Bendix is responding to escalating industry demand for air disc brakes (ADB) by increasing its production capability and – for fleets considering adopting ADB – introducing an easy-to-use online value calculator to help carriers determine whether air discs are the best option for their business.
To support increasing demand of its ADB22X and ADB22X-LT brakes, the company added a new ADB line at its wheel-end manufacturing operation in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The line became operational in early September and will be ramping up to full capacity in the coming months. The new Bendix ADB value calculator, available at ValuebyBendix.com, is designed to help fleets understand what savings opportunities are available if they spec all-wheel ADB22X air disc brakes on their tractors and ADB22X-LT on their trailers.
“There’s a reason the industry is turning to air disc brakes in ever-increasing numbers. Their advantages – from safety performance to lower total cost of ownership (TCO) – are very compelling,” said Keith McComsey, director of marketing and customer solutions at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB). “Since 2005, when we introduced our first ADB to the North American marketplace, Bendix has been committed to supporting fleets, owner-operators, and truck manufacturers with this technology in every way possible. That means meeting and exceeding demand, while developing tools like the Bendix ADB value calculator to help them carefully consider various brake system options.”
Production Growth
BSFB, a joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC, produces the Bendix ADB22X air disc brake at its facility in Bowling Green. Increasing market adoption by fleets and owner-operators means the brake accounts for nearly 2 million wheel-ends on the road. More than 20 percent of North American Class 6-8 air-braked wheel-ends are now equipped with ADBs – a 50 percent increase in overall market share since 2013 – and the ADB22X accounts for approximately 85 percent of that share. Since 2009, Bendix’s annual production levels for air disc brakes have risen significantly, as the company approaches 2 million ADB wheel-ends on the road in early 2018.
Last year, Bendix expanded its ADB product portfolio by introducing an air disc brake designed for trailers. The Bendix ADB22X-LT trailer air disc brake is the lightest-weight trailer ADB system in North America. Though created specifically for trailers, the ADB22X-LT is based on the same proven, successful platform as the ADB22X tractor brake.
“In addition to our new ADB line and ongoing investment in production capacity and capabilities, Bendix continues to invest in resources to advance, manufacture, and support air disc braking systems,” said Nicole Oreskovic, product director (ADB) at BSFB. “Over the last two years, we have doubled the size of our North American-based engineering team, adding employees in research and development, as well as technical and field support. We’ve also substantially increased our testing capabilities.”
Evaluation Tool
Bendix’s latest investment in resources to support ADB systems is the air disc brake value calculator.
Fleets can go to ValuebyBendix.com, enter basic fleet information specific to their braking practices and needs, and receive a report to help them decide if spec’ing all-wheel air disc brakes over foundation drum brakes makes financial sense. The user-friendly tool asks for information ranging from drum brake friction and maintenance costs to estimated Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) violation costs for out-of-adjustment drum brakes.
“Through the information we ask the fleet to provide, the tool produces a comparison of how air disc brakes may offset initial ADB option upcharges and provide lower total cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle,” McComsey said. “This calculator is a helpful guide for fleets looking at ADB, plus it’s a straightforward process that’s not time-consuming. When you’ve stepped all the way through, you receive a summary report of your value calculation based on your input. Fleets have asked us for a tool like this. They all have unique circumstances, and the value calculator will help guide them through the decision-making process when spec’ing brake systems.”
Why Air Disc Brakes?
The Bendix ADB22X family of disc brakes features a lightweight air disc brake design, helps reduce stopping distance considerably, and extends the service interval of their brake components. Along with other Bendix wheel-end solutions, air disc brakes help fleets exceed the federal Reduced Stopping Distance (RSD) requirements mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Air disc brakes also offer the advantages of quicker pad replacement and longer pad life, leading to greater uptime and lower maintenance costs; car-like feel and straight, stable stops; and greater reliability due to virtually no brake fade or degradation of stopping power.
Additionally, air disc brakes include an internal self-adjustment mechanism that can reduce the risk of brakes being found out of adjustment during inspection, which can affect CSA scoring.
Another benefit of air disc brakes is their ability to complement active safety technologies – such as Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™ and the Bendix® ESP® Electronic Stability Program full-stability system – and bring maximum value to them. The stopping power of ADBs allows these systems to work their best.
The Bendix ADB22X holds a strong position in the North American market and is released at the six major truck manufacturers, including Peterbilt, Kenworth, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), Mack®, Volvo, and International®. The brake has been standard equipment on the steer axle of all Peterbilt Motors Company and Kenworth Class 8 tractors since 2013. In June 2017, it gained standard position on all axles of International Truck’s new flagship LT Series, making the LT series the first Class 8 tractor in North America to equip air disc brakes as standard on all wheel-ends.
Fleets that have recently turned to the ADB22X include Custom Commodities Transport, a leading North American dry bulk and liquid transportation carrier. The company spec’ed ADB22X air disc brakes on all wheel-ends of its tractors, as well as the ADB22X-LT trailer-specific air disc brake on all new trailers. Since 2012, Groendyke Transport, one of the largest tank truck carriers in the United States, has equipped the ADB22X air disc brake on all axles of its new tractors and trailers; this year, the company placed its first order for the new ADB22X-LT air disc brake. Additional fleets choosing the ADB22X air disc brake include CalArk, Armellini Express Lines, Andrews Logistics, and many more representing a full range of sizes and vocations.
BSFB produces the full lineup of commercially available Bendix® brand air disc brake and foundation drum brake solutions at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bowling Green.
Bendix wheel-end solutions include air disc and drum brake systems, automatic slack adjusters, spring brakes, friction, and remanufactured brake shoes that provide lower total cost of ownership while delivering on safety, stopping power, and reliability. BSFB helps fleets and drivers in the areas most critical to their success by improving vehicle performance and efficiency, and backing their products with unparalleled post-sales support. By strengthening return on investment in the technologies that improve vehicle and driver safety, BSFB pursues a goal of safer roads across North America.
Visit Bendix’s Knowledge Dock at knowledge-dock.com to stay connected through updates on the latest information in truck operation, maintenance, and safety, including videos, blog posts, podcasts, white papers, and Bendix Tech Tips.
For more information about Bendix air disc brakes, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit foundationbrakes.com.
