Wheel maker Accuride Corp. has developed a light-weight truck steel wheel it claims offers the economy and strength of a standard steel wheel at the weight of an aluminum wheel.
The 65-pound 22.5x8.25-inch Lightweight Steel Wheel uses high-strength, low-alloy steel to achieve its weight savings against standard steel wheels, which average about 82 pounds, Accuride said. Switching an 18-wheel truck to the new product would reduce truck/trailer weight by 306 pounds, allowing users to increase payloads.
The product carries a maximum load rating of 7,400 pounds. The firm did not specify the potential cost savings but said the wheel's powder coating ``greatly enhances'' corrosion protection which lowers operating costs.
The wheel has a 10 hand hole design similar to the industry standard aluminum wheel, meaning it can replace an aluminum wheel as an inner dual, with no appearance change and at a significant cost savings, Accuride said.
Evansville, Ind.-based Accuride introduced the Lightweight Steel Wheel March 5 at the American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council's Truck Show in Fort Lauderdale.
Accuride claims to be North America's largest maker and supplier of wheels for heavy/medium trucks and trailers.