Alcoa Wheels Australia

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Maintaining Alcoa® Wheel Nuts to Avoid Wheel Nut Hole Wear

Wheel nut hole wear is an expensive problem for fleets and owner-operators because wheel-offs cost in time and money; not to mention they can be a big safety concern.

Of course, it all starts with proper installation of wheels, with making sure wheel nuts are properly torqued.  We go into detail on this in our Service Manual for Alcoa Wheels.

We recommend frequently inspecting your wheels for loose wheel nuts. A good time to carry out these inspections is during tyre changes, when you can get a good look at the entire wheel and check for cracks and corrosion, too.

Older wheels, especially, need more frequent checks.

If the wheel is loose, the bolt/stud holes can become elongated (egg-shaped).

If the wheel nuts are loose, you may break studs and/ or develop cracks at the stud holes.

Below are some maintenance tips for looking after your wheel nuts.

Maintaining Alcoa® Wheel Nuts to Avoid Wheel Nut Hole Wear

The Big Retro Fit Nut Myth

The biggest myth about retrofit nuts is that they can be used to locate the wheel. Retrofit nuts are not wheel locators.

Here’s what to look for when using retrofit nuts:

1. Make sure the wheel has a stud hole large enough to accommodate the nut shank.

2. Make sure the wheel is located on the hub. Remember: Retrofit nuts are not wheel locators.

3. If using a longer shanked retrofit nut, make sure it doesn’t bottom out on the end of the stud thus affecting clamping force.  

wheel-nuts-teal

You’ll need a retrofit nut (special sleeved nut) when you’re fitting alloy truck wheels to a truck that previously had steel wheels fitted.

This is due to the overall thickness of the mounting surface of the wheel being bigger.

The shank or sleeve of Alcoa® retrofit nuts extend right into the mounting holes of the wheel and connects with the shorter stud length so that it takes up the extra stud length to affect the correct clamping force.

Alcoa wheels have a 32mm stud hole diameter to accommodate the retro fit nuts.

NOTE: For the correct torque setting, please refer to your truck or trailer manufacturer’s operator manual.

Looking After Stud Holes

We recommend regular checking of stud holes for  enlargement and elongation  so that you catch damage in time and avoid costly wheel-offs.

Often a clue that wheel nuts are loose, is that you’ll see dirt streaks or rust radiating from stud holes.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO IDENTIFY LOOSE WHEEL NUTS:

Look for wallowed out or elongated ball seats on stud piloted wheels, which are signs your wheels are running loose.

On hub piloted wheels, look for elongated stud holes.

If you spot damaged ball seat contact areas (the stud hole looks egg-shaped instead of perfectly round), remove the wheel from service and scrap it.

Look for visible thread marks on the inside of the stud holes, which are also evidence that your wheels have loose wheel nuts.

Keeping Wheel Nuts Tight

We recommend you make sure wheel nuts stay tight by checking the torque, studs and nuts at regular service intervals.

A good practice is to check nuts and studs at the minimum at every tyre change to ensure they are in serviceable working condition.

If nuts require frequent tightening or studs break often, we recommend reviewing your hardware and mounting practices to ensure the correct procedures and setting guidelines are being followed.

DO’S AND DON’TS
  1. DO Tighten wheel nuts to their specified torque. This is extremely important.
  2. DON’T Under tighten wheel nuts, as this results in loose wheels which can damage wheels, studs and hubs, and can result in wheel loss.
  3. DON’T Overtighten wheel nuts, as this can damage studs, nuts and wheels and will also result in loose wheels.
  4. DO Make sure you are calibrating all torque wrenches, impact wrenches and any other tools for tightening wheel nuts to ensure the proper torque is applied.

For all the information you need to keep your hub piloted wheel nuts tight, refer to the Alcoa Wheels Service Manual.

Proper Torque Sequence for Hub Piloted Wheels

You will find information on the proper torque sequence in our Torque Settings article.

Always refer to the Owner’s Manual of your equipment for the correct torque settings.

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Minimizing Corrosion When Maintaining Wheel Nuts

A tip for minimizing corrosion between the mating threading when putting wheel nuts on hub piloted wheels, is to apply two drops of oil to the point between the nut and the integrated washer and two drops of motor oil to the first two threads of the tip of each stud.

Alcoa Wheels recommend the following wheel nuts for use with Alcoa® alloy truck rims: 

Did you know that chrome-plated wheel nuts with chrome plating on the surfaces that contact the wheel can cause reduced and inconsistent wheel clamping?

This can cause wheels to loosen and disengage from your heavy duty equipment and create a serious safety hazard.

We recommend using only Alcoa Wheels wheel nuts on Alcoa aluminum wheels.

Refer to either our US or European Alcoa Wheels Service Manuals for recommended Flange Nuts (Hub Piloted Wheels) and Cap Nuts (Stud Piloted Wheels).

Maintaining Alcoa® Wheel Nuts to Avoid Wheel Nut Hole Wear

Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
ult39-two-wheels-straight-right

To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

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November 30, 2022

Ausway Transport’s light, bright wheel of choice

Family owned and operated, Ausway Transport was started in 2003 by the Sooch family. Based in Melbourne, it operates a fleet of over 50 trucks and more than 100 trailers, which run predominantly as B-doubles; though plans are currently in motion to extend into triple and quad road trains too. 

