Evolution Wheel conquers flat tires and poor traction

Any skid steer loader using 12 x 16.5 tires can be fitted with the Evolution Wheel assembly

Rather than being unable to work because the application is too rugged, you can do more and get more work done with Evolution Wheel. — Photo courtesy Hird Equipment

Any skid steer loader using 12 x 16.5 tires can be fitted with the Evolution Wheel assembly, which is making waves in forestry, agriculture, heavy construction, mining and other industries demanding heavy-duty working capacity and accessibility.

The all-steel constructed assembly consists of a series of two-inch-tall reinforced cleats on the outside tread face, increasing traction and manoeuvrability and eliminating flat tires in difficult ground conditions.

“In the mining sector, those guys can’t afford downtime,” said company owner Derek Hird. “With tires, they have problems with punctures and losing traction. Rather than not being able to work because the application is too rugged, they can do more and get more work done with Evolution Wheel.”

Evolution Wheel is a “bolt-on-and-go” system that takes two knowledgeable people 15 minutes to install. It is designed to be universal, fitting 98 per cent of machines on the market. Because it doesn’t require spacers, all the bucket alignment characteristics are the same, there are no clearance issues and it essentially drives like a conventional rubber tire.

“Driven in the application it is intended for, they wouldn’t know the difference,” said Hird.

The system has an internal offset built in that makes the wheel reversible, positioning it closer to or farther from the machine, depending on which way it is mounted.

“By doing that, we allow for frame clearance in all makes and models,” said Hird. “They all have different axles and bucket widths so we added the internal offset to add to the versatility of the product.”

Evolution Wheel is a subsidiary of Hird Equipment, based in Manitoba. That company markets a steel pad track system for four-wheel-drive tractors called Extreme Tire System. When Hird took it to trade shows, people began asking whether he made anything similar for skid steer loaders.

Hird has a history of selling used skid steers "so I have a good working knowledge of that product,” he said. “We immediately, after having customers ask for it, went into prototyping, design and engineering, and eight months later we have it ready to go to market.”

Evolution Wheel continues to expand, with new products currently under development and set for release later this summer. 

“There is nothing like it of its kind,” said Hird. “We worked hard to get it done and we are happy with the success of having it ready for market in this amount of time.”

For more information please visit www.evolutionwheel.com or call toll-free 888-249-4790.