Rear Wheel Assist: A Practical Innovation from Regional Australia
At CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the largest construction equipment exhibition in the world, a new Australian innovation is being introduced to the global earthmoving industry.
Developed in Dalby, Queensland, the Rear Wheel Assist (RWA) system is designed to improve traction and productivity for tandem scraper operations.
While the concept is straightforward, the potential impact on jobsite performance is significant.
Better traction means machines can maintain momentum, cycle times stay consistent, and operators can keep production moving even when conditions become challenging.
Solving a Problem Operators Know Well
Scraper work depends heavily on traction.
Soft ground, steep haul roads, and changing soil conditions can quickly slow production. Machines lose grip, loads become inconsistent, and push tractors stay tied up longer than expected.
Rear Wheel Assist has been developed to help address that challenge.
By providing powered assistance to the scraper’s rear wheels, the system helps maintain traction during loading, hauling and climbing.
For operators, that means smoother pulls and more predictable machine performance.
For contractors, it means better productivity and improved machine utilisation.
Built to Improve What Already Works
Tandem scraper fleets remain one of the most efficient ways to move large volumes of material across construction and civil projects.
Rear Wheel Assist isn’t designed to replace that proven system — it’s designed to make it work better.
The system helps scrapers maintain traction when conditions become difficult, helping fleets stay productive across a wider range of jobsite conditions.
Potential benefits include:
Improved traction during loading
Consistent haul performance
Less reliance on push tractors
Reduced stress on prime movers
Just as importantly, the system has been designed to remain simple for operators to use.
From Dalby to the World
Rear Wheel Assist has been developed by DOM Distribution, part of the DOM Group based in Dalby.
The company has built strong relationships with contractors across regional Australia, and those real-world experiences have helped shape the development of the system.
Its debut at CONEXPO marks the first step toward introducing the technology to a global audience.
For DOM Distribution, it also represents a major milestone: the opportunity to become a manufacturing exporter, bringing Australian-built innovation to international markets.
Regional Innovation with Global Potential
The development of Rear Wheel Assist highlights the strength of practical engineering built close to the industry it serves.
Input from across DOM’s leadership and field support teams — including Managing Director Pat O’Brien, General Manager Luke Muller, and Central Queensland Sales and Support representative Ash Wenham — has helped ensure the system reflects real operating conditions.
Looking Ahead
As Rear Wheel Assist begins its journey into the global earthmoving industry, its goal is simple: help scrapers perform better when conditions are tough.
For operators, that means machines that keep pulling.
For contractors, it means productivity that stays consistent.
And for Dalby, Queensland, it shows that world-class construction innovation can come from regional Australia.