Operations manager Bobby Sooch says the business transports general and refrigerated freight across the eastern seaboard, into Adelaide, as well as occasional runs into WA. 

His family has a long history in transport, beginning with his grandfather who started up a transport business in northern India in 1962. 

ausway-1

When the family migrated to Australia in the early 1970s, they continued in the transport game. Though Ausway Transport was officially started in 2003, its origins extend much earlier.

Sooch says the company likes to stay loyal to its suppliers. Trucks have been Kenworth and Volvo since day one, with Scania added into the mix more recently due to supply. Refrigerated trailers come from FTE and tautliners are manufactured by Vawdrey. And when it comes to wheels, Alcoa Wheels is the number one choice.

“We like to stick to the same suppliers where we can and stay loyal. We’ve used Alcoa wheels on all our trucks from day one, so it’s a 19-year partnership. Our trucks are 100 per cent on Alcoa wheels, and the trailers are now above 50 per cent on Alcoa – but it’s now being rolled out as standard on all our trailers coming out of FTE and Vawdrey too,” Sooch explained.

“The other big advantage with sticking to one brand is that you can keep a few wheels handy as spare parts. We keep polished and unpolished truck rims handy in the workshop so we can do a quick changeover whenever we need to, which is really time saving. That’s only possible when you’re using the same rims on all the trucks and trailers.”

Sooch explained that he prefers to have his trailers built as strong as possible. “We always build heavier trailers because when you build them too light, there can be ongoing concerns with cracks in the chassis and gooseneck. The only way to prevent that is through extra bracing, which we always request.”

ausway-2
Refrigerated B-double from Fibreglass Transport Equipment

“When you push to build a trailer too much lighter, you have to cut corners to take the weight from somewhere. As we tell our trailer builders to build heavier and more solid, by using Alcoa, it means the extra weight they’re putting on is balanced out by the lighter wheels.”

“Alcoa Dura-Bright® wheels are lighter and more solid when compared to many other brands. If a driver does hit a kerb or something, they have that impact resistance.”

“The other main concern we’ve found with some other brands is cracking. You just don’t get the cracks with Alcoa that you can get with some of the other brands. Yes, there are some brands that are cheaper at the start, but they cost you more in the long term.”

And when it comes to cleaning, Sooch says Dura Bright is immaculate. “All they need is some water to make them shiny again. We take pride in our fleet and like to keep it looking flashy. Dura-Bright® rims are a big part of that.”

Over the past 19 years, the business has grown significantly, with Sooch revealing plans to add 14 triple road trains into the fleet. “We are waiting on the permits, as they’d need to run on PBS and IAP. There are only a couple of companies running triples here. There’s no current PBS triple network in Victoria but one is due to be released this year I’ve been told. We’re hoping to get triples running Melbourne to Brisbane.”

This article has been published elsewhere. Read it over at bigrigs.com.au.

Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
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To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

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October 31, 2022

ISO Certified for Michelin Tyre Fitting for Alcoa Alloy Rims

Truck and trailer rims and tyres in Australia have to withstand a lot, like uneven roads and potholes, so in order to maintain truck driver safety and to keep owner operator costs down the wheels need to roll reliably.

tyre-fitting-1

Alcoa Wheels is ISO certified for tyre fitting onto our truck and trailer rims, so that owner operators and trailer OEMs don’t need to worry about getting that step right. They can then have the ease of securing the entire wheel (tyre and rim) to the truck or trailer without hassle.

Our trailer OEM customers are able to order Alcoa wheels and tyres at the same time. The tyres are delivered to our warehouses in Melbourne and Brisbane and we fit them onto the wheels before shipping them.

Our relationship with Michelin tyres goes back 20 years, when we became the exclusive Michelin OEM fitment agent for Alcoa® alloy truck rims in Australia.

If tyres are mounted incorrectly, they can cause both static and dynamic imbalances that can’t be corrected by a simple wheel balancing, so at Alcoa Wheels we recommend having tyres fitted to our truck and trailer rims by our specialist team, who are trained in the use of tyre changing machinery.

HOW THE TYRE MOUNTING PROCESS WORKS
  1. The tyre fitting employee first coats the bead seating surfaces of the rim and tyre bead with a non-water based rubber lubricant to make pulling on the tyre easier. 
  2. The rim is clamped onto the mounting machine and the mounting arm is used to position the lower tyre flank on the rim’s upper edge.
  3. The mounting machine is made to rotate so that the tyre is pulled onto the rim.
  4. The process is repeated for the upper tyre bead. This step ensures the tyre will be firmly seated further into the process.
  5. The tyre is filled with air so that the tyre beads press against the rim, allowing no air to escape, and the tyre is checked for undulations in the sidewall.
  6. The tyre fitting employee then fully inflates the tyre to the stipulated tyre pressure and shuts the tyre valve.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TYRE FITTING
tyre-fitting-2

After the tyre has been fitted, bead areas are checked for uniformity so that we know the tyre is fitted correctly to ensure the tyre runs smoothly and safely.

Our trained and experienced fitters will fit tyres to your Alcoa wheels at the time of purchase, ensuring a high level of attention to detail while meeting and adhering to industry standards.

