LOUISVILLE, KY. Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC, a joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Corp., provided an update of its activities at a news conference here today ahead of the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Kishor Pendse, president of Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, made these key announcements:
- Bowling Green, KY, has been chosen as the site for a new state-of-the-art plant for manufacturing both drum and disc brakes. Located at the former site of a Hayes Lemmerz wheel plant, it will be the first dedicated foundation brake plant operated by the joint venture.
- A new lightweight version of the Bendix ADB22X air disc brake package that features an aluminum hub and splined disc assembly reduces total wheel-end weight, greatly reduces rotor dynamic stresses, provides improved thermal balance, and offers longer brake life. The aluminum splined disc can save as much as 240 lb. (total) compared with drum brake configurations on a typical 6x4 tractor and offers savings of 209 lb. (total) compared with other air disc brakes, which use an iron hub and conventional rotor, on the same typical tractor configuration, said Pendse. Peterbilt will be first OEM to offer it as an option on new on-highway trucks, effective April 2.
- The industry’s first portable training unit to demonstrate foundation brake assembly, disassembly and proper maintenance practices. The new Foundation Brake Training Unit eliminates the need for Bendix customers to tear down their own vehicles or use partial brake hardware to conduct vital foundation brake training.
Fred Andersky, marketing manager-electronics group, noted that in January 2008 Bendix will introduce its TABS-6 SST trailer stability system. He said this “simple package” allows retrofitting stability complements but does not replace the Bendix ESP stability system. It is aimed at fleets that own trailers but use owner-operators or have only roll stability on their tractors.
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