Cemex UK subsidiary Procon Readymix has installed Wheely-Safe tyre safety technology on two of its 32-tonne DAF multi-wheelers with plans to extend the roll-out to all of its 18-strong fleet this year.
The Wheely-Safe kit combines a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), a wheel loss sensor and a brake temperature sensing system with walk-around checkers to help drivers complete daily inspections.
Christian Vale, operations manager at Procon Readymix, said: “So far we’ve been very impressed. The Wheely-Safe kits were easy to install and give us the reassurance our drivers will be notified at the first sign of a wheel nut loosening, abnormal temperatures being detected from the wheel area or tyre pressures dropping rapidly, allowing them to bring the vehicle to a safe and immediate stop.
“Plus, it is helping us put our pressures maintenance under the microscope, with amber alerts if any fitment drops below optimum inflation. We are confident this will help us to improve fuel consumption and reduce tyre wear, which brings both financial and environmental benefits.”
London-based Procon Readymix specified Wheely-Safe’s external TPMS sensors, which replace the valve cap and auto-pair with an in-cab solar receiver.
These are fitted alongside a pair of wheel loss and temperature sensors on each wheel, with a battery-powered booster under the chassis to ensure signals from even the rear axle are transmitted to the receiver with ease.
“Our trucks access a lot of sites with rough terrain, and where pile caps can often be left exposed. In the past, if a tyre was damaged leaving a site, the driver might not know until they got back to the depot. But with the Wheely-Safe technology, they’ll be alerted at the first sign of a tyre or wheel-related safety issue. We are confident it will help to reduce instances of costly tyre damage, by allowing us to act quickly.”
Vale added: “We’ve always fitted brightly coloured wheel nut indicators on all our truck wheels, but the Wheely-Safe product is a step up in terms of both peace of mind and safety. It is the only system on the market which will provide in-motion alerts in the event of a wheel beginning to loosen.
“We are in the process of going for FORS Gold accreditation and we’re hoping this technology will help us secure it.”
Procon Readymix drivers are also using Wheely-Safe’s recently launched keyring-sized WalkAround Checker which, when held against the Wheely-Safe sensor, activates a series of red, amber and green lights to indicate the current status of the wheel.
