Flaps Help Stop Flats

Flaps help stop flats TIRES/WHEELS Miscellaneous 11-3-25 "I was getting one flat after another and almost always it was the inside dual on the rear axle. I haven't had a single flat since I solved the problem with these flaps that fit between the axles," says Willie Fichtenberg, Mesa, Wash. "The flaps keep the first set of duals from kicking up nails, screws and other sharp objects into the path of the rear duals," he points out. A 1?-in. pipe bolted to the truck frame extends between the axles. From the pipe, hangs the 10-in. tall, 24-in. wide flap made from old conveyor belting on a strap iron framework. The flap is held rigid so it doesn't bang into the tires. Since the truck's rear axle is belt-driven off the drive axle, he notched the flap for the belt to run through. Fichtenberg notes that the flaps weigh about 20 lbs. each and ride about 1-in. above the road. He cautions that the flaps will catch trash and mud and thus would probably have to be removed to drive through the field. Fichtenberg notes that the two flaps add about 20 lbs. to the truck but that the advantages outweigh the extra weight. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Willie Fichtenberg, 4452 Ironwood Rd., Mesa, Wash. 99343 (ph 509 266-4392).

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