Hendrickson International is introducing a new truck axle as well as new configurations for its current suspension offerings to meet more specific application needs within the commercial vehicle marketplace. Available through most North American OEMs this August, the new Steertek NXT is touted by Hendrickson as the “next generation” of its weight saving Steertek fabricated front steer axle.
Aimed at the global market, Steertek NXT will accommodate a variety of wheel end and, knuckle designs. Its capacity will range from 8,000 lbs (3.6 tons) to 23,000 lbs (10.5 tons), the company said. The axle is approved for on-highway and medium-duty truck as well as bus and RV applications.
Hendrickson said the Steertek NXT saves up to 47 lbs compared to traditional I-beam axles. The company noted it is also designed to manage the increased brake torque loads resulting from the 2011 stopping distance regulation changes made to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 121, with the axle compatible with both drum and disc brakes using either 5/8-in. or ¾-in. fasteners.
The company added that its Primaax EX heavy-duty vocational rear air suspension is now being offered in new configurations from numerous OEMs, such as single- and tridem-axle variants, multiple ride heights and with disc brake-compatibility.
In the field since 2008, Hendrickson said the Primaax EX is specifically designed for vocational, severe, and heavy-haul applications, plus it can be packaged with both drum and disc brakes.
This axle package recently became available on Peterbilt Motor Co. Model 320 low-cab forward trucks, in 40,000 and 46,000 lb. disc brake configurations, the company noted. Navistar also recently added the Primaax EX as an option on its International WorkStar chassis in 69,000 lb. capacity tridem configurations.
