Quality and reliability are of utmost importance, which is why we back our Balancers with a Five-Year Unlimited Mile Warranty. Over 1,000,000 Balancers have been produced and many are still in service with more than one million miles of operation. Maximizing tire life is a primary goal for CENTRAMATIC.
CENTRAMATIC products are distributed nationally through more than 2500 dealers such as: Paccar Parts (Kenworth and Peterbilt), Freightliner, Sterling, Petro's Travel Centers of America, Goodyear Wingfoot, TDS, GCR Tire Centers and Camping World are just some of the names you know and trust.
Established in 1985, CENTRAMATIC began supplying the heavy-duty trucking industry in the United States and Canada with a unique "On-Board" balancing system for steer, drive and trailer axles. In the late 1980's, CENTRAMATIC acquired Perma-Balance, a manufacturer of Balancers for light-duty vehicles and automobiles distributed by companies such as Montgomery Wards and Sears. This acquisition gave CENTRAMATIC a complete product line ranging from cars to 18 wheelers.
CENTRAMATIC holds over 10 design and utility patents on this unique balancing concept with more worldwide patents pending. Most heavy application Balancers are made of 20 gauge galvanized steel with aluminum balancing tube. One of CENTRAMATIC's new processes forms a Balancer from a single piece of aluminum. Anti-magnetic weights are suspended in synthetic oil and automatically redistributes as the wheel rotates. Centrifugal force places the weights in exactly the correct position, down to 1/10th of an ounce, producing a continual dynamic balance. It compensates for out of balance conditions created by tire distortion, forced radial variation and other factors that increase with 70-75 mph speeds. CENTRAMATIC Balancers increase tread life up to 50%, reduce tire cupping, minimize damaging vibration and improve tire tracking. While it's not necessary to pre-balance wheels with CENTRAMATIC, it is recommended in some severe cases. CENTRAMATIC Balancers fit 16", 16.5", 19.5", 22.5" & 24.5" wheel applications and contain no components negatively impacting the environment.
CENTRAMATIC introduced Balancers for recreational vehicle applications in the early 1990's and are available through many recreational vehicle retail chains as well as numerous catalog publications. In early 1997, CENTRAMATIC developed Balancers for American General Corporation's "HUMMER", which lead to development of Balancers for M-35 and M-5 military tactical vehicles. In 1998, American General wrote a recommendation for the use of CENTRAMATICS on all military tactical vehicles.
New designs and developments are part of CENTRMATIC'S efforts to improve product lines and remain the world leader of balancing technology. In 2001, new developments included Balancers for Prevost and MCI coaches, new designs for 19.5" wheels and Balancers specifically designed for the Detroit "Life-Cycle" school buses manufactured by Thomas Built. In addition, 2001 also brought about developments of Balancers for large (over 5 feet in diameter) centrifuges and similar types of equipment.
In 2004, Centramatic began development of APU's, air conditioning and heating systems specifically for use in the trucking industry. Use of such systems for cab comfort and convenience comply with anti-idling laws and use roughly 75% less fuel as compared to idling the truck's primary engine. Increasing air quality legislation and local enforcement, coupled with soaring fuel costs have greatly increased APU demand.
Development of Balancers for European Trucks and Buses began in 2005. Balancers designed to mount outboard and incorporating lug nut cover/dirt guards required in many countries were introduced in 2007 increasing market potential. A 2 in 1 product satisfies a need in areas where the use of lead wheel weights are becoming banned.
Whatever the future holds, depend on CENTRAMATICS to lead the way.