SKF Vehicle Aftermarket is helping customers achieve more productive wheel-end maintenance with the promotion of its SKF Trouble-Free Operation (TFO) training program in booth no. 365 at the American Trucking Association (ATA) Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) 2022 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition. Featuring in-person, hands-on instruction and access to the latest product resources, the SKF TFO training program offers a proven systems approach to proper wheel end maintenance. This year’s event will be held March 7 to 10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
In addition to access to SKF’s elite team of heavy-duty aftermarket professionals, the SKF TFO training program helps fleet maintenance personnel learn about wheel-end inspection, removal/installation, care guidelines and failure analysis. Insights gathered from the program can also help operators cut costs related to premature failures, boost bearing and seal service life, increase fleet productivity and uptime and improve wheel-end reliability.
“When technicians understand more about maintenance, inspection, removal, and installation, premature failure of the wheel ends can be avoided, and operating costs can be reduced,” said Michael Hartman, director, national fleet sales at SKF Vehicle Aftermarket. “TFO not only minimizes unplanned downtime and extends the service life of wheel-end components, but also keeps drivers safe while on the road.”
While onsite at this year’s show, SKF is also providing attendees with a first-hand look into the value and features of the company’s recently launched SKF TraX Wheel End Monitor (WEM) with an interactive product demo. The SKF TraX WEM is a sensor unit installed at the outboard side of heavy-duty vehicle wheel rims to intelligently monitor wheel end vibration and temperature to detect potential issues such as impending bearing failures. It integrates with the telematics system to notify the driver in near real-time of needed fleet maintenance via wireless communication in advance of potential wheel end conditions that could compromise performance and safety. The SKF TraX WEM is designed to help fleet operators achieve more operational uptime while minimizing unscheduled breakdowns due to wheel-end failures.
Other notable benefits of the SKF TraX WEM include:
- Delivers lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by reducing impending bearing failures and component replacement
- An economical retrofittable solution
- Can be paired with any telematics system
- Fosters greater fleet safety by providing a comprehensive view of wheel end health
