Felling Trailers Inc. Implements Real-Time Torquing Procedure

Sauk Centre, Minnesota (April 4th, 2019)—After nearly a year of research and development of the Felling Trailers Inc.’s documented real-time torquing procedure, 100% of the company’s safety-critical attachments, couplers, actuators and lug nuts are torqued and documented in real time.

“This was a project handed down from our executive team to ensure we are standing behind the quality in our brand. This was a team initiative that required efforts from almost all of our departments. At the end of the process, we have the data to back up the integrity of each fastener installed with our equipment,” said Project Manager Chris Berg.

The goal of the procedure is to verify that safety-critical attachments are torqued within +/- 5% of the target torque requirement. As a result, the end user/customer can have peace of mind that their trailer is road ready upon delivery. The safety critical attachments are torqued to specific foot-pounds and minimum-degree rotation.

Procedure Specifications:

• Couplers and actuators are torqued with a wireless torque wrench that provides visual and audible verification of proper torque.
• Wheel nuts are torqued using a corded tool that is programmed to torque all nuts on the wheel to 50% of its required specs. It then prompts the team member to repeat the process to complete torque to required torque specifications.

Documentation of Process:

• Every trailer’s safety-critical, torqued results are saved in real-time to multiple locations.
• Every team member using this equipment is trained on Felling torque-quality work instructions.
• Every trailer goes through a quality-controlled verification to ensure the hardware meets torque requirements. (Couplers and actuators have one random bolt checked per assembly. Then, every wheel receives a random check of two lug nuts per wheel.)
• After completion of the fastener rundown, the production member places a witness mark as a visual verification that the process is complete.

For more information, visit felling.com.