. A retro will have to wait. I would rather have the Hendrikson set up over the PSI because they don't pressurize the oil chamber like the way PSI system does. Or thats how I understand the way it works.

    For now a Cat's Eye is going to be as good as I can do.

    Thanks for the info. Thats what this site is for.



    Because of the way my lease purchase is my accountant says that in three yrs when the lease is full filled and the equipment is mine I'll have no way to depreciate the equipment and I'll have to figure out other things for tax write offs. Repairs and rebuilds will be my write offs.
     
  5. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

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    big ol shop makes a nice write off! :biggrin_25525:

    Who needs truck payments. I can buy LOTS of tools!
     
  6. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    oh yeah. :biggrin_255: I already been thinking about it.
     
  7. AJAX

    AJAX Bobtail Member

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    Feb 16, 2008
    Long Beach Ca
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    I have been running a set of crossfire on my tractor " Kenworth T-600" for the last three years set at 100PSI. All the Drive tires are even and seem to be lasting along time are are even. I run about 80k mile a year and think I should get another three years out of the set of tires I have at this rate. The other thing I did was spend 60 buck to fill them with nitrogen.

    For the life of me I do not know why everybody does not run with crossfires or cat eyes if they own the tractor, the worst that is said is they look bad.

    Best of luck

    Andrew
     
  8. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Full set of Cat's Eyes ordered for the trailer. I may go with the tractor at some time.
     
  9. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    We have the wabco I think. When I do a manual check with a gauge it is very accurate, however in cold climates this system sometimes has glitches and causes tire pressure loss. Mostly in trailer tho.
     
  10. im6under

    im6under Heavy Load Member

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    The meritor psi for trailers does not pressurise the oil chamber. Its the same system the military uses.

    The oil chamber is o-ring sealed from the air system and the oil chamber has a special spring loaded vent so it will not pressurize in the event of seal failure. The air will just bleed to atmosphere.

    Additionally, in the event any of this happens, a light comes on in the front of the trailer letting you know there is an issue.

    Its the only system I know anything about, so I'm not saying it is best or anything, just that it has all the bases covered.

    wasn't cheap as I recall... but then nothing is that's stamped commercial or dealership these days... lol
     
  11. C_Knight

    C_Knight Bobtail Member

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    Saw the system you are looking at using. Seems good. The one I use is a bit different and little more high tech.

    It's made by Mobile Awareness. It's a set (6, 10, 18) of valve covers that sends a signal to a receiver in the cab on the tire pressure of each tire. The covers have a pass through so you don't have to remove them to fill a low tire.

    Its expensive $795 for a set of 10. Yet it's saved my butt more than a couple of times. I looked at the Cat's eye system but I have to actually get out and look at it. Honestly, I don't do a walk around that often in a day, maybe twice if I feel up to it.

    With this this, I push a little button and I'm done. Do it at the fuel island. Do it when I go through a yard with nails and glass. After I hit that gator that takes up all lanes. I don't have to stop and find out later.

    They have a lot of things I have gotten from them and use regularly. This is happens to be one I use all the time. Costs more, in my opinion well worth the cost.
    Just remember to take all the covers with you when you transfer trucks (company drivers).
     
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