Flat-Free Tires Use Air Filled Poly Foam

Flat-Free Tires Use Air Filled Poly Foam TIRES/WHEELS Miscellaneous 34-5-34 Flat-free tires cost more up front but save money over time. However, all flat-free tires are not equal, warns Chris Daum, general manager, Carefree Tire. Manufacturers don't all use the same materials. "Some companies claim their rubber or pneumatic tires are flat-free, too," says Daum. "They may be durable, but they tend to be heavy tires and create weight issues. We use a process that traps air in light weight poly foam." Daum says Carefree is the only U.S. company that makes the raw polyurethane material as well as the tires themselves. Daum explains that some polyurethane tire makers use fillers or additives to reduce cost, but that can also affect the integrity of the material. Carefree uses a centrifugal casting method that uses a rapidly spinning tire mold. As a result, air cells are trapped in the polymer of the tire as it forms, providing an "air cushioned" ride. The centrifugal casting creates a variable density tire with a firm tread area for easier roll and soft sidewall for shock absorption. The company claims the technique not only creates a tire that lasts up to 10 times longer than a pneumatic tire, but requires 40 percent less effort to roll. Carefree markets its five tire products through original equipment manufacturers. They're also available direct through the company website. "Our polyurethane foam can also be used to flat-proof existing tires," says Daum. "ProEdge in Florida has the special machinery required. Customers ship their pneumatic tires to them to be flat proofed." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Carefree Tire, 5141 Firestone Place, South Gate, Calif. 90280 (ph 323 249-2868; www.carefreetire.com) or ProEdge, 301 Mango Tree Drive, Edgewater, Fla. 32132 (ph 386 428-9718; toll free 888 776-3343).

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