TYRE FITTING FOR ALCOA WHEELS

Howmet Wheel Systems Australia, the distributor for Alcoa Wheels in Australia, has ISO9001-15 Quality Management Systems certification, which means our fitters are kept up to date with the latest standards in the industry and we can guarantee the highest quality, consistency and safety in our work.

Our Brisbane operation is ISO14001-15 certified as well.

To be certified by the ISO (International Standards Organization) means we have been audited by an independent 3rd party, and that we have demonstrated that our business conforms to the requirements of the latest quality process standards set by the ISO. 

If you would like to know more about our tyre fitting service, call us on phone-icon 1800 955 181 – our wheel specialists have all the information you need.

Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
ult39-two-wheels-straight-right

To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

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October 22, 2022

Robuk and Alcoa Turning the Wheels to Increase Payloads

When higher payloads equate to higher returns on each trip, it pays to choose weight saving options that don’t compromise on quality, wherever possible, right down to the wheels.

In order to help customers increase payload capacity, Brisbane based trailer manufacturer, Robuk Engineering’s custom built, low tare weight aluminium trailers cater to the bulk haulage market, while specialising in lightweighting. “Tare weight is critical for us, hence the reason we use Alcoa,” said Robuk managing director James Yerbury, adding that the Alcoa Dura-Bright is the wheel of choice.

As Yerbury explained, the payload gains achieved are impressive. “Dura-Bright wheels are 5kg lighter per rim. On a PBS A-double you can save almost 200kg on the combination’s tare weight just by using these Alcoa rims. On an AB-triple, you’re looking at 240kg in weight savings, which is incredible.”

Based in the suburb of Hemmant, Robuk was started by Yerbury in June 2020. Working for a fellow trailer builder, he began his career in the trailer industry on the production side, before progressing into drafting and engineering roles, and then finally taking on the position of managing director at a well-known Queensland trailer builder. Eventually the time felt right to go out on his own, and with that, Robuk was born.

Starting out with just three staff living in a tiny shed in rural Queensland, in a very short period of time, Robuk has experienced solid growth and now employs 46 people. “We’ve just had our best month ever and are continuously hitting our production targets,” said Yerbury.

“An aluminium tipper can be anywhere from a tonne lighter compared to a steel bodied tipper. Our customers enjoy looking after their gear, and invest in spectacular prime movers, and it’s an absolute treat to manufacture premium quality trailers to make the entire combinations amazing. Along with using Alcoa rims, to keep our tare weights to a minimum we use high-end materials including 700 grade steel chassis and then it’s down to the design and engineering that keeps the weight down,” Yerbury added.

“All of our trailers are fully custom built – every single one. So, we’re not going through a production line and putting together pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. We invest in using the best products, taking the time to build our trailers correctly, and ensuring everything is complete with absolute precision. That goes right down to our choice of suppliers.”

robuk-trailer-backend

Robuk has been specifying Alcoa wheels since the beginning, though management have developed lasting relationships with Alcoa through previous roles, which extend over a decade.

“It’s great working with suppliers like Alcoa who invest in new materials and being at the forefront of new technologies,” says Yerbury.

According to Yerbury, Alcoa’s product quality is equally matched by the experience and aftersales service it provides. “Alcoa is great at always thinking ahead and always looking at ways to deliver better and lighter wheels. The useability, sustainability and visibility of Alcoa rims set them apart,” he said.

“Our trailers are predominantly servicing the grain industry, which is having another great season. Payloads are the money maker, so tare weight is critical – and up to 240kg in tare weight savings, just from the rims, goes a really long way.”

Alcoa Dura-Bright® wheels are an innovation that no competing wheel has been able to provide a competitive answer to because it is a surface treatment and not a coating.

The patented surface treatment penetrates the surface of the aluminium to form one composite that becomes an integral part of the wheel so cracking, corrosion and filiform can’t get underneath as is seen with acrylic and other coatings.

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“Dura-Bright® EVO wheels are Alcoa’s easiest-to-maintain wheels,” says Michael Nichols | National Sales Manager for Howmet Wheel Systems, Distributor of Alcoa Wheels in Australia. “They can stand up against the harshest weather, road grime and cleaning agents that are known to corrode and dull standard commercial truck, trailer and bus wheels.”

It also offers up to 3 times more resistance to chemicals, including hydrofluoric acid found in the toughest truck wash cleaning agents, and with the ability to be cleaned in a Ph environment 2-12, they stay shiny with regular truck cleaning products and even just soap and water – even after hundreds of washes and thousands of kilometres.

This, and Dura-Bright® wheels’ consistent shine without the need to polish are just two of their very attractive prospects for large fleets where well-presented equipment mean maintenance labour and time costs can be considerable.

Alcoa Dura-Bright® is available across most of the Alcoa wheel range, which means the premium benefits they are known for are not compromised:

  • their light weight (to increase payload and for better fuel efficiency),
  • their unmatched strength (proprietary MagnaForce® alloy is exclusive to Alcoa wheels and is 17% stronger than other standard alloys in the industry),
  • their improved heat dissipation results in extended tyre and brake life.

This article has been published elsewhere. Read it over at bigrigs.com.au.

Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
ult39-two-wheels-straight-right

To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

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October 1, 2022

The Comprehensive Guide to Alcoa Wheels Hub Caps and Wheel Covers

Alcoa Hub covers are a great way to keep your wheels cleaner by shielding them from dirt, road debris and the elements.

