Accuride Corporation, a leading supplier of components to the North American commercial vehicle industry has introduced, and is commercializing, two new 22.5" by 14” Accu-Lite Duplex aluminum wheels that are up to four pounds lighter than the earlier models they replace.
The wheel, which replaces traditional a dual wheel set on tandem-axle tractors and trailers, allows fleets to reduce fuel expenses and increase payload capacity.
Accuride expects to have its customer base transitioned to the new wheel versions early in the second quarter of this year.
Adding these lighter products to its portfolio means that Accuride offers the lightest-weight range of standard aluminum wheels, based on total weight, to the North American commercial vehicle industry, says Rick Dauch, company president and CEO.
"When it comes to giving fleets the ideal solution for their application, Accuride is the only wheel manufacturer capable of offering alternatives in either steel or aluminum," he notes. "Along with our advanced new Steel Armor coating for steel wheels, these new Accu-Lite Duplex aluminum wheels give fleets even more ways to save money by lowering total tractor-trailer weight, boosting fuel economy and payload, trimming maintenance costs and providing a host of related benefits.
"It comes down to our commitment to deliver value and reliability for our customers."
The Accuride Steel Armor is a powder coating technology that provides "premium" corrosion protection, says Dauch. It has a corrosion-containing, UV-blocking formula that ensures a superior finish that lasts longer and extends wheel life by up to two years, reducing refinishing costs.
Renumbered
Accuride’s Duplex wheels – identified with part numbers 41142 and 41140 –replace previous part numbers 41660 and 41016, respectively.
By reengineering the design of these prior Duplex models, Accuride reduced the weight of PN 41660 by three pounds and PN 41016 by four pounds, says Dauch. The wheels were assigned new part numbers to make it easier to identify them as zero-outset (PN41140) or two-inch-outset (PN41142) wheels.
Both 10-hand-hole, hub-piloted aluminum wheels are rated to support a maximum load of 12,800 pounds. The one-piece forged aluminum wheel design provides increased strength and eliminates the porosity that can permit cracks or corrosion to occur.
The new wheels reduce maintenance time and labor costs because the technician is only mounting or dismounting four wheels, not eight, he notes. Without the inner wheel to service, inspecting the wheel-tire assembly and inflating the tires is fast and efficient.
