Wheel Engineering

OTR Wheel Engineering

How to Measure
a Wheel
 Custom Built Wheel Disclaimer
If we are building a custom wheel from your specifications and we don’t have an actual drawing for the
wheel or a sample wheel, a number of things “can” go wrong.

When we build custom wheels from specifications we are completely dependent upon the customer for
the correct information. To ensure we do get it right, ideally we would like the customer to send us a
sample wheel to verify correct material and dimensions. If a sample wheel is available, ship it to us by
prepaid freight and we will return it to you with your completed wheel order.

We can quote wheels based on information provided. But if we are given incorrect or inaccurate
information we can not be held firmly to any quotes we give back to you.

Note that if we do not have a sample wheel and we are requested by the customer to build the wheel
from specifications provided, if there is a problem with the wheels supplied by us the customer
because of incorrect information, the customer “has bought the wheels as shipped”. If the wheels
can be fixed, the customer will have to return the wheels back to us at their expense and additional
labor charges will be involved to repair the wheels.

We have printed and illustrated instructions for measuring a wheel available on our website at
www.otrwheel.com or a copy of the information can be faxed directly to you. We will need a completed
“Spec Sheet” for the wheel to be quoted and built.

Terms of Purchase, Warranty and Return Policy

Terms of Purchase

Shipping Charges - All prices are F.O.B. OTR Wheel Engineering shipping facility unless otherwise
noted. Customers will be notified of any extra charges for packaging of products for shipment. Returns -
All merchandise returned requires authorization and is subject to a restocking charge (see return policy
below). Custom Made Products - All customers are responsible for all merchandise built to their
specifications. Damage And Shortage Claims - Any damage or shortage must be noted on the delivery
ticket or a carrier's freight bill at the time of delivery. Warranty - Warranty claims will only be
considered on items sold by OTR Wheel Engineering.

Warranty

OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc., has no control over the end use or application of its products as purchased
or may be as modified, for use on equipment. Such use is subject to adequate field testing and approval by
the equipment manufacturer.

Should something go wrong with a part or parts purchased from OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc. within a
period of one year from date of purchase, OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc.'s Return Policy is limited to
replacement or repair of the parts based on satisfactory proof of defective workmanship or material. No
adjustment will be made in cases of product abuse such as overloading, excessive speeds, improper tire
inflation, or operating in conflict with conditions as presented in the Tire & Rim Association Manual, or
specifically recommended and approved in writing by OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc., product
engineering. We do not assume liability for parts remanufactured or applications beyond their intended
use. A return policy is not to be considered a guarantee of OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc. products.
A part or parts can not be returned to the factory without prior approval of OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc.
OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc. will reimburse freight charges for a part or parts shipped to its factory if:

a. OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc. has been called for authorization to ship the part or parts to its factory,
and, b. the part or parts are found by OTR Wheel Engineering, Inc. to be defective.

No representative, distributor, or dealer has the authority to make any promise, agreement, or alteration of
this return policy.

Return Policy

Authorization - An authorization number must be obtained before returning any merchandise.

Handling And Restocking Charges - A minimum handling and restocking charge of 15% may be charged
on all returned merchandise.

Reconditioning - Any reconditioning cost will be deducted from the credit.

1 Year Limit - All merchandise returned for credit must have been purchased within the year previous to
the time of the return.

Special Made Items - Return credit for special made product will vary depending on the product.

Proof Of Purchase - Only items originally purchased from OTR Wheel Engineering will be considered for
return.

Account Credit - All credits will be credited to the customers account, unless other arrangements were
made at the time authorization was obtained.

Prepaid Shipments - All returns that are returned via common carrier must be prepaid.
 Definitions and Explanations
Bead Seat - Position where the tire rests Rim Diameter - Nominal diameter
on the inside of the rim and seals. measured from the bead seat.

Bolt Circle - The diameter at which bolt
holes are located for mounting purposes.
Bolt Pattern - The mounting pattern
including the number of bolt holes, the bolt
circle and the pilot hole diameter.
Rim Flange - The edge of the rim that has
a larger diameter than the tire bead
designed to support the tire.
Rim Profile - The rim shape as defined by
the Tire and Rim Association.

Capacity - Load rating given to a wheel.
Based on a single wheel application.
Capacities are based on applicable SAE
standards.
Center Line - One half the rim width.
Rim Width - Nominal width measured
between rim flanges.
SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers.
When a wheel conforms to published SAE
specifications, it is assigned a number.

