Titan Introduces ‘ACT’ Wheel for the Mining Industry

Titan Wheel Corporation has introduced its Accelerated Change Technology (ACT) wheel, a design it says allows a service technician to change or rotate the rear tyres on a mine haul truck in a fraction of the time. The system, the manufacturer adds, also enhances safety, reduces service technician fatigue and increases profitability by reducing tyre maintenance downtime.

“The ACT wheel is designed for use on the outside rear wheel position on mining haul trucks,” said Jeremy Martin, customer service representative for Titan Wheel. “The advantage is that once installed, there’s no need to remove nuts or clamps to rotate the tyres off and on the haul truck. A service technician simply slides the tyre and the component wheel parts across the outside wheel. In layman’s terms, the technology allows you to rotate or change the inside tyre, without having to take the outside rim off of the unit.” 

Featuring two-piece lock rings that can release the tyre assembly from the wheel, the ACT wheel is designed to enable easy removal, Titan says. When an inside dual tyre needs to be changed, it simply slips over the outer dual wheel. Employing a double-lock system that stops rotation of the side flange, the ACT wheel prevents expulsion of the flange and helps control tyre slippage. The back and bead incorporates a full 360 degree pry-bar pocket which aids service personnel in demounting the tyre from the wheel. A “Sur-Loc” rim component inside the bead band prevents tyre inflation if the lock ring is misassembled.

According to Titan, the ACT wheel helps save mining contractors nearly 50 per cent of the time previously spent changing tyres, a saving that translates into less downtime for tyre maintenance and more operational time for each haul truck. “Mines are cost-conscious and when a haul truck is out of service for maintenance or tire exchanges, that’s basically revenue that the mine is losing,” said Martin. “So it’s important to quickly get that unit back in operation.”

The ACT wheel, Titan further explains, also enhances safety and reduces service technician fatigue. Service technicians no longer need to handle the heavy outside wheel. In addition, the ACT wheel reduces the use of heavy impact wrenches that were required in the past to torque and re-torque 50 to 60 wheel nuts when removing a wheel and tyre assembly.

Titan reports that ACT wheels are compatible with every size and brand of mining tyres on the market, and are available for every haul truck make and model.