Working in partnership with a major OEM, GKN Wheels has developed an innovative wheel for use on row crop sprayers, which is stronger and more durable by design.
The 50” diameter wheel has been designed at GKN Wheel’s North American Technical Center, using the latest computer-aided design technology and laboratory simulation equipment. In addition, the wheel has successfully completed over 9 months of field trials.
The sprayer wheel is designed to withstand the ultimate in high-stress field applications and is intended for use on new generation row crop sprayers, which have a higher load-bearing capacity, allowing farmers to cover a higher acreage without the need to stop and refill.
Russ Morrow, Senior Product Engineer at GKN Wheels in North America, said:
“The new sprayer wheel has been designed for the most-demanding field application and is capable of operating with extreme loads, at high operating speeds.
“The rim design has been modified to build in additional strength and overall, the wheel uses a similar amount of material as a standard 50” wheel, which means it can be produced cost-effectively too.
“This wheel design project is an excellent example of a close customer collaboration resulting in a value-added product that meets the needs of a specific application and outperforms others in the marketplace.”
GKN Wheels will begin producing the new sprayer wheels at its manufacturing center in Armstrong, Iowa, and making them available for global distribution during the latter half of 2011.
ENDS
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About GKN Land Systems
GKN Land Systems is a diversified manufacturer and service supplier to the global agricultural, construction, mining and automotive industries, employing over 6,000 people worldwide, across Europe, North America and Asia.
As well as manufacturing a range of PTO shafts, wheels, clutches, gearboxes, linkage systems, driveline components and vehicle structures, GKN Land Systems has an extensive aftermarket distribution and service business.
GKN Land Systems is part of GKN plc and aims to be a global leader alongside the Driveline, Powder Metallurgy and Aerospace divisions, which operate at the forefront of their respective industries.