VSP News: Uptime Update, Episode 18 – The evolution of the air system

Nov. 27, 2018
Expello Air Products' Erik Johnson discusses changes to the air system in today’s commercial vehicles, and methods to ensure proper and efficient operation of these systems.

When discussing the air system on tractor-trailers, the vehicle’s braking system is the first thing that comes to mind. But the truck’s air system has evolved to supply many more areas of the vehicle with clean, dry air to function properly. Expello Air Products' Erik Johnson discusses changes to the air system in today’s commercial vehicles, and methods to ensure proper and efficient operation of these systems.

Transcription of interview:

David Brierley, Fleet Maintenance:  Welcome to VSP News: Uptime Update. I am your host David Brierley, managing editor of Fleet Maintenance magazine, covering all maintenance, all vehicle classes, all management, all the time.

I’m filling in this week for Erica Schueller, while she’s away attending a professional training program to earn her Class A commercial driver’s license.

When discussing the air system on tractor-trailers, the vehicle’s braking system is the first thing that comes to mind. But, the truck’s air system has evolved to supply many more areas of the vehicle with clean, dry air to function properly. To ensure efficient operation, the air system must be drained on a regular basis.

We talked with Erik Johnson, Sales Manager for Expello Air Products. He shared some insights on the evolution of the air system, and the requirements of this system on today’s vehicles.

We first discussed the different aspects of what systems on the vehicle require clean, dry air to operate.

Erik Johnson, Expello Air Products: Aside from the air brakes, the automated manual transmission, the DEF system, fan clutch, the air ride suspension, all require clean, dry air to operate properly. There are many more, but these are the main systems.

Brierley, Fleet Maintenance: An air system contaminated with oil or water can have negative consequences on components that rely on the air system to operate.

Johnson talks about some of the consequences of having dirt or moisture entering these systems.

Johnson, Expello Air: In the winter time there can be freeze-up of the brakes or transmission, you could have a road call, downtime, warranty issues, a hard part failure or a premature part failure.

The bottom line is, these systems require air. And if the air these systems are receiving is dirty, they’re not going to work as intended.

Brierley, Fleet Maintenance: To help optimize the efficiency of the air system, there are steps fleets should take. Johnson shares more.

Johnson, Expello Air: They need to be diligent about draining their tanks, on a daily basis. And, paying particular attention to what comes out of the tank. If there’s a lot of water or oil that comes through, then they know there’s a problem with the compressor or the air dryer, and that contaminated air is effecting systems downstream.

Another suggestion would be to use an automatic drain valve of some sort, which takes the human element out of it, where you’re not relying on a driver, who may be tired or overworked, and doesn’t want to or remember to pull the chain to drain the tank.

Brierley, Fleet Maintenance: To read more about additional ways you can help to optimize the air system, especially as it relates to preparing for colder weather, check out the link on winterizing air systems below.

Thank you for tuning in to VSP News Uptime Update, I’m your host David Brierley.

Until our next broadcast, keep up with this, and other industry topics, by visiting us online at VehicleServicePros.com.

Read more about additional ways you can help optimize the air system.