WOODRIDGE, Ill. — International Truck and Engine Corporation and Hendrickson
officials announce that International offers Hendrickson’s AIRTEK® integrated
front air suspension and HTB™ 400LT lightweight rear air suspension on 9200i
and 9400i trucks.
AIRTEK, the industry’s first integrated front axle and air suspension system,
aids fleets in their efforts to optimize the life-cycle cost of their trucks.
AIRTEK helps improve steer-tire life and residual value, and reduces weight by
up to 100 pounds when compared to a standard front axle and suspension.
AIRTEK helps protect from bumps and potholes, providing a premium ride while
reducing noise, vibration, and harshness. The axle-section and leaf-spring
geometry produce improvements of up to 30 percent in ride and 64 percent in roll
stability.
Additionally, AIRTEK helps reduce downtime due to maintenance. Its premium
rubber suspension bushings eliminate lubrication requirements, while the
innovative two-piece knuckle steering design simplifies serviceability.
“After much time evaluating the direction on front air suspensions, we are
pleased to announce our decision to offer our customers the Hendrickson AIRTEK
front air suspension system and all of the benefits that it provides,” says John
Fay, director heavy truck marketing, for International.
Setting a new standard for lightweight drive-axle suspensions, Hendrickson’s new
HTB 400LT weighs up to 250 pounds less than typical 40,000-pound capacity
suspensions. At the same time, HTB delivers exceptional ride, reduced
maintenance and outstanding durability, while helping to reduce overall life
cycle costs.
The patented, non-torque reactive design helps deliver quiet, smooth operation
even with the most powerful of today’s engines. By controlling suspension windup
and frame rise, HTB helps minimize wear and tear on U-joints, pinion bearings
and other driveline components.
“HTB’s parallelogram geometry eliminates the frame rise that is characteristic
of trailing arm suspensions,” says Michael Brannigan, engineering manager for
new vocational products, of 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.”
This unique design also contributes to HTB’s superior ride performance. Unlike
other air suspensions that carry the vertical load on a combination of steel
springs and air springs, HTB rides on a full cushion of air. By carrying 100
percent of the vertical load on specially designed air springs, HTB delivers up
to a 34 percent ride improvement.
HTB proves ideal for fleets looking to improve ride and handling and to reduce
life cycle cost and becomes a must-have for weight sensitive fleets such as
beverage, tank and bulk haulers. Heavy haul and Canadian operators further
benefit from HTB 400LT’s 120,000-pound GCW capability.
“The pairing of AIRTEK and HTB provides the transportation industry with the
latest innovation in suspension design, delivering superior ride along with a
combined weight savings of up to 350 pounds. We are excited to be the first to
be able to offer this combination to our custormers,” adds Fay.
Steve Kiefer, director of marketing at Hendrickson says, “These two products –
either used together or individually – represent a new standard in ride,
handling, weight savings and overall life cycle cost improvement.”
For more information on AIRTEK and 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. |
AIRTEK®
HTB™ |
