2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Air sanders for traction

[dtygart]

When I lived in Oregon years ago all the schoolbuses had air operated sanders at the rear wheels for quick recovery from wheel slip (they didn't chain up). I also remember that over the road trucks had them too. I don't see them anymore. Do trucks still use them in the north? Are they still manufactured, if so, does anybody have experience with them on a pickup?

Thanks guys,

david



sorry, I double posted but I don't know how to delete this??

 

[T-Bone]

dtygart,



Are you talking about these? No experience with them. But I do see them on school busses around here.



T-Bone

 

[DTroy]

I think he's talking about a system that's similar to what Trackmobiles use on the railroads.

 

[terrywerm]

UPS used to run wheel sanders on their road tractors in the northern and mountain states, but I haven't seen them in a long time. A quick search of the web did not provide any manufacturers or distributors of such equipment either, so I don't know if they are still made or not.



The biggest problem with them was that you had to use DRY sand and had to keep it dry, not to mention the extra weight of the equipment and the sand itself.

 

[dtygart]

Thanks for the answers guys,

david

 

[DNewell]

dtygart,



Are you talking about these? No experience with them. But I do see them on school busses around here.



T-Bone

All I can say is WOW! What an invention! very nice.

 

[Mactruck]

We Have those Onspot Chain systems on four of our trucks in our fire Dept.

Our engine, Tanker, Rescue, and even our 4 wheel drive Ambulance have them.

They are sweet in inclement weather but according to the MFG. they are limited to no more than 6" of unplowed snow and Not going over 35 mph. I've used them in Icy situations and they performed well.



Our new Engine that we recieved a couple weeks ago has them. It is also has a first for our Department. It's got an ISC Cummins!

 

[jelag]

When I lived in Klamath Falls (OR) years ago... all the buses had sanders on them... . the air from the air brake system would run a little impeller and would throw some sand in front of the rear wheels..... Turned on and off from the dash.....



They were used on some of the icy hills in town... . Today, I'm guessing that school bus drivers are too lazy to keep them filled... . it was the driver who filled them up and fueled their own buses every night before they put them away..... or can't be trained... based on the drivers I see moving kids around here in WA.....

 

[DBogo]

th onspot tire chain system works very well we have them on all of our trucks on the fire dept

 

[BigDaddy]

All I can say is WOW! What an invention! very nice.

I have seen these hanging from large trucks, never realizing, but wondering why someone would store their snow chains in such an inconvenient location, Duh, :-laf



Yes, quite an innovator to patent this idea almost one hundred years ago… “Yes in August of 1915 patent #1,150,148 was granted to Mr. W. H. Putnum of New York for his new and unique anti-skid device. ” (see Industry History link)