Chamfer - Breaks in the sharp edges of the
mounting bolt holes to assist in assembly.
Drop Center - The inside diameter of the
rim where the center disc is normally
welded to the rim. Also referred to as the
rim well or deep well.
Inset/Outset - Inset is positive offset, in
which the center line of the wheel is
inboard from the mounting face of the disc.
Outset is negative offset, in which the
center line of the wheel is located outboard
from the mounting face of the disc.
Non-reversible Wheel - A wheel that will
mount with one side of the disc face only.
Tubeless Wheel or Rim - A single piece
wheel or rim with a drop center (rim well)
designed for use with tubeless tires.
Valve Guard - Device on the wheel to
protect the valve stem.
Valve Hole - A round hole in a single piece
rim to accommodate the valve stem.
Weight Holes - Additional holes placed in
the disc for the attachment of wheel
weights.
Wheel - A rim combined with a center disc
which has bolt holes for attaching to a
vehicle.
The following explanations reference the above illustration.
Bolt Circle Diameter - The diameter of the Bolt Circle is the most important factor for correctly
guiding the disk onto the hub.
Pilot Hole - The diameter of the Pilot Hole may be classified into the following two categories;
A. For hubs with flat-based wheel nuts, the Pilot Hole should have a plus tolerance of a
few tenths of a mm. The Pilot hole should both support the wheel and guide it
correctly onto the hub. If the gap between the hub and the disc is too large, the disc
will not center on the hub and the vehicle will rock while in motion, greatly increasing
the risk of the wheel nuts coming loose.

Pilot Hole - Nominal diameter of the center B. For applications with tapered or rounded wheel nuts, the plus tolerance of the Pilot
hole that fits over the hub or axle. Hole can vary between one or two mm. Countersinks in the bolt holes should fit the
nuts shape correctly, as the nuts are supposed to center the disc. Incorrect
Reversible Wheel - A wheel that can be countersinks may cause wheel nuts to come loose.
mounted with either side of the disc face to
the hub face. The Number of Bolt Holes - The estimated weight bearing capacity for the axle determines the
number of studs required. The stud size is equally important. These parameters are
determined by the axle manufacturer.

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 Offsets refer to the placement of the center
disc inside the rim. The offset is what
determines the track width of the tires and
wheels on the vehicle.

A “center line” offset means the mounting

face of the disc is located exactly on the
center line of the rim.

- Offset means the disc is mounted off center

line towards the vehicle. This positions
widens the wheel track width (see the
illustration to the right).

+ Offset means the disc is mounted off

center line away from the vehicle. This
position narrows the wheel track (again, see
the illustration to the right).
Note: Please note that “-Offset” is also
Measurements should always be based on known as “Outset” and “+ Offset” is also
the distance of the mounting face of the disc known as “Inset”.
Bolt Hole Diameter - The Bolt Hole Diameter is determined by the size and number of bolt
from the center line of the rim.
holes, and the shape of the countersinking.

Chamfer’s or Countersinks - The interface between the wheel nut and the disc can be “flat”,
“conical” or “spherical”. The latter two shapes guide the disc, and to some extent locks the
nuts as they are tightened. Wheels with chamfers on both sides can be turned to either
side, using the same wheel to provide different track widths.

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 How to Measure a Wheel

In order to help us, HELP YOU THE CUSTOMER, get the correct wheel for your machine or
application, we need to get the correct information from you about the wheel you require.
You can either write this information down on a piece of paper or use the Wheel Application
Data Sheet located a few pages behind this one.

Step 1 - Do you have the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s or the wheel

manufacturer’s part number for the wheel?

• If you have any of those numbers, call our customer service staff to see if we may be able
to cross reference the information in the database of part numbers we already have. If we
don’t have it in our database already, we will want to add it with the other information
collected. If none of these numbers are available, proceed to step 2.

Step 2 - What is the specific tire size you are using?

• The tire size will tell us the proper rim diameter and width required. The size of the tire
may also help us determine the correct rim profile to use. In certain cases it won’t and we
will need you to help us identify the profile from the rims shown in this catalog. An
extensive table is located in the back of this catalog for locating the tire size and the
proper rim size.
• In most cases, steps 1 and 2 will give us the information we need to make sure we
are providing you with the correct wheel for your machine.

Step 3 - How many bolt holes are there?

• Simply count the number of holes in the disc for the wheel studs. We also need to know if
the holes are equally spaced or not. If in doubt, just measure the distance between a few
of the holes to see.

Step 4 - What is the Bolt Circle size?

• How you correctly measure the Bolt Circle depends on how many holes are in the disc. If
the disc has an even number of holes and they are equally spaced, the illustration on the
next page shows you how to measure the dimensions easily.

