All about AWD® Assist Wheel Drive
General Information
What is AWD® Assist Wheel Drive from ez-Wheel®?
AWD® Assist Wheel Drive is an all-in-one motorized wheel solution integrating a BLDC motor, rechargeable battery pack(s), and onboard control electronics to assist operators in moving heavy loads safely and effortlessly.
What loads can the AWD® Assist Wheel Drive move?
- AWD® 150: up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
- AWD® 160: up to 750 kg (1,500 lb)
Performance varies with ground conditions and caster friction.
What types of equipment can the AWD® Assist Wheel Drive be installed on?
Can the AWD® Assist Wheel Drive be used outdoors?
Models are rated for occasional outdoor use on concrete or asphalt but not for grass, mud, sand or highly irregular floors.
General information
▶ What is an Emergency Stop (E-Stop) switch?
An Emergency Stop (E-Stop) switch is a safety device used to immediately halt machinery or equipment in emergency situations. It is designed to prevent injury to operators, damage to equipment, or other hazardous outcomes by cutting power or stopping motion when activated.
▶ How does an E-Stop switch work?
When the E-Stop button is pressed, it activates a mechanism that interrupts the power supply or stops the motion of the machinery. The switch typically remains in the activated (latched) position until manually reset, ensuring the equipment cannot restart unintentionally.
▶ What is the difference between a standard stop button and an E-Stop switch?
- Standard Stop Button: Used for normal stopping of equipment and may not have a latching mechanism.
- E-Stop Switch: Designed for emergency situations, featuring a latching mechanism to ensure the equipment remains stopped until manually reset. It is also required to meet specific safety standards.
Compliance & standards
What is the protection rating of the AWD® Assist Wheel Drive?
- AWD® 150: IP43—dry industrial environments
- AWD® 160: IP66—suitable for cleanrooms and wet areas (without immersion).
How resistant are they to shocks and vibrations?
The AWD® 150’s reinforced cast-iron housing and hub withstand severe knocks and vibration, making it ideal for harsh industrial environments.
What is ISO 11228-2?
Functionality and features
What type of motor performance does each model provide?
- AWD® 150: BLDC motor in cast-iron housing—peak pushing effort ~35 daN (≈ 1 metric ton moved).
- AWD® 160: BLDC motor— pushing effort ~27 daN (≈ 750 kg moved).
What is the maximum speed?
Adjustable up to 5 km/h (3 mph). Above that, the wheel free-wheels or engages a speed limiter (configurable) to prevent dangerous inertia.
What is the duty cycle?
AWD® Assist Wheel Drives are designed for intermittent use (~10–20% duty). Continuous high-load or slope operation may trigger a thermal cut-off to prevent damage; a brief cool-down restores functionality.
How is the AWD® Assist Wheel Drive powered and what are the battery specs?
- Internal battery: 0/70/140 Wh (0, 1 or 2 packs of 70 Wh each)
- External battery: Ni-MH (9 Ah/15 Ah), Li-ion (20 Ah)
What’s the difference between internal and external batteries?
- Internal: Better integration, fewer cables, suitable for moderate use
- External: Easier swapping, suitable for more intensive use, better autonomy
What is the typical autonomy?
- 1× internal battery (70 Wh): ~3 km
- 2× internal batteries (140 Wh): ~6 km
Actual range depends on start/stop frequency and load. A precise estimate of autonomy can be drawn up on demand for a specific use case.
What braking options exist?
- Motor brake (standard): automatic deceleration & holding torque
- Parking brake (AWD® 150 only): mechanical lock when powered off—essential for slopes.
Can AWD® Assist Wheel Drive be used on ramps or slopes?
Yes. Both series include slope-assist control; AWD® 150 with its parking brake can hold its position while powered off, AWD® 160 can only perform a slow descent without power.
Installation & maintenance
How can the AWD® Assist Wheel Drives be integrated?
Correct mechanical positioning is key:
- 4 swivel casters: place at the diagonal intersection
- Fixed + swivel casters: align on the fixed-caster axis
- Motorized dual-wheel setups: follow max vertical load specifications
In any case, integrating a suspension can be considered to avoid slippage and reduce the vertical load borne by the AWD®.
How are AWD® Assist Wheel Drives controlled?
Via 0–5 V analog input. A full range of hand control accessories is available, including joysticks, rotating handles, and tiller heads.
Is towing possible?
Yes, in free-wheel mode. Do not exceed 8 km/h (5 mph) to avoid damaging the electronics.
What maintenance is required?
The AWD® range is maintenance-free. We only recommend checking the wheel tread and monitoring battery health as preventive maintenance.
What diagnostic tools are available?
Wheel and battery statuses are indicated by LEDs on the wheel and displayed on the accessories. In-depth diagnostics is possible with the free diagnostic tool via the USB interface (fault reading, status and temperature monitoring).
Application & use
What are the typical applications?
AWD® Assist Wheel Drives are used to motorize any wheeled equipment in the following sectors:
- Industrial: conveyor transfer cars, tool trolleys, heavy-duty carts
- Logistics: order-picking trains, milk-run trolleys, kitting carts
- Medical/Food: patient transportation, laundry/catering trolleys, clean rooms carts.
How many start/stop cycles can the AWD® range withstand?
AWD® Assist Wheel Drives have been validated for thousands of successive starts/stops, through thousands of running applications, making it ideal for high-frequency picking.
Are multiple AWD® Assist Wheel Drives supported on a single cart?
Yes, you can deploy dual-AWD® carts to increase the load capacity and improve steering
Are different models available?
Only the AWD® 150 (industrial, cast-iron) and AWD® 160 (compact, IP66 medical/logistics). No other AWD® ranges are currently available.