How Machin Transport Saved Time and Improved Tyre Safety with Promata TPMS?
Some companies are highly visible to the public while others quietly keep the economy moving behind the scenes without most people ever realising it.
Machin Transport is one of those essential operators.
They run tanker fleets transporting massive loads of spring water directly from source to city. Their customers include major bottled water brands in Australia such as Mount Franklin. When you’re moving loads that can exceed 85 tonnes, tyre performance becomes critical. In the words of one of their drivers Craig “it’s very dangerous to have a flat tyre when in highway with such a big road train”.
The business uses all A-Double configuration trucks to transport water. In 2025, after extensive research and careful comparison of available solutions, Machin Transport chose to trial Promata TPMS kits.
For a review of results, we met one of the drivers at their client’s Northmead facility.
The Challenge
Before implementing TPMS, Machin Transport relied on manual inspections to help maintain tyre condition and comply with heavy vehicle safety standards.
Additionally, the fleet operated on high-quality Bridgestone tyres specifically designed for heavy haul and demanding transport conditions. Monitoring them properly was important to ensuring these assets could be well maintained.
Manual Process Before TPMS
Each truck was inspected twice daily, every day before use: once in the morning and again at night.
The morning check was a quick visual inspection. Drivers would walk around the vehicle assessing each tyre for obvious signs of damage, wear or irregularity. The evening inspection was more detailed - involving a “bar tapping” method. This is where steel tools were used to strike each tyre and detect changes in sound or resistance which could indicate internal issues.
On average, the morning inspection took around 5 minutes per vehicle, while the evening process required approximately 15 minutes. Combined, this meant roughly 20 minutes per truck, per day was dedicated to tyre safety checks.
In addition to these daily routines, scheduled maintenance periods required complete tyre inspections, including manual pressure checks using a gauge on every tyre.
The inspections were carried out by the drivers themselves rather than a maintenance team.
Why Machin Choose Promata
Machin Transport conducted extensive online research for a suitable truck TPMS kits. They compared various specs between the different models to see which offered the best value for money. After comparing battery life, durability, compliance, warranty, among other factors, they felt Promata offered the most suitable product for their needs. The assurance that the product could be returned if it didn’t work as advertised along with the guaranteed support when needed also factored into their decision.
Trial Setup
The trial was conducted on a prime mover operating with A-Double tanker configurations. In total, each full unit was equipped with 42 tyres - 10 on the prime mover and a further 32 distributed across the trailers.
The Mata 7S TPMS with trailer expansion kits (including signal boosters and relay units to ensure full coverage across all trailer tyres) was utilized by Machin Transport. The setup used external TPMS sensors that screw directly onto each valve stem - allowing for fast installation and straightforward maintenance.
Results Achieved
By replacing manual inspections with continuous monitoring, the system eliminated the need for morning and evening tyre checks - instantly saving approximately 20 minutes per vehicle, per day.
Instead of scheduled physical inspections, drivers now had real-time visibility of tyre pressure and temperature across all 42 wheels. The system provided instant alerts for rapid pressure loss, overheating or when any tyre moved outside its safe operating pressure threshold.
To validate accuracy, TPMS readings were cross-checked against manual gauge measurements. The system consistently demonstrated tight variance, with all readings falling within just 1-2 PSI of gauge results - well within acceptable tolerance for heavy vehicle applications.
What was once a time-consuming manual routine became an automated safety layer - continuously working in the background while the vehicle was on the road. In practical terms, this level of accuracy meant the system could be trusted not just as a convenience tool, but as a reliable safety and maintenance solution. It replaced time-consuming manual checks without compromising confidence in tyre condition monitoring.
Local Support Makes the Difference
During the trial, the Promata team worked closely with Machin Transport on-site to optimize the installation and resolve operational questions. Any issues encountered during the evaluation were addressed promptly - ensuring minimal disruption to fleet operations. As recounted by the driver “when we bought something from a company, if we have an issue, the company just wants you to go away, but your company came and helped us.”
Driver Feedback
Driver feedback was very positive, largely because the system removed one of the least preferred parts of their routine - manual tyre checks. Instead of repetitive inspections, they now have the option to view tyre pressure and temperature at will.
The combination of audible and visual alerts also provided an added layer of reassurance. Many drivers appreciated this more “set-and-forget” experience, trusting the system to monitor tyres in the background without constantly checking readings.
Drivers became interested in the SID01 TPMS Sensor Reader device. This allows sensors to be wirelessly checked and paired by simply holding the unit near the sensor. In a few cases, drivers even suggested simplifying the setup more - removing the in-cab display entirely and relying on checks via the SID01 instead. This reflected a preference among some drivers for minimal interaction with live data while still retaining the ability to verify tyre condition when required.
For a similar reason, there was interest in expanding into telematics integration. By transmitting TPMS data wirelessly to a central system, tyre health could be monitored remotely in real time hence taking the pressure off drivers from having to monitor the tyres.
Management Testimonial
Direct quote from Daniel Machin - Operations Manager at Machin's Transport:
"From my point im very impressed with the service and warranty support for the minimal niggly issues we have had.
Happy to recommend your products!!!!!!!!!"
Key Outcomes Summary
| Benefit | Result |
| Tyres Monitored | 42 tyres continuously |
| Manual Inspections Eliminated | Approximately 20 minutes saved per vehicle per day |
| Pressure Accuracy | Within 1-2 PSI |
| Driver Confidence | Increased |
| On-Road Visibility | Real-time pressure and temperature monitoring |
| Support | Local on-site Australian support |