Hendrickson Expands Weight Capacities For FIREMAAX™ Heavy-Duty Air-Ride Suspension
June 2005

Hendrickson Expands Weight Capacities For FIREMAAX™ Heavy-duty Air-ride Suspension
WOODRIDGE, Ill. — Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems officials introduce a heavy-duty FIREMAAX™ air-ride suspension system in 27,000-pound single-axle and 54,000-pound tandem-axle ratings.

With the expansion of the FIREMAAX™ rear air suspension family, Hendrickson brings superb ride, stability and handling proven in punishing applications to fire and rescue vehicles that demand high-capacity suspensions.

Combining a robust design with performance enhancing features, the lightweight FIREMAAX delivers numerous benefits to emergency vehicles previously unavailable in any one air suspension.

Its outstanding ride produces superior driver and passenger comfort while helping protect critical equipment and electronics from excessive vibration. In addition, FIREMAAX provides weight savings of up to 200 pounds compared to traditional air-ride suspensions.

First launched in 2004 in 24,000-pound single axle and 48,000-pound tandem axle ratings, FIREMAAX features parallelogram suspension geometry that reduces roll-steer. This reduction offers the driver greater control during lane changes, highway ramp operation and tight road maneuvers.

The unique suspension geometry of FIREMAAX also produces enhanced stability. Heavy-duty forged support beams, outboard mounted premium torque rods and a highly engineered cross brace combine to deliver up to twice the roll stiffness of other air-ride suspensions. This greater roll stability particularly benefits fire and rescue applications.

“FIREMAAX represents Hendrickson’s commitment to providing lightweight suspensions with exceptional ride quality that have the stability, handling and durability required for demanding fire and rescue truck applications,” reports Gerry Remus, vocational market segment manager for Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems.

FIREMAAX delivers numerous maintenance features such as the unique QUIK-ALIGN system to simplify axle alignment without welding or drop-in shims and air springs and premium shock absorbers packaged within the envelope of the tire for additional clearance.

Hendrickson’s premium torque rods employ bonded rubber bushings for longer service life and elimination of lubrication requirement, while the outboard mounted longitudinal rods improve serviceability.

For more information on FIREMAAX, 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.