Close collaboration for custom wheels

The demands of today’s global industries have drastically increased from even five years ago. Modern technologies are a must to tackle a range of challenges which historically might have seemed impossible to overcome. The off-highway vehicle sector is a prime example of where new and pioneering technologies and solutions can have a significant impact on performance, lifespan and return on investment.

Within the off-highway vehicle sector, manufacturers are taking more of a holistic approach to the complete design of the vehicle. This all-encompassing focus includes wheels, which are no longer seen as a commodity product but an integral part of the vehicle design. Manufacturers want wheels that will deliver optimum performance, a long lifespan and represent value for money whilst benefiting from higher payloads, faster vehicles and increased efficiency.

GKN Wheels has invested heavily in research and development to make this happen. The company also prides itself on working closely with customers and industry regulators to ensure that each wheel is right for the individual need, rather than simply adopting a ‘one size fits all’ approach. This leads to a greater understanding of a client’s requirements, and ensures a customized solution is developed to meet specific and often challenging environmental conditions that off-highway vehicles have to perform within.

Take for example its recent collaboration with leading equipment manufacturer JLG Industries. The company wanted to ensure its products had a strong point of differentiation from competitors, which led to the development of a solution that delivered not only enhanced telehandler stability and greater tread life, but also lower operating costs.

GKN Wheels was approached to design and develop a new wheel, chosen for its engineering and expertise, as well as the in-house test capabilities. The new solution was developed alongside Bridgestone Americas’ Off-Road Division, which ensured the wheel was designed to complement the Firestone Duraforce MH tire.

The unique GKN design resulted in a 28-in. diameter size rather than a traditional 24- or 25-in. version. This new wheel fitted the tire geometry and has a specific shape, which enables it to support the loading and durability requirements of the telehandler, while using a lighter than average 8 mm gauge steel.

Low pressure tires are used extensively in agricultural applications to minimize the risk of soil compaction, and while this addresses one issue, another one is created as the tires have stiffer walls and are more difficult to fit.

It is because of this challenge that the agricultural sector has responded well to GKN’s Profi-fit and Profi-line products which offer easier fitting of low pressure tires. In addition, they combine high strength with reduced weight as a result of a sophisticated rim design which utilizes a rolled-over flange and a double ‘bump’ profile, which minimizes stress and allows the rim gauge to be reduced with no loss of performance.

To develop this more structurally efficient rim profile, detailed research using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and acquisition of stress data by use of strained gauged wheels was carried out.

These differing examples show how wheels should be adapted for specific environments, challenges and to meet a variety of demands. The off-highway sector is very broad, and within the industry every market will have its own individual needs and wants.

Vehicles used for military purposes call for a more customized approach than the mainstream automotive industry. They require robust solutions which can handle a range of challenging terrains, harsh environments and weather conditions.

To tackle the unique military demands, sophisticated, independent suspension and advanced driveline solutions are a must. In addition, there is a shifting focus towards light-weight solutions which don’t sacrifice function, mobility or safety of the troops. Budget is an inevitable consideration and greatly impacts fleet availability, so upgrades and refits of existing assets are likely to become increasingly commonplace as opposed to investing in new vehicles.