october2021 - 47

Don't neglect your trailers
Fleets shouldn't forget about the eight opportunities
for wheel-end issues trailers haul to the table.
Drōv Technologies offers multiple wheel
sensors that integrate on its AirBoxOne telematics
solution for trailers. These sensors can help
catch a variety of issues that could point to a
wheel-end problem.
The SKF Wheel-end Monitor
installs on the lug nuts of each
wheel-end and communicates
wirelessly via Bluetooth. " This
sensor measures temperature
of the hub, " said Pete
Jankowski, chief technology
officer at Drōv Technologies.
" Overheating could be the
result of a hub bearing that
lacks lubrication, brakes overheating,
or other hub bearing-related
issues. The SKF
sensor also monitors vibration
at the wheel-end, which
can indicate potential issues
with the hub such as loose lug
nuts or studs, an over-torqued
or loose axle nut, or even the
potential wheel separation
from a failing hub. "
An AirBoxOne TPMS
Sensor has two installation
options: externally to the
Shrader valve of the tire
or internally on the rim.
Regardless, this sensor can
help the fleet pinpoint other
wheel-end-related issues.
" Besides monitoring tire
pressure, TPMS sensors can
measure the air temperature
inside the tire, " Jankowski
explained. " High temperature
can indicate potential
problems with the hubs,
imbalanced brakes, and tire
alignment. "
AirBoxOne also offers
wheel-end sensors that monitor
brake-related behaviors.
This data helps fleets catch
things like pad wear, brake
dragging, and air pressure.
Final thoughts
Whether you're talking
about a trailer or a tractor,
today's world of extended
PM cycles is putting more
pressure on drivers with
respect
to pre-trip inspections.
ConMet's Maye said
having the ability to digitally
monitor wheel-ends is more
important than ever.
" A driver can't see what's
going on inside of that wheelend, "
Maye said. " Thanks to
technology, now these wheelMotor
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October 2021 | FleetMaintenance.com
47
ends can be inspected in real time while traveling
down the road. "
Beyond hub temperature and vibration,
ConMet has a suite of new products and services
that monitor things like tire pressure, axle load,
and trailer line pressure. Others in the pipeline
will help monitor things like lube quality and
stud tension.
" All of these things are important to the health
of the wheel-end, " ConMet's Otto said. " This is
where things can get really interesting where
we can do more with our algorithms in the background
to really pinpoint the real issues. Then a
fleet can move more toward a predictive state of
wheel-end maintenance. "
Motor Wheel®, the manufacturer of CentriFuse®
brake drums and Crewson™
brake adjusters, is known to deliver products that provide lightweight
durability, improved fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance and meet
the demand for frequent braking. Our Centrifuse brake drums are
designed and manufactured in the USA, along with the engineering
and assembly of our Crewson brake adjusters.
Motor Wheel - Performance on the Move.
www.MOTORWHEEL-INTL.com
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october2021

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