They can protect the lug nuts and wheel surface from rust and corrosion and dust build-up, which means the essential parts of the wheel, like wheel studs and wheel hub, stay clean which makes it easier to remove the wheel for maintenance.

Alcoa Hub covers are built to last, made from durable ABS plastic, and finished with a highly reflective chrome look to enhance the aesthetic appeal of truck and trailer wheels by adding a shiny look.

Here is a guide to available Alcoa Wheels hub covers in Australia:

ALL ALCOA WHEELS HUB COVERS ARE:

  1. Available in Drive, Steer and Trailer application
  2. Designed with ABS plastic to provide durable strength and higher heat resistance
  3. Superior chrome plated to ensure a durable and highly reflective finish
  4. Quality tested and road-proven
  5. Backed by a 2-year warranty


ONE PIECE HUB COVERS

Alcoa Wheels one piece hub covers are made for 10-285mm, 10 hole hub piloted wheels and come in sets of two.

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One Piece Front Axle Hub Cover Kit – Part Number A086200DT1

This is a set of two hub covers for 10-285mm, 10-hole hub piloted wheels.

The kit also contains a removal tool.

Use a short handle rubber mallet to install.

hub-covers-a087200dt
One Piece Rear Axle Hub Cover Kit – Part Number A087200DT2

For 10-285mm, 10-hole hub piloted wheels.

The kit also contains a removal tool (Part Number 000800).

Use a short handle rubber mallet to install.

You’ll see that the one-piece rear axle hub covers have attachment towers with reinforced rings that clamp directly to the lug nut.

The nut towers are tall, which means the hub covers fit on a wider range of applications, disc brakes, and other new truck trend variations, for example wide-based wheels where the stud stand out is more pronounced.

The retention nut system ensures proper fitment.

Retention nuts clamp on to the hub cover. Sit on top of the stud.

Inside the one-piece hub cover system are retention cylinders that help hold the retention nuts firmly in place.

TO INSTALL:

  1. Find a triangular pattern on the stud thread and apply hand tight the retention nuts on the 3 positions.
  2. Take your hub cover and align the internal retention cylinders to the retention nuts.
  3. Using a rubber hammer, snap the cover into place.

To remove, take the removal tool and find a notch between the hub cover system and the wheel face. Hook the removal tool over the edge of the hub cover system and pull gently.

MULTI-PIECE HUB COVERS

Alcoa Wheels multi-piece hub covers come in kits for either short stud axles or long stud axles. The long stud axle kits require a minimum of 4 threads per stud.

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11 Piece Front Axle Hub Piloted Hub Cover Kit for Short Stud Axles – Part Number A076188

This uses an interlocking clamp system for 33mm lug nuts on American fitment 10 stud 22.5” and 24.5” wheels with short stud axles. Kit includes:

  • One Hub Cover
  • 10 chrome screw-on 33mm Hug-a-Lug® nut covers (Part Number 001881) with clamps
  • One wrench (Part Number A000800).
hub-covers-a077188
11 Piece Rear Axle Hub Piloted Hub Cover Kit for Short Stud Axles – Part Number A077188

This uses an interlocking clamp system for 33mm lug nuts on American fitment 10 stud 22.5” and 24.5” wheels with short stud axles. Kit includes:

  • One Hub Cover
  • 10 chrome screw-on 33mm Hug-a-Lug® nut covers (Part Number 001881) with clamps
  • One wrench (Part Number A000800).
hub-covers-a076185
11 Piece Front Axle Hub Piloted Hub Cover Kit for Long Stud Axles – Part Number A076185

This uses an interlocking clamp system for 33mm lug nuts on American fitment 10 stud 22.5” and 24.5” wheels with long stud axles. Kit includes:

  • One Hub Cover
  • 10 chrome screw-on 33mm Hug-a-Lug® nut covers (Part Number 001851)
  • One wrench (Part Number A000800).
hub-covers-a077185
11 Piece Rear Axle Hub Piloted Hub Cover Kit for Long Stud Axles – Part Number A077185

This uses an interlocking clamp system for 33mm lug nuts on American fitment 10 stud 22.5” and 24.5” wheels with long stud axles. Kit includes:

  • One Hub Cover
  • 10 chrome screw-on 33mm Hug-a-Lug® nut covers (Part Number 001851)
  • One wrench (Part Number A000800).

TO INSTALL:

Secure the cover by screwing the nut covers onto the inner clamps. Place the inner clamps onto the hex nut.

Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
ult39-two-wheels-straight-right

To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

1Replaces Part Number A086100.
2Replaces Part Number A087100.

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September 23, 2022

Over 10,000 Wheels On the Ground at MGM Bulk

When you’re running some of the biggest quad road trains in the country, with a whopping 110 wheels under each set-up, you’d want to be sure that those wheels can go the distance.

From its depots at Bunbury, Perth and Port Hedland, MGM Bulk provides bulk haulage and material handling services to a wide range of mining clients across WA. It manages the logistics of mineral sands, iron ore, lithium, salt, gravel, limestone, sand and more.

