JLG case study - GKN
JLG case study - GKN
JLG case study - GKN
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Case Study<br />
Wheel manufacturer co-develops a new<br />
solution for OEM telehandler application<br />
The current offering of wheels has been designed to meet a broad range of offhighway<br />
equipment applications. On occasion OEM’s will demand unique solutions<br />
to match specific, and often highly challenging, conditions. In such circumstances<br />
the ability for the OEM, tire, and wheel manufacturers to work closely together can<br />
provide greater value to the end user.<br />
The benefits of this type of collaboration are clearly<br />
demonstrated in a design project undertaken by <strong>GKN</strong> Wheels<br />
in North America with <strong>JLG</strong> Industries. <strong>JLG</strong> was seeking a way to<br />
differentiate their products. This resulted in the development of<br />
a solution that provided enhanced telehandler stability, greater<br />
tread life and lower operating costs. Rather than considering<br />
a wheel and tire design in isolation, it was recognized that<br />
the co-development of the products could maximize overall<br />
performance and offer the best value.<br />
<strong>GKN</strong> Wheels Armstrong was selected to design and develop the<br />
new wheel due to their engineering expertise and in-house test<br />
capabilities.<br />
<strong>GKN</strong> worked in liaison with the engineers of Bridgestone<br />
Americas’ Off Road Division to develop this wheel in parallel<br />
with their new tire, the Firestone DuraForce MH.<br />
Len Hensel, Technical Director at <strong>GKN</strong> Wheels, North America,<br />
stated: “The project took into account <strong>JLG</strong>’s requirements, the<br />
characteristics of a newly developed tire, and the operational<br />
and service elements. From the outset, the approach focused<br />
on a close working relationship between all three companies,<br />
rather than each working in isolation. Instead of selecting<br />
standard product as the basis for development, the solution<br />
was engineered from a clean sheet of paper.<br />
Historically, wheels for this type of application were a 24" or<br />
25" diameter utilizing 9mm gauge steel. The unique <strong>GKN</strong> design<br />
resulted in a new 28" diameter size to fit the tire geometry and<br />
has a specific shape which enables the wheel to support the<br />
loading and durability requirements of the machine, while using<br />
a lighter 8mm gauge steel.<br />
<strong>GKN</strong> Wheels worked with Bridgestone Americas for a <strong>JLG</strong> project.<br />
Highlights<br />
• Unique solution to a specific design challenge<br />
• The wheel specification and development is an<br />
integral part of the application design<br />
• Collaborative working between OEM, wheel,<br />
and tire manufacturers<br />
• Improved tire serviceability, reduced servicing<br />
costs = value to customer<br />
• Optimized design led to reduced number of<br />
parts = reduced inventory<br />
• New design enabled OEM market differentiation<br />
• Solution was engineered from a clean sheet of<br />
paper, tested and delivered to the customer
In addition the 28" rim shape offers improved tire serviceability<br />
relative to the conventional wheels, despite the stiffer tire sidewall,<br />
resulting in reduced servicing costs.<br />
The wheel and tire combination provides superior customer value<br />
from the enhanced tread wear characteristics that result in a projected<br />
tire life that is up to three times more than the Firestone SGG. The<br />
new designs have also allowed <strong>JLG</strong> to reduce from four tire options<br />
down to two. This means fewer parts to stock and reduced inventorycarrying<br />
costs for <strong>JLG</strong> distribution.<br />
State of the art design tools are used to develop and test solutions.<br />
September 2012<br />
The final wheel and tire created for <strong>JLG</strong>.<br />
Testimonals<br />
Case Study<br />
Bridgestone Americas Off Road is extremely<br />
proud to have collaborated with <strong>JLG</strong> and <strong>GKN</strong><br />
to bring one of the most exciting introductions<br />
to Material Handlers in many years. We utilized<br />
the collective strengths of all 3 organizations,<br />
to deliver a superior product that dramatically<br />
improves the total cost of ownership and<br />
the overall stability of the machine. The new<br />
DuraForce MH is being launched at the 2011<br />
ConExpo in Las Vegas and we are certain that<br />
Customers will truly appreciate the results and<br />
savings!”<br />
Michael Poirier – General Manager of Corporate<br />
Accounts for Bridgestone America’s Off Road<br />
Division (BAOR).<br />
<strong>GKN</strong> Wheels is a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of wheels for off-highway applications, including the agricultural, construction, industrial<br />
and mining machinery industries. The company has five manufacturing locations, two major test centres and employs some 1,540 people. It has key<br />
manufacturing bases in China, Denmark, Italy, the UK and the USA. It is part of the <strong>GKN</strong> Land Systems Division of <strong>GKN</strong> PLC.<br />
<strong>GKN</strong> Land Systems is a global organization with over 5,000 employees worldwide and annual sales in excess of £600 million. It is one of four divisions within<br />
<strong>GKN</strong> PLC, the others being Aerospace, Driveline and Sinter Metals. Together, these divisions employ some 36,000 people.<br />
For further information please visit us at www.gknwheels.com or email us at marketing.wheels@gkn.com