In this section:
Why NoseCone?
NoseCone smoothes airflow over the whole pan reducing turbulence and drag at sides and rear. Turbulence that gets drag along increases the volume of the body and affects the stability. Streamlining the front reduces drag and turbulence, saves fuel and increases the stability. Better stability has also been shown to assist in longer tyre life and greater safety through reduced driver fatigue.
NoseCone Benefits
- Guaranteed fuel saving
- Greater stability
- Maintenance free
- Increased speed or fuel savings
- Less buffeting from other trucks
- No stress on cab mechanism
- No fittings to turret or gutters
- Less stress on front suspension
- No leaks in cab or pan.
- No noise in your cab.
NoseCone The largest selling deflector on the Australian market with over 30,000 units in service since 1981 and refined over 20 years for Australian conditions and configurations. NoseCone now offers over 30 different models or custom units. Even behind cab mounted devices NoseCone can produce significant additional fuel savings and better crosswind performance and stability.
Crosswinds
Better performance in side and crosswinds is a noted benefit of NoseCone because it maintains its high efficiency in wind angles up to 30 degrees by presenting a rounded front from all angles reducing turbulence especially on the leeward side of the truck.
Both rigids and trailers in wind tunnel tests show some cab mount devices actually increase fuel consumption due to crossflow through the deflector / pan gap.
Cost Effective:
Linehaul and high mileage delivery trucks state they get their money back in three months ... a return of 400%
The maximum price of a NoseCone fitted is $1200, the smallest is $570 ... all come with our 10% Savings or Refund Guarantee.
Compare the cost and performance of cab mount devices ... it just does not make sense. Some OEM cab mount units cost from $4000 up to $12000. Hard to justify the additional price against fuel savings.
Bodies and trailers can see the life of three prime movers. Where’s the logic when comparing the cost of three cab fairings where NoseCone is a once only cost of $1200 max. and certainly more efficient.
Business decision? . . . . go for the unit that is TEN TIMES MORE COST EFFECTIVE!
Why Pan Mounted
Unless a deflector is within a few feet of the body, fuel is being used to move both the prime mover and the box because the air flow created by the deflector closes in after it has travelled several feet without coming to another surface which it can follow. This effect is even worse in crosswinds..
The use of a roof mount in many instances can cost fuel not save it. The right place for an air deflector is on the area that causes the drag. NoseCone has over thirty models ALL equally effective when correctly fitted.
The Cab or Pan Mount Debate
There is no question that an aerodynamic device is effective on almost all types of road transport, the question is which one will perform best. The choice is between two basic principles, a roof mounted device pushing the air up and over the pan OR a body mounted fairing device directing the air smoothly along the surfaces of the trailer or rigid pan.
The biggest factor to consider is the gap between the cab and the body or trailer face. Tests show that NoseCone works no matter what the cab-body gap is and that it outperforms roof mounted devices on high crosswind routes. NoseCone also stands alone in trailer stability.
For fleets with different trailers, e.g flat tops, tankers and pantecs or stock crates NoseCone is only used on the trailer that requires a deflector while roof mounted devices used when travelling bobtail or empty (flat top) can increase fuel used by 10% or more.
NoseCone becomes part of the body and is vibration and maintenance free. With care and minor maintenance it will last the life of the trailer or pan.
Savings
Savings will depend on how the truck is driven. Drivers can use the increased performance to gain speed then fuel savings will be less. Driven in the same manner and speeds after fitting returns fuel savings of 10% or more.
All other NoseCone benefits still apply including better handling and increased stability especially in crosswinds.
Turbulence
NoseCone directs a smooth flow of air over the body and behind cab. Reduced turbulence means less buffeting and less cab noise. Without some positive airflow behind the cab a turbulent low pressure zone is created, increasing leeward side turbulence. Cab-pan gap causes severe turbulence particularly in cross winds Roof mounted devices increase this area of turbulence.
Increased turbulence increases the volume of the body being moved, i.e. the turbulence is drawn through the air with the body that created it. Suspended particles can remain in the turbulent slipstream along the sides and rear of the body resulting in reduced visibility for driver and other road users. NoseCone vastly reduces turbulence and minimises spray in wet weather.
Drag
NoseCone reduces drag at the rear of the pantech by reducing the volume of the box being moved. Where other deflectors assist in initial airflow over the pan roof they can create additional turbulence. This turbulence is drawn along by the body increasing its size and the vacuum behind. This void left and the air that rushes in to fill it is an additional drag.
NoseCone creates a laminar flow of air along the sides and roof of the body thereby minimising the void and easing rear drag.
Cab Roof Stress
NoseCone deflects air across the full width of pan or trailer moving it evenly around the sides and over the top, parting the air smoothly rather than trying to lift the air or push it out of the way.
Structural stress is caused to some degree by all roof mount devices. The increased buffeting and downward pressures created by the angle of roof mounted devices (in addition to cab noise) can transfer severe stresses through the cab gutter or turret panel, cab suspension, tilt mechanism or mountings and front axle etc. One major rigid chassis manufacturer has indicated that body or cab mechanism warranty may be voided by fitting certain types of roof mount.
In addition wind tunnel tests have clearly shown that a pan to deflector gap of more than 1 metre renders the roof mount devices ineffective.
No Damage
No damage is done by fitting a NoseCone. Mounted using 1/4" blind rivets it forms part of the box, there is no vibration and will last the life of the body. If low branches, awnings or roller shutters are a problem, think how much cheaper it is to repair or replace a fibreglass part than it is to replace the pan roof, with no leaks or off road repair time. The NoseCone provides an 'early warning' system of impending damage.
Aerodynamics
An average truck uses 50% of the fuel to overcome air resistance / drag and 50% overcoming rolling resistance.
Most resistance is caused by the front wall and NoseCone deals with the problem at the source.
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