The roots of the business date back 60 years, when Mario Giacci and his family started a small business specialising in transport and logistics in the 1950s. From these humble beginnings, the family business grew into a national business called Giacci Bros. Then in 2004, Mario Giacci also founded MGM Group, together with his daughter Giuditta and son Michael. Initially established as a supplier of reconstituted blocks, concrete and premium quarry materials, the ensuing decade saw MGM Group expand its operations, equipment and resources.

mgm-bulk-road-train

After the sale of Giacci Bros in 2014, MGM added a bulk division to the group, known as MGM Bulk.

Today, MGM Bulk’s impressive fleet is made up of 130 prime movers and over 400 trailers, which include a mixture of side and end tippers, tautliners, flat decks and tankers.

But the biggest combinations of all are its 60-metre ultra-quad side tipper combinations, which can achieve a whopping Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 210 tonne. There are 66 of these impressive set-ups in the fleet, all based at the Port Hedland operation, and used to transport various products from the mines to the port.

In addition, MGM Bulk also runs 17 additional 60-metre super quads, with a GVM of 195 tonne.

mgm-bulk-loading

MGM Bulk fleet manager Allan Thomas explains, “Our ultra quads feature a tri drive single steer prime mover, then the first trailer is a tri axle trailer, and then you have three trailers behind that with tri axle dollies with four axles.”

Thomas has been with the company for close to a decade, working across various roles before taking on his current position two years ago. “As fleet manager, I order all the gear and also oversee maintenance too. At MGM Bulk, we buy the best components we can when we set up our new equipment, and we believe Alcoa is the best wheel on the market – they are better than anything else out there,” he said.

“We’re very specific in what we purchase. We buy Kenworth trucks, Bruce Rock trailers, BPW axles, Jost turntables – and Alcoa wheels. Since 2014, all the new equipment we purchase is on Alcoa wheels,” says Thomas.

Before chatting with Big Rigs, where this article was initially published, Thomas did some homework. “I’ve gone through my lists and I reckon we’ve now got over 10,000 Alcoa wheels on the ground,” he said.

Given the number of wheels sitting under many combinations in the MGM fleet, going for a lighter weight wheel can quickly add to the bottom line.

As Thomas explained, Alcoa’s Ultra ONE® wheel (ULT39x) is the wheel of choice:

“We prefer to go for the Ultra ONE®s wherever we can. When you have 110 wheels under a super quad, the weight saving quickly adds up. By using the Ultra ONE®, it’s nearly a one tonne weight saving across each ultra quad, which means more payload.”

Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
ult39-two-wheels-straight-right

To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

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August 30, 2022

The 3 Top Things to Do to Get the Best ROI From Your Dura-Bright® Wheels

Alcoa Dura-Bright® wheels are best known for their slogan, NO MORE POLISHING, because they are designed to lower maintenance costs with a patented surface treatment that penetrates the aluminium of the wheel, forming a molecular bond that becomes an integral part of the wheel.

This provides a protective shield against cracking, peeling and filiform corrosion, all the while keeping their shine and looking newer for longer, even after hundreds of washes* and thousands of kilometers.

To get the best return on investment, we recommend regular cleaning to the Alcoa Wheels specifications, along with following our top 3 tips for prolonging the life of your Dura-Bright® wheels.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE CLEANING THEM TO THE ALCOA WHEELS RECOMMENDATIONS
maintenance-db-wheel-splash

We recommend that, just as you would care for any treated wheel, you consider the following when performing your regular cleaning of Dura-Bright® wheels:

  • Be aware of the pH of the cleaner​ (refer to point 1 below),
  • Check the chemical composition of the cleaner read the MSDS​ to ensure there are no harsh chemicals in there such as ammonia, bleach, or sodium hydroxide,
  • Make sure you watch the time for which the chemical is on the surface of the wheel​,
  • Follow the Alcoa® Dura-Bright® Wheels Cleaning Process (this is equally important as the factors above)​

1. Avoid Abrasive Cleaners, Compounds and Tools
maintenance-db-ph-scale

While Dura-Bright® wheels are three times more resistant to harsh chemicals and 10 times more resistant to corrosion** caused by road salts and weather elements, they still needed to be regularly cleaned as per Alcoa Wheels recommendations.

Dura-Bright® wheels are designed to be more hydrofluoric acid resistant than coated aluminium wheels.

Their chemical resistance sits in the pH range of 2-12, so we recommend making sure you are not cleaning with a cleaner that’s too high in pH.

Q: What about the detergents being used to clean my truck and trailer? Will they affect my wheels?

A: The detergents that you clean your Truck and Trailer with should be fine to wash your wheels with. If you do use a high pH level cleaner to remove stubborn dirt and grime wash off immediately and do not allow to sit on the wheels.

Abrasive tools can still damage the durable surface of a Dura-Bright® wheel, and if corrosion happens to form due to the surface being scratched, you will void your Alcoa Wheels warranty.

2.  Keep Brake Dust from Becoming Encrusted

The Alcoa Wheels warranty does not extend to Dura-Bright® wheels that have not been maintained frequently or that show encrusted brake dust.

3.  Make Sure Contact with Other Wheel Components is Reduced

Corrosion and or discolouring of your Dura-Bright® wheels can occur as a result of making contact with other wheels, hubs, drums, wheel nuts, nut covers, and hub covers, as mentioned above.

Ensure that these are regularly checked and remedied before damage occurs, as this is not covered by your Alcoa Dura-Bright® Warranty.

