Latest innovations from Erlau

Erlau, the world’s leading tyre-protection chain manufacturers, have added two innovations to their comprehensive range of asset-protection products. Sideflex offers a cost-effective solution to the problem of sidewall damage to expensive dumptruck tyres, while Easylock is a new tyre-protection chain (TPC) connecting ring that promises to save operators time and money. 

Beat the boulders with Sideflex

Erlau’s newly developed Sideflex system comprises a set of robust replacement wheel nuts and extensions that support a simple steel ring to which is attached a fanned array of overlapping platelets. These platelets shield the entire sidewall of the truck tyre, deflecting potentially damaging rock fragments harmlessly away.

While the Sideflex mounting components are made of steel, the all-important Sideflex shield is manufactured from a sophisticated engineering polymer – a robust material with a ‘memory’ capability that allows the platelets to flex and deform upon impact and then return to their original shape without any loss of integrity.

According to Erlau, the fully patented, lightweight and low-profile Sideflex assembly is a true innovation designed to cut the cost of tyre ownership.

Save time and money with Easylock 

Until now, the fitting of a TPC required a number of special links to ‘stitch’ the two ends together. Not only is this process lengthy and laborious, it is also potentially dangerous – involving the use of hammers and pins. Moreover, once the pins have become corroded, cutting is usually the only way to remove them and, once cut, the links are no longer of use and have to be scrapped and replaced.

Now, however, Erlau have created Easylock – a connecting link that can be quickly fitted and removed. As the illustration in figure 1 shows, Easylock comprises just two components – an open connecting link and a locking hasp. The link is passed through two adjacent rings and the hasp is pushed over the prongs of the open link. The hasp incorporates a locking device which is secured with a 90° turn (in either direction) of an Allen key (fig. 2). Once locked, Easylock remains securely in place until it is removed by the same simple 90° turn procedure.

Delivered with new orders of Erlau tyre-protection chains or available separately in sets, Easylock can be retro-fitted to any make of 19mm or 22mm TPC and promises measurable savings in time, reusability and safety.