CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Commercial trucking industry solutions provider IMI Inc., in collaboration with Redcat Industries, has developed a wheel-safety system it claims can help identify and maintain pending commercial wheel detachment or damage.
The Lug Linx Wheel Safety System is designed to indicate lug-nut movement and retain loose lug nuts. IMI said. The company said it's a more accurate way to detect lug-nut movement, allowing the driver to detect loose lug nuts that need retorqued.
Chambersburg-based IMI said that the system — brightly colored, linked plastic caps that fit over the lug nuts — provides for quick and efficient pre and post inspections, keeping fleets operating safely.
IMI President Bob Fogal said the product is designed to complement the R.I.S.T. (remove debris, inspect the components, snug the lug nuts and torque to spec) process. The operator can see at a glance if a Lug Linx cap is out of alignment, indicating the lug nut has moved.
The Lug Linx Wheel Safety System is available in two options: standard and high temp. Both versions have the same functionality, the company said, but cater to different temperature needs.
The Lug Linx Standard melts at 248 F (120 C), while the Lug Linx High Temp can handle temperatures up to 302 F (150 C). This temperature distinction is apparent in industries such as school buses, waste haul and public transportation, where frequent stop-starts may elevate wheel temperatures.
The Lug Linx is available in several sizes to support various fleet operations.
IMI said the product features "easy installation and reliable performance," rducing risks while increasing safety measures for employees.
"Since creating the first turnkey system for refinishing truck wheels in 1986, we've been involved with a key portion of wheel safety, the condition of the wheel itself," Fogal said. "We understand the vital importance of wheel safety and the costly consequences of ignoring it."
Hemmant, Australia-based Redcat is a manufacturer, distributor and retailer of wheel-safety products.