WHAT IS COVERED BY YOUR DURA-BRIGHT WHEELS WARRANTY?

Dura-Bright® surface treated wheels are warranted against:

  • Filiform corrosion (worm or hair like lines, generally milky in appearance, underneath the surface protective treatment and emanating from damage to the surface treatment such as scratches or damage from mounting hardware or balancing weights)
  • Blistering due to loss of adhesion of the surface treatment
  • Lift off of the surface treatment due to physical damage

WHAT TO DO ABOUT SCRATCHES

It is natural that at some time during the service life of Dura-Bright® wheels, they might become scratched or damaged by road debris and/or mechanical damage.

If scratches or other damages occur to the Dura-Bright® treatment that expose the aluminium underneath, the exposed metal may naturally oxidize, but any corrosion will be limited to the exposed metal and will not extend into or underneath the Dura-Bright® treatment.

Continue to follow the recommended washing and cleaning instructions.

The mounting area can become scratched or discoloured when mounted against another wheel, hub or drum.

Similar scratches can be caused by contact with wheel nuts, nut covers, and hub covers, so keep on top of that.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT DULL APPEARANCE

We have found some customers report that over a period of time Alcoa Dura-Bright® wheels will become dull. This is due to a constant wash with soap and water.

To resolve this issue, dry your wheels off either with a soft cloth or chamois whenever you wash them.

This will help them keep their shine.

Alcoa Dura-Bright® wheels are designed for low maintenance, which means less time and money spent on cleaning.

By following the recommendations above, you will prolong the life of your Dura-Bright® wheels and avoid costly maintenance issues or replacements.

Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
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To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

* Dura-Bright® wheels should be cleaned in accordance with the Alcoa® Dura-Bright® Cleaning Guide.
** After undergoing a 240 hours of CASS (Copper Accelerated Acetic Acid Salt Spray) tests

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August 8, 2022

Partnering for Lightweighting Win

It’s a partnership that spans 40 years or more, and that partnership is built on the shared values of quality, durability and reliability.

For over four decades, J&F have been commissioning trailer builds from Muscat Trailers, with Alcoa® as the wheel of choice.

This was the case with their latest slider and chassis tip wedge trailer they commissioned.

Designed and built out of the lightest componentry, the key objective of this combination was to ensure complete utilisation of the equipment and versatility in such a very unpredictable market.

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IMAGE CREDIT: Inlights Photography

Previously, the market would be such where a driver/company would deliver specific commodities, whether it be grain, rock or even steel. Over time, things have changed and the structure of businesses who have lasted the mile have had to become versatile to survive and thrive, thus altering the requirements of their trailers to accommodate the competitive and changing industry.

J&F Transport has done exactly that.

While lightweighting is not new, with many transport companies recognising the payload gains and fuel efficiency benefits, it has become a hot topic in the transport industry in recent years as things turn to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

More and more lightweighting components are becoming available for trucks and trailing equipment in areas such as the powertrain, axles and suspensions, wheel ends, drive shaft, chassis, 5th wheel, right down to the wheels.

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IMAGE CREDIT: Inlights Photography

“We went with the Ultra ONE® wheel on this combination because we wanted the most lightweight wheel option available, along with the strength and durability Alcoa guarantees,” says Troy Azzopardi, CEO of Muscat Trailers.

The Alcoa Ultra ONE® wheel is the lightest in the range of 22.5” x 8.25” Alcoa wheels. Weighing in at just 18kg, a 22-wheeler combination gains an extra 110kg when compared to specifying a standard aluminium 23kg wheel.

Over the lifetime of the equipment, this can add tens of thousands in payload dollars and save thousands on fuel costs.

Switching from steel wheels to Alcoa Ultra ONE® wheels saves upwards of 330kg in weight on a 22-wheeler combination.

Muscat Trailers has built a solid reputation in the trailer manufacturing industry. Their equipment is built to last the test of time and an extensive repeat customer portfolio is a testament to this.

Muscat Trailers dates back to the 1960’s with the company improving its designs and manufacturing techniques year by year, and in the process becoming well known for producing some of the most durable and innovative trailers available in Australia.

Today, run by Troy Azzopardi and his team, Muscat Trailers has kept its reputation for being unpretentious and modest, keeping costs down and making the trailers strong and reliable to meet customer needs whilst continually seeking the opportunity for innovation and exciting new developments.

“Every trailer we build has its own story and no two trailers are the same,” says Troy. “Each trailer is designed to do its job properly, so if it means coming up with a completely new design, then that’s what we provide.”

Take a listen to the Behind the Wheels Podcast where the Alcoa wheels experts talk about lightweighting with Mike Roeth of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE):

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Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
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To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

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July 1, 2022

How To Avoid Overheating Alcoa® Wheels and How to Check Them For Heat Damage

Two of the most common questions we get asked about overheating wheels are:

How to check a wheel that shows a black heat indicator?

How do you prevent overheating in the first place?

HOW WHEELS ARE AFFECTED BY TYRES OVERHEATING

Doug Mason | Global Technical Manager at Howmet Wheel Systems, explains: “The main issue is that wheels are essentially aluminium that has been heat treated – in other words, its strength is imparted by going through a special thermal process during the manufacture of the wheel”.

