In an industry plagued by the driver shortage, maintaining productivity and profitability hinges on retaining drivers. Over 50,000 over-the-road truckload drivers leave carriers annually due to equipment and maintenance issues. Removing maintenance nuisances means enhancing the potential of retaining good drivers.

The ZMD® Advantage

Hendrickson’s revolutionary ZMD system reduces maintenance by eliminating a common maintenance component – the shock absorber. The unique, patented ZMD air spring performs the suspension damping function without the addition of an external damping device like a shock absorber.

Since no external damping device is required, no additional components are subject to wear. Eliminating the shock not only removes the underlying causes for damping degradation but also its subsequent maintenance requirements. ZMD air springs require no elaborate inspection procedures to evaluate damping performance.

SOURCE:
HDT Staff. (2015, August). 2015 HDT Fact Book. Heavy Duty Trucking, 52-100. Retrieved from http://digital.truckinginfo.com/Aug2015#&pageSet=27

Fleet managers must consider many factors when attempting to retain qualified drivers – from wages and technology advancements to government mandates and beyond. While compensation and miles away from home account for a large chunk of this complicated issue, driver comfort is certainly a part of the retention conversation.

The leading cause of non-fatal injuries among tractor-trailer drivers is overexertion, which can be amplified by long periods of stationary driving. And with 60% of drivers commenting that roads are worse than ever, keeping drivers comfortable and happy is an essential component of driver retention.

THE ZMD ADVANTAGE

ZMD is proven to offer an improved ride over conventional air suspension systems. Unsolicited comments from tractor/trailer operators reveal an improved driving experience, and some drivers even liken the ride comfort offered by ZMD to the first time they pulled an air ride trailer.

ZMD works by controlling the flow of air between the flex member and the piston. By exchanging pressurized air between these two components, this patented ride technology provides consistent and continuous suspension damping for the entire life of the air springs. Unlike other damping methods, ZMD suspension damping does not degrade over time and there’s no chance the suspension will operate without it; therefore, ride quality is uncompromised.

SOURCE:
Loftis, S. (2015, July 1). Commercial truck drivers are unhappy with US road conditions. Retrieved from http://raycomgroup.worldnow.com/story/29451796/commercial-truck-drivers-are-unhappy-with-us-road-conditions

In 2014 alone, over 3.3 million roadside inspections were conducted in the commercial vehicle industry. A study reports that 80% of all CSA BASIC score violations are due to improper maintenance practices. In fact, over 175,000 violations in 2014 were attributed to improper repair and maintenance of parts and accessories on the vehicle.

The ZMD Advantage

Hendrickson’s exclusive ZMD Zero Maintenance Damping technology mitigates the risk of roadside violations by eliminating a common wear item: the shock absorber. With shocks out of the equation, the ZMD system requires no elaborate inspection procedures and eliminates the possibility of leaking fluids, which could sideline a trailer at an inspection. Eliminating the main wear item not only removes the underlying causes for damping degradation, but also its subsequent maintenance requirements.

ZMD is standard on ULTRAA-K® and may be retrofitted on select VANTRAAX® air slider systems. Additionally, ZMD will soon be available on select INTRAAX® integrated air suspension systems. Retrofitting ZMD on existing Hendrickson suspensions is simple. The ZMD installation procedures and mounting hardware are identical to the standard air spring and shock installation procedures. To retrofit the ZMD system on VANTRAAX and INTRAAX suspensions, simply remove the existing shocks and air springs and replace with the ZMD air springs and chain downstops. INTRAAX models that spec ZMD require an additional bolt to be added to the shock clevis.

SOURCE:
HDT Staff. (2015, August). 2015 HDT Fact Book. Heavy Duty Trucking, 52-100. Retrieved from http://digital.truckinginfo.com/Aug2015#&pageSet=27
Skydel, S. (2014, July 29). Designing programs to avoid CSA violations. Retrieved from http://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/avoid-csa-violations/

The trucking industry delivers nearly 70% of all freight annually in the United States. Today’s trailers must endure over 161,000 miles of highway in poor condition. This means an increased risk of damage or wear-and-tear to the trailer itself and, potentially, its cargo. Protecting your payload and your equipment is paramount for maximizing the bottom line and protecting your fleet’s reputation.

The ZMD Advantage

Suspension damping works by reducing vibration inputs to the trailer body, which helps extend the life of trailer components including door hinges, door seals, light fixtures and trailer fasteners. Isolating the trailer from vibration helps extend the time between maintenance intervals and replacement cycles.

Additionally, suspension damping is critical for reducing the amount of energy that is transmitted from the road to the cargo. Consistent and continuous damping performance protects the trailer’s payload, which can ultimately improve ROI and shipper customer satisfaction.

Hendrickson’s state of the art research and development testing and real-world driving evaluations have proven that ZMD technology provides superior suspension damping, which translates to unmatched ride quality and cargo protection.

SOURCE:
ARTBA. (2015). Highways Needing Resurfacing or Reconstruction, and Deficient Bridges (Rep.). Retrieved http://www.artba.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/10.1.2015_ARTBA_Conditions.pdf