10 11
• Use a tape measure or a straight edge and measure the holes as shown in the illustration. When
measuring the Bolt Circle, you want to measure from the top edge of the hole at one end to the
top edge of the hole on the other end. You want to be as exact as possible in your
measurements. The following is a listing of standard bolt patterns used in many agricultural Step 5 - Are the bolt holes chamfered or are they straight?
wheels. You may find your measurements are one of these patterns. In a few cases, you may
have an odd pattern that is not standard. • If the bolt holes are straight, that means you are using a “flange wheel nut” to secure the
wheel to the hub. If the bolt holes have a chamfer, we need to know if it is spherical or
conical. We also need to know if the chamfer is only on one side or both.
Holes BC BC Pilot Hole Pilot Hole • If the holes are chamfered, you could give us the nut information and we can translate
(Inches) (Decimal) (Inches) (Decimal) that into the correct chamfer information.
4 4” 4.000 2-1/2” 2.500 • If you don’t have the nut information, you will have to measure the chamfer widths and
4 5” 5.000 3-5/8” 3.625 depths. Reference the illustration on Page 8.
5 4-1/2” 4.500 3-1/8” 3.130 • If necessary, you can send us a wheel nut to make sure we get it exact.
5 5-1/2” 5.500 4” 4.000
Step 6 - What is the wheel offset?
6 6” 6.000 4-5/8” 4.625
6 8-3/4” 8.750 6-15/32” 6.469 • You will need to take a measurement for the “Back Spacing” which we will translate into
8 6-1/2” 6.500 4-3/4” 4.750 the correct offset for the wheel. Reference the illustration below for measuring the back
8 8” 8.000 6” 6.000 spacing. You need to take the wheel and lay it down so the machine side of the wheel is
8 10-3/16” 10.188 8-3/4” 8.750 facing up.
9 9-1/2” 9.500 7-3/4” 7.750
10 11-1/4” 11.250 8-3/4” 8.750
10 12” 12.000 9-1/2” 9.500
10 13-3/16” 13.188 11-1/17” 11.059
10 20-1/8” 20.125 17-7/8” 17.875
10 22-1/4” 22.250 20-1/8” 20.125
12 16-5/8” 16.625 14-1/2” 14.500
14 12” 12.000 9-1/2” 9.500

• Odd numbered bolt holes are the only real difficult bolt patterns to measure because they require
four separate measurements and a little math. Reference the illustration for the 5 hole pattern,
measure dimension A, B, C and D. Plug those numbers into the formula A+B+C+D = Bolt Circle,
and you have the correct dimension for the odd numbered bolt holes. Note: This only works when
the holes are equally spaced. If the bolt holes are grouped (ie. 2 holes, a space, 2 more holes, a • The Back Spacing dimension is the distance from the extreme back edge of the rim, not
space, this will require that you send the wheel to one of our facilities to be measured by our the bead seat, to the mounting pad of the disc. Lay a straight edge across the back edge
technical staff to make sure we have the correct pattern information. of the rim and measure down to the mounting pad. Nearly all custom wheels use this
• Measure the Inside Diameter (ID) of the Pilot Hole as shown in the illustration on page 7. measurement method to indicate the location of the mounting pad in relation to the rim.
• Remember that for hubs with flat-based wheel nuts, the Pilot Hole should have a plus tolerance of
We can use this dimension to calculate the actual Inset or Outset measurement for the
a few tenths of a mm. The Pilot hole should both support the wheel and guide it correctly onto the
hub. If the gap between the hub and the disc is too large, the disc will not center on the hub and
wheel.
the vehicle will rock while in motion, greatly increasing the risk of the wheel nuts coming loose.
For applications with tapered or rounded wheel nuts, the plus tolerance of the Pilot Hole can vary Step 7 - What kind of disc is being used in the wheel?
between one or two mm. Countersinks in the bolt holes should fit the nuts shape correctly, as the
nuts are supposed to center the disc. Incorrect countersinks may cause wheel nuts to come • The disc can be either a flat plate or formed disc. Nearly all agricultural wheels are
loose. manufactured with a formed disc. A formed disc is usually pushed into the center of the
rim with a press and then welded in place. The disc usually has a leg width greater than
the disc thickness. This leg provides greater support and disperses the load stress over a
wider area of the rim center than would a flate plate disc welded in the center.

12 13
 VH VH

DW Rim

• Several of the possible disc profiles are pictured in the illustrations above. Discs can
come in several different thicknesses and diameters for the different rim sizes that are
used.
• You should be able to easily identify the disc type in the wheel you have from the
illustrations above. Just let your customer service person know which one you require.
• The small drop center rims shown in the illustrations on the previous page show the
possible locations for 4 different valve holes. H1 shows a valve hole that has been
embossed into the rim. H3 shows a valve hole with no embossment and is mechanically
punched into the rim.
• The 15˚ rim illustrated in the center shows four possible locations for a valve hole.
• The illustration at the top of the page for the DW rim shows the location for two possible
locations for a valve hole. One of those locations shows a valve guard. In the case of the
DW rim, nearly all of the rims will come with two valve holes located as shown above.
• There are various different kinds of valve guards available and in use today. Reference
the illustrations below.

