Wear Sensing for Tractors and Trailers – Available on Original Equipment and in the Aftermarket – Helps Lower Maintenance Costs while Protecting Costly Brake Components
ELYRIA, Ohio – Oct. 30, 2019 – Bendix is introducing pad wear sensing on all versions of the industry-leading Bendix® ADB22X® air disc brake, available for order on new equipment from select truck and trailer manufacturers.
Bendix air disc brake (ADB) wear sensing technology determines when a pad is nearing its replacement period and provides a signal via telematics that fleets can use to proactively schedule maintenance. The system helps lower maintenance costs by reducing the need for technicians to measure friction, and by optimizing friction replacement schedules. In addition, since the system provides alerts when pads are reaching the point of replacement, it protects costly ADB components, such as rotors, from being damaged by worn-out pads.
“Bendix wear sensing technology removes the guesswork from ADB pad replacement – an enormous advantage for fleets,” said Keith McComsey, director of marketing and customer solutions, Wheel-End, at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB). “Now fleets can spec wear sensing on their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicles and more confidently know when to proactively schedule those trucks and trailers for pad replacement service. They can increase the cost-effectiveness of their maintenance efforts, significantly reducing time spent by technicians removing tires only to determine that adequate pad life remains – or, worst case, discovering the pad is so worn that it has damaged the rotor or other components, requiring replacement of expensive parts.”
The Wear Sensing Advantage
Bendix air disc brake wear sensing technology consists of sensors mounted to the ADB pads that indicate when pad thickness is approaching a worn-out condition. The system records a diagnostic trouble code and signals a fleet’s office via telematics, if the truck or trailer has that capability. It can also be set up to alert technicians through a remote diagnostic unit (RDU). At the time of notification, sufficient pad life remains to enable the fleet or technician to schedule replacement service before it’s an emergency situation.
With Bendix wear sensing technology, fleets can reduce maintenance expenses by expending labor less often to measure friction. The technology also helps reduce expenses by enabling fleets to optimize their friction replacement schedules: Fleets can plan for replacement – rather than being forced to handle it immediately – and couple it with other maintenance, maximizing efficiency through the best use of their technicians.
The Bendix technology brings the added benefit of helping avoid the risk of damage to costly rotors by alerting fleets to ADB pads nearing replacement condition.
“When vehicles are equipped with wear sensing, fleet personnel can be alerted in real time when they are approaching the pad’s end-of-life state. Having that knowledge will help protect high-dollar air disc brake components, like the rotor,” McComsey said. “Some fleets might routinely check pads at the end of the month. But at that point, the pads could be worn enough that they are scoring or otherwise damaging the rotor – which the fleet would now have to replace, at an added expense of a couple hundred dollars per wheel-end, rather than only the cost of buying and installing a pad replacement kit – which is a fraction of that.”
Coverage Front to Back
Bendix wear sensing technology is available for both tractor and trailer through select OEM truck and trailer manufacturers.
Kenworth Truck Company offers the system on its T680, T880, and W990 tractors equipped with the Bendix® ADB22X® air disc brake.
On the trailer side, pad wear sensing technology is available on equipment spec’d with the Bendix® ADB22X®-LT trailer air disc brake. The technology is integrated with the Bendix® TABS-6™ Premium and Advanced trailer roll stability systems, meaning one of those must be spec’d along with wear sensing. Bendix wear sensing accommodates most trailer types, including vans, flatbed, reefers, and tanks.
“Based on what fleets are telling us, the total cost of ownership argument for Bendix wear sensing technology is powerful,” McComsey said. “This is another way we’re optimizing our air disc brake system and helping fleets protect their ADB investment while lowering total cost of ownership.”
For more information about Bendix air disc brakes, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit www.foundationbrakes.com.
About Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC combines and expands the complementary wheel-end foundation brake technologies of two global leaders – Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC. The joint venture, formed in July 2004, is a single, complete source for OEM brake system design, manufacturing, hardware, and support for all foundation brake components and actuation systems, as well as all-makes coverage of nearly 50,000 medium- and heavy-duty aftermarket parts. Contact us at 1-866-610-9709 or visit foundationbrakes.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos, and other resources at knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at brake-school.com. And to learn more about career opportunities at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, visit bendix.com/careers.