WHEEL SAFETY FOR WINTER OPERATIONS Volume 3 Issue 4
Ministry policy ensures that all wheels are torqued periodically to the manufacturer's specification. Additionally, paint marking is used on the wheel nut and rim to indicate looseness. The paint marking provides added insurance for the operator.

The Maintenance Operations and Equipment Engineering Office is testing a new device to inform snowplow operators when the nuts securing their truck's wheels may come loose. The ministry's use of this device falls in line with its policy on preventative maintenance. Currently, three snowplow trucks, two in bancroft District and one in London, have been outfitted with Wheel-Check Indicators. At least one more outfitted vehicle in Thunder Bay will be tested this winter season.

The Wheel-Check indicator is yellow pointer-shaped device that fits tightly over each wheel nut on each snowplow wheel. The device is fitted on the wheel nut so that it points in a clock-wise direction to the next wheel stud/nut. The device indicates wheel nut looseness when the pointer arrow does not align with its corresponding wheel nut.

Wheel-Check indicator may prove to be an important part of the snowplow operators pre-trip inspection. Each Wheel-Check device on each wheel nut must indicate alignment. A red indicator, called a Wheel-Torque identifier, replaces the yellow safety indicator if the latter registers misalignment. The vehicle is then put out-of-service until the indicated wheel nut is corrected.

Wheel-Check has been used for a number of years in Europe. The Ministry will be looking at its performance in Ontario winter conditions.

For further information: Bob Evans, 1 800 530 9945 or 1 613 860 0529.