WOODRIDGE, Ill. – Truck manufacturer International Truck and Engine Corporation
and suspension manufacturer Hendrickson announce the launch of the HTB™ rear air
suspension on International’s 9000 Series trucks.
HTB is a lightweight, non-torque reactive suspension offering the additional
advantages of smooth ride and low maintenance. The HTB rear air suspension is
the lightest suspension in its class. At 570 pounds including axle brackets, HTB
saves up to 250 pounds of weight over industry-standard 40,000-pound capacity
suspensions.
Fleets in weight sensitive applications such as tankers, bulk haulers and
refrigerated carriers, where a pound saved is an additional pound of payload
hauled, derive great benefit from HTB. The weight savings is attributed to HTB’s
optimized design featuring a parallelogram geometry that eliminates leaf springs
and reduces components.
“HTB’s parallelogram geometry eliminates the frame rise that is characteristic
of trailing arm suspensions,” says Michael Brannigan, program manager for
Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems.
“Driveline angles are maintained throughout axle travel, thereby minimizing
suspension induced driveline vibration. Reduction in torsional vibration
contributes to the longevity of driveline components like the transmission,
differential and U-joints; reduces noise and vibration, and provides a better
ride.
Brannigan continues, “Moreover, HTB has been tested under rigorous conditions in
the field, lab and the proving grounds and has proven extremely durable. Most
components require zero maintenance and are designed for long life.”
HTB’s unique technology and componentry makes it best in class in terms of
weight savings, ride and maintenance. The innovative torque box system improves
multi-axial stability and control.
The cross-member, frame hangers and torque rods are efficiently designed to
reduce weight while improving durability. Large, direct acting air springs carry
100 percent of the vertical load, as compared to trailing arm suspensions where
vertical load is shared between air springs and leaf springs. This key
difference provides up to a 34 percent ride improvement and reduces vibration
and harshness.
HTB has an extremely efficient design. Its centrally placed frame hanger
eliminates the dual hangers found in a trailing arm suspension. Innovations like
shock absorber mountings integrated with the torque rod further reduce
complexity and part count.
“A key driver in the design of HTB was reducing vehicle cost of ownership and
optimizing the life-cycle cost of our customers,” says Steve Kiefer, director of
marketing for Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems. “This has been achieved by
minimizing suspension induced driveline vibration and by doing away with
greasing and re-torquing.”
Ed Kaufman, managing director of Domino Trucking, concurs, “I have used an HTB
test unit for almost three years. The suspension provides a smoother ride and
eliminates driveline vibration — the main reason for wear and tear in trucks.
HTB has increased the life of my truck and has allowed me to haul more payload
per trip. I strongly recommend HTB to all truckers.”
“HTB represents a key advancement in suspension technology that is comparable to
the progression from four-spring suspensions to trailing arm suspensions twenty
years ago,” says Steve Andrews, general manager of Hendrickson Truck Suspension
Systems.
“Hendrickson is excited about advancing the state of suspension technology and
remains firmly committed to reducing the cost-of-ownership for fleet customers,
while providing the lightest weight, best riding and most durable systems,”
Andrews adds.
HTB will be offered as optional equipment on International 9200i and 9400i
long-haul trucks. “International’s 9200i and 9400i provide a total business
solution to the fleet by combining maximum uptime with comfort and convenience.
The HTB rear air suspension from Hendrickson will complement our products and
provide the weight-sensitive customer with the lightest-in-class suspension and
best-in-class ride,” says John Fay, director of marketing at International.
For more information on HTB, contact Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems,
Woodridge, Ill., at 630-910-2800.
Hendrickson, a Boler company, is one of the largest global suppliers of truck
and tractor suspensions, trailer suspensions, truck and trailer lift axles,
bumpers and trim components and springs to the commercial transportation
industry. Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., Hendrickson has been meeting the needs
of the transportation industry for more than 90 years.
International Truck and Engine Corporation is the operating company of Navistar
International Corporation (NYSE: NAV). The company produces International® brand
commercial trucks, mid-range diesel engines and IC brand school buses and is a
private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck,
van and SUV markets. Additional information is available at
www.internationaldelivers.com. |
 |
