On October 11, 2022, Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW) held a conference for over 20 representatives of some of Australia’s largest mining and haulage companies, in the Port of Dampier. During the conference the company shared its “revolutionary” wheel technology and showcased a Cat 994 Air Suspension Wheel (ASW). It says the ASW is an “eco-friendly, cost-effective, stronger, and safer alternative to the traditional rubber OTR tyre.”

Pilbara iron ore major Fortescue Metals Group will be the first big miner in Australia to trial the ASW, which GACW says is up to 60% more economical over the lifetime of the wheel, and combines an inner steel hub with an outer steel drum connected by eight or twelve nitrogen-filled air cylinders and up to six oil-filled dampers that provide suspension and damping. On the outer drum, individually bolt-on steel or polyurethane treads are fitted. These individual treads can be replaced without removing the wheel, a time-consuming process that takes up to eight hours with off-the-road rubber tyres.

The ASW has already seen extensive testing in the US, including at a Nevada Gold Mines operation on a Cat 777 haul truck which is normally fitted with six 27.00R49 tyres. The claimed advantages are life to match that of the vehicle (apart from routine replacement of consumable components), reduced fuel usage due to lower rolling resistance compared with a pneumatic tyre, no tyre change vehicle downtime and increased safety as the risks of tyre burst, fire or explosion are eliminated.

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