Tread Lug Filler Bags
A new and easy method to protect Heatpad when curing repairs in OTR Tires
The Problem
Taking the time to correctly fill in the voids of an OTR tire will extend the life of your Heatpad. When the lug voids of the tread design are not filled in properly, the Heatpad is distorted when pushed into the voids by the pressure of the Airbag. The Heating Element inside the Heatpad is then damaged and may cause the Heatpad to overheat. This can result in a fire starting in the tire. In the case of strap type curing systems, it can also damage the thermocouple sensor wires.
Solutions
Here are a few different ways in which to fill in the tread voids:
- Plaster of Paris – this is a good procedure to use but is very messy and time consuming.
- Aluminum foil – this is easy to use but very often not enough tin foil is used. The void looks like it has been filled but when air pressure is applied, the foil compresses into the tread void and the heatpad then becomes distorted.
- Other types of fillers – these are always messy.
The Best Solution
Vulcan-Vulcap new Silica Sand filled Tread Lug Filler Bags are the best alternative to the above.
- The Silica Sand is very fine and allows the sandbags to take the shape of the tread void.
- The Tread Lug Filler Bags come in sets of 20 bags in various sizes.
- We realize that this may not cover all the different size Lug Void Configurations, therefore additional bags can be made to customer specifications.
Please note: Heatpads that fail because Tread Voids are not filled in properly are not covered under Warranty as the sharp Tread Edges destroy the Heating Elements!
Below are pictures of Vulcan-Vulcap Heatpads that were used and damaged beyond repair due to failure of using lug fillers. This damages the Heatpads unnecessarily and is not covered under warranty. It is very important to avoid this kind of costly mistake!