“If you take the wheel to too high of a temperature out on the road, you can undo some of the strengthening that has occurred during the processing of the wheel, and then the open end of the wheel can reduce in size.”

When the open end of the wheel is reduced in size, there is a potential for the tyre to not seat properly, and possibly come right off, causing a very unsafe situation for the driver.

IF YOU’RE HAVING BEADS BURN UP, YOUR WHEEL IS LIKELY OVERHEATING TOO
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IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images

Dave Walters | Manager of Warranty and Field Service for Alcoa Wheels suggests that when it comes to tyres, if the tyre reaches up to 146°C (295°F), you’re going to start affecting the bead of the tyre.

“A steel or aluminium wheel can go past that temperature, fortunately, but at 204°C (400°F) for five minutes, that’s when you could have an issue with the wheel itself,” explains Dave.

Walters suggests that, if you’re noticing that your tyre beads are burning up, it’s important to look at the wheel too because that wheel will be taking a lot of heat as well.

“The tyres will go first,” confirms Dave, “But if you’re having tyre issues with bead issues, definitely start looking into the wheel and seeing how much heat the wheel’s getting.”

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The Alcoa Wheels heat indicator located near the roll stamp will turn black if the wheel has become overheated.

CHECKING A WHEEL WHEN THE HEAT INDICATOR IS BLACK

Alcoa wheels come manufactured with a heat indicator so that drivers can have a clear indication of when the wheel has overheated.

How the heat indicator works is that if the wheel is heated to 400°F (204°C) for a period of 5 minutes, then sticker will turn brown first.

The rule of thumb is that if that sticker turns black, the wheel must immediately be removed from service.

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The Alcoa Wheels heat indicator that turns black to indicate overheating of the wheel.

WHERE TO FIND HEAT INDICATORS ON ALCOA WHEELS

Forged aluminium wheels manufactured from January 2009 will have a 25mm clear, round heat indicator located next to the roll stamp on the inside, as well as a similar 25mm clear round heat indicator on the tyre side drop well.

If either of these round labels show signs of blistering, or have a charred, blackened, or cracked appearance, this may indicate the wheel has been exposed to excessive heat.

If the indicator shows any of the above signs, get the wheel out of service immediately so that it can be checked.

MEASUREMENTS TO CARRY OUT WHEN THE HEAT INDICATOR STICKER IS BLACK

There are 3 measurements or checks that can be carried out when a wheel’s heat indicator is showing black. This will determine whether the wheel is safe to return to service.

METHOD 1: ROLL THE WHEEL ON A FLAT SURFACE

Roll the wheel on a flat surface, if the wheel starts to turn – and it’s always going to turn to the open end if it’s not rolling in a straight line – then you know you have an issue.

Dave recommends rolling the wheel for about 8 feet on a flat surface.

“If you don’t have a flat surface, the next best method is simply a carpenter square,” he adds.

METHOD 2: USE A CARPENTER SQUARE TO CHECK THE WHEEL

If the carpenter square goes up and over the wheel, put that on the face of the wheel and measure to make sure you cannot fit 30,000ths of an inch (0.76mm) in between the open end and the carpenter square.

30,000ths is about the thickness of a credit card or Driver’s License.

Carry out this check in at least four spots.

METHOD 3: USE RPA TAPE TO CHECK THE WHEEL

The best method is to purchase a Ball Tape. The Ball Tape will give the most accurate information.

The Alcoa service manual details the three methods above with very clear pictures.

“It’s all about safety first,” says Dave. “If you see a brown indicator, measure it, just to be sure. If you see tyre bead issues, measure it. If you see a black indicator, then definitely measure it. We’ve seen too many people not following OSHA regulations out in the field – for example, putting a tyre on a damaged wheel. That tyre’s going to come off and someone will be at risk.”

ALCOA WHEELS HAVE TWO HEAT INDICATORS FOR EXTRA SAFETY

There are actually two heat indicators on an Alcoa wheel: one near the roll stamp on the outside of the wheel, and another is inside the tyre chamber (the tyre cavity area in the drop wall of the wheel).

They are in different areas for different reasons, of course, but it is helpful to be able to check the other if one is no longer functional.

PREVENTING OVERHEATING OF ALCOA WHEELS

Truck wheels are subject to a lot of wear and tear. The weight of the truck, combined with the friction from the road, can cause the wheels to heat up.

There are several things you can do to prevent your truck wheels from overheating:

  1. MAKE SURE TYRES ARE INFLATED TO THE PROPER PRESSURE – When a tyre is underinflated, there is more contact between the tyre and the ground. This causes more friction, which in turn generates more heat.
  2. AVOID OVERLOADING THE TRUCK AND TRAILER – When a truck combination is carrying extra weight, it puts more strain on the tyres and causes them to work harder, creating more heat.
  3. AVOID BRAKING EXCESSIVELY OR MAKING SUDDEN STOPS – When you brake, the friction from the pads against the rotors slows the wheel down. This generates a lot of heat, which can build up over time and cause unwanted damage to the tyres or wheels.
  4. SLOW DOWN WHEN DRIVING ON HOT DAYS – On hot days, the faster you drive, the more wind resistance there is, which can cause the tyres to overheat quicker.
  5. USE A LOWER GEAR WHEN GOING UP HILLS – Using a lower gear when going up hills will also reduce the amount of friction.
  6. GET YOUR TRUCK SERVICED REGULARLY – Regular services ensure the brakes are in good condition and not a risk for overheating your tyres.

