SAF-Holland, a manufacturer of trailer suspension and axle systems, truck suspensions, fifth wheels, landing gear and coupling products, has introduced its P89 Air Disc Brake Series with the goal of increasing the adoption of air disc brakes among fleets.
The company is reducing the cost of these air disc brakes - along with improving performance and lowering maintenance - in an effort to make air disc brakes more appealing than drum brakes for use on trailers. SAF-Holland designed the P89 Series with commercial fleets in mind, noting the air disc brakes provide superior braking performance, extended service intervals and easier maintenance.
The P89 Series is comprised of two models. The New P89 is a base model that can be customized to suit specific fleet demands at a significantly lower price point than previous generation air disc brake system. Meanwhile the P89 Plus is a premium package that includes a seven-year maintenance-free bearing system and premium rotors to provide a significant reduction in the total cost of ownership.
"SAF-Holland has leveraged their global supplier network to create economies of scale that drive down the cost of technology. We are able to pass this cost savings to our North American fleet customers and, for the first time, put air disc brake technology within reach of fleets large and small," said Jeff Talaga, vice president of sales and strategic development, Americas, SAF-Holland.
New P89
At the heart of the New P89 air disc brake is the SAF SBS 2220 caliper and 430mm diameter heavy duty vented rotor. The dual piston SBS 2220 caliper applies a more even pressure pattern across the brake lining than competitive single piston designs. The 430mm diameter by 45mm thick rotor provides 30 percent more wear volume than competitive designs, the company says.
The New P89 comes standard with a 3.5" diameter parallel spindle or an optional lightweight taper spindle configuration, which reduces weight by 10 lbs per axle and uses industry standard bearings and wheel seals to reduce maintenance costs. It is backed by a five-year warranty.
P89 Plus
The P89 Plus comes standard with a seven-year maintenance-free bearing system that uses large 89mm front and rear bearings, which are individually sealed and lubricated with high-temperature, long-life grease. Traditional wheel seals, which are a common source of premature wheel end failure, are completely eliminated. Precision bearing spacers are installed between the inner and outer bearings to precisely control bearing pre-load for maximum life. According to the company, extensive product testing has shown the P89 Plus bearing system provides four times better bearing life.
The bi-metallic design of the SAF Integral rotor allows the rotor to expand and contract a radial direction, which keeps the braking surface flat and eliminates the umbrella effect. The P89 Plus is backed by a seven-year warranty.
"With our commitment to design and develop products that better serve our fleet customers with leading technology, SAF-Holland is pleased to introduce the P89 Series that outperforms the competition in superior braking quality and total cost of ownership," said Talaga.
Available on the SAF CBX air ride and ULX spring ride suspensions, the P89 Series provides advantages of air disc brake performance to nearly all fleet operations - whether high-mileage, long-haul fleets or demanding vocational trailer applications.
SAF-Holland officials projected that air disc brakes use could rise as much as 25 percent on steer axles, up to 15 percent on drive axles and as much as 15 percent on trailer axles.
