Link Mfg., Ltd. announced the Redline Performance Series Suspensions that include a broader selection of weight capacities for its Air Link tandem drive axle suspension and Atlas single drive axle suspension. In tribute to fire departments and personnel across North America, the company has created a dedicated charity dubbed “Link Cares” that will regularly contribute to firefighter-related charitable organizations across North America. Link Cares has made an inaugural contribution of $2,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
“Link has met the demands of major fire departments and equipment manufacturers with high-performance, heavy duty vehicle suspensions for more than 20 years,” said Chris English, managing director, Link Suspensions of Canada. “The development of our Redline Performance Series Suspensions and the establishment of our Link Cares charity represent our company’s core values of servanthood and our sincere reverence for the heroic nature of the firefighting culture.”
Redline Performance Series Suspensions expands Link’s product range, offering new weight ratings as a response to market demand and the unique combinations of equipment and apparatus used by individual fire departments. The Air Link Redline tandem drive axle suspension will now be available in a carrying capacity of 62K to 85K, while the Atlas Redline single drive axle suspension will now have a carrying capacity range of 31.5K to 35K.
The Air Link Redline tandem axle suspension features a unique air spring over walking beam design, patented by Link close to 30 years ago. Originally engineered to handle extreme payloads in off-highway and military environments, this suspension meets the demands of aerial fire and rescue vehicles. It fully integrates with Dana, Meritor, SSU, and Mack axles.
The Air Link Redline tandem axle suspension delivers emergency vehicle performance, a smoother ride, higher roll stability, maximum articulation, better traction, and has lower maintenance requirements, the company says. Link’s air-over-walking-beam technology uses large, high-volume, low-frequency air springs that enable firefighters to experience a consistently stable and comfortable ride, whether they’re racing to an emergency on a city street, on an unpaved road, or without benefit of either.
“The City of Syracuse has used the Air Link suspension for decades and has benefited from its reliability and ease of service,” said Zach Smith, fleet maintenance manager for the City of Syracuse, NY Department of Fire. “The department responds to 22,000 calls annually and operates this suspension on its Sutphen tower fleet.”
Link’s Atlas Redline single axle air spring suspension was designed from the ground up to meet the demanding life of fire and rescue vehicles. It fully integrates with Dana and Meritor axles, and when introduced, it was the first single axle suspension to have a 35K rating, according to the company. It is an air suspension designed for aerials and pumpers that need to carry longer ladders and more equipment on a single rear axle chassis.
Engineered with extra-wide bearing surfaces, the Atlas Redline provides high yaw stability, resulting in stable and predictable cornering. The design of the Atlas Redline provides enhanced ride quality, superior cab protection, and reduces departmental maintenance expenses, the company says.
“The Atlas meets all our requirements for a suspension,” said Drew Sutphen, president, Sutphen Corporation. “We have realized significantly less long-term structural problems, and no jarring to the aerial equipment. The Atlas is rugged and dependable and is a fast installation.”
Link Redline Performance Series Suspensions deliver everything fire departments demand in a heavy duty suspension, including better overall handling, maximum ride comfort, and enhanced safety for firefighters. Link’s suspensions also improve the life expectancy of bodies and aerial equipment on the fire trucks they serve and have been proven to isolate the chassis platform and contingent structures from stress-inducing impacts encountered on-highway and off, according to the company. All Link Redline Performance Series Suspensions are 100 percent off-highway rated, all can be retrofitted on existing vehicles, and all come with a six-month money-back guarantee.
Both the Air Link Redline tandem axle suspension and Atlas Redline single axle suspension feature dual height-control valves that help maintain proper ride height and vehicle leveling. Convenient air dump capabilities allow some of today’s higher-profile apparatus to kneel under older garage doors with less clearance.
All Redline Performance Series Suspensions feature polyurethane bushings and are treated with Link’s exclusive Link-KOAT migratory self-healing metal treatment. Link-KOAT provides corrosion resistance and rust protection, even when surfaces are exposed to excessive cleaning, harsh chemicals, and the severe duty environments commonly encountered. Their polyurethane bushings also resist solvents, require no lubrication or maintenance, and are more durable than rubber.
“Link is committed to building the safest and best-performing suspensions for fire apparatus,” English said. “We will never stop improving and innovating and our Redline Performance Series Suspensions and Link Cares charity are testaments to our dedication to firefighting and to the men and women who serve that profession so valiantly.”
