DALLAS – Truck brake maker MGM Brakes has introduced a new electronic brake checking system called e-stroke, which uses factory-installed sensors to detect whether a truck’s brakes are functioning normally.
Introduced at the Great American Truck Show this week, MGM said e-stroke is designed to detect and measure brake ‘strokes’ within the brake chamber. The sensors are pre-calibrated and installed at the factory. They operate by converting air-brake actuator activity into an electronic signal, which the sensors in turn measure to determine if brake stroke is normal, overstroking, not occurring at all, of if brake ‘dragging’ is happening.
MGM said this system is designed to reduce the need for technicians to crawl under the vehicle and manually determine the stroke status within the brake chamber. The company also hopes the system will help drivers determine if they have a brake problem before it becomes serious, reducing accidents caused by out-of-adjustment or faulty brakes.
E-stroke is also designed to act as a diagnostic tool, said MGM, to help lower parts and labor costs associated with preventive maintenance operations for brakes.
