Photos: New airless steel wheel can transform mining trucks' operations

Global Air Cylinder Wheels (GACW), based in Phoenix, Arizona, is preparing to commercialize an innovative airless steel wheel designed to replace traditional rubber tires on heavy mining vehicles such as haul trucks, excavators, and bulldozers. Developed over nearly a decade, the patented Air Suspension Wheel (ASW) features a mechanical steel construction with in-wheel pneumatic suspension using nitrogen-filled air cylinders. This design aims to significantly extend durability—lasting the typical 10 to 15-year lifespan of mining vehicles—while eliminating common issues with rubber tires, including frequent wear, explosions, and overheating. The ASW also incorporates replaceable treads, enhancing maintainability and reducing downtime compared to the hours-long process required for traditional tire replacement. The ASW addresses both economic and environmental challenges faced by the mining industry. Rubber tires in harsh mining conditions often need replacement every six to nine months, costing up to $7 million per truck over its lifetime and contributing to substantial operational expenses. GACW estimates that