Traction Air® - Central Tyre Inflation System

HOW IT WORKS

The Traction Air® system manages tyre pressure to load and road surfaces, with semi automated intelligent control from the comfort of the cab. 

Driven by our continuous focus on innovation and actively exceeding expectations for our customers, Traction Air® has been designed with features to make your on and off-highway vehicle operations safer and more efficient.

On and off-highway vehicle operations that regularly use Traction Air® includes forestry haulage, construction and equipment transport, agriculture, tractors, stock trucks and spreading, tanker operations, access equipment, construction and infrastructure and much more. Ideal for both tractor/prime mover and trailer units.

BENEFITS

• Improved vehicle and driver safety
• Greater fuel efficiency
• Improve Traction 
• Reduced Tyre Wear
• Reduced damage to road surfaces

3 Year / 500,000 km warranty*

We stand behind what we do. Traction Air® is backed by more than 24 years of innovation and a 3 year / 500,000km warranty on all electronics and pneumatic valves and a 12-month warranty on hardware including wheel ends and plumbing.

Applications

There are many operations the use Traction Air® to assist with improved vehicle performance and safety.

The applications below highlight a number of industries that benefit directly from our innovative, quality CTI system.  

• Forestry
• Agriculture
• Civil Construction
• Access Equipment
• Fuel Tankers
• Stock Trucks
• Bee and Hive Management
• Spreading
• Harvesting

Driver Training

Watch the video below for a comprehensive guide on using Traction Air®. TRT offers complete parts, service, and training support for customers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Get a Quote for Traction Air®

HISTORY

Traction Air®, was introduced over two decades ago to address the unique challenges posed by the rugged Australian Outback. Today, it stands tall as an integral part of more than 4,000 vehicles primarily across New Zealand and Australia.

TRT has always ensured that as vehicle and operational technology advances, so too have the capability and innovations of Traction Air®.

The concept of fitting central tyre Inflation systems on logging trucks in New Zealand was introduced through a well-established Canadian product called Redline, which had a strong presence in the Canadian logging industry. New Zealand’s forestry owners recognised the advantages of adjusting tyre pressures to reduce expenses on their forestry routes, all while improving the accessibility and safety of both their logging truck fleet and operators. 

The development of Traction Air® first began in 1997 when Bruce Carden saw an opportunity in the market to manufacture a more affordable and improved alternative to Redline. What followed was a journey marked by innovative brainstorming, significant investments in research and development, and product testing in New Zealand and Australia, ultimately the creation of the TRT-manufactured Central Tyre inflation System, Traction Air®.

TRT’s first New Zealand Traction Air® system was fitted to a Trevor Masters Kenworth Logging Truck in March 1997. 

In 1999 TRT fitted their first Traction Air® system in Australia. These were exceptionally exciting times for TRT. Bruce Carden and one of TRT's most experienced fitters, Robert Flood, journeyed to Australia to introduce the product.

The first installation took place up the top end of Tasmania for Ken Padgent, who operated out of Scottsdale. At the start, Ken, much like the majority of Tasmanian loggers, had his doubts. However, once his first Kenworth was fitted with the system and a demonstration of a fully loaded B Double was given, he personally experienced the benefits and began to endorse the product. 

The fully loaded B Double weighed over 60 tonnes and had to start on a gravel haul road with roughly a 15% gradient. The drive tyres, set at 32 psi, provided such excellent traction that the front axle lifted off the road.

Subsequently, Robert and Bruce installed Traction Air® on the world's first Triple Road Train, which was operating out of Alice Springs. This rig had Traction Air® systems on all 96 tyres. The Tanami Desert Road is harsh, and the ability to reduce tyre pressure resulted in substantial maintenance savings for Australian Fuel Distributors on those seemingly endless dirt roads.

In March 2009, G Series Traction Air® was launched, featuring GPS Speed Up Control and dual transducer sensing for world leading accuracy. Later In September 2019, TRT introduced the Traction Air® E-Series in Australia and New Zealand.

As with all our TRT manufactured products, Traction Air® has made significant strides in terms of design, capability, and functionality. The new Traction Air® EM Series is yet another example demonstrating our commitment to delivering the best possible solutions for our valued customers.