Specifications: Manufactured to last longer
GENERAL INFORMATION
The INSTA-Chain automatic ice and snow chain apparatus is installed on a
single or tandem axle vehicle. The chains can be installed to the front or the rear of the
axle via a special computer-designed mounting bracket. When engaged, two pneumatic air
cylinders depress a set of chain wheels down against the tire into the engaged position.
Each wheel has either six or twelve chain strands that are each attached to the wheel by a
series of six [patent pending] interlocking plates, bolts, washers, and locknuts. When
engaged, the chain wheels contact the inside of the vehicle tires at the center point of
the tire approximately 3" to 4" above the ground. The vehicle tires spin, which
turns the chain wheels. The spinning of the chain wheels cause the chains to be
centrifugally thrown into the "V" formed between the tire and the road in the
front or in the rear of the tires, depending on whether the vehicle is going forward or
backwards.. The automatic ice chains increase traction on ice or packed snow. When
disengaged, a spring inside the air cylinder retracts the chain wheel into the stored
position under the chassis. A unit or complete set of chains consists of a left side and a
right side. INSTA-Chain operates in forward or reverse.
| Two air chambers are made of aluminum approximately 5" in diameter; with a 6 mm wall thickness. The air cylinder lid has a recessed area for the diaphragm which fits tightly over the upper lip of the air cylinder housing for a maximum seal. Each chamber is capable of holding 62.5 cubic inches, resulting in a total of 125 cubic inches of air per application. This is roughly 4 percent of a typical 12 CFM engine-driven air compressor in a very brief period. The air is supplied by the vehicle’s air system or an electric 12 volt air compressor and an air reservoir tank 1100 cubic inch (see Aux. Air System). | |
 The dust seal is an air cylinder protector. It is shaped
like a gear shift boot and is mounted inside the air cylinder housing and protrudes
approximately 3½" through the bottom of the air cylinder. It fits snugly around the
push rod, thus protecting the inside of the air cylinder housing from rocks, dirt, ice and
other debris |
|
 Each arm is constructed of
3/4" thick A-36 steel between 12"-16" in length, depending on the model
number of the chain unit. A bolt attaches the arm to the cylinder bracket. Each arm
rotates on two greaseable needle bearings. The cylinder bracket is also made of A-36
steel. |
|
 A mounting
bracket is used to attach the chain unit to the vehicle's suspension. Several styles of
mounting brackets are used for different types of suspensions. The primary mounting
bracket is the Universal Mounting Bracket [shown]. The Universal Mounting Bracket is an
adjustable mounting bracket that can adjust to fit most vehicles and is made from
3/4" A-36 steel and 2" square tubing. The Universal Mounting Brackets attaches
to the U-Bolt suspension via eight coupling nuts (four on each side of the vehicle). The
new bracket is stronger than the older custom bracket. The other styles of mounting
brackets are made from 5/8" A-36 stronger steel. Another common mounting bracket
style attaches to the U-Bolts via six coupling nuts [three for each side of the vehicle].
Insta-Chain has several other styles of mounting brackets to accommodate different types
of suspensions. |
|
The chain wheel comes in two sizes, large and small. The large chain wheel is 7.5 inches in diameter and the small chain wheel is 6.5
inches in diameter. Both wheels are constructed of a one-piece cast aluminum disc with a
rubber tread on the outside. The rubber has been vulcanized to the aluminum wheel for
maximum adhesion.  The
chain wheel has two sealed roller bearings and a grease zerk, which is
located on the back side of the wheel and serves as a point of lubrication for the chain
wheel bearings. The chain wheel has a recessed continuous cavity in the wheel where the six interlocking chain plates
are bolted. The chain plates are evenly spaced around the perimeter of the wheel. The
customer can specify either six or twelve chains on each wheel. Each chain segment is
replaceable individually as pictured. |
|
Either six or twelve chains are attached to
the chain wheel by six [patent pending] interlocking plates at equal 60° intervals. Each
chain strand has ten or  more chain links and is approximately 12" long.
The chain is a carbon manganese alloy steel hardened to a Rockwell 63, C-scale hardness
for maximum wear. The chain is attached to the plate by a loop. After hooking the
chain to the loop, the loop is welded to an interlocking steel plate 3/16" [5mm]
thick, which has a hole centered in its middle. The chain plate is then bolted to the
wheel with a grade 8 bolt, steel locking nut, and a washer. The customer can specify one
of the three sizes of chain - 8mm, 7mm or 5.6mm. |
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AUXILIARY AIR SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT ONBOARD AIR SYSTEMS |
|
The auxiliary air system includes the following components:
Second option if required is a Thomas model# 405 ADC38-12 continuous duty air compressor; or a 1422 cu. in. air tank. (There may be an additional charge for these items.) |
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| The Insta-Chain system comes with a continuous-duty solenoid valve and
all of the air fittings needed to install the Insta-Chains. An optional Pressure
Protection Valve may be purchased to protect the truck's air system from loss of air due
to a broken airline. The Insta-Chain system should be protected in some way if using
direct air from the Air Brake tank. Insta-Chain provides a lighted toggle switch with a switch guard. The light is white when the chains are disengaged. When engaged, the light turns to red to alert the driver that the chains are installed. (A lighted pull switch may be requested by the customer if so desired.) |
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Copyright © 2000 INSTA-Chain, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
