Felling Trailers Implements Real-Time Torquing Procedure

Felling Trailers, Inc.’s Documented Real Time Torquing Procedure was officially implemented January 1st, 2019. After nearly a year of research and development of the procedure, as of January 1st, 2019, 100% of Felling Trailers’ safety critical attachments, coupler, 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. The real-time torquing procedure was a great Felling 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 has peace of mind that their trailer is road ready upon delivery. The safety critical attachments: couplers, actuators, and lug nuts are torqued to specific foot-pounds and minimum degree rotation documented in real time.

“The real-time torquing procedure was a great Felling 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.”

– Chris Berg, Project Manager at Felling Trailers

As of January 1, 2019, 100% of Felling Trailers’ safety critical attachments, coupler, actuators, and lug nuts are torqued and documented in real time.

Torque 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 Torque Process:

• Every trailer’s safety-critical torqued results are saved in real-time to multiple locations.
• Every team member using this equipment is trained to our 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 about Felling Trailers or our real-time torquing procedure, contact us online or call 1.800.245.2809.