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Protecting Air Bags High PSI.
Greetings Fellow Rescuers ( SQUAD PEOPLE )
I have been using air bags for a few years now and I have always placed my bags on a firm debris clear surface as I would imagine you all do as well. Now when stacking High psi bags, I at times have used either mud flaps or plywood on top of the 1st. and one or the other on the top bag to prevent bag damage.By the way its either using all plywood or all mud flaps no mixing of protectors. Next I inflate the bag to get as much surface contact with the plywood or mud flap not over inflating, next I inflate bag 2 for the lift again using EXTREME CAUTON not to over inflate the 2nd. bag to prevent bag blow
out. This Practice I was told was outdated and not to be used when lifting or spreading with high psi.
bags. This was a practice I learned from the air bag dealer who demo'ed our bags, and one I've seen used many times by the rescue company not only mine but many others.
Is this practice truly outdated and no longer to be used, and what authority has said this is wrong can anyone out there tell me this. Or for all of these years have I and my dept. and other local company's around us been doing this wrong. Please let me know as we take this very seriously.
I have been using air bags for a few years now and I have always placed my bags on a firm debris clear surface as I would imagine you all do as well. Now when stacking High psi bags, I at times have used either mud flaps or plywood on top of the 1st. and one or the other on the top bag to prevent bag damage.By the way its either using all plywood or all mud flaps no mixing of protectors. Next I inflate the bag to get as much surface contact with the plywood or mud flap not over inflating, next I inflate bag 2 for the lift again using EXTREME CAUTON not to over inflate the 2nd. bag to prevent bag blow
out. This Practice I was told was outdated and not to be used when lifting or spreading with high psi.
bags. This was a practice I learned from the air bag dealer who demo'ed our bags, and one I've seen used many times by the rescue company not only mine but many others.
Is this practice truly outdated and no longer to be used, and what authority has said this is wrong can anyone out there tell me this. Or for all of these years have I and my dept. and other local company's around us been doing this wrong. Please let me know as we take this very seriously.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on
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I have never placed anything between the two air bags. , never seen it used that way, nor do I see off hand what benefit it serves. We place a heavy (2") flat board (like a small table top) between the top bag and the load to protect the bag and provide a solid surface.
We use to inflate the same as you but recently read where you should inflate the lower bag just enough to get a firm bite (less than 50% of the volume) then start the lift by inflating the top bag to around 80% . Inflate the bottom bag the remainder if you need more lift to 80% , then alternately inflate the top and bottom until you reach the necessary lift trying to avoid maxing out either bag. -
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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I too see no benefit to placing protection between the bags.
The idea is to protect the bags from debris on the ground and damage from the udnerside of the car.
Another option for protection is the rubber sheets used in conveyor belts. We hada couple of large pieces- a bit heavy but very robust... -
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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My recommendation is to place a solid protector - plywood sheeting works well - as a ground pad. It provides a clean, solid surface on which to base the HP air bag stack. If the surface is solid and no debris is present, you may be able to just base the bottom bag on the ground. If the surface is very uneven, you can fill voids with cribbing and wedges. As long as the cribbing base is solid, the bag stack will be fine.
Don't place anything between the two HP air bags - it adds siippage and lateral instability and does not protect the bags from anything.
If the top bag rests against a solid, clean surface, you may not need to pad it. The reasons to pad the top surface of the HP air bag stack is to protect from chemicals, sharp edges, hot surfaces, or something else that could damage the bag. A section of truck mud flap will take care of this, and it will help the top of the bag conform to the surface if the surface is narrower than the air bag - i.e. a truck frame rail.
Stacking HP air bags is like stacking basketballs. You can palm two basketballs and pin them together with longitudinal force. Now try the same thing with three basketballs, and the middle ball will slip out sideways every time. Addint a third air bag or anything else between the two stacked HP air bags is like adding the third basketball to the stack. -
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Permalink Reply by Asst Chief Tim Cook on
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Not to mention how PO'ed you'll get when it slips.Like Sean Connery said on sonar pings(BUT THIS TIME IN BAGS) Two bags,Two bags only. No fillers.
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