Timberpak is now Wheely-Safe

The Timber recycling firm Timberpak has chosen Wheely-Safe technology to equip its truck and trailer fleet with a wheel loss detection system. An in-motion wheel loss detection system will be fitted to improve fleet safety. The company had a successful trial period with the Wheely-Safe solution which uses brake and hub temperature monitoring and tyre pressure monitoring to detect any problems. 

12 of the company’s vehicles are currently fitted with this technology. As the rest of the fleet is replaced, new trucks and trailers will be equipped with Wheely-Safe monitoring, bringing Timberpak’s fleet of 23 vehicles up to the same standard. 

Gordon Argo, transport and operations manager at Timberpak, said: “We had it running on one vehicle to begin with and were very impressed. This is the only technology I’ve come across that offers the complete package, in terms of alerting you to any issues with the wheel nuts, the tyre pressures and the temperature in the hub. It’s very easy to use too.”

Due to the nature of the business, Timberpak’s vehicles often encounter rough surfaces. The company collects wood that would otherwise go to waste and takes it to processing sites to be made into chipboard. The operation works in collaboration with sister company Egger UK. 

Argo added: “It’s a line of work susceptible to tyre punctures and damage. A key selling point for us though was the wheel loss element of the technology. Not so long ago, we had an issue where one of our wheels had been over-torqued by a technician and we came very close to losing that wheel, which as a transport operator is something you never want to experience.

“Having this protection across the fleet now gives us huge peace of mind, as well as bringing the added benefits in terms of fuel efficiency and cost-saving by having the tyres running at optimal pressures.”

The tyre pressure monitoring system connects with an in-cab receiver by replacing the original valve caps. Wheel loss sensors and brackets fitted to each wheel can also communicate with this in-cab alert. In the event a wheel nut starts to loosen, the driver will be notified immediately so they can safely bring the vehicle to a halt.