AERIAL WORK PLATFORM EQUIPMENT
By Bob Giasson, OEM Sales Manager
The use of polyurethane “fills” for tire flatproofing is not new to the industry by any stretch of the imagination. However, recent vehicle and tire improvements have made product specialization a necessity. Additionally, today’s labor force is highly trained and acts as an extension of the vehicle itself. As such, a properly filled tire provides increased productivity, an additional level of safety, and improved tire and vehicle performance. 
Arnco’s unique patented products are used in a wide variety of applications. One application that has embraced the use of “fill”, has been the aerial work platform industry. Arnco’s HeviDuty polyurethane fill has long been the standard for various Original Equipment Manufacturers. One such manufacturer is Grove® Manlift®who is a leader in the aerial work platform industry and a valued long-time customer of Arnco.
 Selecting the correct type of flatproofing for each application is critical to the vehicle’s performance. HeviDuty, with an average 55 Shore A durometer, is best suited for applications where less tire deflection and improved stability are needed, and where operator comfort is not a critical factor. Where aerial work platforms are concerned, less tire deflection = increased vehicle stability and operator safety.
Several other markets where HeviDuty has been widely used include mobile cranes, ground support, construction, and underground mining equipment. Consult Arnco’s technical department in Chattanooga, TN at 1-800-821-4147 for specific application inquiries.
So remember, when it comes to improved vehicle stability, operator safety, and less overall tire deflection, Arnco’s HeviDuty polyurethane fill stands ”rock-steady” to provide you with the optimum performance in polyurethane technology.

Filling Through the Tread
Filling Aircraft Tires on The Runway for the Strategic Air Command 
By D.L. McNabb
Opportunities for unique flatproofing applications come in many forms. When Curt Anderson, Commercial Sales Manager of Tire Centers, Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska got the bid to fill the tires on the aircraft at the soon to be opened SAC Museum, they knew it would be a wonderful opportunity to help history come alive for the 250,000 people who would visit each year.  They also had a very unique challenge as the tires for over 23 aircraft needed to be filled and mounted on the aircraft - on the runway!! About 50,000 lbs. of material would be needed to fill all of the tires. Of course, since the tires had to be worked on outside, it was decided to do the project between May and October. Arnco Sales and Technical Representative, D.L. McNabb went to Omaha to advise Curt on the best method of filling tires. 
Because of the age of some of the tires, it was very important to fill them before moving the aircraft from Bellevue, Nebraska to the site of the new museum. No one wanted a flat tire on one of the historical aircraft en route. When they first started filling the tires, the usual method, through the valve stem was used. This took a very long time. The first tires took over two hours each to fill. Always trying to find the best technique, D.L. got some steel tubing, sharpened one end and inserted it directly into the tread. By using this method, the filling time was cut down to forty-five minutes per tire.  According to D.L., the reason the Air Force likes to flatproof the tires in their museums is that an airplane with a flat tire is like wearing a new suit with muddy shoes - it just doesn’t look right. Apparently the Air Force agrees, because tires that have been flatproofed can be seen at museums at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and several Air Force bases around the country.  Some of the aircraft that will be at the museum are the B -17, the B-36, the B-52, the F-102 and the Vulcan. The tire sizes varied from a small “nose” tire that held only 26 lbs. to a 25.00 x 28 main tire that held almost 2,000 lbs.  The Grand Opening was May 3rd and the museum is now open to visitors. So remember when you visit, that the tires you see have been protected with Arnco’s flatproofing products. The Strategic Air Command and the aircraft at the museum are a proud part of America’s history. Arnco is proud that their flatproofing material is keeping the tires flat free.

Demolition Derbies
Kiss Flat Tires Goodbye in Demolition Derbies 
By Sam Capps
We were not surprised when Tom Machen, owner of Tom’s Marine and Chemical Pump, Snyder, Texas, mentioned that he had found another application for flatproofing. Tom is always looking for marketing opportunities. After all, he 
successfully sells and repairs boats, lawn mowers and chain saws in a region of the country that is best known for oil wells, cotton, mesquite and tumbleweed. So, when Bo Owens, owner of A-1 Auto Parts, a large scrap metal company with multi-location retail parts stores, stated that he was also a driver in demolition derbies, Tom immediately thought about flatproofing his tires.  In a demolition derby, drivers attempt to disable cars in the race by crashing their vehicles into the others on the track. The last car moving in the derby is the winner. A crushed radiator or flat tire usually results in a “fatal injury” to the participant’s vehicle.  Because of all the collisions, there are broken auto parts, scrap metal, and nuts and bolts everywhere on the track. Pneumatic tires go flat quickly. By the end of the race, the vehicles are trying to move on flat tires, torn tire carcasses or even the wheels.  Tom’s Marine has solved one phase of the destruction process by flatproofing Bo Owen’s tires. Bo’s competitors can only watch in dismay as he runs over the debris without tire failures. Arnco flatproofing will not let you down, not even in a demolition derby.  Bo prefers to use GM or Chrysler Station Wagons in these events. Each car has the Arnco logo and statement, “Tires Flatproofed by Arnco”.
Most weekends Tom Machen is at flea markets and auctions handing out Arnco literature, talking about flatproofing, demonstrating a filled tire with knives, nails, spikes, etc. protruding from the carcass. Additionally, Tom advertises weekly in the local newspaper. He has participated in a barbeque dinner and promoted flatproofing to a large group 
of community business leaders, as well as, representatives from the County and State. As a result, Tom has received inquires on flatproofing from four states. He has filled tires for customers that are located several hundred miles from Snyder, Texas. This Christmas, Tom’s Marine filled (for Santa) the tires on twenty-five bicycles. He most recently filled the tires for a Game Hunter’s OTR vehicle.  A large sign promoting Arnco flatproofing and Tom’s Marine has been placed in the cities magnificent baseball park.  Tom Machen continues to look for unique and additional opportunities for the Arnco products. According to one of his friends, he was recently seen looking into a taxidermist’s window and 
scratching his head. Not a good application, Tom, but thanks for being a great Arnco customer.