Wheel retention and spray suppression are fundamental safety issues which
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no road transport operator can ignore. Sudden wheel loss can be fatal; spray suppression improves safety for truck drivers and other road users. Sharon Clancy looks at devices designed to get wheel security up, and spray down...
Spray suppression equipment has been compulsory on new UK trucks over 12.5 tonnes GVW since 1986, and this is not a fit-and forget option. Failing to maintain spray-suppression equipment is an endorsable offence carrying a maximum £2,500 fine. Inadequate spray suppression equipment is also a reason for failing the annual vehicle test.
The market for spray suppression and mudguards has always been price driven. Mudguards have traditionally been made from moulded medium or highdensity polyethylene (the denser material is harder wearing but less flexible and more prone to damage). Parlok was the first company to introduce extruded polyethylene mudguards, which have greater consistency, a smooth underside and are cheaper to produce. There are two versions: White Line, with a distinctive white line around the rim, and a plain black version called LT.
They have a flexible lower section that allows savings on flap repair costs. The Supra spray suppression material has lugs on the underside to create a channel for water to run down.
One perennial problem with mudguards is that the traditional mudguard stay-and-saddle fitting demands a variety of holes, bolts and fixings to match various tyre sizes and chassis. jonesco's HighGuard system is designed to overcome that. A plastic rail is bonded to the mudguard; attached to the stay is a sliding adjustable clamp.
"The time saving is enormous, both for operators and OEMs," says sales director Peter Williams. jonesco uses Danish-made PSA spray suppression material as standard and Somm deep valances rather than the 45mm legal minimum.
Featherwing mudguards from Boyden and Jacks are made from a new type of polyethylene called super-linear. The molecules in the plastic knit more tightly together, says the company, giving medium-density polyethylene the hard-wearing characteristics of the more expensive highdensity material. On its IT range, the conventional metal saddle and clamps are replaced with plastic components that resist corrosion. The IT mudguards also incorporate a reflector in each bottom comer.
Solutia's Clear Pass system was one of the first commercially available spray suppression materials; the company still claims market leadership. It advises operators to check weights of comparable spray suppression material, saying that some competitive materials can weigh up to ro.5kg/m2—twice the weight of Clear Pass.
Cat's Whisker spray suppression has reappeared on the mar ket, courtesy of Boydell and jacks and Parlok. The valances comprise a strip of plastic filaments that create a brush-like fringe which clips around the mudguard rim to reduce sideways spray.
Bristol-based Stedall is the new UK distributor for spray suppression material ExS pray, developed by chemical company Akzo and the Dutch Roltrans Group.
Reducing the gap between the tyre and the mudguard/valance can be as effective as spray-suppression material when it comes to reducing sideways spray; Spatz produces a range of polyethylene wheel covers to reduce that gap. The original Spatz covered half of the wheel hub, while the later Cutoutz follow the curve of the wheel. The range has been extended to include Topz, for steering axles; Frantz, for front Steer axles; and Kitz for wide-single tyres.
Enclosed side skirts also cut sideways spray. Spatz Skirtz are removable sicleguard covers that were originally developed for Salvesen Logistics. Once the guards are fitted they can be cut to take a range of modular accessories, including a step and tail. lift control access panel.
Skirtz come in 1.6m lengths at £85/m for rigids and DO o/m for trailers. Versions are under development for light vehides and low decktrailers.