03.03.2009

New wheel makes tyre fitting easier

An innovative wheel rim design, developed by GKN Wheels, claims to make tyre-fitting easier and bring efficiency benefits for manufacturers of off-highway vehicles.

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New wheel rim is said to save weight and make tyre-fitting easier

“In recent years, increased use of low pressure tyres, which are reinforced with stiff beading, has made it even more difficult and time-consuming to fit or remove tyres without risking some damage," said Steve Cragg, design and development director at GKN Wheels. "In addition to making tyre-fitting easier, the new wheel rim profile includes a number of novel design features, which help to strengthen the wheel at the same time as reducing the cost of materials used in the production of off-highway rims by up to 10 percent. These features are subject to a current patent application."

Among the design features, is a rolled-over outer edge, which strengthens the rim and makes the initial tyre-fitting easier. Other features include the introduction of a double ‘bump’ and a gauge reduction on the inner part of the wheel rim. These changes make it easier to inflate low pressure tyres while on the wheel at the same time as allowing wheels to be produced more cost-efficiently and sustainably, using less steel.

The new wheel rim profile has been tested fully and is currently under-going field trials.