A prominent South African side-tipper truck manufacturer has substantially raised its monthly orders for South African bearings manufacturer Vesconite Bearings’ self-lubricating bushings, which Vesconite development engineer Tristen Wintershoven says, “showcases the manufacturer’s trust in Vesconite’s products, but also signals a fundamental shift in the sector’s procurement norms”.

He attributes this significant development to the company’s “outstanding performance, as well as the self-lubrication products’ unparalleled dimensional stability”, which he says has positioned it as the preferred choice, and enabled it to surpass traditional materials like nylon and bronze.

In conversation with Engineering News, Wintershoven explains that self-lubricating bushings have emerged as the preferred choice for the side-tipper industry owing to their performance when dealing with abrasive materials such as sand during transportation.

“Unlike traditional greased lubricants that can form abrasive pastes, Vesconite’s self-lubricating bushings ensure durability and longevity, even in the harshest conditions. This feature is particularly vital for side-tippers, which routinely handle bulk materials in demanding environments.”

Compared with bronze bushings, Vesconite eliminates the need for regular greasing, offering maintenance-free operation, he adds, noting that in contrast to nylon, Vesconite remains dimensionally stable, resisting moisture absorption and maintaining its compression strength, even when fully saturated.

This stability ensures reliable performance, a critical factor in applications where dimensional inconsistencies can lead to equipment failure, he notes.

Vesconite’s bushings serve as pivotal connecting points between the tipper body and the chassis of side-tipper trailers. These essential pivot points enable side tippers to efficiently unload bulk materials using a hydraulic system that tilts the tipper body.

Vesconite’s dimensional stability, Wintershoven explains, ensures that these components remain unaffected by changing environments, allowing the tipper bodies to pivot effortlessly, ensuring efficient unloading operations.

The side-tipper manufacturer’s confidence in Vesconite is further demonstrated by their proactive procurement approach. By placing blanket orders and securing monthly supplies well in advance, clients can draw from preproduced stock.

These advance orders, often in larger volumes, eliminate production delays.

“This strategic move not only emphasises Vesconite’s significance as a key supplier but also underscores the manufacturer’s commitment to using high-quality, reliable components in their equipment. Clients’ loyalty to Vesconite is evident through their long-term partnerships, driven by the brand’s efficiency and ability to deliver quickly,” he says.

Further, in response to industry demands for high-temperature resistance, Wintershoven notes that Vesconite developed Hitemp 160, a material capable of supporting applications up to 200 ºC in dry running conditions.

“While not commonly used in the truck and trailer industry, this innovation showcases our commitment to meeting diverse industry needs and pushing the boundaries of material technology,” Wintershoven tells Engineering News, adding that this “sets new standards for bearing materials in demanding industrial applications”.