SAF-Holland extends Intradisc braking options
IMS-Group, the official distributor for SAF-Holland in the UK, Eire and Europe, has announced the extension of the range of braking options available for the manufacturer’s Intradisc air suspension systems.
The Intra family of SAF axles is said to offer optimum flexibility for transport operators looking to minimise the whole-life costs of their trailer fleets. The versatility of the modular Intra range means that air suspension systems can be accurately specified to meet the exact needs of individual operators and their intended applications, says IMS.
Cited attributes of the Intra range include extreme ruggedness and light weight, low maintenance requirements and an extended warranty programme covering almost every likely application. Intra was designed to feature a lower component count than the competition to ease servicing, adds IMS, helping to make SAF Intra popular amongst service technicians and operators alike.
Whilst the tried and tested Intradrum continue to remain very popular here in the UK, says IMS, there is a slow and steady rise in the uptake of SAF-Holland’s disc alternatives.
Regional sales manager Craig Lawton explained: “SAF-Holland has long been aware that in delivery and distribution, every kilo counts which is why they’ve worked consistently on developing payload-optimised axles like the Intradisc plus Integral.
“For the same braking performance, disc brakes are lighter than their drum equivalents and it’s widely acknowledged that discs can offer higher and more consistent braking torque than drums.”
He continued: “The company’s latest development of the ten-spoke wheel end design and weight-relieved disc brake caliper together reduce the weight by 24kg on a triaxle trailer, which is not insignificant. But importantly, none of this weight saving is made at the expense of performance, longevity or safety.”
SAF-Holland currently offers two Intra disc-equipped axle/suspension derivatives; Intradisc AirVent and Intradisc plus Integral. SAF works closely with leading brake manufacturers in order to provide a choice of calipers for each of the Intradisc products to accommodate the preferences of operators, their service partners and workshop technicians.
The SAF/Haldex new SBS2220HO1 caliper – which replaces the SBS222HO with a weight reduction of 5kg per axle – and Knorr-Bremse SK7 are now joined by the Knorr-Bremse ST7, a two-piston air disc brake caliper specially developed for trailers.
Knorr-Bremse has introduced several significant developments in the ST7 which is now one of the lightest two-piston brakes for 22.5-inch wheels on the market, says IMS. Modifications to the calipers, carrier and pads have brought a 10 per cent weight reduction compared to its predecessor, the SK7.
The proven two-piston principle prevents uneven wear, the company adds, so that the pad material wears uniformly even in the toughest applications, providing a clear benefit for customers.
Craig Lawton concluded: “Given the effort that SAF/ Haldex and Knorr-Bremse have jointly invested in the SBS2220H01 and the ST7 to deliver meaningful economic and operational advantages, I think that we’ll see far more Intradisc equipped with these calipers on the road over the next year or so.”
