In The News

Alcoa says new forged aluminum wheel lightest in the industry

CLEVELAND — Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products (AWTP) has unveiled what the company has called a significant new advancement in forged wheel technology, the LvL ONE.

Using a new, proprietary process, Alcoa has created the industry’s lightest forged aluminum wheel by reducing the weight by two lbs. but with even greater strength, and with a superior finish on both sides of the wheel, according to Tim Myers, vice president and general manager of Alcoa Commercial Vehicle Wheels.

“The LvL ONE is another example of Alcoa’s relentless commitment to develop products that bring value to our customers,” Myers said. “This is especially noteworthy in today’s weak economy.  Fleets and owner-operators are being squeezed on all sides and the LvL ONE can directly reduce operations and inventory costs.  Despite the economy, Alcoa continues to invest in technology. Innovation is key to our growth and we remain focused on increasing our share of the market.“

Two pounds less wheel weight may not seem like much, Myers said.

“But it is 36 pounds less on an 18-wheel rig running on aluminum wheels — and nearly 650 pounds less than standard steel wheels — mile after mile, day after day,” he said. “These pounds can add up to millions for a fleet and translate into more payload, fuel savings, less stress on engines and drive trains, and lower emissions, too.”

The LvL ONE wheel is the latest in Alcoa’s lengthy and remarkable innovations that dates back to Alcoa’s invention of the forged aluminum wheel in 1948, according to Mattiew Brest, Alcoa product and process technology manager.

Using a new manufacturing process, Brest said Alcoa had, in effect, created a new and stronger product.

“The LvL ONE wheel gives you, for example, a 7,400-pound. load rated wheel, but it weighs only 45.5 pounds., two pounds less than its predecessor,” Brest said.

Brest noted that another “first” achieved with this process is a natural finish on both sides of the LvL ONE wheel.

“This new process results in an organic, stunning bright finish,” he said. “The brightness is at least six times brighter than competitive wheels in this class, using standardized test methods for the measurement of brightness.”

The LvL ONE wheel’s exclusive two-sided finish reduces the need to order single-side inner diameter and outer diameter wheels, Myers said, noting that any wheel — steering wheels, drive wheels, et al — could be mounted on any axle for tractor or trailer

“Now is a good time for steel-wheel users to take a serious look at the bottom line benefits made possible by Alcoa’s LvL ONE wheel,” Myers said.  “They can begin capturing savings from day one, including the cost avoidance associated with the steel wheel’s need for routine sand-blast refurbishing and downtime for painting.  That’s not considering the weight-related fuel, emissions and other savings they can realize using the LvL ONE forged aluminum wheel.  When they contact us, we will use Alcoa’s new proprietary cost analysis software to demonstrate how this wheel can improve performance and reduce costs in key areas of your unique operations.”

For more information, visit www.alcoa.com .

The Trucker staff can be reached for comment on this article at [email protected] .