Step 8 - Where is the valve hole located in the rim and what kind of valve hole is it? Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D
And does it have a valve guard?

• One piece rims will have a valve hole which can be located in many different locations in
the rim. Depending on the profile and size of the rim, the valve hole could be located in
one or two of these locations. Reference the illustrations below and on the next page.

Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H

Small Drop
Center Rims

15˚ Rims
Non Demountable Figure I Figure J

Valve Guard Illustrations

14 15
Step 9 - Are there any other items on the wheel not already described such as bead
reinforcements, etc.?

• Bead reinforcements are used in rough duty applications such as forestry or heavy load
applications such as grain carts. There are various kinds of bead reinforcements in use
other than the ones shown in the illustration at the top of page 15.
• Does your rim have bead humps? Reference the illustration below. Bead humps are
formed into the rim when it is rolled. The purpose of the bead humps is to lock the tire
bead into the bead area of the rim should air pressure run low or if you get a flat. This is
intended to keep the tire from easily dislodging itself from the rim bead area.

TIRE

CENTER

BOLT

Wheel pictured with bead humps Close up view of bead hump and how the tire fits

PILOT HOLE DIAMETER

CENTER THICKNESS

Step 10 - What color paint do you want? Do you want your wheel primer coated? Do
you want any special rust preventative treatments such as Ecoat, epoxy primer or zinc
oxide?

• You have three options for primer and rust/corrosion prevention.

1) Epoxy primer is a standard under coat that provides a minimum of rust and corrosion
prevention.
2) Ecoat provides a medium amount of rust and corrosion prevention (up to 600 hours
of salt spray protection).
3) Zinc oxide provides the maximum amount of rust and corrosion prevention (up to
6000 hours of salt spray protection).
• The standard paint colors available are white, off-white, yellow, orange, silver or black.

16 17
 Custom Built Wheels Packaging and Handling
OTR Wheel Engineering has the capability to build nearly any kind of wheel for off road 1. Unless otherwise noted on your bill of lading and invoice, all shipments are made on
applications. When a wheel is manufactured according to the customers specifications, ALL NON-RETURNABLE pallets.
SALES ARE FINAL. OTR Wheel Engineering warrants the wheel for defects according to our
Warranty Statement. 2. All shipments are made freight collect unless prepaid freight arrangments have been made
in advance.

3. Depending on the sizes and quantities of the wheels or rims being shipped, shipments can
be made loose, boxed, palletized and shrink wrapped, and palletized and banded.

4. We can utilize your carrier of choice or one of our preferred carriers. We use a host of
common carriers for Less Than a truck Load (LTL) shipments as well as full truck loads.

5. We utilize package delivery services such as the U.S. Mail, UPS, Federal Express, and
DHL.

6. For export orders, we can load your shipping containers at our loading dock.

7. Any special packaging requirements for your order needs to be communicated to the
customer service representative handling your account.

18 19
 Ag Wheel Application Form

DH style rim with flange

reinforcements and formed disc.

W style rim with formed disc.

FLAT PLATE OR FORMED DISC

VA style rim with flat plate

disc.

15° or Duplex style rim with

formed disc.

DW style rim with flat plate

disc.

Often neglected,
please make sure you
show the location of
Important Note: If
flange reinforcements are
the valve hole on this required, please make a
form. note in the “OTHER INFOR-
MATION” area of this form.

When complete fax to: _________________________

 Construction & Industrial
Wheel Application Form

W style rim with formed disc. Drop Center Rim with

formed disc

FLAT PLATE OR FORMED DISC

VA style rim with flat plate

disc.

15° or Duplex style rim with

formed disc.

Flat base industrial style.

Often neglected,
please make sure you
show the location of
the valve hole or valve
slot on this form.

When complete fax to: _________________________

 Earthmover/Construction
Wheel Application Form

Information Required
Machine Specifications:
Make: ___________________________________________
Model: ___________________________ Year: ____
Standard Tire Size: __________________ Ply Rating: ____

Wheel Specifications:
Rim Width: Diameter: Wheel Style:
__________________ ________________ _______________
Center type:
Flat plate or formed disc ___________________________
Dimensions:
A. Bolt circle diameter ______________
No. of stud holes ______________
Diam. of stud holes ______________
Counter sink angle ______________
B. Pilot hole diameter ______________
C. Disc thickness ______________
D. Back spacing measurement ______________
E. Front spacing measurement ______________
F. Nominal offset ______________
(from rim center line to driving face of center)
Valve hole position ______________
(from outside edge of rim)
Valve protector YES/NO ______________
Lock ring position - inside/outside ______________

Other information:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

When complete fax to OTR Wheel @ ______________________________