TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
The special properties of urethane make it an
excellent material for sidewall protection.
then return to its original shape afterward. Urethane also
offers maximum abrasion resistance, which is ideal for
situations where severe wear is a problem.
For these reasons, urethane is already being used at
mining, heavy construction and aggregate recycling sites
across North America.
The idea for applying the special properties of urethane
for off-road sidewall tire protection came from Perry Fell,
territory manager at Luff Industries, a Canadian distributor of
Argonics. He thought Argonics’ expertise in high performance
polyurethane elastomers would be well suited to an OTR
application and proposed the original design.
The sidewall protector comprises eight integrated segments
that, together with a specially designed ring, use 32 bolts
to apply to a wheel. The entire sidewall protector can be
installed in about 15 minutes once the special flange has
been installed by certified personnel.
The benefit of this design is that it allows for easy replacement
of the segment of the protector that is damaged, if any; not
the entire shield. Virtually no maintenance is required other
than to retorque the bolts after 15-20 hours of use – much like
when installing new tires on a car.
The urethane-based sidewall protector has been tested at
aggregate recycling sites in Toronto, Ont., and Dallas, Texas.
It has been installed on the front tires of Caterpillar 980 loaders
at these sites.
“The sidewall protector has been performing very well,”
said Fell. “We’ve had no tire punctures or sidewall issues
since installing the protectors.”
Bob Welker, international sales and director of marketing at
Argonics said, “We’ve been able to refine the sidewall protector
design based on the extended testing. There have really only
been minor changes needed for things like increasing the size
of the bolts.”
According to Welker, the patent-pending urethane sidewall
protector is in its fourth generation. Currently the design is
based on a 25-inch wheel diameter used by loaders such as the
Caterpillar 980. The company is planning sidewall protectors
for 33-inch and 45-inch wheel diameters next.
For more information, please
visit the Argonics website
at www.argonics.com.
Del Williams is a technical writer
based in Torrance, Calif.
PILE TESTING EQUIPMENT
SPX POWER TEAM
RENTALS • SALES • SERVICE
Loadcell
Digitial Readout Box
Test Pile
Hydraulic
Jack
Dial Gauges
• Hydraulic Jacks 0-2000 Tons
• Loadcells with Digital Readout Boxes - 0-2000 Tons
• Centerhole Jacks 0-1500 Tons
• Dial Indicators 0-14 inches
• Power Units - Electric, Gas or Manual
• Calibration Services up to 2000 Tons
W.B. Equipment Service Company, Inc.
Supplier of Hydraulic and Pneumatic Jacking Systems for Jacking and Pile Testing.
Toll Toll free:free: 866- 866-522-522-5467 5467 •• Fax: Fax: 201-438-7830 •• Email: Email: stephen. stephen.cireco@cireco@verizon.verizon.net net • Web:• Web: www. www.wbequipment.wbequipment.com
com
PILING CANADA 13
/www.argonics.com
link
/
