SKF monitor detects early damage to wheel bearings

SKF Automotive Division has introduced the SKF Wheel End Monitor, which the company said is designed to detect early stage wheel bearing damage in heavy-duty trucks, trailers, buses and other commercial vehicles.
 
The new device, which is mounted on the outboard side of a commercial vehicle’s wheel, monitors vibration changes and alerts the driver through a flashing red warning signal of an impending bearing failure. When the system detects a defect, the vehicle is then brought in for immediate inspection and repair. This advanced detection increases safety by avoiding collateral damage to adjacent wheel end components, SKF said.

The manufacturer added that the wheel end monitor also reduces costs by preventing premature wheel bearing replacement, downtime and replacement of associated equipment that may be damaged in more advanced failures.
 
The device is attached to the vehicle’s wheels via the studs. The driver or maintenance technician can read the system’s results by holding a magnet that comes packaged with the unit, to the monitor, activating a blinking signal that informs the user of the bearing’s status. A green signal indicates the bearing is defect-free and a red signal indicates a potential problem.
 
SKF said it had field-tested 1,000 of its wheel end monitors in cooperation with a major truck and trailer suspension supplier in North America. The company also tested the monitors in Australia to evaluate their performance under extreme heat, moisture and dust. In each case, the wheel end monitor performed to specification, the company noted.