SKF boosts its trailer wheel end warranties

NASHVILLE. SKF is increasing warranty coverage for trailer wheel ends under its “trouble free operation” or TFO program to either five or seven years, with certain conditions attached. During a press conference here at the 2016 Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) annual convention, John Heffernan, SKF’s key account manager, said the coverage expansion now allows trailer OEMs to “customize” warranty periods based on the products in the package that are more in line with customer demands. He stressed that to qualify for the expanded warranty options, customers must use the SKF Scotseal Plus XL, the SKF TF hubcap, and Hyatt or SKF branded tapered roller bearings. (Hyatt, by the by, is a wholly-owned SKF subsidiary, Heffernan noted). The expansion of SKF TFO warranty wheel end system options doesn’t require customers to purchase pre-assembled kits, he added. Instead, customers can continue to purchase and install product as they do today. Heffernan added that SKF will also manage the warranty program for trailer OEMs or fleet sales manager, with the five-year period including coverage for both labor and parts, while the seven-year package covers labor and parts for the first five years and just parts for the last two.