Innovative Forestry Forest Technology: Central tyre inflation scheme module

The Central Tyre Inflation Scheme provides financial support to encourage investment by timber haulage operators in tyre systems which reduce road surface damage in forests.

Central Tyre Inflation systems allow vehicle operators to electronically select the most suitable tyre pressure from the cab while the truck is in motion. This improves tyre contact with the road surface and distributes the vehicle weight over a larger surface area, reducing surface damage.

These systems reduce maintenance costs, tyre wear and contribute to health and safety by reducing vehicle vibration, reducing driver stress and fatigue.

The scheme is open to timber transport operators. They must be:

• resident in the State
• actively operating in the timber transport sector for a minimum of 2 years
• registered owner of the eligible vehicles upon which the Central Tyre Inflation system is to be fitted (vehicles acquired by hire purchase agreements are not be eligible) or leased vehicles where there is a minimum of 5 years to run from date of application to the scheme
• classified as SMEs as defined under EU rules

The trucks proposed for Central Tyre Inflation must be used mostly for the transport of timber. The heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) must be registered in the State.

Applicants will not get grants for more than two vehicles if the total number of valid applications exceeds the available budget in any year. Each vehicle must have a separate application.

The costs grant aided are to help cover the purchase of the Central Tyre Inflation system, inclusive of fitting and, where required, upgrading to “Maxi” wide tyres or twin wheels and tyres exclusive of VAT.

Applicants must comply with the conditions of the scheme.

These are the terms and conditions of the Central Tyre Inflation Scheme. The scheme provides financial support to encourage investment by timber haulage operators in these tyre systems which reduce road surface damage in forests.

Central Tyre Inflation systems allow vehicle operators to electronically select the most suitable tyre pressure from the cab while the vehicle is in motion. This improves tyre contact with the road surface and distributes the vehicle weight over a larger surface area, reducing surface damage.

Grant aid is available at a rate of up to 40% of total eligible expenditure (excluding VAT), to a maximum of €10,000 per vehicle.

Eligibility under the scheme does not guarantee that a grant offer will be made. The number of projects that receive a grant offer will be determined by the available budget at the time and selection criteria may apply. Selection criteria include the age of the truck proposed, costs of proposals and the technical specification of the vehicle.

Application form 1 must be completed and returned in an envelope marked Central Tyre Inflation Module to: