720602Tractair Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS)ClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKTractAir Limited is a highly innovative company focused on the design of airbrakes for special applications. The company was established in 1985 to design and manufacture pneumatic and hydraulic brake systems for agricultural tractor manufacturers, dealers and end users. Over the years, TractAir has diversified and, being design led, has designed systems for other applications including dockyards, railways, land trains, etc. Export sales are significant with sales to international tractor manufacturers, distributors and tractor dealers. The project being considered concerns the frequent use of tractors both on and off the highway with incorrect tyre pressures. Tractors work on many different surfaces where optimal tyre pressures will be dramatically different. Custom and practice is that tractor drivers set the tyre pressure half way between the highest pressure required for highway use and the lowest pressure required for field use, meaning tyres can be highly over or under inflated. Tractair have identified an opportunity and conceived of a method to address this issue by means of a Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) that enables the driver to adjust tyre pressures whilst on the move at the touch of a button. The new Tractair system will reduce soil compaction by up to 30%, reduce tyre wear and bring environmental benefits by reducing fuel consumption. Incorrect tyre pressures drastically affect the handling and road holding of a vehicle and with tractors getting ever faster we see this system making tractors much safer on the highway. The new system will enable the company to diversify further into the wider agricultural market, generating significant sales, particularly in export markets. Being market leaders in Air Brake technology we believe CTIS is a perfect product to add to our line of business. The project will safeguard the future of the company and will support the UK economy at all levels, providing additional valuable employment and revenue.