By following these practices will help keep your truck and trailer wheels from overheating and extend their lifespan.

LISTEN TO THE ALCOA WHEELS EXPERTS SHARE THEIR ALMOST 100 YEARS OF WHEEL EXPERIENCE ON ALL THINGS AXLE-ENDS

To hear more from Alcoa Wheels experts on how overheating affects your truck and trailer wheels, check out this Behind the Wheels Podcast episode How Heat Buildup Impacts Your Wheels.

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Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
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To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

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June 13, 2022

JJ’s Waste Lead with Lowered Tare Mass for their Innovative Waste Management Technology Vehicles

No strangers to innovation, JJ’s Waste & Recycling are known for leading the way when it comes to providing Total Waste Management Solutions across their extensive range of commercial and domestic services – with operations throughout every state and territory in Australia, as well as in New Zealand and USA.

The company, then known as J.J. Richards and Sons Pty Ltd, had humble beginnings in 1932, when Joseph John Richards won his first refuse and sanitary kerbside collection contract in Murwillumbah Shire.

Many innovations have been introduced by the Company in their 90-year history including the very first side loading waste collection vehicle which would lead to the automated SOLO truck, designed to collect standard 240L bins while the driver remained in the vehicle, revolutionising domestic collections in Australia.

The innovations continued when they introduced the first split recycling vehicle in the 1990s, and then in 2003 commenced a joint venture with Veolia for the development of the Ti-Tree Bio-Reactor Landfill. This was the first of its kind in Australia.

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IMAGE CREDIT: @K.Shepherd_Photography

Their commitment to providing the latest in waste management technology with reliability, safety and environmental benefits at the forefront, JJ’s Waste partnered in 2016 with Volvo to develop the first dual-control Euro VI side load waste collection vehicle in Australasia.

There are over 200 Euro VI Volvos operating in their fleet today.

The JJ’s Waste fleet of 1,800 vehicles work hard to perform a variety of solid, hazardous and liquid waste collection services for over 110,000 commercial customers and performs 2.5 million domestic garbage, recycling and organics collections services per week under contract for 56 local authorities.

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IMAGE CREDIT: @K.Shepherd_Photography

With hard working equipment comes a need for durable and reliable vehicle components.

JJ’s Waste took another giant leap for the waste removal industry when they decided to switch their entire fleet over from steel wheels to aluminium. The Company’s Fleet Team are dedicated to sourcing the best in vehicles and components, which is why they made the decision to specify Alcoa® wheels.

“We wanted a wheel that was a reputable brand with proven quality as wheels are such a critical item, you cannot chance unknown brands or cheap quality,” says Owen Burton | National Fleet Manager for JJ’s Waste and Recycling.

The rewards have been worthwhile, too, according to Owen:

“We found a reduction in vehicle tare mass, as well as better presentation for the vehicles. Most importantly, we found we could rely on Alcoa wheels to do what they were designed to do.”

Aluminium wheels have long been known to have a number of benefits over steel, such as:

Aluminium is much lighter than steel, so it can help reduce fuel costs and increase payload gains by reducing the weight of the truck.

The lighter the truck, the more cargo it can legally carry. The weight of an Alcoa forged aluminium 22.5” x 8.25” hub piloted wheel is 18kg vs an equivalent steel wheel at 40kg. With larger payloads due to the weight savings, trips – and therefore fuel emissions – are reduced.

Aluminium does not rust like steel does so costs less to maintain. Alcoa wheels are more resistant to corrosion that can build up on wheels, and there is no need to spend money refurbishing or repainting tired looking wheels.

Alcoa Dura-Bright® wheels don’t even need to be polished – the proprietary surface treatment allows them to be cleaned with just soap and water, reducing lifetime maintenance costs significantly without losing the Alcoa wheel well-known durability and strength. Other companies who specify Dura-Bright wheels for their fleets are Corbet’s Group and KS Easter, both for different reasons.

Aluminium conducts heat better than steel, so it helps keep brakes cooler and can extend their life.

When a refuse truck stops-and-goes 600 to 800 times a day, often in already high Australian temperatures, the benefit of aluminium giving up heat faster means heat is dissipated away from the brakes – thus keeping them from wearing out.

Heading toward the future with still more innovations, JJ’s Waste & Recycling are continually looking at ways to provide our customers with the latest in waste management technology, with reliability, safety and environmental benefits at the forefront.

Trials are currently underway of their first electric vehicle and later this year they will commence trials of Australia’s first-ever hydrogen fuelled garbage truck.

MORE ON STEEL vs ALUMINIUM WHEELS:
LISTEN TO THE ALCOA WHEELS EXPERTS SHARE THEIR ALMOST 100 YEARS OF WHEEL EXPERIENCE ON ALL THINGS AXLE-ENDS

To hear more from Alcoa Wheels experts on aluminium vs. steel wheels, check out this Behind the Wheels Podcast episode Aluminium Wheels vs. Steel Wheels: An Age-Old Debate.

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Make Sure It’s An Alcoa® Wheel
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To spec your wheels, ring phone-icon 1800 955 191 to talk with our wheel experts, or fill out a contact form and we will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss your specifications.

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June 1, 2022