Page 22 - CTB n3 - 2013/3,

WHEELS
Steve Crowe
22 Commercial Tyre Business
Tyre-Line and Alcoa: Partners in Quality
size, which translates to between 228 and 394 kg weight saving per truck and truck/trailer combination on 22.5” wheels. This allows not only for increased payload but also better driver comfort.
Alcoa Aluminium wheels are also several times stronger than steel wheels, a fact backed up by independent test results. In the picture on this page, the forged Alcoa wheel withstands a load of 71,200 kg before it deforms by 5cm. The rim of the steel wheel is deformed after only 13,600 kg.
The strength of the wheels can also be seen by the Japanese JWL test, which simulates a truck hitting a high kerb at 50 kmh. While the steel wheels show excessive rim deformation and air loss, and cast aluminium wheels break, the Alcoa
100% CNC machined and therefore run truer than a stamped and welded steel wheel. All Alcoa wheels come with a 5 year manufacturer’s warranty.
“Alcoa forged Aluminium wheels also offer cosmetic benefits with the enhanced Mirror Polish and Dura- Bright finish designed to suit certain market sectors,” adds Steve Crowe. “Alcoa aluminium wheels are also environmentally friendly, as the aluminium is 100% recyclable.” Alcoa aluminium forged wheels are available in a segmented range of three different finishes – Brushed, Mirror Polished and the company’s Dura-Bright easy maintenance wheels which do not need polishing. Dura-Bright is a surface treatment that penetrates the aluminium, doesn’t chip, crack or
The position of Alcoa in the truck wheel market is undisputed. The company invented the first aluminium forged truck wheel as far back as 1948 and in 1978 introduced the first forged aluminium wheels into the European market. Alcoa is a recognised and homologated forged aluminium wheel supplier at all OEM’s and subsequently to the commercial vehicle industry whether trucks, coaches or buses. However, according to the company’s long-standing UK distributor, Tyre-Line, Alcoa see and
Crowe. “The introduction of Euro 6 regulations, for example, is adding weight to the vehicle and Alcoa wheels will contribute towards reducing this as an issue.” In order to take best advantage of this market potential, Tyre-Line are focussed on optimising the accessibility of their wheel range to all sectors of the market and re- emphasising the key benefits of switching to Alcoa forged aluminium wheels.
Payload, of course is the number one benefit that Alcoa are selling and the benefit that is of most
wheels pass the test successfully.
In addition to weight and strength issues, Alcoa have also spent considerable resources looking at other ways in which their wheels can be more profitable for the fleet operator, in particular fuel efficiency and reducing rolling resistance. Less effort is required to turn the lighter Alcoa wheels, and independent tests demonstrated a 3% improvement in tyre rolling resistance over a steel wheel. This reduction translates into a fuel saving of 1%. The wheels are also claimed to provide better heat dissipation due to the fact that aluminium is three times more conductive than steel, heat being the number one enemy of tyre life, braking performance and brake pad life. The Alcoa wheel is forged and
peel and can be washed with soap and water.
All this is backed up by a comprehensive Alcoa wheel service manual and the support of the Daventr y based UK Distributor Tyre- Line, who have been Alcoa distributors since 1989. “We are one of the longest serving Alcoa distributors in Europe”, says Steve Crowe. Indeed Alcoa have described us as being a ‘copy and paste distributor model’. To provide help with Alcoa enquiries, sales, questions, pdf downloads and technical issues, a dedicated Tyreline – Alcoa web site has recently been launched and can be viewed at www.tyreline.com or www.aluminium-wheels.co.uk .
recognise their main target market as being that currently held by steel wheels, due to the benefits offered by the Alcoa forged aluminium wheel .
“With the continued emphasis on reducing weight and increasing payload, there is still significant potential for the supply of Alcoa forged aluminium wheels,” quotes Tyre-Line’s Sales Director, Steve
concern to fleet owners. According to Tyre-Line, and supported by Alcoa’s marketing data, Alcoa wheels are lighter not only than steel wheels but also stack up well when compared to other forged aluminium wheels. When set against steel wheels though, the benefits are significant. Up to 47% weight saving per wheel can be obtained depending on the wheel