GKN Wheels introduce new ‘Bigfoot’ system
Innovative 63in rim assembly designed to address shortage of 57in tyres in mining haul operations
GKN Wheels have launched their new Bigfoot system to the mining industry, allowing a 63in rim assembly to be adapted to a 57in hub for the Unit Rig MT4400 haul truck.
Mining operations are currently facing challenges of tyre shortages, specifically on the widely used 57in size tyres. The Bigfoot system allows mining operations to retrofit the larger, more readily available 63in tyres on haul trucks that would normally use the standard 57in rims and tires.
Australian-based Downer Mining created the Bigfoot concept to alleviate the risk of short supply in the standard tyre size for the 240-tonne haul truck. In order to take the project from concept to solution, Downer Mining approached GKN Wheels.
GKN Wheels’ North American Technical team collaborated with Caterpillar Unit Rig engineers to develop a solution that adapted to the truck without interfering with the standard components of the Unit Rig MT4400 haul truck.
The technical engineering work for the rim arrangements was carried out at GKN’s dedicated technical centre in Chicago, Illinois, with manufacture taking place at GKN’s facility in China. Downer Mining now use the product at their mining operation in Western Australia.
Danny Boyling, Downer Mining executive general manager plant, said: ‘With the company’s dedication to providing unique solutions, our strategic partnership with GKN over the past five years has, and continues to be, of great importance to us to maintain industry-leading mining vehicles and equipment.
‘We challenged the engineers to develop a product that would resolve the tyre availability issue, and as a result of the collaboration between GKN Wheels and the Caterpillar Unit Rig, the Bigfoot program has produced an innovative and effective solution that will maximize uptime and productivity of the Unit Rig MT4400 haul truck in service across Australia.’
‘Bigfoot provides us with many advantages, including increased productivity and tyre life, with a reduction in potential tyre stress and mechanical heat separation events. The predicted benefits run into the millions of dollars for a medium-size fleet haul truck.
‘This all equates to a very attractive tyre option for our production teams. With demand severely outweighing global production capacity of the 57in tire, Bigfoot helps to prevent truck downtime and ensures that mine productivity is not threatened by tyre availability.’
Len Hensel, technical director at GKN Wheels, North America, commented: ‘The development of the Bigfoot programme highlights our focus on innovation and problem-solving capabilities.
‘We have provided an effective solution to the current challenges of tyre availability in the mining sector. Our world-leading engineering expertise and in-house test capabilities make us perfectly placed to react to industry challenges just like this one.’
