OTR’s Australian engineering and design team has created the Ultra-Life- eXtreme (ULX) wheel, which uses improved materials and design principles to address the balance between utilisation hours and product longevity.
When it comes to large equipment deployed on mining and construction sites, nothing takes more punishment than wheels and tyres.
Conventional thinking among haul truck operators about wheel and rim utilisation is now being challenged with the introduction by OTR of a new and innovative design for rims used in the mining wheels.
In an environment where balancing hours of use with product longevity has always been a point of discussion and with product utilisation hours often determined by the wheel’s weight, OTR’s innovative wheel design represents a different view about wheel and rim design for improved overall performance.
The profile of the ULX Lock Ring maximises the contact area and reduces the stress point to prevent cracking in the lock ring groove.
With the typical EU profile lock ring, the contact point of this profile is minimal, reinforcing the stress placed within the lock ring groove, which often leads to premature cracks and failure in the gutter section.
Significantly, the highly innovative ULX profile design allows for all wheels ranging from 51 to 63 inches (129.5 to 160cm) to be guaranteed for an impressive 40,000 hours, significantly extending the duration and testing periods than the conventional wheel has at 15,000 hours.
OTR General Manager Sales, Travis Parsons, said time and money are very closely linked in a lot of industries, “and mining is definitely one of those”.
“By being a heavier duty item with data backed fatigue reductions, the ULX wheel will allow operations to extend testing frequencies and replacement regimes. In turn, this will save downtime and money,” he said.
With the ULX wheel, haul truck operators can rest assured that safety is a key objective, and end-of-life strategy for wheel and rim usage will improve.
This means increased production availability, reduced safety concerns, and reduced maintenance costs.
As part of its product development, OTR has conducted data-backed finite element analysis and gathered historical in-field usage data.
This has allowed OTR to create a product that has a substantial gain in overall wheel life and extends wheel service interval requirements, with proven fatigue reduction in critical areas.
A key part of OTR’s approach is working closely with their end users, with the objective of extending wheel life and service intervals.
The outcome is delivering the best possible value for money, while maintaining compliance to service standards.
Travis said this communication was key to how OTR does business.
“Most of our product designs come from our end users,” he said. “It’s that ability to interpret their voice and convert it into a product that works that sets us apart.”
By converting to the OTR Ultra-Life-eXtreme wheel (ULX), new or existing fleets can enjoy these benefits while reducing their carbon footprint, making it the perfect solution for sustainable mining operations.
“Without progress in design, materials and manufacturing techniques, innovative product offerings will halt,” Travis said.
“We work closely with our customers to offer products that both suit the task at hand and offer market-leading pricing.
“Additionally, sustainable manufacturing techniques are key to our business as one of the only Australian manufacturers left in this space.”
The ULX wheel has also been designed to deliver extended lifespan without compromising safety or performance.
Haul truck operators no longer need to worry about balancing product longevity and payload weight reductions.
“With over 70 years’ experience, OTR is a team that you can trust,” Travis said. “Plus, we’re Australian owned, and our products are Australian engineered and Australian manufactured.
“By adopting this brand-new technology, operators can enjoy increased production availability, reduced safety concerns, and reduced maintenance costs, while also helping pave the way for a more sustainable future.
To learn more about OTR’s Ultra-Life- eXtreme wheel and the many benefits they can bring, contact OTR – Tyres, Wheels and Axles on 1300 CALL OTR, or visit www.otraustralia.com.