Customer & Project Background
A brick kiln manufacturer in Nigeria needed reliable heavy-duty bogie wheels for its kiln car transfer system. The bogie assembly runs on two rails, with a total length of approximately 25 meters inside the kiln and another 25 meters of track extending outside. The bogie carries the kiln furnace and bricks – the furnace operates at up to 650°C, but because the area under the bogie is open, the heat does not reach the wheels.
The customer’s estimated total load (bogie + furnace + bricks + cargo) was around 150 tons. However, they wanted the system to be ready for future expansion, with a target capacity of up to 400 tons for heavier shipments.
Challenges & Requirements
- Meet current 150‑ton and future 400‑ton load requirements
- Ensure long‑term stability in a high‑temperature environment (even though the wheels themselves are not directly exposed to the 650°C heat)
- Manufacture wheels strictly according to the customer’s drawings
- Supply complete matching components including bearings, axles, and rail mounting accessories
Solution Provided by OLICRANEPARTS
OLICRANEPARTS custom‑manufactured 40 cast steel wheels per the customer’s drawings, and supplied the corresponding axles, bearings, and rail system components as a complete package.
Wheel Key Parameters (Customized per Customer Drawing)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Tread Diameter | 381 mm |
| Flange Diameter (overall) | 419 mm |
| Flange Height | 19 mm |
| Total Wheel Width | 92 mm |
| Tread Width (between flanges) | 53 mm |
| Bore Diameter | 75 mm |
| Fillet Radius at Flange Root | R5 (reduces stress concentration, smooth transition) |
Matched Components
- Axles: 40 pieces, 75mm diameter × 200mm length, 45# steel
- Bearings: 40 pieces
- Rail system (one‑stop supply):
- 30kg rail – 40 pieces × 4m + 8 pieces × 4.75m
- 620 rigid rail clips (no rubber, suitable for high‑temperature environment)
- 48 fishplates
- 460 chemical anchor bolts – M12×160mm
OLICRANEPARTS also provided the customer with a recommended rail system installation drawing to ensure precise matching between wheels and rail profile.
Load Capacity Calculation
- Safe working load per wheel: 17 – 25 tons
- Total capacity for 40 wheels: approximately 544 tons (based on a conservative mid‑range design value)
This capacity fully covers the customer’s current 150‑ton requirement and the future 400‑ton expansion, with a significant safety margin.
Delivery & Results
- Shipping date: July 2023
- Route: Tianjin Port, China → Onne Port, Nigeria
- Status: The wheels have been running stably since commissioning. The customer has given high recognition to the custom machining accuracy, the load capacity, and the convenience of receiving the complete rail system as a single‑source solution.
Why Choose OLICRANEPARTS?
- Custom drawing capability – We machine wheels to your exact specifications, whether tread diameter, flange height, or root fillet radius.
- Professional load calculation – Clear safety factors and provision for future capacity upgrades.
- One‑stop matching – Beyond wheels, we supply axles, bearings, rails, rail clips, fishplates, and more.
- Global shipping experience – Proven export to Nigeria and other African markets.