Meritor Announces Trailer Air Suspension System Enhancements
23 March 2000
Meritor Announces Trailer Air Suspension System Enhancements Aimed to Increase Operators' Trailer Productivity
LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 22 Meritor Automotive, Inc.
announced two new features on its RHP Highway Parallelogram
trailer air suspension system which respond to the industry trend for more
productive trailers. Meritor made the announcements here today at the
Mid-America Trucking Show.
First, addressing the need for reduced-maintenance trailers, the company
announced the LX500 Extended Lube option which consists of a specially mated
brake and automatic slack adjuster combination that does not require
lubrication service for three-years/ 500,000-miles in on-highway linehaul van
applications. The LX500 option is available only on the company's RHP Highway
Parallelogram trailer air suspension equipped with 16.5-inch Q Plus(TM)
brakes. It will be available in July 2000 through North American van OEMs.
Second, for reduced weight benefits, the company announced that nominal
1/2-inch wall thickness TN axles will be standard on new RHP orders, for dry
van applications, received after April 1, 2000.
"Truck-trailer operators are looking to OEMs and their suppliers to design
more efficient vehicles," said Rakesh Sachdev, vice president and general
manager for Meritor's Worldwide Trailer Products business. "It is our mission
to deliver innovative solutions that maximize trailer productivity, such as
reduced maintenance and lightweight components, or components that allow for
increased cubic capacity or reduced downtime."
LX500 Extended Lubrication Option for Q Plus(TM) Trailer Brakes
Maintenance is an especially important issue for trailers since they often
are not serviced by company-trained mechanics. However, extending lubrication
intervals on trailer brakes has been far more challenging than on tractor
brakes due to the relatively open, unprotected trailer camshaft.
Meritor's LX500 Extended Lube feature reduces trailer brake maintenance and
minimizes downtime by not requiring lubrication service for the first
three-years/500,000-miles in linehaul van applications. According to Sachdev,
the company expects most trailer operators to receive payback on their
investment in less than one year.
Features of the LX500 Extended Lube option include:
* Specially-designed sealing system for the camshaft bushings and
automatic slack adjusters (ASA), including patent-pending cam bushing
boots, to keep water and contaminants out of the assembly and
lubrication in;
* Corrosion-resistant synthetic grease in the patent-pending bolt-on
bushing assembly, camshaft support bushing and ASA; and
* Internal enhancements to the ASA and bushings for improved grease
distribution.
In addition, for truck-trailer operators seeking a completely
maintenance-free trailer brake (apart from periodic inspections), the company
has available the MX500 Long Life package on the RHP system. The MX500
package requires no lining or drum maintenance for three-years/500,000-miles,
in addition to the benefits of the LX500 Extended Lube feature.
The MX500 package includes a proprietary advanced friction material and
new dust shield. It requires Meritor trailer axles with 16.5-inch x 8-inch Q
Plus brakes, assembled with Meritor hubs and drums.
"The LX500 and MX500 packages on the RHP, along with the Meritor Tire
Inflation System by P.S.I. and TB axles with unitized hubs, makes possible the
first and only three-year/500,000-mile completely maintenance-free
undercarriage available in the trailer industry," stated Sachdev. However,
periodic inspections are required.
The company also offers the LX500 and MX500 features on its front steer
and drive axle brakes.
Lighter Weight Suspension System Allows Operators to Haul More Payload
Meritor will offer its RHP Highway Parallelogram for dry van applications
with a nominal 1/2-inch wall TN axle, which typically reduces axle weight by
10 percent over the current TQ axle. This weight savings equates to over
60 pounds per trailer. The company also makes the system available with
TB4000 and TP4000 Series axles.
"By further reducing the weight of our Highway Parallelogram system, which
is already up to 255 pounds lighter than competitive systems, Meritor helps
make trailers more productive by increasing load-carrying capacity," said
Sachdev.
The parallelogram design of the RHP is much easier on the axles than a
conventional trailing arm suspension, since the axles do not bear the loads
associated with vehicle roll. As a result, the company is able to use
TN axles in its air suspension system for dry vans.
Meritor, with 1999 sales of $4.5 billion, is a global supplier of a broad
range of systems and components for commercial, specialty and light vehicle
OEMs and the aftermarket. Meritor consists of two businesses: Heavy Vehicle
Systems, a leading supplier of complete drivetrain systems and components for
medium- and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and off-highway equipment and
specialty vehicles, including military, bus and coach, and fire and rescue;
and Light Vehicle Systems, a major supplier of roof, door, access control and
suspension systems and wheel products for passenger cars, light trucks and
sport utility vehicles.